Test Drive Alfa Romeo 156 2003 - 2005 Sedan
Beta version
Once the Fiat was a leading manufacturer of Europe, and not a pale shadow of the Great and Mighty Concern VW. At one time, Alfa Romeo products were a full-fledged BMW alternative. But that it was time passed, apparently, irretrievably. Obviously, regardless of the changing preferences of European buyers who either have become more practical, or ceased to appreciate emotionality and charismaticness, the old Alfa Romeo entered their names in history with elegant italics. Almost no one remembers these machines about the unreliability of these machines, but many are still told about their bright driving qualities. The last car of the almost forgotten breed was removed from the production of Alfa Romeo 156. Its very brave design looked revolutionary against the background of old angular cars of the Italian brand. But from the point of view of operational properties, 156th was a certain semi-finished product that intended for the conversion tests.
Not everything, however, so bad. The car is very beautiful and dorestayling sample, and appeared after modernization. The sedan seems to be a 2-door due to the hidden handles of the rear doors and emphasized the massive front, and the universal elegant and grasiosen (he is not more sedan, so it does not seem to be a barn). The quality of the body assembly is imperfect, but the metal is high-quality, like enamel, which covered these cars. There are no chronic problems with electrics and corrosion. The only but model is considered a sports, therefore, there are many copies on the market, on which inept, but too arrogant drivers managed to get out. And far from the fact that the car was restored, fully observing technology.
The salon is simultaneously happy, and grieves. It pleases a very stylish interior, an abundance of aluminum in the finish (and the famous devices in wells began to copy everything in time), equipping, tuning the driver to a dynamic ride. It is logical that the seats are distinguished by the developed side support. An ambiguous attitude causes a specific landing, which, although it allows you to take a convenient posture for combat piloting, but does not allow to relax by the wheel. Salon is scolded: places and in front, and especially in the back of little. Yes, and the trunk is difficult to call roomy even at the 5-door version.
Assembly quality also grieves (as, by the way, ergonomics): in Italian cars, even new, traditionally something dangles or creaks, and with time the situation
it only worsens (this is not Toyota, where plastic decades does not lose form). Middle quality materials are used for decoration: in some copies, decorative plastic under the tree is unpleasant and to the touch. A significant part of its disadvantages is at the go: it is frisky (even with one of the low-power aggregates), has excellent handling, and in addition, it slows down well. Especially in this regard, the version of the GTA with a very short steering rack, powerful brakes, 3.2-liter V6, a rigid suspension and a bright body kit, is distinguished, although it is found exclusively with the front-wheel drive. The smoothness of the usual 156 owners do not complain, however, put on insufficient sustainability on the track.
The line of engines is quite extensive. This is a 1.6-liter engine (120 hp), 1.8-liter engine (140144 hp), 2-liter unit (150165 hp), V6 volume of 2.5 liters (190 l . With.), as well as a top 250-strong 3.2-liter motor. There were several diesel engines: 1.9-liter (depending on the execution, it develops from 105 to 150 hp) and 2,4-liter (136175 hp). Serve gasoline engines simply: every 10 thousand km need to be carried out with the replacement of oil and filters. The timing belt, unfortunately, is very small, especially in 4-cylinder engines: just 40 thousand km (at V6 it can not be changed for 60 thousand km). Chronic ailments, power units do not suffer, except that V6 often fails dear DMRV. Round fours (have two candles for each cylinder; equipped with them machines marked with Twin Spark) are characterized by increased oil consumption. The fact is that it is possible to achieve acceptable dynamics from cars with these motors if the units operate at elevated circulation, and in such modes, they are injured by oil in virtue of design features (specialists do not surprise such experts as 1 l per 1 thousand km).
These automatic boxes were installed only on cars with 2.5-liter V6. This version is a good choice, since the engine and the box is quite reliable. There are no problems with MCPP. Change fluid every 120 thousand km and all. But with a robotic box Selespeed, different troubles are possible, which are mostly connected with the electrician, and especially often they arise from models released until 2002. According to statistics, malfunctions
often there are broken copies, which is explained. Suppose, as a result of the accident, the connector flew from the sensor, and during the repair it was pregnant. As a result, the box works incorrectly, and then refuses it at all. There are difficulties with the executive mechanism of the robot: for the correct operation of the box, it is necessary to maintain high pressure in the hydraulic block, and it is necessary to appear leaks as pressure drops. Repair the block is undesirable, because even if the automatic brain of the automatic transmission on the abundance of information on the Internet a few wizards will be able to put in order, then such a box. Especially. Note that a robotic box requires the use of special lubrication. The suspension in the 156th is very tender. The front top levers often fail, as well as the front stabilizer of transverse stability. In our conditions, the owners do not drive 100 times to the service for replacing one or two small parts, but prefer to save faults, after which they are comprehensively eliminated. Simply put, they move the entire suspension (about 40 thousand km). It's a shame that the steering is not distinguished by durability: with a large run, there are often a rack-shaped rim. And in this case, the steering mechanism has to be changed completely (the steering rail is made assembled with traction, which is not very good, considering the backlog frequently occurring in the steering tips). Brakes are relatively reliable. The front pads go 30 thousand km with normal ride, the rear is one and a half or twice longer.
Owners of such cars recommend potential buyers to choose Alfa Romeo consciously. In other words, this is not the car for which with foam at the mouth agitate all acquaintances. Buying it, you need to be prepared for a low level of comfort and solid maintenance costs (sometimes even more than the maintenance and repair of the SUV). Alfa owners explain their choice by the fact that their soul lies with these cars. Why not? They definitely have something that can attract a real enthusiast with a non-trivial taste
Advantages and disadvantages of the model
Advantages
Low price, excellent handling, very pleasant appearance
disadvantages
Tight salon, unreliability, average level of driving
Approximate price order in Moscow, rub.:
180,000 (1998 in., With a motor 1.8 l);
250,000 (2000 in., With a motor 2 l);
280,000 (1999 in., With v6, 2.5 l);
300 000 (2002 in., With a motor 1.8 l);
330 000 (2003 in., With a motor 2 l);
440,000 (2004 in., With a diesel engine 1.9 l);
620,000 (156 GTA 2004 in.).
A source: Magazine cars and prices June 14, 2010.
