Its Official, My 156 is up for sale :(

[jf_cole]

Contracts being signed this week for a new house so Alfie has to go

I’ve been forced to sell my Alfa 156 I’m moving house shortly which doesn’t have parking outside and I will be next to the train station so won’t need it to commute. We are keeping the wife’s CRV so this has become sadly redundant. I bought the car in February and spent quite a bit of money on preventive stuff and generally getting it nice. I was hoping to keep it for at least 2-3 years. I didn’t expect to sell up and loose a fortune, it stands me over €4,250 to date, I have a few receipts of this and a good old excel spreadsheet!

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...cole/photo.jpg

I bought this car from Mario Andretti on here and as he was an Alfa mechanic, I got him to carry out some work which was both necessary for the NCT and I wanted sorted anyway. Its a 1.6 in poverty spec (no A/C to break, no rear electric windows to get stuck), they are cheaper on tax and insurance and still have about 120bhp. It has an honest 83k miles on it. I bought it without a service history, but found some of it under the passenger seat. It’s just a few oil changes and a clutch, clutch cylinder and timing belt job but it’s something. Its NCT’d until summer next year and taxed till the end of this year. I’ve only done about 2,500 miles, just down to the train station and back and then one run a week to loosen it up.

I’ve had it up in Ti Autos sorting out an issue or two during the year and he reckons it’s a pretty good example. I’m going to be brutally honest on the car. Nothing worse than travelling a long distance to find it’s not how it’s advertised. Every fault is mentioned below, many you mightn’t notice, but I want to be honest. Anyone who knows me or has bought a car from me will know I look after my cars, don’t BS and am mechanically sympathetic.

Mechanical

In the last 10 months and 2500 miles I’ve changed loads of bits, some necessary, but most preventative.

2 Upper Front arms
2 Lower Front arms
2 Front drop links
2 Front ARB Bushes (poly & greased) at Ti Autos

2 Rear drop links
2 Rearmost LCA’s.

Timing Belt (81k)
Thermostat
Gearbox Oil Change
8 x Genuine Alfa Spark Plugs
Air Filter
Oil Change @ 81k (Will throw in 5 litres of oil, plus the new sump plug and O ring that I haven’t fitted yet)

4 Brake Discs (ferodo)
Front & Rear Pads (ferodo)
Brakes bled
2 x Handbrake Cables (including 2 refurbed mounting brackets, no hanging down cables on this car)

Downpipe to Cat Exhaust Gasket (was leaking)
2 x Exhaust Rubber Hangers
MAF Sensor (Bosch)
Front Wipers (flat blades)
New Osram bulbs

4 Wheel Alignment
4 Brand new Bridgestone Turanza’s (less than 2,000 miles on them now)

Replacement drivers sun visor
Replacement drivers seat belt

Just 17k ago it had a belt & water pump, clutch and clutch cylinder replaced.

It burns very little oil, I check it every 2 weeks and maybe once every second month I top it up from the bottle I keep in the boot.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_1314.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_4306.jpg

Issues:

Variator makes a noise for the first 2 seconds or so when very cold outside every second day or so, but otherwise works fine. This will never leave you at the side of the road and has no ill effects apparently. Will need changing at the next Belt Interval. €120 for the part, labour is not much more when you are doing a belt change anyway.

Suspension up front is still making a bit of noise. I’ve had ti Autos look at it and they can’t trace it. They checked out the suspension and are happy with it. Most items have been replaced and it drives straight and true. It’s only really apparent over ramps, it’s probably just the poly bushes in the front ARB.

Bodywork:

It’s had the following with me:

2 Front & Rear Badges OEM Alfa badges
De-badged “156 1.6 T Spark”
4 Teledials with new tyres (Bridgestone Turanzas) & locknuts
OEM Fogs fitted and wired with OEM loom & button.
Chrome Exhaust cover
Clear Side Indicators (sealed to prevent misting)
New Plates
Colour Coded Mirrors
GTA look headlamps (DIY, no misting, comes with spare headlamps too)
Calipers painted black

I also refurbed the two uprights beside the wheel arch which are the only thing that rusts on them. They should be good for the life of the car now.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_4295.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_4316.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_4310.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_4320.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_4296.jpg

Issues:

LH Door sits out at the top ever so slightly (doesn’t let water in and you wouldn’t really notice it)

Passenger side isn’t all the same shade. The door was sprayed at one point and it doesn’t quite match the wing and skirts. I put a better condition wing on and it sits out a fraction at the bottom.

I’m being hard on the car. A new door in the right shade would have it in great condition.


Interior:

Tan Leather Seats Fitted
Wood Steering Wheel (original included)
Wood Dash (original included)
Wood Gearknob (original included)
Genuine Alfa overmats
Ipod CD/MP3 player (Cable wired behind dash for iphone link)
16cm Infiniti front door speakers
All bulbs replaced in the 3rd mounted brake light
Refurbed Red Key (+ Spare second key)

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...e/IMG_4307.jpg

Issues:
One bulb blown out in centre console behind heater knob that I can’t access.

