[MAT4]

Hi All,

I am currently very much sucked in by the Alfa 159 Sportwagons charms and particularly its looks compared to my present and can see lots of reasons not to buy one including failed steering racks, sticky EGR valves and big bills!!

I am new to the site and currently have owned a BMW 3 series tourer (yes I know the dark side and it is black!!!) for 3 months which I bought due to growing family. I was intending to buy an Alfa 159 sportwagon but got a little scared and bought a BMW!!!

However I cannot get the Alfa out of my head and did drive one or 2 but found a lot of hefty bills that garages had left in the glovebox handbook folder a little hard to swallow. Although atter ownimg my dull BMW I have put it up for sale and biting the bullet to buy an alfa which I should have done in the first place!!

My main concern is going for an early 159 SW 1.9jtdm 2006 model, I am looking to spend no more than 8.5k and found a 7k with 83,000 on which has Alfa dealer history and just had cambelt done which is a big job I guess is on most cars, and have money in bank to spend on it to do the dpf and remap etc!! Or am I beeter holding out for a 2008 with a few less on for 8.5k which are out there.

Any advice from owners of 2006 models much appreciated would be great. :thumbs:
Mat

 

[hessian]

As long as you get the DPF & remap done you will enjoy it more, and have less worries.

 

[159_kid]

what hessian said DPF / egr related issues are the main issues on pre / post 08 models and other than that they 1.9 seems to be pretty strong.

i have a 2007 1.9 saloon and bar a few issues with consumables then its been trouble free. Currently have an angel remap without dpf / egr removal but am beginning to worry as the car seems quite smoky under hard accel and im pretty sure it going to be storing up issues with the inlet manifold... not too bothered about the dpf as do a lot of motorway miles so it seems to be keeping the regens down to one at most every tankful.

Not sure of main differences between series 1 and 2 but think they are mainly cosmetic and a small change with suspension components.

 

[Quadrofoglio]

I had a 2006 (and now a 2010) and my 2006 was faultless over 4 years. Never had the steering rack fault although it is probably the one thing that would put me off if I was buying one now as it seems to be becoming all too common. I think you can get it fixed for not too much money if you can find a good indy to do it.

The one you've looked at doesn't sound a bad price on the face of it - maybe try and use the egr and steering rack issues to beat down the price a bit more?

 

[cj romeo]

I had an 06 and swapped it in 08 for a new one.

I wouldnt be scared of an older car - and prefer the original AC controls, the much heralded weight savings dont ever appear to have been proven either!

 

[MAT4]

Great sounds like there's not a lot of difference over the years, just contacted garage and car is now sold anyway Not to worry as I'm sure there will be others and need to sell the boring beemer first!!

How would I know if the car had steering rack issue when buying as not ruliing out private buy. How can I tell if the egr has a problem?? Any tell signs with acceleration/smokey??!!

Reckon if I can pick up an 07ish 1.9jtdm sw, I really like the cloverleaf alloys also and fancy the heated seats on the lusso model for 7.5k that has done 70,000ish miles will be happy.

 

[cj romeo]

For the PAS - check for leaks, make sure the fluid is a clear green colour and not dirty/ burnt, turn the wheel from lock to lock with the doors and bonnet open checking for noises.