Does Anyone Own An Alfa Romeo Diesel On Here?

[Cletus Van Damme]

To cut a long story short I got made redundant 3 months ago and got a good payout. Luckily after 2 months of looking I've managed to get another job, not as good as my original job but not bad. At the moment I've got a sensible japanese small petrol car that was cheap and is ultra reliable. I just fancy something a bit more exciting, German cars just don't float my boat at all (I'm in the minority it would seem).

After looking around the Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon appears to be my dream car. Yes I know it's a diesel (petrol is out of the question) that shares the same engine as a Vauxhaul Vectra or a Saab, but my god it so looks way better than a BMW 3 series, Audi A4 or whatever just IMVHO. The 156 also looked way better than previous models also.

I've been doing a bit of work for a friend and driving a high spec Astra van a 1.9 tdi engine that was 150BHP mapped to around 200BHP and it goes like stink. Same engine as the 1.9 JDTM 159. I was possibly going to go for a the later 2.0 or even the 2.4. The problem is the more you research it the more these modern diesel engines seem to have issues from every manufacturer. It isn't the engine itself, but DPF, DMF, injectors etc.

I used to own a Ford Focus Mk 1 TDCI and I read that these were shite, but the car was really spot on, had the odd issue with the EGR, but was ultra reliable to over 100K miles. It didn't have a DPF though.

I guess I've probably answered my own question though, you just take a risk with modern diesels?

 

[alicat]

Errmm ... this is a cycling forum?

 

[biggs682]

thats a cracking engine just let down by Alfa's lack of reliability unless cheap and full Alfa warranty keep looking unless you are rich enough to pay ALL the repair bills coming your way

 

[andytheflyer]

I've had a string of Peugeot/Citroen turbo (now common rail) diesels since 1986 and they have all been good. Now have a Kia 1.6 diesel.

Never had a problem, all torquey, smooth, very economical and certainly not slow. You just have to learn how to drive them to get the best out of them. They don't like short journeys around town - the DPF never gets hot enough to be cleaned out.

Never had an Alfa, but I really should before I hang up the licence!

 

[mickle]

An Alfa with an oil burner? Surely such an abomination cannot exist?

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

While out on my two wheels I've noticed a recent increase in the number of cars belching black smoke. Not old cars either. I thought that problem had been sorted.

 

[MrGrumpy]

You just have to learn how to drive them to get the best out of them. They don't like short journeys around town - the DPF never gets hot enough to be cleaned out.

Never had an Alfa, but I really should before I hang up the licence!

An italian tune up apparently can fix the DPF issue, I hope so as in most cases the modern diesel engines need to be running for 20mins to allow the DPF to heat up and clean itself. Hence giving the car a good thrashing from time to time does help

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Errmm ... this is a cycling forum?

Not to the exclusion of all else. Members discuss all manner of topics, especially here in the Café.

GC

 

[Drago]

You'll get lots of excitement alright with a used Alfa.

 

[Oldbloke]

A friend of mine has had a JTDM for over 4 years with no serious issues with the engine, even when he put petrol in it soon after he bought it.

He reckons he gets around 55 mpg general driving.

 

[seraphina]

Only slightly answering your question, but this is the internet so what do you expect

We had a V reg GTV, the 3 litre job, so not diesel. It was perfectly reliable - it only let us down once in 10 years of ownership when something bad happened to the engine (dropped valve?). It was serviced religiously by an Alfa specialist (not main dealer), who also fixed it up when the engine lunched itself (it went bang in deepest darkest Wales and we had to be recovered back to SE England). It was an absolute joy to drive and I am amazed I still have a clean licence, it sounded amazing and was a beautiful car to look at as well. We had to sell it because we could only fit one child car seat in it, and we had a second child.

I think if you keep on top of the servicing, they are as reliable as any other car. Running costs for the GTV were eyewatering though, but that was mainly because the MPG was horrific. I couldn't look when I filled it up. Find a good specialist garage and talk to them before you buy - there are some good Alfa forums out there as well.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Holy shoot some of you guys have put me right off it, but I was expecting that. The comments about other diesels are promising. My new job involves a 30 mile commute on A roads so hopefully I would not get that much DPF grief. The modern diesels blowing out crap could have had the DPF removed, I know somebody that has done that to a 159.

Not that I want one, but I also looked on Honest John website about BMW diesels and they seem to have more issues, then again there are more of them on the road and more engines. I think every car has issues if you look. I just wanted a bit of practicality as my current car is hopeless if I want to put mine and my daughters bikes in it. But it is faultless and pretty economical. The last thing I need is a car breaking down going to work.

I'd also thought about a second weekend car, I was thinking of an Impreza Wagon WRX or STI 2.5 Hawkeye model, but when I read about all the issues with them on forums I thought otherwise. There were just far too many for a car that just isn't that popular around here. I've also owned a 1998 UK turbo Wagon that had terrible piston slap when cold, but it was fun to drive, but was the most thirsty car I have ever had.

Common sense just says keep what I have, but it would be nice to have a car that is a looker for a change, and something that is pretty rare. The mechanic that services my car, whom I have known for about 30 years has always had Italian cars. I've seen all kinds of nice cars of his, Lancia Thema turbo, Alfa Romeo 75, 156, GT, 159 2.4 JTDM ti Sportwagon, plus numerous Fiat's that his wife drove. He says that most of them are really good cars, you've just got to get a good one in the first place. Obviously helps being a mechanic though.

 

[Cheddar George]

I owned a 159 2.4JTDM.
Lovely car but the engine was not a success, usual problems as covered in the posts above.
In its defence it could go for couple of months at a time doing nothing but 4 x 20 minute journeys a day which is not what a diesel engine is designed for.

 

[Fnaar]

I don't own one, and I don't know anyone who does, so I'm afraid that any input from me would be of minimal use.

 

[Fnaar]

Just tell us a smutty joke about Miss Goodbody's big end.....that'll do

That reminds me... I promised to go round tonight to buff her headlamps.