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I CAN understand why every second car is not an Alfa Romeo

60K views 683 replies 31 participants last post by  alfettaparts2 
#1 ·
We drove our 156 v6 from Tauranga to Hamilton yesterday to show my parents and to have dinner. Yes I put the old thermostat back in ... and yes she ran cold ...

But what an awesome car. So much torque. Doesn't really need a gearbox. How the heck did they do that? Man they must breathe so well.

Went up the Kaimai ranges in top gear without me having to accelerate more than a few millimetres and never dropped below 95km/h. Okay on the way home I dropped down a couple of gears because the corners are tighter.

Quiet, handles bumps well, corners instinctively (this sort of driving you can't tell that is is FWD), didn't use much petrol, aircon worked well, radio worked all the way (major concern with the kids as our old Honda Odyssey looses the station) and very easy to keep to the speed limit. I did though hit the rev limiter in 2nd near the end of the trip home when I was playing ... she revs so fast!

I honestly cannot understand why so many buy other brands! What a car, and strangely reminds me of my GTV in being such a solid and relaxed cruiser/mile eater.
Pete
 
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#3 ·
Maybe it doesn't help that in NZ middle-aged Alfa's like 156's sell for spare change and for many people cost quite a bit to run. Some of the costs my Dad was quoted over the years for relatively simple work on his series of 75s, 164, and 156 were criminal. Luckily even in his 80's he has been willing to question and research, but even he gave up in the end and bought a Hyundai.
 
#4 ·
The majority of car buyers follow the masses who buy GM, Ford, VW (who fool their costumers with false fuel economy and pollution figures), Toyota and what have we.
Apart from driving and looking good the many Alfa (+ Fiat and Lancia) my wife and I have owned the last 30 years have been reliable and easy to service plus holding their values pretty well.
Labour and parts hasn't cost more than other brands'. I don't necessary always use authorized Fiat/Alfa repair shops. Most thing car be done buy a local independently repair shop. This even was the case with my classic AR Spider 1970.
 
#5 ·
I had a very wordy reply about how my father views cars from an ease of servicing point of view being a mechanic but enjoys driving Alfa Romeos but lost it so not going to write that out again ...

One thing that is missing is cup holders and I have a solution but that will have to wait until I'm setup in our new to us house. Yes we have finally bought and moving in before Christmas so GTV restoration will restart ... again soon.

Will be interesting to see how much the 156 costs to run, but I have no intention of selling her. This car will be my "family" car.
Pete
 
#6 ·
"Maybe it doesn't help that in NZ middle-aged Alfa's like 156's sell for spare change"

And we in the US cannot get any Alfa newer than 1995, alas. Oh, there are a very few 'bandit's' running around here but still...
 
#7 ·
Okay one reason might be because Repco cannot supply even something as simple as a thermostat. Two attempts now and both very wrong, although the second may suit some Alfa Romeo but neither of mine.

So thankfully because this is New Zealand there is Alfa Romeo dealers so that is where I will go tomorrow :)
Pete
 
#8 ·
Watch out Pete - from experience in NZ the main dealers know little about anything other than the new models and charge a fortune for even simple parts like that. Better I'd say to hit the Internet and send your custom UK way.
 
#10 ·
Hi Pete

Try The Italian Job in Akl or CHCH. Parts are OEM and cheap. Dealers re too dear in NZ. Stay AWAY from the Repcos of this world s thye know zNOTHING about proper cars'
 
#13 ·
Finally got the right thermostat. Yes I paid extra ($200) and went to an Alfa dealership but I was getting frustrated with not being able to sort this.

I will need to create an area on my shelving for this car as I'm not throwing the old one away ... yet :). Note the new one is fully closed as expected when cold.
Pete
 
#15 ·
Hi Pete,
Did you by any chance check the pipe that runs between the water pump and thermostat. Sometimes they can weep at the thermostat housing end. Mine did - I could smell hot water when I got home - it was a tiny weep but enough to drop the water level over a few days.

Oliver
 
#17 ·
Hi,
The pipes sit on top and run from one end to the other. It is the 'O' rings that go hard and weep where the pipe goes onto the housings.


Oliver:smile2:
 
#18 ·
Drove her from Tauranga to Taupo today and with the new thermostat and temperature was perfect.

Because of this I had a little more fun and gee passing using 3rd or 4th was just so much fun and loved the torque pushing us back in the seat and of course the sound. I sooooooo wanted to wind her right out but while I did have a small short play or two (while passing) ... I'll not say anymore other than there was considerably more left :D

Everybody so far is enjoying the comfort, helped because you can go around any open road corner with out any speed adjustment, and the stereo.

