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General Category / General Discussion / Re: £1000 Alfa challenge on Top Gear
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on: July 09, 2008, 05:01:22 PM
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Really enjoyed James May review of the 159 on Monday night, especially the Italian swear box. Good stuff. What a great review, racing against a guy traversing the mud flats and river to see who will be first to the other side. Made me want to buy the 159. Who is this German he was talking about who is running Alfa Romeo production at the momment? Brad |
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Technical / 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, and 166) / Re: Cambelt replacement on 2004 156 TI manual
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on: July 02, 2008, 03:37:06 PM
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Dave,
Had a look at Ben Lomand on the web, maybe they should update their website. Yeah, heard Tassie was getting some fierce winds and snow.
Me and the immediate family go at least twice a year. Drive down and back to Perisher all in one day (Its about 2.5 hours to the ski tube from here). Haven't tested the 156 out around the snow fields yet but looking forward too it as the drive down and back is very nice. Especially on the way back with the sun setting in the west behind the snowy mountains and namadgi range.
Cheers
Brad
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Technical / 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, and 166) / REPROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER
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on: July 01, 2008, 05:05:14 PM
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My unauthorised Alfa mechanic has been unable to reprogram my onboard computer (OBC), hence the message "Scheduled service expired". He was given instructions, however OBC isn't showing KM's so mechanic unable to reprogram.
Question is: do I have to have it reprogrammed at dealership or can I reprogram manually.
Brad
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Technical / 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, and 166) / Re: Cambelt replacement on 2004 156 TI manual
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on: June 26, 2008, 04:00:39 PM
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Dave,
Sounds like it was a great trip. I could see the 156 parked at a winery. Its like it was built for such an occasion.
A guy at work just bought the new XR-5 Mondeo and the interior is well finished, its got all the modern gadgets, like voice activated stereo etc, but its an ugly car. And it has that northern European sterile feel to the interior.
Pep,
thanks for the feedback, do you know if the 159 has cupholders? You would think it would seeing as the world has gone cup holder crazy. Maybe its a bit like yo yo's and they will go out of fashion and be recognised for the eyesore that they are. Handy but eyesore.
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Technical / 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, and 166) / Re: Cambelt replacement on 2004 156 TI manual
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on: June 24, 2008, 06:24:33 PM
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Hey guys and especially Brad, I can vouch for what happens when there is a lack of a cup holder and the vehicle is in motion, irrespective of whether or not the cup was between your legs. Think of the impact from burns on that part of the anatomy that the wife owns !! Believe me, from experience it is highly uncomfortable. The worst part was it was in a diesel landcruiser and I wasnt even driving !!!
From now on coffee is to be had while sitting down at the cafe, especially if the Alfa is parked out front where you can admire its form, and hopefully feel a little smug in knowing that at least you dont drive whitegoods on wheels.
Maybe also that explains why I am not so keen on the 147.
Pep105 I like your style, as I have a real soft spot for the 1750 Berlina and also early Alfettas, pity your workmates let alone the bosses don't understand such concepts. Still good to know that there is that 105 ready for that perfect weekend escape. So sad about having a baymix to get to work in. I think I would rather take the bus !! or walk.......which thankfully I can.
Cheers
Dave
Dave, I hope you weren't scarred for life with your little accident? On my way back from Sydney to Canberra, we stopped at Suttons Forrest upmarket 'Mc Cafe' and parked the beast out the front for all those fellow travellers to digest thier big Mac's while drooling over the cavaceous curves of the 156 TI. Reminds me a bit of that 'colorbond' roofing add. By the way dave and everyone else, I did drink my coffee inside, until I got itchy feet and then finished it off on the road. Yes I was bad but I didn't burn my bits. In relation too whether people should understand the concepts behind owning an Alfa, I believe that maybe its better if they don't. Maybe that's part of the reason why I own an Alfa, its original and most people are critical of the make although in secret they know they want it. Then again there are those who are interested at work. Those bored with driving a Toyota corrolla or camry. Brad |
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Technical / 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, and 166) / Re: Cambelt replacement on 2004 156 TI manual
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on: June 24, 2008, 04:52:59 PM
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Guys dont worry about the lack of cup holders in the 156Ti, I drive a souless characterless japenese company car to work that sounds like a bamix. It has a plethora of cupholders so I should be drinking coffee while driving so I dont fall asleep! Told the guys at work id rather arrive in style in an Alfetta or a 1750 Berlina (they think Im retarded, at least I wont lose the car in the carpark unlike now!)..............and have the 105 for those special ocasions
P.S For some reason the 147 had two cupholders yet the 156 cupholder tally was jacko weird
Possibly, after the 156 came out, some coffee drinking (while driving) alfa driver complained about lack of cup holder's. Obviously not a true Alfisti! So Alfa included several in the 147? Brad |
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Technical / 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, and 166) / Re: Cambelt replacement on 2004 156 TI manual
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on: June 23, 2008, 08:07:06 PM
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Brad,
I am in Bulimba in Brisbane. Very hip neighbourhood, befitting an Alfa, where cafe culture is an integral part of one's life and the only thing more important than a well-lit make-up mirror is cup holders. However, I grew up in the housing commission badlands of Woodridge and Kingston - where we drove rusty old, mostly stolen, holdens. I'd definitely be in danger if I drove through the old neighbourhood in one of my Alfas. Aah, I'm a traitor to my roots. The shame of it.
