Life with a 156

I don't know why my count is so low....

I think it could be 'cos I don't post as much these days
I don't seem to be able to get online as much as I used to.

ps Congrats in the Mitsi, nice motor and a bargain too.

After owning 2 V6 156's I was actually quite suprised at how well the 2 litre TS (Manual) version goes. (Hence why I bought it). Most of the time its not a lot slower, it handles a lot better and is far better on fuel.

The engine note is also good but is nowhere near the V6, thats my only real gripe with it.

Originally Posted by symonh2000

After owning 2 V6 156's I was actually quite suprised at how well the 2 litre TS (Manual) version goes. (Hence why I bought it). Most of the time its not a lot slower, it handles a lot better and is far better on fuel.

The engine note is also good but is nowhere near the V6, thats my only real gripe with it.

As I've said may times the 2.0 is a great motor, I would have no problems, with getting one, on the roads I use every day I think the handling advantages would outweigh the 1.3 seconds that the 2.5 reaches 62, before the 2.0 litre.The top speed is very close and to be honest I havent had mine over the top speed of a 1.6 yet!
I just fell for that engine note and as I only do 22 miles a day the fuel wasn't the biggest issue. All I really wanted was to own such a nice looking car, the performance and handling and nice interior were just a huge bonus...
In fact the other factor was the 6 speed box, I think that was what swung it for me....

i think little things like comfort, the style and number of gadgets of the interior and, most importantly, the engine noise matter a huge deal nowadays, especially as there is little opportunity to really enjoy driving to the car, or your own limits (in safety, obviously).

the sound of a V6 from 2k to 4k is a lovely noise - burbly at the lower end, then increasingly metallic.

oh, and i think that everyone here has been very helpful and supportive!

Even my JTD sounds nice, from 3K to the redline..

Windows up and its growly growly, windows down and it sounds like a jet is flying directly alongside you

That was me actually Pud in my newly purchased Harrier

Originally Posted by Darren156

That was me actually Pud in my newly purchased Harrier

So what's Mitsi like on engine note then?

i thought my v6 was running poor, mind you it still is no doubt but had a calibra v6 for breaky on a privite road near here today.
i'd say 4-5 car lenghts by 120+, we swapped places as well for slip affect and my bella still pulled away no problem 5th into 6th is where id say I gained the most.

I recently put on a cda thing, really deep burble sound, but I find it too much and it takes away my new equal lenght downpipe sound that I have so I may sell it if anyone offers me what I paid!

Originally Posted by Enzo156

i thought my v6 was running poor, mind you it still is no doubt but had a calibra v6 for breaky on a privite road near here today.
i'd say 4-5 car lenghts by 120+, we swapped places as well for slip affect and my bella still pulled away no problem 5th into 6th is where id say I gained the most.

I recently put on a cda thing, really deep burble sound, but I find it too much and it takes away my new equal lenght downpipe sound that I have so I may sell it if anyone offers me what I paid!

That depends if you only paid £2.50 or not

Originally Posted by Pud237

So what's Mitsi like on engine note then?

It aint bad, it sounds good, but not Alfa good, but it was less than half the price of the Alfa and although not as quick or stylish you get heated seats, active cruise control etc. But then you get no disc changer, so swings and roundabouts.

I'm still on the Mondeo at the mo because my insurance is booked from Friday on, I've done this because when I get the insurance docs I can then tax the sucker.

I'll give a review of the Mitsy a few weeks after having run it in properly though and seeing whats what.

are the blowers on the 156 normally so weak? like an asthmatic wheezing on you (i'm asthmatic, so i should know!). just thought i'd check. maybe its the size and location of the vents.

Originally Posted by bigz

are the blowers on the 156 normally so weak? like an asthmatic wheezing on you (i'm asthmatic, so i should know!). just thought i'd check. maybe its the size and location of the vents.

I would describe mine as adequate, just.
I do believe that things can be improved by changing the pollen filter...
Also close the vents to the rear of the car, to increase the amount of air to the front.
I have found the screen de mister is best on the auto mode, which uses the A/c as well, and also puts the rear demister on.

Hi all
I read all the posts here and, I too have not been an alfa owner for long ( agreeing with some of you) not quite got the knowledge to keep up with some of you long term owners.
Anyway I purchased my 156 sportswagon in May this year, I was just browsing autotrader and forecourts for something like a merc or BMW, but when i saw the Alfa i loved it and I think I got a bargain, Its in a standard red not sure of the name of the red, I had the rear 5 windows tinted which i think makes it look very smart. I'd love to put a picture up for you all but i can't work out the upload, it says my file size is too large, can anyone help me with this.

