Do all 159 TIs have the weight savings?

Hi All,

First post, please go easy on me

I’ve currently got a Civic Type-r and Leon FR TDI but soon will only need one car so have been thinking about chopping both in for a 159 TI 2.4 – I think the car looks absolutely amazing.

But reading the reviews a few things have put me off just slightly, one of which is the weight of the car (which obviously blunts the performance).

However, I read that the 2008 model year car has among some other improvement had some weight reduction.

What I can’t find the answer to though is whether the first of the TIs from 2007 had these improvements.

My assumption is that because all TIs have the 210 2.4 they will also have the weight saving because these improvements came together.

Can anyone confirm this?

Many thanks guys

No, only the '08 cars have the weight savings.

The '07 ti cars have more baubles and trinkets than the '08 ti cars (although I can't remember exactly what extra) but the '07 cars were still built on the original, heavier platform and were built before the factory was refitted to improve build quality.

Electrically adjustable front seats I think is the main equipment weight difference (optional on 2008).

What differences have been made to the chassis?

I nearly went for a 2.2 Ti, but the weight, cost and fuel consumption put me off. Besides, it won't touch my 75 for enjoyment.

I thought the only diffenence was the V6 could be had with just FWD rather than mandatory 4WD from 2008.

That and 'electrical Q2' which I'm not entirely in favour of.

'07 cars have auto lights, auto windscreen wipers and auto rear view mirror and electric seats and split fold rear seat.

'08 cars don't be they can be added as options.

'08 cars still have the split rear seat, so I guess it's just the auto- stuff and the electric seats that they've removed.

Mixed feelings about that - we had an '03 Megane, one of the first of the new shape, and it had all the auto- stuff as standard. I found the wipers and the mirror really handy but the lights were a pain, and I had a Brera as a courtesy car where the motors for the electric seats all whirred but the seats didn't move...

I think the '08 weight loss came from the suspension and brakes (maybe wheels?) - I'm sure I remember reading somewhere that it was mostly unsprung weight that they'd removed.

Thanks everyone for this.

So, what is the easiest way to make sure I get a lighter one car? A car might have been regsitered in 2008 but made in 2007! I'd buy used and so the electric seats and auto wipers etc might have been added as an extra.

Maybe I could use the rear logo with "push system" for opening the boot?

see below for the 08MY details

italiaspeed.com

To be honest, 30kg is nothing and the performance is nigh on identical. I'm pleased I got an 07 car & with the 2.2 engine.

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

To be honest, 30kg is nothing and the performance is nigh on identical. I'm pleased I got an 07 car & with the 2.2 engine.

Out of interest, how does your boot release work being an 07 car?

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

To be honest, 30kg is nothing and the performance is nigh on identical.

You're right about the performance but if my slender grasp of physics is correct, then 30kg (I thought it was 45kg - it is for the Sportwagon, anyway) of unsprung weight should make much more difference to the handling than it would to the bare stats.

Whether it would be enough to notice in day-to-day driving without trying both cars back to back, I'm not sure.



On the '07 cars the boot release was on the overhead panel where the interior light is, I think.

Jamie boy is correct about the boot release. Overhead panel or on the key. Strange once but normal afterwards.

The 08 cars have a push button badge but this is confusing as the manual for mine says you close the boot by using the badge (rather than touching the paint on the bootlid). I suspect the 08 cars will have finger prints all over the boot because of the new feature.

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

The 08 cars have a push button badge but this is confusing as the manual for mine says you close the boot by using the badge (rather than touching the paint on the bootlid). I suspect the 08 cars will have finger prints all over the boot because of the new feature.

No - you still press the badge to close it too, leaving your hand on the badge until it locks.

At least that's what the book says - I tend to pull it down with the internal handle and let it close itself, although I guess that won't apply to the saloon.

So just to be clear, if I push the boot badge and it doesn't move its an old car, and if it does its a new one?!

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

So just to be clear, if I push the boot badge and it doesn't move its an old car, and if it does its a new one?!

That's the easiest way to tell. Unless it's an old car and it's loose, or a new car and it's faulty.

To be honest, I doubt you'd be disappointed with either. A 2.4 ti would have been my first choice, but I couldn't justify the extra cost of purchase / insurance / fuel / road tax when it's not meant to be my 'good' car anyway.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

Thanks for your help everyone.

No problem. that's why we are here. To echo Jamieboy's quote, you'll not be dissapointed. They are not hot hatches but are quick, comfortable, agile & extremly stylish Sports Saloons.

Tyre wear is frightening though

The P Zero Neros?

BTW, an all cars with auto lights that I've come across, Megane included, you can switch the idiot function off.

Originally Posted by ally

The P Zero Neros?

Indeed. Lasted 'till 9k on mine but the inners were well shot on both at 6k. Legal but just £420 a pair from Event Tyres. I did put the new ones on the back, as per your other post

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

No problem. that's why we are here. To echo Jamieboy's quote, you'll not be dissapointed. They are not hot hatches but are quick, comfortable, agile & extremly stylish Sports Saloons.

Tyre wear is frightening though

What I don't want to do is to buy a car based on looks and equipment only to be dissapointed by the performance. I did that once before and regretted it.

As long as the 2.4 is as quick as my 170bhp TDI leon I'll be happy I think - need to go and test drive one!

A mate has a 2.4 on loan and said at times it feels as quick as his Celica GT4 so that's ok with me!

Originally Posted by Squadrone Rosso

Indeed. Lasted 'till 9k on mine but the inners were well shot on both at 6k. Legal but just £420 a pair from Event Tyres. I did put the new ones on the back, as per your other post

Sounds like you may have a geometry issue, either that or yet again, Alfa engineers don't seem to be able to spec correct settings. That is another debate though.

Originally Posted by ally

Sounds like you may have a geometry issue, either that or yet again, Alfa engineers don't seem to be able to spec correct settings. That is another debate though.

They all do it. Alfa are aware. They say you can have good handling & tyre wear or not so good (read dead, especially with the PZN's) and decent tyre wear