07-27-2012, 05:00 AM
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Location: Gold Coast. Qld. Australia
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To buy or Not to buy?
Hi Guys, thought this would be the place to ask. I've been thinking lately to buy a 156. Is there anything that I should particularly look out for (I know about the selespeed  ) so as not to get a lemon?
This is the one in particular I am going to drive on Tuesday.
Used Alfa Romeo, 156 JTS MY2004 car for sale in Brisbane
Any constructive comments appreciated.
Thanks Jay
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07-27-2012, 05:30 AM
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Location: Helsinki,Finland
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one word take the V6 engined one...JTS has also some known problems....
__________________
-Antti: 156 V6 '02 --ex Alfas:155 2.0 8V '92,155 2.0 16V '96,156 V6 '98
http://carpix.1g.fi/kuvat/carpix/
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07-27-2012, 05:36 AM
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Thanks for advice. More power never goes astray 
What are the problems with a JTS?
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07-27-2012, 08:19 AM
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Location: Denmark
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The V6s are heavier up front which makes a 156 less agile on bendy small (fun) roads but more stable on motorways at high speed. They are harder in front suspension parts as they are the same.
The JTS engine has direct injection which can lead to sooty injectors if the car does many short journeys especially in colder climate. Some of (10-20%) the 2,0 TS and JTS engines have a higher than normal oil consumption - I have owned 2 and none of them burned any oil even after 250k km.
Otherwise it an 8 year old car, so check all the usual things (accidents, rust, knocks, creaks and clunks when driving. I see the one you have looked at has a full service history and looks very well maintained. Remember that the cam belts need changing every 3 years or 80k km (both 2,0 and V6).
Apart from all that they are a dream to drive, looks very beautiful and my 2 have been very reliable.
Good
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07-27-2012, 08:36 AM
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the JTS has very often lambda problems, it can wear camshafts and can collect large amounts of deposits on valves and this is not just one case but many. The first JTS engines also lacked the promised engine power. Last ones are maybe better. My order would be v6,TS and JTS If I would be choosing the engine. Of course not all JTS engines are bad , but its not uncommon to have those problems. You can find much more info of the JTS just by browsing internet and different forums.
__________________
-Antti: 156 V6 '02 --ex Alfas:155 2.0 8V '92,155 2.0 16V '96,156 V6 '98
http://carpix.1g.fi/kuvat/carpix/
Last edited by Vsix; 07-27-2012 at 08:43 AM.
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07-27-2012, 09:21 AM
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by Vsix
the JTS has very often lambda problems, it can wear camshafts and can collect large amounts of deposits on valves and this is not just one case but many. The first JTS engines also lacked the promised engine power. Last ones are maybe better.
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Isn't the issues of the lambda and sooted valve due to sooted injectors and too much city driving and short journeys? But true, the JTS is more phone to fail in these driving conditions. My impression is that JTSs that do long journeys doesn't suffer these problems.
My cars had TS engines and was especially during the winters exposure to long periods of short journeys and never suffered any ill effects.
The V6 is a glorious engine, lovely sound track and indestructible but heavy and thirsty; but if that doesn't matter and it's mainly used on long motorway journeys a 156 V6 2,5 or 3,2 GTA are lovely cars. Maintenance cost are higher, though.
Erik
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07-27-2012, 06:00 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Omega86
Hi Guys, thought this would be the place to ask. I've been thinking lately to buy a 156. Is there anything that I should particularly look out for (I know about the selespeed ) so as not to get a lemon?
This is the one in particular I am going to drive on Tuesday.
Used Alfa Romeo, 156 JTS MY2004 car for sale in Brisbane
Any constructive comments appreciated.
Thanks Jay |
Noting the mileage, I'd consider this car expensive. Especially given it's a Twinspark and not the V6. Which, ironically for our euro readers is still more expensive over here.
I have a 156 (in Brisbane), I love it, fantastic car. Never let us down and still tight as a drum, but it's a JTD so strong as an ox and indestructible unlike the fragile petrol versions. I've still had to maintain it though (belts, fluids, bushes)
However, if you can stretch it, I think your money would be better spent on an early 159. Its a MUCH better car. They can be had from $15k with similar mileage to the one you linked. Are available in Aust. with either the 2.4 or 1.9JTD engines.
$Maintenance items are likely to be similar for both models at this age.
Try the diesel, it could easily pull your disco back up that cliff
Last edited by Craig_m67; 07-27-2012 at 06:04 PM.
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08-05-2012, 03:08 PM
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Loads of 156's driving around here in Holland, please be ware of the 4 cylinder petrol engines. They usualy have a high oil consumtion and when they've been running with to little oil in the past they tend to break down when you put down the throttle. Ofcourse there are good ones, but they have built quite the reputation over here.
Diesel engines or V6es are much better, but the V6 engine is a little more expensive on maintenence but a lot more reliable.
Also, when looking for a 156, check for rust. Probably in sunny australia it's much less of an issue, but here in Holland they usualy have a lot of rust on the front subframe and on the underside of the chassis. (where your feet are)
Electronics are not so much of an issue, usualy the airbag warning light is on, but in 9 out of 10 cases that's a bad connector under the seat thus nothing to worry about.
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08-05-2012, 05:06 PM
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Thanks guys. I hate buying second hand cars, too much to consider. Craig, I have thought about a 159. I saw a new 159 sportwagon the other day. That is a very nice looking car.
Cheers to all
Jay
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08-06-2012, 12:08 AM
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Location: Denmark
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Omega86
Thanks guys. I hate buying second hand cars, too much to consider. Craig, I have thought about a 159. I saw a new 159 sportwagon the other day. That is a very nice looking car.
Cheers to all
Jay
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When considering a new 159 you shall know that production of the 159 stopped during 2011 (summer I think).
Best ones are the 2 diesels and the late 1750 MultiAir turbo petrol. The 159 is a quite heavy car and two original 1,9 and 2,2 (modified GM Opel engines) don't have power enough. The 3,2 V6 (Holden build engine) is of course alright.
True what Marlon from Holland writes. But saying that the 156 4 cyl. all have high oil consumption is to exaggerate. Maybe 10-20% of the TSs had this problem; probably a little more so for the JTS, but you will soon see it if you are checking. I've had 2 2,0 TSs and non of them used any oil up until 250k KM.
Erik
Last edited by Erik; 08-06-2012 at 12:11 AM.
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08-06-2012, 12:44 AM
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Location: Brisbane, Australia
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It's the 2.4JTD 159 wagon (dark blue or black) that I will be replacing our 156 with. That is when I can bear to part with her, she's family 
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08-08-2012, 02:05 AM
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Craig, try and use a fuel additive with the diesel as the quality of diesel in our country is rather poor resulting in soot building up in the throttle body and egr valve. It also clogs up the cat which can be cleaned with a regeneration function using the Alfa examiner.
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08-08-2012, 02:28 AM
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Location: Brisbane, Australia
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No regen on our car, it's an '03 1.9JTD 8V.
Can't say i've ever had issues with fuel (Diesel) in Australia either, I get whatever is closest, no issues. I purchased a spare MAF, EGR, MAP and other gubbins as preventative maintenance items when we brought it over but i'm yet to use them.
... anybody mapping JTD's in Australia yet ??
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08-08-2012, 03:30 AM
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Well keep it in mind as that's what's giving issues on the cars we see at work, other than general servicing. Of course we only get the ones that fail so I have a biased view.
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