Alfa 156 reliability

avim · November 20, 2007, 12:00:35 AM

Reliabilty - a word Alfa owners have heard more often than belisima.

I know you've all heard this question before - but how do they rate on the reliability stakes? I can't really afford to have a car sit at the garage most of the time.

I'm a BMW driver (which has been reliable) who is definetly interested in buying a manual twin spark 156 as they are relatively cheap and due to the fact that I've always wanted an Alfa - and then I drove one this past weekend, and found it to be addictive

Scott Farquharson · November 20, 2007, 08:01:03 AM

The main problem with the early 156's was the Selespeed, if you are getting a Twin Spark, then this isn't an issue. Everything else is as reliable as most moderen Euro cars. Just check when the cam belts where done and you should have no problems.

avim · November 20, 2007, 11:46:38 AM

That's awesome!

Are servicing costs generally expensive compared to other Euro cars?

And is there anything I should look out for other than a worn variator and cambelt records?

Scott Farquharson · November 20, 2007, 11:50:10 AM

Less than a beemmer for sure. I had a e36 320 from new and the 156 was a lot cheaper.

avim · November 20, 2007, 12:50:47 PM

What needs to be done for the 100,000 k service on the Twin Sparks?

Doug Gould · November 21, 2007, 04:27:06 PM

My 156 JTS manual is the most reliable, cheapest car I've ever owned.

Doug Gould
07 Brera
02 156 JTS
85 GTV6
72 Montreal

Anth73 · November 27, 2007, 10:05:15 PM

I did fair bit of research myself before taking the plunge into a 156 as they are relatively cheap, great to drive and I'd always wanted an Alfa.

Make sure it's had regular oil changes by Alfa dealers or specialist Alfa repairers, cambelts are done, variator is done and if getting one near 100,000km then spark plugs are due. Buy a manual if you can find one. If you must have a selespeed try to get a JTS car as the pump et al were revised.

In almost a year of ownership I've replaced the clutch (which I knew was on its way out) and replaced a thermostat that wasn't closing fully (I did it myself). She goes into Lance Dixon for her 100,000km service soon.

Scott Farquharson · November 27, 2007, 10:38:36 PM

Good stuff anth73.

avim · December 11, 2007, 09:27:30 PM

Anth, you sound just like me.
What sort of 156 do you have?

Anth73 · December 11, 2007, 10:40:14 PM

After 6 months searching I managed to locate a 2002 update series 156 V6 manual with sunroof.

It was a one owner car and had full Alfa dealer service history.

Lance Dixon is doing the 100,000km service tomorrow and also fitting Koni yellow's on the front to tidy up the ride and genuine Alfa sportpack springs made by Eibach to address the handling. These are rare on 2.5V6's here.

I've also noticed a couple manual V6 Guigaro 2003 update series cars....the look is growing on me.

redalfa · January 08, 2008, 10:50:49 PM

Reliabilty?

that word should not be associated with an Alfa 156 JTS vehicle. It is the most unreliable car I have ever owned. It was off the road when it was 11 months old for 13 months from new. The dealers could not fix it. It would run for 2 weeks then stop again. It had fuel pumps, injectors, you name it, they tried to get it working but it wouldn't go. It even had catalytic converters fitted to make it run. Excessively high oil consumption which they say is normal has now come to it's end with a major engine problem just today with clouds of smoke coming from the exhaust. Whatever it was that causes the excessive oil consumption in these engines has just failed after 54,000km. Apart from that it has gone through coils packs, they are $400 each and you pretty much have to dirve arounbd with the engine management fault, got to dealer message flashing on the display for most of the time you own one of these vehicles. Also never try to jumpstart a 156. Evidently it will take out the SRS computer for a start. Something is known about this but the delaers do not let on. If you are thinking of buying one, good luck, I would suggest ANYTHING ELSE BUT. Now I need an engine rebuild... and yes, oil levels were always maintained.

Anth73 · January 09, 2008, 10:18:55 AM

That sounds like a tale of woe! Was your servicing done by an Alfa dealer? An engine failure like that at just 54,000Km does not sound right and I'd put the hard word on Alfa to meet costs if it was serviced by the book.

I know of several cases where current model Subaru Liberty owners were having engines changed over within 10,000km from new due to engine failure. Just goes to show that no brand is immune from reliability issues.

redalfa · January 09, 2008, 12:08:08 PM

Servicing was all done by alfa under the warranty period and after. Used Oil was as recommended. Just phoned alfaromeo and they offer no help what so ever. They could care less. They have a full and extensive list of the warranty repairs on this vehicle yet they offer no help. Estimates atm on repair are between $8-$12000 which is rediculous since the market value of this vehicle is $21000. Basically it is a heap of junk. Alfa service and help is non existant. Apart from that I havent mentioned the other problems of door trim continually falling off, petrol flap breaking twice when it was popped open by the release, jacking caps fall out, mirror cover falls off, trim loose, rattles and sequeks from dash, oxygen sensors, radio control buttons on steering wheel peeling off.... the list goes on....

redalfa · January 09, 2008, 12:09:52 PM

.......Oh, and that vehicle, $67,000 new on the road. What a load of #$@%

Scott Farquharson · January 09, 2008, 08:25:05 PM

red, what was the "failure"....look I'm not doubting you, but I have to say that the experience of all the 156/147 owners i know (and that's a lot and includes myself) is nothing like what you have described.......the main issues are, early 156 selespeeds need new selespeed pumps, change the cam belt every 50k and put good oil in them and that's it. Sorry to hear of your experience but it's just not typical.