Anybody lived with an Alfa 147? |
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ivanovoitch
Really Senior Member II Where did all the white water come from? Joined: 18-January-2006 Location: dublin Status: Offline Points: 559 |
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Posted: 17-March-2007 at 14:13 |
It's time to upgrade the wifes car and she's smitten with the 147.
It's got a real mixed bag of reviews on What Car and it's more or less rubbished by Honest John, but they are so cheap secondhand by comparison to the competition (€10K will get a 2003 with 50K on the clock and a full main dealer history) I'm wondering if that alone might make one worth a punt. Anybody here actually lived with the day to day ownership of one? |
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635CSi
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-March-2007 Status: Offline Points: 683 |
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I myself haven't but I've heard some bad stories about reliability on them from owners. They also have quite fragile build quality but they are a gorgeous looking car, almost can be described as sexy! The interior isn't half bad, the plastics have a nice textured feel and they look the business in dark blue with orange leather. I would say go for it, just make sure not to get your fingers burnt, check service history and ring the garages it has been serviced by to confirm it has been carried out. Don't pay over the odds for one because some dealers overprice them. If it all works out fine you will have a stunner of a car for very little money that will serve you well. They were a former car of the year in 2001
Edited by 635CSi |
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ivanovoitch
Really Senior Member II Where did all the white water come from? Joined: 18-January-2006 Location: dublin Status: Offline Points: 559 |
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I'm thinking she's only going to do low miles and we've a very compident local mechanic on our doorstep. We looked at a really nice 2003 black 1.6 Lusso with beige leather today. Full Alfa history, two timing belt replacements, four service stamps and lots of toys. Asking 11,500 but will go to 10K for cash.
Edited by ivanovoitch |
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Don B
Senior Member I Joined: 22-October-2006 Location: Dublin Status: Offline Points: 118 |
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Think it all depends on being lucky and finding a good one. I ran a two litre Alfa 156 for a couple of years and apart from being a bit thirsty, it didn't cause me any major problems, plus it looked good for its age and was realllllly cheap to buy. |
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635CSi
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-March-2007 Status: Offline Points: 683 |
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That sounds like a lovely colour combination. 10k seems reasonable enough, have you any pictures? |
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ivanovoitch
Really Senior Member II Where did all the white water come from? Joined: 18-January-2006 Location: dublin Status: Offline Points: 559 |
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The car we looked at was private sale so no pics but the link below is of something older but very similar.
This is not the car but it's very similar. |
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larzyh
Really Senior Member II Joined: 25-February-2007 Location: Limerick Status: Offline Points: 633 |
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Sadly, Alfa Romeo seem unable to shake the reputation for being Gorgeous but fragile but because they depreciate at fairly high rates they make very tempting second hand buys; I am always tempted when considering changing but have not yet been brave enough to move away from my long-term brand of loyalty! Larzyh. |
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Mick525i
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 29-November-2005 Location: Dublin Ireland. Status: Offline Points: 1823 |
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HISTORY and OIL. I had an Alfa 156 1.8 and it broke my heart. It was a wonderfull car to drive but 2 engines in 5 months........ 2 major problems. Cam belts and running low on oil. Cam belt tensioners can fail after 30K and not the recomended 75K alfa recomendation. This will cost to repair but its what can happen after this thats alarming. To many stories about the bottom end failing a short time after a cam belt failure. Double whammy. Alot of twin spark engines use oil. If its not topped up and NEVER left on the low mark then they can run for years with out any trouble. However run it low on oil and it will blow up. The crank shells seem to move blocking the journels and rattle rattle wrecked engine. Dont even think of a SillySpeed box. You will be asking for trouble. Do buy one if its mint and full of service history. Dont buy a ex fleet car cheap like I did it cost me a bleedn fortune. Other week point are exausts and suspension. o and Itialan electrics. Look at this web site for more problems. http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-159/ Good luck Mick |
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Cheers
Mick BMW E21 318 1980 BMW E39 525i 2002 MTech VW Golf Gti 2003 |
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nn_dd
Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-October-2004 Location: Co Clare Status: Offline Points: 602 |
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If that car has had 2 sets of timing belts replaced, it's been very well looked after, not a cheap job, so gets skimped on. Alfa suggested 72K between changes, but revised to 36K (revised to inspect at 36K) - but while you're in there, might as well replace them. Ran a GTV for 5 yrs, still much missed, was a brilliant car. For a bit of style you cannot beat them, especially as a second car. But get the suspension checked out first - if a bushing goes, they cannot be replaced, need to replace whole arm. Few places in the Uk sell replacement polybush parts, if you have a good mechanic, should be ok in fitting them. I'd love a Brera, mate has a GT and its just beautiful.
