Hi all, Looking to buy a used 156 and need as much advice as possible :)

[Bartflaster]

Good day Ladies and Gentlerman
As title, I am thinking of getting a used 156 (I am in the UK).
I am looking for a 2000-2001 model and preferably with the 2.5 or 2.0 engine.
I know very little about alfas, so all and any advice as to what to look for, and what I can expect etc, is most appreciated.
I have been told the selespeed models should be avoided, and FSH is a must, other than that I know nothing.
I would like an auto preferably, but not adverse to manual, especialy the V6 as it has 6 speed

So any buying and general advice on all aspects would help a lot

[Bartflaster]

Hmm .. well it seems just us people with problems/questions find this forum .. loads of unanswered posts, all the other guys must be on the alfa owners club forums .... were you can't register unless you have an AROC membership number

[Dave999]

I bought a 1998 2.5 V6 last year and so far I have had a few things go pear shaped.

One of the spark plugs had been put in wrong and had stripped the thread so it popped out at 6000 revs. Never a good thing. Expensive too. New engine.

The lower wish bones and timing belt have also needed replaced but that is normal. The timing belt cost a fortune.

The moral of the story is to check that all of the expensive things have been replaced already.

The daft thing is with all of the bad luck I have had I still love the car and what an engine. Wow.

Hope this is of some help

[DameSlap]

Hi Bart,

I'm looking to buy a 156 also.

I had a 1996 155 2.0 TS for about 3-4 yrs and 40k miles. A few problems but I think I got away quite lightly compared to some. And like almost every other Alfa owner you'll meet, the problems don't mean diddly in comparison to the way the cars sound and drive. :-)

I've had a couple of V8 Land Rovers for the last couple of years, cause I just had to own a V8 for a while, but I think now I've got it out of my system and it's time to downsize... To a V6 156 perhaps. Hee hee hee.

On a more serious note though, I am very fortunate in working about 50yds from a small (one man band) specialist Alfa garage which gives me much more confidence in buying another one (lucky me). When I spoke to him about 156's some time back now, he warned me against buying the 2.0 which he said he was beginning to see large numbers of with serious problems after 60-70k. He is an Alfa nut, so I would expect him to say this, but he basically said if you want one, the V6 is the one to go for (properly maintained of course).

Other than that though, I think as long as you accept there will be problems and set aside the money to deal with them, it's a no-brainer. There is no other brand out there that gives you so much for your money (second-hand that is). As long as somebody else has taken the terrifying depreciation hit for the first three years, you've already saved all the money you need for maintaining what is, after all, a sports car.

Sorry. I'm dribbling again.

Good luck!

Andy

[franzzz]

Hi !
I'm italian boy.

If possible try to buy a 2002 edition of 156 (2.0JTS)
Is very very good engine.
Not problem found in this verion.
If you like the "V6 Power" try to find euro 3 version (2001/2002) 192Cv.

Is the best.

bye

Originally Posted by Bartflaster

Good day Ladies and Gentlerman
As title, I am thinking of getting a used 156 (I am in the UK).
I am looking for a 2000-2001 model and preferably with the 2.5 or 2.0 engine.
I know very little about alfas, so all and any advice as to what to look for, and what I can expect etc, is most appreciated.
I have been told the selespeed models should be avoided, and FSH is a must, other than that I know nothing.
I would like an auto preferably, but not adverse to manual, especialy the V6 as it has 6 speed

So any buying and general advice on all aspects would help a lot