2002 Alfa 147 TS Queries

[Timmeh]

Hi Peoples,

This is my first post and its because my GF is looking at purchasing a 02 147 TS after searching around on carsales. So we have been wondering what we need to know anything about the service intervals/costs or any other general information on these, should she stay well clear etc?

It seems like a very well equipped car and looks quite nice for the price of the one that she is interested in.  The car that she is looking at has 53,000kms on it as well if that helps anything.

So some info would be handy.

Thanks.

Tim

[Anth73]

The usual checks should be made as when buying any used car. Check if it has been serviced regularly and it will be advantageous if it was done by an Alfa dealer or specialist. The twin spark motor is known to be selective about oil so it pays to check that the recommended oil was used. Orgnaise a VACC or RACV inspection, and call the servicing dealer to get more information about the car's history.

Also, the cambelt change cycle is 3 years OR 50,000KM. Being a 2002 model it should have had it's belt changed (including tensioners) recently. If not, negotiate a discount on the price as it is a $800 to $900 expense. A belt failure will mean costly enine repairs.

[Timmeh]

Thanks for the reply. This was the owners reply when I asked him about the servicing of the vehicle

"The service intervals on the Alfa are every 15,000km's. Although I have it done every 12 months due to the low KM's. To be very honest (and I have the receipts) Alfa services are very expensive. The last service I used Ultra Tune because I was sick of getting ripped off at Alfa. I would have to double check if it was major or minor but it was only a few hundred dollars. Not sure if I mentioned in the ad, but I also replaced all brakes/rotors only a few months ago, I also have the receipt for this."

He also said that the cam belt was not due till 60km tho. Can any old mechanic do these as there are no Alfa mechanics where I live only Brisbane (I presume) which is 600kms away. Is that $8-900 just for the belt change or including the rest of the service? Is there any tricks to reduce the cost of this? I just had my 60Km one done on my Astra turbo and got a tip to import the timing belt kit and tensioners from the UK which was half the price holden charged.

I have a guy that I could get to inspect it for me who is a wholesaler so knows alot about cars. Might get him to do an inspection for me if things fall together.

[Gary Pearce]

Here we go again.
The good news for you is now the car has got shaky Service History (and I wouldn't rate Ultra Tune as proper Service) that you can now offer 'thousands less' for the car.
If the current owner thinks he can save money with dodgey service, he now has to pay the penalty at sell time.
The only people I would have look over the car for you at pre-purchase would be an Alfa Romeo Dealer. That way your GF can have some security against things that might crop up. It would also be then worth her while to begin a service relationship with that Dealer, so she can enjoy many many years of safe reliable motoring.
How would you feel about calling out your Wholesaler mate on a dark wet night if she has some trouble with the car?