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 22-September-2003 Location: Cork, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2332 |
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my wife runs a 2001 156 1.8 Sportwagon with 92k up on the clock now. 2 rear window regulators have gone in the last 2yrs Timing belt tensioner bearing was rattly so Alfa garage replaced under warranty and did the timing belt with it. The variator is noisy on it, but it's something we'll live with for now, as doing it requires doing the timing belt again and twas only done 18k ago. Windscreen tends to be wet on inside on winter mornings and requires aircon to keep clear. It must be a bit of moisture build up somewhere but as I don't get into it in the mornings it hasn't bothered me enough to go investigate. Oh and as Mick says, it like a drop of oil so it pays to keep an eye on levels. Other than that, it's been a fab car to have - fun to drive, very roomy, reliable enough so far, and drop dead gorgeous. If I were you I'd go fo it. Sounds a very tasty motor Edited by T.J. |
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ivanovoitch
Really Senior Member II Where did all the white water come from? Joined: 18-January-2006 Location: dublin Status: Offline Points: 559 |
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Any idea of the cost of timing belt/variator replacement with your Alfa? I've posted on the Alfa site but the dudes are mainly from the UK so pricing is different. Also wondering if Alfa here are as bad as they seem in the UK. I bought a brand new Fiat Doblo a few years back and it spent a lot of time back with the main Alfa/Fiat dealer (Won't name them but will mention Blanchardstown) getting to the bottom of what turned out to be a simple fault. (With that said, if we do go down this road I'm not planning on using the main $tealer channel to maintain it as I reckon the depreciation is going to be chronic anyway...but there does seem to be issues with getting parts). |
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Nigel
Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941 |
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I'm watching this with interest, I'm already finding the downside to having a Rover 75 as my works car....and I haven't even put it on the road yet !
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Best Wishes
Nigel |
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Peter Fenwick
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484 |
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So's my father in law. Two bills for over Ł1500 in the space of 1 year and it's left him stranded on the hard shoulder of the M25 3 times now. My Boss's wife has a 147 and he thinks it's a great car. She's had it now for about 6 months and they haven't had any problems yet. Mind you it was only 18months old when she got it. He has a 156 and other than getting the cam belt changed early due to stories of them failing he has had about 2 years of relatively trouble free motoring. My brother inlaw has a 156 and he has had no problmes with it at all for about 4 years. I guess it's down to the luck of the draw.
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Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
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flyingalexf68
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-April-2006 Location: 53°19’59,6°14’56 Status: Offline Points: 2581 |
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I love the 147's too. Such a lovely car in black with leather. Should be good once the history checks out. Just factor in plenty of cash for maintanance and you're sorted. Change the oil and filters early as well as the timing belt. And check the oil every week. The weak points are the suspension but new shocks are cheap enough. Plenty of good forums and specialist Alfa parts places in the UK. |
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fozzymandeus
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-February-2006 Location: Sunny Rhyl Status: Offline Points: 607 |
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If anyone can find a red 147 with beige leather I'll buy it.
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Nigel
Moderator Group Joined: 09-November-2002 Status: Offline Points: 6941 |
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I sent a pm to an Alpha entusiast I mix with on AD UK, he seems to think most stuff has been covered : I think the major issues have already been covered in the thread, but I would emphasize the importance in being proactive with maintenance and always ensuring the oil is kept topped up. |
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Best Wishes
Nigel |
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nn_dd
Really Senior Member II Joined: 07-October-2004 Location: Co Clare Status: Offline Points: 602 |
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Exactly, you have to be an enthusiast, the other half will drive, but you will have to be constantly looking after it. Very rewarding though. But, not all Alfa's use oil. Neither my one for 5 yrs, or any of my mates 4 previous alfa's (156's and GT's) have had an oil useage problem. Some cars will be maggots to run, others are a dream (as you normally expect issues and then don't get any). Make sure that your garage "gets them" as a lot of guys have a very bad attitude to them, probably because they know feck all about them....could tell you stories there. |
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E39 530d Touring
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635CSi
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-March-2007 Status: Offline Points: 683 |
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An Alfa is a car you buy with your heart, not your head! I think you should go with your heart judging by how lovely the example your looking at sounds. If it's 2003 that was when the 147 was 2 years into production so it won't have any of those early build niggles. It seems priced very well, just get a good mechanic to check it out and if it's legitimate you'll be laughing all the way to the bank!
Edited by 635CSi |
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Toxic
Really Senior Member II Joined: 14-October-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 841 |
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I've ran a 156 1.8 for 7yrs and it has 82k miles on it. I've just had the timing belt, variator, water pump done last week so every 40k miles is good for these. (or every 3yrs regardless of mileage). I would guess TI Autos would charge about €500 for the full timing belt service and that includes all the bits & labour. As others have said, check the oil every 2 months and keep it topped up. It should use about 2-2.5l every 12k mile service. Others to check for are suspension, but if this car has had its belt changed twice in 50k miles, I would go as far to say that it has been well maintained. Check the service history and hopefully it was done by Gerry in TI Autos in Dublin. He's the best in the business when it comes to Alfas. Your wife will not be disappointed by it. |
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Tom
E39 1997 523i Oxford Green (Sold) ___________________________ |
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 22-September-2003 Location: Cork, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 2332 |
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If I recall, I got a quote fo €450 for doing the variator, but that was a yr ago now.
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