Martyn, try www.photobucket.com. Their upload process is simple and they have no file size limits. You can then post us the link of your Alfa in full glory

Originally Posted by Pud237

Martyn, try www.photobucket.com. Their upload process is simple and they have no file size limits. You can then post us the link of your Alfa in full glory

Thanks I'll try that

Christ Jay, this Thread of yours has gone on forever!

Sadly you made it BEFORE I had changed my 'Update Setting' to 'No Updates', meaning every night at 1:08AM I get a 'Life With a 156!' E-Mail come through!!!

Originally Posted by Darren156

Christ Jay, this Thread of yours has gone on forever!

Sadly you made it BEFORE I had changed my 'Update Setting' to 'No Updates', meaning every night at 1:08AM I get a 'Life With a 156!' E-Mail come through!!!

Sorry mate, but you can delete me from your life if you want to.


Its sort of like a blog I guess, but I like the way people jump in and out of the conversations, and a few old mates who have stuck with me, 'till now

So to business, I'dlike to tell you all about round two of my Races with my mate and his Golf GTI (D reg.) which he had assured me would surprise me with its performance, which I was, for the 1/4 second he was up my 4rse, he then had to admit I'd blown him off the road, however he then said it'd be different on a back road, which it could be as his car is still doing 20mph faster than I can manage in the 156 in the same place

I got the Alfa wave on Friday evening, just popped out to help the better half at work and a couple both waved back in a Silver 147, thanks guys

Oh Dazza, just click on Unsubscribe to this thread on the bottom of your e mail, if you aint my mate no more.

you can just unsubscribe from the thread, can't you?

more trials and tribulations with my 156.

the bonnet catch is well and truly knackered, though the garage that did the diagnostics for my warning light failed to tell me that they couldn't close the bonnet properly. so for a week i was driving around with a bonnet that could have flipped up at any time.

thanks. for. that.

oh, and my airbox is knackered - a bolt on the downpipe attaching the lid to the box had sheared off and the tape that was holding it together wore off. i say tape, i looked at past invoices and there's all this talk of airbox/maf/head gasket work, but i think the previous owner was ripped off.

mayonnaise on the engine oil cap. and what is the normal water temperature reading for a 2.0 TS? mine sits at 90 degrees and goes higher if sat in traffic.

grumble grumble, smegging grumble!

but at least the car looks good!

Hi big Z,
Mine had a few woes in the air box dept. too, same old story nots and bolts siezed. I undid a few, pulled some apart and glued new nuts into place and fastened straight thru. in other places, jobs a good un now tho.
I have seen "max power" air filter assys for sale on motorworld for £20 or so, they would replace filter and air box. Cheap fix but I don't know if they're any good.

Mayo on cap, may not be as bad as you think, many cars used for short journeys often get moisture in the top end of the engine which then gives the mayo effect- or your head gasket may be gone.
If the HG has gone then you will have some of the following;
steam from your exhaust
water bubbling in your expansion tank
a funny smell in your oil filler cap
loss of power

I hope you have none of these- good luck

Originally Posted by jason156

Sorry mate, but you can delete me from your life if you want to.


Its sort of like a blog I guess, but I like the way people jump in and out of the conversations, and a few old mates who have stuck with me, 'till now

So to business, I'dlike to tell you all about round two of my Races with my mate and his Golf GTI (D reg.) which he had assured me would surprise me with its performance, which I was, for the 1/4 second he was up my 4rse, he then had to admit I'd blown him off the road, however he then said it'd be different on a back road, which it could be as his car is still doing 20mph faster than I can manage in the 156 in the same place

I got the Alfa wave on Friday evening, just popped out to help the better half at work and a couple both waved back in a Silver 147, thanks guys

Oh Dazza, just click on Unsubscribe to this thread on the bottom of your e mail, if you aint my mate no more.

HEY! You don't get rid of me that easily,

Funny you should mention the Golf GTi though as my friend has one of these, a 1989 Mk2 3 Door 16 Valve. They are very impressive up until around 80MPH but after that you'll leave them for dust.

I don't think they are designed for higher speeds to be honest, whereas when me and you come along in our big heavy assed V6's and start to gain well ahead of them, it surprises the drivers who thought that buying a Golf GTi would mean they can take on everybody.

I took him out for a spin in the Galant and although he was mildly impressed upto around 70 / 80 MPH it was after than (When the car hardly slowed down its acceleration!) he got a bit tense,

What made you think we weren't mates anymore anyway? I was only joshing with you bud.