I have just picked up this bargain of an Alfa 156.
The most economical version of the diesel engines (8v) returning 55+ mpg and only on 58,000 miles with a recent cambelt change. All for £1400!



It's the 115bhp 1.9 8V JTD in a Veloce spec, leather, better springs etc.

Bought solely for the purpose of being able to take the Coupe off the road for it's MOT in the coming month.
I've been stacking the miles on the Coupe (nearly 1000 a week for the last few weeks) which it has coped with very very well. I thought it was time to get something i can put the work miles on while i can tinker with the Coupe in my own time, and save in running costs.

There is a finger size hole on the floor i need to have welded, the arches need treating, so at the same time, i'll strip the interior and waxoil all the floor panels.
The manifold is cracked too, so this needs replacing, and there are a few other bits to do. I have a strange feeling i am going to uncover lots of little bits that need doing, but i will be determined not to give up!

It will be a little frustrating seeing the Coupe sat on my drive, but not being able to drive it, but i think for the longevity of the car, doing all this work now should serve it well for the future (and the winter ahead). The amount of Coupes i hear about that rot away from the inside, i'd hate that to happen to mine

Still not sure whether to keep the Alfa for work and run the Coupe as a weekend car when i have got it through it's MOT, or whether to sell the Alfa on and have the Coupe as my sole car again.

I guess time will tell.

If you can afford both then keep them until the financial situation changes. They DO make a nice pair

i think you will love using the alfa as a daily runner, they are great for driving about in.

If you need any Alfa parts give me a call 07932371966

That jtd engine is brilliant .

I had a 2.0 SP1 156 and it was a terrific family car...... Not the most amount of room but for a 4-door family runner it was a great drive

Another 156/Coupe owner here.

I bought a 2.4 jtd Sportwagon for the same reason as yourself, the Coupe was getting less user friendly as it got more modified (and older!).

As an every day car it makes more sense than than the Coupe - surprisingly fun for a diesel estate, does double the mpg and has all the toys you'd need.

I have that engine in my Stilo, re-mapped, it feels unburstable

Hi Dan,
I would be tempted to keep both. Glad to see you went for a 156. At least you can enjoy your ride while the coupe gets its tlc. Had a couple of 156s myself and really enjoyed them. Both were V6s, which were surprisingly economical on a run. The cars look good together

Thanks for the comments on the 156

I've had a few 2.4JTD's before, but I'd rather make the most of the economy potential of the 8v 1.9. One 5 cylinder beast is enough

The 8v 1.9 lump feels much less nose heavy than the 2.4 making it nicely balanced through the corners, really very enjoyable!

The 6 speed box in the Coupe is great though and I always achieve 34mpg + and that includes a mix of town and B roads.

I guess when the Alfa is pushing closer to 60mpg i'm saving £150 a month just in work fuel making the car even more tempting to keep.

The Alfa still feels brand new due to it's low miles, can't get many sub 60k Diesels for £1400 and less than 10 years old.

WOW that's a bargain Dan, I looked but couldn't find any low milage 156 Diesels, so settled for a 2005 2.0 petrol Veloce

It seems to be delivering close to 40 mpg though so I'm not too unhappy, especially after the 166 3.0 Auto

Bob, i guess going from a 166 3.0 Auto to and 156 2.0 manual is like me going from my 20vt Coupe to my 1.9 JTD.
The 166 must have been delivering low 20's?

Yeah i think i got lucky with this one. Just spotted the advert an hour after he put it up and I went to buy it immediately!

Looks a cracking buy Dan if it doesn't need any too much doing to it.
Enjoy.

It needs nothing at all. 11 months MOT on it and cambelt 5k miles ago

Brilliant! Give us an update in 2 months time?
Fingers crossed all continues to go well!

Snap! Coupe + Alfa = seriously cool driveway. I have a 147 next to my (your old) Coupe and I smile everytime I see them.