Brent
Bulimba, I know it well. Have friends in Bulimba, actually there not really friends as they drive a camry. At least you escaped impoverishment and have moved on to the dizzy heights of inner Brisbane. I lived in the valley, New farm, teneriffe and carina heights once. What color is your 156 TI? I would have liked a black or dark Grey, however wanted a TI and this seemed a good price at the time. Actually still does. Cheers Brad |
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Technical / 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, and 166) / Re: Cambelt replacement on 2004 156 TI manual
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on: June 23, 2008, 07:14:33 PM
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Interesting comments.
Two 'Alfa syle decisions' I was told by a very knowledgable motoring enthusist were:
1. You drive yoyur car to the cafe so why would you want a cup holder !
2. The 159 will never have a GTA model because they won't.
Regards.
John, In response to no.1: Unless you were driving to the snow and you were in a hurry, but you still needed that coffee factor in the morning. Yes I know I shouldn't drive with coffee in my alfa, maybe I will change my ways or put it between my legs. Brad |
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Technical / 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, and 166) / Re: Cambelt replacement on 2004 156 TI manual
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on: June 23, 2008, 07:09:26 PM
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Hi Brad yes I know what you mean when you walk over and spot your car. The 156 does that too you, I get a grin out of it knowing that I too have something that just looks damn good for a new car. There are not too many you can say that about. Even my brother who is a die in the wool old car person reckons the 156 is spot on. I do like the looks too of the 159 and the Brera, but apart from a few very expensive exotic cars (eg Aston DB9 etc) there is not much to get excited about, design wise. And then you get in, start her up and take off, the grin just gets bigger !! Just got back from a decent drive in the country, so enjoyable.
I too know what you mean about cup holders but hey that is what the cafe is for. Why would you want to drink coffee on the go when you are in an Alfa. Good to know the cost of service and changing the cam belt. Something to look forward to,.......but might not say too much about it to the missus. Good advice from Victor re both the club and also checking re any warrenty cover.
Cheers Dave
Yes, I like the Brera, 159 and GT, great looking cars. I can do without the cup holders and the wife is starting to be charmed by the alfa. Took it for a spin up to Sydney from Canberra on the weekend, the drive is very engaging. I love the way when you put the foot down you get that pur out of the engine. It is so responsive. Brad Brad |
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Technical / 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, and 166) / Re: Cambelt replacement on 2004 156 TI manual
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on: June 22, 2008, 10:12:01 AM
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Hey Brad,
I've also recently purchased a gorgeous little 156 Ti and just had the belts done at 45,000km. Strangely enough my car also has a couple of odd bubbly spots on the roof, which, living in Qld I attributed to bat crap being left on the paint for too long without being washed. The bats up here are massive and that fruity gear they drop as they fly over my neighbourhood is acidic. Anyway, I'm about to have it attended too (the paint that is, not the bats) but thought it a strange coincidence that another 156 ti owner had a similar situation.
I can also empathise with you on the $1200 service bill. My wife flashed me the raised eyebrow when I told her the cost...it's bad enough the bloody car doesn't have cup holders!
Cheers,
Brent
Brent, that is funny! Wife's love cup holders and I new it would be an issue when I bought the car. These days cup holders are standard I suppose, so we do tend to expect them in our vechiles. In relation to your bubbly rust spots, can you keep me up to date on the cost and the work undertaken. Any info will be valuable. My spot is on the roof up front near the windscreen but is located centrally which made it hard to see initially when I bought the car. I thought it may be some sort of acidic fruit that had dropped on the car from a tree. However bat poo could be a factor. I bought the car in Melbourne, however it has spent most of its serviced life supposedly in Perth. I can handle the service costs for now but rust is a different issue! My wife doesn't know about the rust or the temperature gauge as yet, I thought I should tell her a little bit at a time? Anyway hope the rust is sorted for you and you just enjoy the ride, the cars are awesome otherwise. The drive the gearshift, the looks of the vechile are awesome. Driving up to Sydney this afternoon to see the in-laws, at least my wife's father will love the car. Where in Queensland do you live Brent? As my mother and sister live up there and I spent many years there. Currently I'm in Canberra. Brad |
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