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ALFA ROMEO 147 2.0 TS Lusso - Advice before purchase

11K views 23 replies 13 participants last post by  Smaky 
#1 ·
Hi everyone

I'm new to the forum and Alfa Romeo's

I'm about to test drive a used ALFA ROMEO 147 2.0 TS Lusso, it's a 5 Door, manual, hatchback, Petrol, 2003, 76,000 miles.

I would like some advice on what to look out for when test driving it, i'm also testing a 147 1.6 TS Lusso, smiliar mileage and age as above.

What would be the approximate value of these cars?

Any advice would be great

Thank you in advance.
 
#5 ·
Hi, thank you guys for the advice.

Well i'm a proud owner of an Alfa Romeo 147 Twin Spark 2.0 litre Lusso, a step up from a mk3 golf!! She feels quite nippy and light.

Gears is a little notchy - i have to consciously shift a little to the left or right with a little force, sometimes gets stuck if i try to change too quick, maybe i'm not used to it yet. But is this common?

There are no lights which remain on once the engine is turned over, which is a relief. :)

Cambelt was changed at 55k miles. When would the next cambelt be required?

I've read a little about oil in Alfa Romeo's, should a good annual service and change of oil be enough, or do they need periodic checks, making sure they is enough oil in the engine?

I've got two alarm fob keys with the 147, but the boot release button on either key does not work, maybe the boot rather than the keys? I test drove another 147 and the boot release on the fob didnt work either. But if it is the keys, is this easy to fix?

Anyone recommend an independent dealer in the Manchester area?
 
G
#7 ·
Its 36k or 3 years whichever is the earlier for the belts and tensioners so depends age wise when it was last done given your current mileage.

Check the oil regularly ie at once a week, at least til you get used to how much, if any, oil it uses.
 
#8 ·
Fuel cap and flap cover:

The fuel cap doesnt lock, it has a key barrell but doens t semm to lock shut.

Also the flap cover doesnt lock, i assume it should lock when i lock the car, i.e. it seems to have a little a hole on the flap where i assume a solenoid should pop out to lock the flap cover. Is this correct?, doesnt work though! Unless i'm doing something wrong. Is this easily fixed?
 
#10 ·
Thank you CJ Romeo,

I've just called Alfa Romeo in Bradford for a new locking petrol cap, he quoted 15 quid plus vat, but couldn't confirm if was lockable.

Do they swap the key barrell over to the new petrol cap, so it works my key?

Anyone have any experience of this?
 
#12 ·
I'd check the oil weekly until you get confident in predicting it's usage. Then maybe you can check it fortnightly!!

The boot release button on the key is renowned for breaking. Shake the key, can you hear a rattle, if so the microswitch has probably broken off. There is a member on here (Chris I think) who fixes them via an ebay business. I've yet to send him my spare, but will do shortly!
Also try changing the battery, the boot release on both my keys didn't work, but changing the battery fixed one as it didn't rattle!!

As for Manchester indies, I took mine to Heath Road Garage in Sandbach for it's belts & tensioners and would recommend. MVC in Sale also get good reports.
 
#13 ·
Thanks chuffy

I'm just getting use to all the controls, dials, switches at present. There's a lot of kit/technology to get my head round.

Both keys rattle, so classic boot release repair for Chris on eBay. Will send him a spare key manyana.

When i turn the ignition key to MAR, the engine symbol turns on and stays on, until i start the engine, then the symbol disappears. Does this mean there's a fault somewhere? It was serviced exactly a year ago today!
 
#15 ·
Get it a good service, check oil at least every 1k or weekly if you notice it going down. Keep it topped up and she will love you. ;)

did you figure out the fuel cap?
You need to hold and turn key anticlockwise to open
to lock keep key in same position turn the cap clocwise until you heard a few clicks the lock with the key. If you lock to eraly it will just come off.

Give it a pull it should be on and spin freely.
 
#16 ·
Well it's due for a service so will get a good one done very soon, once i've found a decent independent garage in the manchester area.

Still unsure about the Cambelt, it was replaced at 56k miles, and it's currently 76k miles on the clock!, when should the next cambelt change be done?

As for the petrol cap, think i may have passed the initiation test, it's now locked!! But i admit it was a bit of a fluke, it spins freely now without coming off, will have to spend some time this weekend figuring it out.....well the whole car in fact!
 
#20 ·
As for the petrol cap, think i may have passed the initiation test, it's now locked!! But i admit it was a bit of a fluke, it spins freely now without coming off, will have to spend some time this weekend figuring it out.....well the whole car in fact!
The first thing I did when I got my 147 was take it for fuel; 3 minutes to fill it, 10 minutes to get the fuel cap back on :tut: There is a definite knack to it :thumbs:
 
#18 ·
Here's a nice little trick which I think will work on yours.......

When you press the key fob to unset the alarm, if you keep your thumb on the button, your front windows should go down. Some earlier versions will let you close them too !!!!!.......

I had my previous 147 for 3 Years and never knew that, and I only found out that this new one can do this trick, after reading it on here .......:rolleyes:
 
#22 ·
I tried this the other day, pretty much after you told me about it lol. When i hold down the unlock button on the fob all 4 windows go down, annoying thing is that they dont all come back up!, had to go back in the car and close each one. Was hoping that there would be 'total closure' setting when alarming the car.
 
#19 ·
The petrol cap is a pain to use. I remember here in Wales there is a programme called the ferret. The lady on the show was complaining about the cap, and how embaressing it was trying to close it at the garage with people waiting behind in line!!. Glad you went for the 2.0 version as the 1.6 is wayyyyy to slow.
Right im of to see if my windows close on the key fob!!
 
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