I’m looking for €1,350 as I think it’s a pretty nice version with most of the usual Alfa issues out of the way for many miles to come. You could spend less on one easy, but it won’t be anywhere near as good as this one. It will come with a few spares in the boot too. I think it’s also a pretty good colour and spec combo.

It just needs another decent owner now.

Somebody to look at it like this
Feel like this driving it
And go like this when birds poo on it.

Is this your ad on Donedeal? Looks great.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2738001

I wish mine looked that good. I hope it goes to someone on here, I've been watching this one since you got it. It looks mint, good luck with the sale.

Goodluck with the sale man minter of a car you made there.

[rikd]

Good luck with sale... sorry to see it go after so much labour put in to it...

Jeez man, that's a credit to you. I hope it goes to someone who will give it the same love and attention as you obviously have

[pdmc]

Originally Posted by jf_cole

It just needs another decent owner now.

Somebody to look at it like this
Feel like this driving it
And go like this when birds poo on it.

I've been actually looking at it all day. It looks gorgeous. I could buy while I wait for the right diesel to come along but then I'd probably just lose more money when it comes time to sell on. Don't hold me to it - but the thought has definitely crossed my mind.

I have informed a buddy of mine who has a 156 already and is looking for one for his GF they may call you about it bud.

[jf_cole]

Thanks Lads, Im absolutley gutted about this. This will be one of my favourite cars I've owned and I will miss it badly.

I'm going to get the oil changed this weekend and have the new OEM Sump nut and O ring fitted while Im at it. Another stamp in the book for it.

@pdmc, surely at say, I duno, €1,250 there isnt much further to fall? Not really much to spend on it these days either. I'm the one who's lost all the money on it, I can mail you my spreadsheet of doom showing €4,250 spent!

@ Damien - Cheers man.

No bother at all. They may want to swap you a 40k Megane 03

[jf_cole]

Doh, don't need a car. Need a dishwasher, wardrobe, attic insulation and some sash window repairs

[Mysterio]

jf_cole, fair play to ya lad... That 156 looks absolutely fantastic.. Hope it gets the home it deserves.

What is the 1.6 like in these? I assume there's a bit of poke no?

Originally Posted by jf_cole

Doh, don't need a car. Need a dishwasher, wardrobe, attic insulation and some sash window repairs

You'd sell the megane for more straight swap I would imagine.

@WG the 1.6 engine isn't a bad one to be fair but the best of the bunch is the 1.8 supposedly.

1.8 is the best compromise, the best engine is not a 4 pot

[Mushcles]

Originally Posted by Lacken156

1.8 is the best compromise, the best engine is not a 4 pot

Thats spot on. I had a 1.8 and its not slow, but its definitely not a quick car. they are quite heavy. But the feel of the 1.8 is perfect. Its enough power to pass any eejit holding you up and you wont even notice hills. It is purrrrrrrfect for a relaxing spin. Perfect.

[jf_cole]

Just had its annual service, quick oil change and some retrofit flat wipers.

Open to offers in and around €1,250.

[jf_cole]

Deposit down. Will be going to an enthusiast.

[CCOVICH]

Glad to hear it.

[pdmc]

Originally Posted by jf_cole

Deposit down. Will be going to an enthusiast.

Good news!

I was just showing it to a colleague of mine here yesterday - and he was very keen on it, but oh well. Glad to hear it's going to a good home anyway.

[Mufasa]

Originally Posted by jf_cole

Deposit down. Will be going to an enthusiast.

Top class!
If I was in the market for a motor I would have been straight down to see it...
Here's to hoping you get another one sooner rather than later!

[Mushcles]

Originally Posted by roarsbaby

Top class!
If I was in the market for a motor I would have been straight down to see it...
Here's to hoping you get another one sooner rather than later!

Hear Hear

[jf_cole]

This is my one hundreth and fifty sixth post.

My Alfa 156 left me last night. I'm gutted. Its gone to a good home though. I had a quiet chat with the car last night on my last drive home and gave some assurances to it that it would be looked after.

[Mufasa]

Originally Posted by jf_cole

This is my one hundreth and fifty sixth post.

My Alfa 156 left me last night. I'm gutted. Its gone to a good home though. I had a quiet chat with the car last night on my last drive home and gave some assurances to it that it would be looked after.

On a serious note, we are all gutted for you too. We know how much you cherished and looked after it. You are a role model for us all!

On a lighter note, to help lift your depression a little, your post just proves that you belong on this site with us as we all talk to our cars.... Don't we lads? Don't we???!!!

eeerrrrrrr..... no