Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted February 21, 2014 (edited) Thanks, good advice re the cambelt/ dash. I called MDZ in Gatwick and they have said dont worry about the cambelt until 5 years is up? ive had mixed opinions on this one, I always tend to be cautious so I guess ill still consider it when buying. I just want to make sure there are no gaps in the history as it does say service history not FULL so ill see what they say. He did say it did on the phone. Ive done an MOT history check and its only been picked up on tyres so all looks good. Ill keep you posted! Edited February 21, 2014 by Samwilde681 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 So 3 words to sum up my first test drive in a 159........ it didn't happen Basically I turned up there on Saturday afternoon and met the garage owner, when I said who I was he immediately froze and looked horrified. He said "I thought I sold it to you this morning?!" of course my reply was well no... you didn't... and if you had sold it you could have called me to tell me as I had driven 90 minutes to get there. His reply "well its weird, Ive had no other people ask me about that car but someone turned up and said I had spoken to them in the week and asked the same questions along the lines you did so I just assumed it was you" I can only assume he was either making up a story as he'd sold, which is no issue, its a car dealership.. they sell cars, although a phone call would have been nice. OR someone had seen my thread on here and decided to get there before I did. I'm not too bothered, there were some gaps in the history after all when I dug a little deeper but all the same I just wanted a test drive! So its back to the drawing board, ive got another in mind so will again.. keep you posted Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiffy 99 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 We have a lot of guests on here so maybe could of been one of them. What a total dick tho as you said there's always a better example out there Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 lol, how was the hangover?? yeah I know, I wanted to test drive this one as the one I have no experience with driving them yet. So the one I have found has had 4 owners (inc current one) FSH documented and the cambelt/ pump etc done Jan last year. Looks lovely tbh. Im not planning on selling in the near future unless we sell the house so ill probably run it into the ground but should I be worries about that many owners? the MOT history checks out with NO advisories at all over the past tests. Also the current owner did come clean and say that the dash trip comp says 'pre heating glow plugs not recognized or failed?' or something to that effect but only on very cold morning and he has never had any issues. Any ideas? he did say it is a commopn issue on the Alfa forums?? Again sorry for the constant messages, im trying to be as thorough as I can be as im not really very technical when it comes to being hands on with the car! Thanks again guys, if I do finally buy and we do any meets, a pint is on me... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiffy 99 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 Hangover was a killer, slept on the sofa so woke up with a major head ache The glow plug problem I don't know about. Number of owners have never really bothered me aslong as the history is there and it looks like it been looked after. Don't worry about the messages we try and help as much as possible Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJ_GQV 115 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 Thats a shame about missing the other 1 If go on the condition of the car & history tbh. Obviously if its had a few owners in a short space of time there might be something up with it so be more careful with your checks etc. As smiffy said, dont worry about the questions, thats what forums are for Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 Cheers for that it was registered in 08 so that's quite a few owners, id be the 5th. Thats pretty much one a year! the history all adds up though with the last service being carried out by a specialist and the MOT history is completely clear! ill go and have a look anyway and see what happens. I'm not in any hurry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K9d 108 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 On the glow plug issue my 156 flashes the glow plug symbol ten times every time I start the car, I've been informed one or more of the glow plugs has failed, its been like that for 3 years and has never failed to start so I just ignore it. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 Sam, Too many owners in a short space always concerns me, could be a "lemon". But, it could just be the way it's gone - possibly just that people haven't wanted to lose much money. I think you should test drive it, and see how long this guy has owned it. That should tell you a lot. From the history, you may be able to see how long some of the previous owners have had it for too... But there will be others if it doesn't feel right! Trev Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted February 25, 2014 Yeah good call, its just odd, if its passed every mot and the history is all there that it would keep being sold, its a long way to drive but I think ill try and drag my brother along Trev tbh. I need to start driving some! why is it they are never local?..... lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted February 25, 2014 And ive done some further checks and its 3 previous owners not 4.... a BIT better lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted February 26, 2014 I was after the 1.9 but the 2.4 is definitely tempting. It adds a little insurance and tax but are the MPG that much worse on these? im assuming ill get more smiles per mile! I understand the engines are pretty similar but with an extra cylinder? I have found one with less than 70k on the clock. Seems nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJ_GQV 115 Report post Posted February 26, 2014 the 2.4 is supposed to even sound good for a diesel, not sure on the workings of them but i so go check it out and see what you think. i know a lot of people look for the 2.4 