A few questions from a new (and slightly scared) owner

[Del Lardo]

Howdy guys.

I'm picking up my Alfa 156 2.5 v6 1999 on a 'V' plate tomorrow evening and I've got a few questions I hope you can help me with.

1. How large is the fuel tank? I've read about a predicted range of 230 miles but even at low 20s mpg that is a small tank for a car the size of a 156.

2. How often do you change the oil? I know about checking and topping up every 1000 miles / every week but Alfa recommend a complete change every 12000 miles which seems a bit high to me. Would a oil change every 6000 miles make sense or be a waste of money?

3. How good is the cambelt? Alfa recommend it is changed every 72000 miles which means it is due in 10000 miles. Obviously I will get it done then but is this one of those situations where Alfa recommend it geting it done at 72000 miles but lower mileage is much better?

4. I'm a little scared as I'm going from a 1994 Peugeot 306 1.4 with 75bhp to a 190bhp Alfa. Can you make some reassuring noises to calm me down please.

5. I know about the advertising rules but if you are allowed can anyone recommend an Alfa specialist in Cambridge. We do have a main dealer but from the horror stories I've heard about them I'd rather service the car myself (well maybe not but you get the idea).


Cheer for your help and info guys.

[gebel]

My advise is stick with the manufacters guidelines however if you like to work out those horses its not a bad idea to change the oil more frequently as that is the best way to keep yr engine from wearing (+ others) about time belt to be on the safe side you could spare her a couple of miles no harm done there.

Don't woory too much about the power its front wheel drive so its not that hard to handle !

Congrat on yr new car very nice choice i've driven 1 & its pretty cool

[harv28]

I've only had my V6 a couple of weeks and have also desperately been trying to find how big the fuel tank is , still not quite sure as needle said 1/4 tank, I then filled up completely with 54 litres. From the last fill up I'd done about 320 miles and hadn't been taking it too easy. I've seen a tech spec saying 63 litres however I'm not sure if this is correct but it may not be far off.

With regard to servicing I'd also be interested in an alternative garage between Ipswich & Cambs as opposed to a main dealer as I've been quoted around £800 for the 72k service, although it is apparently fairly major, seems pretty steep. Good news though apparently is that the 82k service is only £150!! Can't wait!!

However despite this, the car is still the best fun on four wheels I've had, unfortunately it's a little addictive listening to the sound of the V6 when you put the hammer down..............

Best regards

Harv

[franzzz]

Originally Posted by harv28

I've only had my V6 a couple of weeks and have also desperately been trying to find how big the fuel tank is , still not quite sure as needle said 1/4 tank, I then filled up completely with 54 litres. From the last fill up I'd done about 320 miles and hadn't been taking it too easy. I've seen a tech spec saying 63 litres however I'm not sure if this is correct but it may not be far off.

With regard to servicing I'd also be interested in an alternative garage between Ipswich & Cambs as opposed to a main dealer as I've been quoted around £800 for the 72k service, although it is apparently fairly major, seems pretty steep. Good news though apparently is that the 82k service is only £150!! Can't wait!!

However despite this, the car is still the best fun on four wheels I've had, unfortunately it's a little addictive listening to the sound of the V6 when you put the hammer down..............

Best regards

Harv

Hi

The fuel tank of the alfa 156 V6 is 63 Litres (with the reserve)
In Italy with 63 litres i run 520 Km... (~320 miles)

[Jimster]

Yes that is correct- 63 Litres- which with 98 Octane fuel is hellishly expensive!!!!!

I do oil changes every 8000 miles (Roughly)

Cambelt changes at normally around 60,000- but my cars mileage is only half that.

But really the car is one amazing drive if you can look past the poor interior build- 190bhp's presence is well felt- but the car drives beautifully- I'd suggest taking it easy at first and sort of grow into the car.

It's going to suck putting my car up for sale in 6 months- but I'm convinced that I'll curb the depriciation.

I won't be buying another 156 though, I'll be moving towards a Legacy, IS200, Mazda6 or Accord 2.4..............

