Righting a wrong -Alfa Romeo 156..

[320touring]

Hopefully, as the 156 was introduced in 1997 You lot are ok with me papping up a thread on my 2002 example?

I got bored on Sunday so took it upon myself to resolve one of the glaring errors in my motoring history..

I've driven a fair few Alfa Romeos in passing, either via working at car auctions, or through friends.

However I've never owned one until now!

Located 6 miles from my door and MOT'D til June, it was a 1.8 t spark. I paid a derisory sum and scarpered with it before the vendor could change their mind:)

Initial spotting:



Made good my escape with ra burd driving the 306..


Initial exterior views look promising





I also made a lame walk round video so I can list what needs doing- see if you can spot the deliberate(ahem) mistake..




Hope you like it- seems a solid enough old bus, and was fun on the road home:)

[duggers]

Kinda forgot they existed if i'm honest, but Alfa's are always distinctive.

Make sure you keep a bag of electric in the boot because you will run out at some stage usually somewhere embarrassing

[320touring]

Jan 25, 2016 19:21:58 GMT duggers said:

Kinda forgot they existed if i'm honest, but Alfa's are always distinctive.

Make sure you keep a bag of electric in the boot because you will run out at some stage usually somewhere embarrassing

Yeah, it just popped up so would have been rude not too.

only mild vomplaint is a lack of v6..

[highvoltage]

I really like these,great lookers and wonderful interiors too.
I would probably have bought one some time if it wasn't the variator worries,good luck with it,looks a straight car.

[320touring]

Jan 25, 2016 19:38:31 GMT highvoltage said:

I really like these,great lookers and wonderful interiors too.
I would probably have bought one some time if it wasn't the variator worries,good luck with it,looks a straight car.

I didnt set out to buy it - saw it on the Thursday on the way past, appeared on Gumtree on the Sat and was with me by Sunday.

fundamentally looks ok-just some minor works to get it spot on!

[swampy76]

Get rid of the front number plate plinth!
Number plate looks so much better straight on the bumper

[320touring]

Jan 25, 2016 19:48:09 GMT swampy76 said:

Get rid of the front number plate plinth!
Number plate looks so much better straight on the bumper

I may do but got some more pressing things to sort first..

I think its quite handsome as is TBH- certainly a fair bit better looking than a lot of its competitors!

[flyingphil]

We loved our 2 litre twinspark 156 - but beware of deep water as the air intake is very low down.....says he from bitter experience.

[320touring]

Jan 25, 2016 21:32:00 GMT flyingphil said:

We loved our 2 litre twinspark 156 - but beware of deep water as the air intake is very low down.....says he from bitter experience.

Funnily enough the 306 has a low down air intake too..

somthing to alter maybe given the weather up here

[thewindscreenman]

We owned a 20 valve, 5 cylinder, 2.4 diesel 156 this time last year. Remapped because 175bhp wasn't quite enough for someone! I loved it very very much. Wife couldn't drive it. Said it scared her. She now has a megane scenic.. . I hate being married.

[smeden]

I did my apprentice ship on those. (panel beater) Lovely car to drive! Nice engine revy and lovely sound! They handle really well and good brakes. Have a look at the reinforcements for the front towers they can rot there. And the joint between the sills and the rear wing's. Also look at the suspension bushes they wear out! Enjoy you Alfa I want one too!

[The House]

Had a 10v 2.4 jtd sportwagon, loved it.

Interior is great and hard wearing (mine had done 250k and still looked new), seats are comfy, and the bose stereo is decent.
Suspension gets a bit soft with higher mileage, although cut springs soon deal with that!

Get some 147 supersport alloys, had them on my SW. Suit the shape down to the ground.

[edwardbear]

I have never considered owning an Alfa, but that sportswagon looks lush. How much are they?

[mylittletony]

I've got a set of the Bose speakers (doors only) I was going to chuck on ebay if you're interested?

[320touring]

Jan 26, 2016 12:41:12 GMT mylittletony said:

I've got a set of the Bose speakers (doors only) I was going to chuck on ebay if you're interested?

The tunes appear to work ok so far, but cheers for the offer!

[keithyboy]

I loved my 2.0 twinny.

In an ideal world I'd have a V6 SW but there are two for sale in the country, both at silly prices.

Some of the lads on alfaowner are seeing rust in the floorpans quite a bit so maybe worth a poke around before you start spending money on it?

One of the aforementioned lads is restoring a 2.5 V6 with his son:

www.alfaowner.com/Forum/motoring-images/797610-156-v6-restoration-childrens-edition.html

[village]

I'd love a 2.4 JTD, but the Current Dr Village is suspicious of the reliability, so I got a Skoda instead.

[simonh]

Definitely worth checking the floorpans as they can completely fall apart even on cars with clean wheelarches and really shiny bodywork. Have been shocked quite a few times putting one of these up on the ramp. Really nice cars though.

[The House]

Jan 26, 2016 13:12:48 GMT village said:

I'd love a 2.4 JTD, but the Current Dr Village is suspicious of the reliability, so I got a Skoda instead.

Bought my 2.4 above on 216k miles, put 35k miles on it in a year, only issues I had were wheel bearings, tyres and brake pads. Most reliable car I've ever owned

[waynedear]

Excellent choice, make sure the belts have been done in the last 3 years or 36k, check oil and water every week, some twinsparks like to drink oil (some don't) but most of all enjoy.