Alfa 159 Ti Sportwagon - 1750Tbi

[johnm]

Sure beats a b5 indestructible Passat!
The full leather is nice though, heated seats are fantastic in the morning to haha!

What springs did you put into this? Once I get the new headunit sorted out, paint arch tidied up and a detail they are next on the list.
A turbo on the 2.2 would have been the perfect car. the dead zone around 3000-4500rpm is crying out for it

 

[andy9eleven]

No springs - this is a factory standard Ti spec, as far as I know. They are all quite low.

 

[andy9eleven]

Still performing the daily duties admirably!

 

[roverspeed]

I bet it's a major pain in the hole to keep clean now.

My black wheels are permanently brown/grey now :-(

 

[andy9eleven]

@roverspeed actually the opposite. I haven't washed in about 6 weeks!!!

Simply no point. Means less rubbing dirt into the paint and making swirls if I just leave it dirty

 

[hippyross]

Stunning car I've a soft spot for an Alfa.
I spotted a lusso for sale on Facebook for 800 odd had sat for 2 years sob needed motd and clutch and flywheel which was provided, sounded cheap but could end up costing the price of an motd one.

 

[andy9eleven]

Obligatory MoT shot!

 

[mike150]

I see you've made the big break onto TV now!

Impressive.

 

[andy9eleven]

@mike150 oh don't you start! It was a bit up close for my liking. I didn't realise so many people actually watch the news - I only watch Netflix these days. I also didn't realise how hard it was to keep looking into Mark Simpson's eyes when there's a camera staring at you. I really just wanted to smile and say "cheese"!

 

[pdargan22]

Spotted you a few times recently Andy, love the look of this!

 

[andy9eleven]

@pdargan22 yep seen the PIA a few times, looking shiny as always!

 

[Nutts]

@Andy888 What did you not like about the Allroad?

 

[andy9eleven]

The driving experience mainly!! It’s a lovely big car, comfortable, refined, quiet, great long distance cruiser. But on the downside:

- it’s full time 4wd and big and heavy and mine was the 2.0Tdi 190 auto and I only managed to average about 32mpg over about 18k Miles, from new
- I managed to cook the brakes with a few spirited back road commutes home from work - like I had to get new brakes as it literally could not haul the thing to a stop anymore
- the multitronic gearbox thing is pretty woeful at anything other than upshifts
- the steering has absolutely no feel or weight to it

In comparison, my cheap and cheerful little Alfa feels and handles like sports car. Is nicely balanced, sharp steering that weights up nicely, and has great stopping power. Yes it’s low rather than jacked up Audi, but I’ll not be buying a new Audi again. Put it this way, I preferred driving our 10 year old A3 to the new Allroad.

 

[Nutts]

Thanks for that write-up. Wow that's not great economy. With a light foot we get just over 50mpg out of the '15 c class diesel hybrid. It's quick enough but handles like a barge even in the firmest setting. I think that's the problem with variable damping - you can change the damping but not the spring rate. Always fancied a giulietta cloverleaf but the reputation for reliability (may not be justified) puts me off.

Nice looking 159.

 

[m00k]

Still performing the daily duties admirably!

View attachment 173464

That’s fecking beaut... was always an Alfa fan!!

 

[Steve]

The driving experience mainly!! It’s a lovely big car, comfortable, refined, quiet, great long distance cruiser. But on the downside:

- it’s full time 4wd and big and heavy and mine was the 2.0Tdi 190 auto and I only managed to average about 32mpg over about 18k Miles, from new
- I managed to cook the brakes with a few spirited back road commutes home from work - like I had to get new brakes as it literally could not haul the thing to a stop anymore
- the multitronic gearbox thing is pretty woeful at anything other than upshifts
- the steering has absolutely no feel or weight to it

In comparison, my cheap and cheerful little Alfa feels and handles like sports car. Is nicely balanced, sharp steering that weights up nicely, and has great stopping power. Yes it’s low rather than jacked up Audi, but I’ll not be buying a new Audi again. Put it this way, I preferred driving our 10 year old A3 to the new Allroad.

It also wasn't as quick as an old Saab

 

[cliosportv6]

What a beautiful motor health to drive chum

 

[andy9eleven]

@Nutts yeah would have been nice to get somewhere close to the quoted mpg, but no! Just get an Alfa if you fancy one. I don’t see how they are any more unreliable than anything else these days. Sure the same companies make all the parts and then they are bought in and assembled into a car. Like Alfa don’t “make” the electrics. They buy it in and screw it in place.

@m00k thanks! I do love it. And it’s a bit different to the norm.

@Steve that is affirmative. The mighty Saab was definitely quicker during our official testing on a closed road.

 

[andy9eleven]

What a beautiful motor health to drive chum

Thanks! Had one full year now and 10k miles. Must write a wee update post, though nothing really to report thankfully!

 

[veedubnoodle]

I want one! Lovely looking car @Andy888 and good to hear you've had no issues in 10k. That's a lot better than some other "reliable" manufacturers.

 

[andy9eleven]

Eh, really not sure about this...

 

[gpaevo]

Eh, really not sure about this...

View attachment 221822 View attachment 221823

Oh! Hum.......
Hopefully they look good fitted.

 

[andy9eleven]

Mmmm. More gold looking than the bronze I was after.

 

[Steve]

Bold move, as they look soo good in silver with the chrome trim.

 

[FM155]

Your membership to the cool club is under review pending pictures on said car..

Never know, it might well work just fine.