[kayhan156]

Hi friends,which brand of motor oil are you using?
I am using 10-w60 selenia racing on my 2.0ts and don't need to add few litres on every 1000km.
Best Regards
Kayhan

[franzzz]

Originally Posted by kayhan156

Hi friends,which brand of motor oil are you using?
I am using 10-w60 selenia racing on my 2.0ts and don't need to add few litres on every 1000km.
Best Regards
Kayhan

HI

Iam using 5w40 Fully systetic motor oil (AGIP Evolutions)


Selenia Racing is very good.

I change the motor oil after 18.000 Km (with the oil filter)

[Del Lardo]

Thanks for the replys guys.

Well 3 weeks in and me and the car are still in one piece despite a very near miss (idiot pulled out in front of me on the A14 just north of Cambridge).

I've kind of got used to the performance of the car now though every now and again I'll put my foot down and it'll strike me again just how quick the car really is.

On the fuel tank and economy side, the tank is 63 litres (as has already been mentioned) with a 7 litre reserve tank. Filling it with Optimax is a very painful experience and I'm thinking of buying shares in Shell. The fuel ecomony isn't too bad. On a sustained 70mph run I got 29.6mpg and on my daily commute of 4 miles around town & 5 miles of dual carrageway I get 23-24mpg which includes the engine warming up and the occasional flex of the right foot.

As for servicing, I've found a specialist in London called Auto Delta who I bought clear side indicators off. They were very helpful on the phone though if anyone has any experience dealing with then I'd love to hear from you.

[franzzz]

Del Lardo please post the photo of your supercar in the 2.5 V6 Thread !!!!

Tanks

[TeeO]

Be aware that the cambelt is being recommended to be replaced by UK dealers at 36k rather than 72k in the book due to a large amount of premature failures. It will cost about £600 in a main dealer.
Job includes changing cambelt/tensioner/variator and/or water pump.

[AlfaSimmo]

Had my cambelt done at 36k cost me about £800, nightmare! I just pray it dont go again at 72k or I is gonna blow up Alfa Fiat HQ in Slough!

[colin kelleher]

Originally Posted by Del Lardo

Howdy guys.

I'm picking up my Alfa 156 2.5 v6 1999 on a 'V' plate tomorrow evening and I've got a few questions I hope you can help me with.

1. How large is the fuel tank? I've read about a predicted range of 230 miles but even at low 20s mpg that is a small tank for a car the size of a 156.

2. How often do you change the oil? I know about checking and topping up every 1000 miles / every week but Alfa recommend a complete change every 12000 miles which seems a bit high to me. Would a oil change every 6000 miles make sense or be a waste of money?

3. How good is the cambelt? Alfa recommend it is changed every 72000 miles which means it is due in 10000 miles. Obviously I will get it done then but is this one of those situations where Alfa recommend it geting it done at 72000 miles but lower mileage is much better?

4. I'm a little scared as I'm going from a 1994 Peugeot 306 1.4 with 75bhp to a 190bhp Alfa. Can you make some reassuring noises to calm me down please.

5. I know about the advertising rules but if you are allowed can anyone recommend an Alfa specialist in Cambridge. We do have a main dealer but from the horror stories I've heard about them I'd rather service the car myself (well maybe not but you get the idea).


Cheer for your help and info guys.

Hi.

Welcome to the V6 Club. Your fuel tank will hold around £55.00 worth of fuel. I drive mine quite hard and still get around 350 miles per tank.

I wouldn’t worry too much about when to change the oil although I do change mine every 5000 miles. However you must keep an eye on the oil level as the V6 does tend to get through it.

Came belt change at 75000 is recommended however a little look to see the state it’s in does help.

The V6. The car will only go as fast as you put your foot down but they are quick. The car is like a steam train on steroids. But handles very well.

They are expensive to maintain when things go wrong. I have just spent over £5000 having a complete engine rebuild to have it go again in under 4000 miles. Will be taking that garage to court. (Heathrow engine sales) The more you can do yourself the better.

If you happen to know anyone with a V6 engine let me know.

Any more thoughts E-mail me on colinkelleher@aol.com.