I'm going to contact the North Auckland FIAT Alfa Romeo place that last serviced it and see if I can find out when/if they replaced the timing belt. They might have the service history of the car for the last few years?
Pete
 
#23 ·
I'm going to contact the North Auckland FIAT Alfa Romeo place that last serviced it and see if I can find out when/if they replaced the timing belt. They might have the service history of the car for the last few years?
Pete
And they did have the service history from 2014 and really good news; the cambelt, tensioner and water pump were replaced in August 2014 @ 108,000 km's so there is no need for me to touch that area for 3 years or ~53,000 km's :) :)

Also the lower front control arms were replaced in October 2014 :)

Very happy 156 owner!
Pete
 
#20 ·
Sounds great Pete. Lovely road and perfect for an Alfa. It joins the main road in Taupo just east of the township doesn't it? There used to be some sort of restaurant or reception place up that road a bit.

Is the road around the east side of the lake still as good as it was back in the 80's and 90's? Had some great drives down there, most often coming back through the national park and up the west side of the lack which by memory was a faster road?
 
#21 ·
Sounds great Pete. Lovely road and perfect for an Alfa. It joins the main road in Taupo just east of the township doesn't it?
I'm not sure, we just follow the road signs. Pretty open and flowing roads. The road from Tauranga to Rotorua is currently my favourite. Some great curves and undulating.
Is the road around the east side of the lake still as good as it was back in the 80's and 90's? Had some great drives down there, most often coming back through the national park and up the west side of the lack which by memory was a faster road?
New Zealand roads might often suffer course chip surface and therefore be noisy but they are rarely boring drives :).

BTW: The 1750 GTV's shell has been successfully moved today to our house from the rental property. An easy move where we actually towed it along the road on it's trolley for about 2 km's ... luckily no cops spotted us :D Lots of getting the house right first before I can get back working on her though.
Pete
 
#24 ·
Always good to have those major items done and paid for by someone else. Glad to see you are enjoying that 156 - the 2 litre Twin Spark is not too bad either, especially in the really twisty bits where its better agility becomes an advantage. Tauranga is not a bad place to live either.
Re your question as to why people don`t drive Alfas -two things ;they don`t like to be too different than their friends, and B they think they are dearer to own just like ANY European car. Obviously they have never worked on a late Japanese or Korean car, nor bought parts for them because ALL modern cars are equally difficult and my experience is parts prices are no different BUT because cars like Alfas tend to be driven for a longer period you can get parts for them in say 20yrs time unlike many *** imports for example.
I get parts from EB Spares in UK for our 156 but try Auckland Italian Job as well as slightly more convenient for you if you want them in a couple of days however if you plan your maintenance schedule ahead so you give yourself time can`t beat EB Spares in UK, and I got my TS plugs out within 4 days - ($NZ136 compared to $NZ300 plus). They carry "modern" Alfa parts in addition to the classic stuff they`ve always carried.
 
#25 ·
Took her up to the Auckland Ellerslie car show where my father is a judge. Dad, Jarad (nephew), Ben (son) and myself and still flies along, passing a breeze and too much fun.

I have also discovered that the back will let go, as early in the drive we played harder around a few roundabouts ... great fun :).

On the way home we also hammered up the Kaimai's as hard as I would go with my son on board (Dad and Jarad were dropped off in Hamilton) and that was great fun also. Only concern I have is the temperature, on this burst, got up to around 95 degrees C where she normally runs around 80 to 90 ... checked water and oil level this morning and perfect.

Dad has suggested I replace the fuel filter, which makes perfect sense of course.

My to do list:
1. Fuel filter.
2. Replace ashtray lid as it does not close perfectly as somebody has managed to break a couple of teeth off the closing mechanism.
3. Replace engine undertray as rear 2 mounts have been broken off.
4. Calmly wait for the next awesome drive :D
Pete
 
#26 ·
The under tray was made by alfisti.net in aluminium. I would contact them and inquire if they can still supply for your V6 (different from the 4 cyl. versions).
UK Based EB Spares brake used 156s for spares, so ask there, too.
The UK based alfaowner.com have lots of 156 owners, past and present, so maybe someone have one that they never got fitted.
 
#27 · (Edited)
My 156v6 has been racking up the miles recently. Last weekend I went from Tauranga to Auckland and back on both days (apparently 231km's from our house to the Auckland destination) to spend time with my wife and son. Managed to get it comfortably down to 2.5 hours.