more than the 1.9 so there must be a reason why Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K9d 108 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Mine's a 2.4, 10v not 20v, and it has a lovely growl as you go up the gears and does sound good for a diesel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) Thanks for that guys, im happy with either but I wondered re opinions. Im deffo after condition rather than engine preference. Ok so off to see my first Alfa tomorrow morning (159 1.9JTDm) Ive done all the checks HPI, MOT and service history and call comes up ok. I had a 20 minute chat with a chap named Paul from MDZ in Gatwick (thanks Trev) and he was incredibly helpful, he told me all the ins and outs of the car and what to expect and look at when I go to view. He did suggest the remap and DPF delete which will set me back £400 which I thought was very reasonable. I wont jump the gun though, ill drive it first....... with any luck ill post some pics up tomorrow of my new toy! :Big Grin: Edited February 28, 2014 by Samwilde681 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LJ_GQV 115 Report post Posted February 28, 2014 Good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted March 2, 2014 (edited) Hi guys So, i went to see the car yesterday as you know. I went up to Richmond with my brother early Saturday morning. When I arrived the car was sat on the side of the road. The first thing i noticed is how much it stood out! Such a beautiful looking car and my favourite colour. You have to remember I've never actually been within 5ft of one of these in the flesh..... I couldn't help but notice that the car hadn't been cleaned in a while, the paint was dull and there was no life in it at all, I love to detail my cars so my OCD was going nuts. We had a good look around and it seemed perfect to be honest. A small oil leak had occurred at some point and a couple if scratches here and there but it all looked great other than that. Then the inside.. wow, I mean.. Just wow. Beige leather which was in perfect condition., the drivers seat was like a throne of driving porn! When I took it for a spin, I was really taken back by how quiet and refined it was, i just didn't expect it. It pulled nicely, smoothly and the gears were nice and notchy, a far cry from my new Honda civic but boy, so much more involving. the history was all there, I'd previously HPI and mot checked it which was all perfect. I knew.... I had to buy it.. So, I did. For just over 4k. This is her after a good detail and a paint cleanse! I'm keeping the new cream 159 mats for special occasions... This is her (Juliette) sorry for the iPhone picks... I mean, honestly, its crazy to think they are this cheap but I guess thats a good thing for us in the know. The drive home was awesome, every other minute i discovered a new toy or a touch that just made it even better. I can honestly say coming into this blind was quality, like a gift that keeps giving. She is booked into Mdz for a full service and inspection next week, I think one of the wishbones is on its way out so that'll be done too. She will get the best of treatment. The other thing i noticed after a good clean is how many admiring looks you get. I did in the Clio v6 but having that in the alfa is just as nice Id like to say thanks to you all too for all your help. I'm glad to be one of the crew and hopefully see you at some events! Edited March 3, 2014 by Samwilde681 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K9d 108 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 The pictures are not showing up for me You can link them to here by right clicking on the picture to get the link, then add them to your post. Glad you've discovered the joy of being an Alfa owner, but keep it under your hat we don't want the prices to rise. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiffy 99 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 Love the colour combo, looks a cracking car. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 The pictures are not showing up for me updated thanks for that Yeah im really happy with it, such a lovely drive, very special. Ive got a couple of mechanical things to sort out and a service but its just great! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 Good work Sam.... I now need to polish mine! 😜 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 Lol, it's well worth it, i used a paint cleanser (takes forever) after a clean and condition. Then polish, then canuba wax, I need to get the wheels off and give them a blast and get alloys re done and clean out the arches. Few bodywork bits to sort out but I'll get it booked into chips away soon. did you say you have used them? Anyway, after driving it today i love it even more Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trevb78 5 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 Yeah, Steve at the Crawley branch is really good... 😉 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
K9d 108 Report post Posted March 3, 2014 looks good, I can see touches of my 166 in the interior and it makes me Which engine do you go for in the end? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Samwilde681 2 Report post Posted March 4, 2014 (edited) The interior is lovely, no rattles/ squeaks either AND...... the windscreen wipers work perfectly.... atm, just love the beige seats, although they went mental with the beige, its literally everywhere lol I went for the 1.9 jtd in the end, I spoke to a couple of Alfa specialists, the latest was Paul at MDZ who suggested the 1.9 may be better for me. I dont get chance to sprint much so it has enough usable power. Still though, im pleasantly surprised but the torque and a nice comfy hug into your seat when you accelerate is a breath of fresh air when compared to my Honda Vtec which you do have to work hard if you want anything at all out of it. Overall im really pleased, its in the garage today to have a check, and a couple of bits done (my local indy, whom I trust implicitly) then its off to MDZ on saturday for a full inspection and service, im getting the nasty red steering fluid out too and replaced with the magic green stuff.... Edited March 4, 2014 by Samwilde681 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