Wonderful car, just wonderful. Passing is such a breeze, and also great fun. And heck I've been told the 4 cylinder is more sporty but heck she's a great handler ... for the sake of tyre preservation I've had to control myself ... lol

I've also had a (to me) wonderful complement from my son when I mentioned to him that if I ever go too fast, just say so and I will slow down immediately. He said: "It is the best thing I do" ... now at the moment that is very special, and also made the 156v6 even more special to me.

It has only used a tiny bit of oil, no water level movement and just seems to be lapping it up. Can do Tauranga to Auckland and back using only 1/2 a tank ... and with other drivers I'm sure it would do better because when I pass (and heck other times, although I try not to), I nail her :D ... it is simply safer to spend the least amount of time on the other side of the road.

Can't wait to take the whole family for another trip!! ... takes a lot of cleaning the bugs off the front though ;)
Pete
 
#28 · (Edited)
Since I serviced her (10/01/2016) she has done 5000 km's :), mostly from Tauranga to Auckland, so good miles and no problems.

Great for this sort of driving. In fact I love this car and have no intention of selling her. With my current family situation and not being able to continue (currently, I hope in a few years to get back into it) with my 1750's restoration I'm glad that I have this car to remind myself what is so good about this marque.

For those who want to know my son (14) had a mental breakdown and is in the excellent Starship hospital (in Auckland) while they work out his medication, etc. So far the diagnosis is he has Aspergers (high functioning Autism) and he spent too much effort trying to control this resulting in his mental breakdown and self harm thoughts.

Poor kid, and the most upsetting thing I have ever been involved in. I have cried so much that I thought I was going to run out of tears ...

He has been aware that he is not "normal" for a few years and we thought that he had grown out of it but in the end it was him trying ever so hard to be normal. Nobody can do that 24/7 and it burnt him out. (BTW: We've been aware that something was different for a very long time and he has seen more specialists than I have fingers and toes but he is also very good at working out what needs to be said at the right time and we have got nowhere but confused ...)

Of course human nature as it is, he was bullied by those he thought were genuine friends and now has a broken nose to prove it. The upsetting thing is no matter what happens to him it is always his fault and he deserved it ... of course this is not true but that is how victims like my son, whose through no fault of his was born different, think. We always wondered why he was so interested in everybody in the families history. He was trying to relate to another member of the family, ie. I'm like him or her. In the end I'm by far the most like him and maybe I have Aspergers too!

Sorry for this deviation, back to Alfas. The 156v6 is 100% a true Alfa Romeo!, and FWD or not it has huge grip.
Pete
 
#29 ·
Sorry to read about your son's diagnosis. I hope that the doctors will find a treatment for him very soon.
When some things like this happens other things gets less important. It's very important for the patients family to keep hopes and encourage the patient to have hope for a soon improvement and recovery.
When my wife became ill (breast cancer) I was very happy that I had it in me to support her and finding surprises for her after surgery.
Best of luck for you and your family.
 
#30 ·
Sorry to read about your son's diagnosis. I hope that the doctors will find a treatment for him very soon.
When some things like this happens other things gets less important. It's very important for the patients family to keep hopes and encourage the patient to have hope for a soon improvement and recovery. When my wife became ill (breast cancer) I was very happy that I had it in me to support her and finding surprises for her after surgery.
Best of luck for you and your family.
Agree and thank you. We are doing all we can and understand that this will be a long process. I also have to thank my extended family who have been great.

I hope your wife is now well.
Pete
 
#34 ·
BTW my son is permitted home stays now so is making progress, which is three steps forward and two back.

The hardest thing is he appears so confused by what his brain is doing and asks some very soul searching questions. We do believe that with the right drugs, time and counselling he will reach a level of ability and hopefully acceptance of who he (now) is.

He enjoys drives in the 156v6. Relaxes him a great deal :).
Pete
 
#36 · (Edited)
Just done another trip to the hospital in Auckland and back. My son and I ended up convoying with a silver 159 (diesel I think) for over half the trip. Was great fun, especially as after I blew past him after passing 4 or so cars in a single pass (the v6 was humming ;) ... and yes I used a bit more fuel in that trip) he decided that was unacceptable and passed me back a few miles later and kept up a good pace all the way to the Auckland motorway. Thank you and nice car you have Sir :) ... a BB member?

Anyway an interesting thing has happened to my family. First my eldest son (step son) asked me why I didn't buy one before in Sydney. He is not a car guy at all but mentioned that he quite likes the 156. Also when ever we go out my wife requests that we use the 156 :D ... interesting.
Pete
 
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