MIght be worth a read of this...

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-159-...onsumption.html

the 1.9 is less weight and more flexible than the 2.4. Doesn't eat it's driveshafts, easier and cheaper to service, better part availability, sump doesn't get smashed on speedhumps etc...

But then I would say that wouldn't I?

I've got the 1.9 MJET 150bhp in the Bravo - same engine as the Alfa - and I'm getting better than 50 commuting. Got an EGR valve problem at the moment which could be bringing it down, as it's been higher in the past.

On the other hand, I bought it for a mile muncher because my commute is so far that I needed the economy, so I'm generally driving at but not over the limit.

On the gripping hand, a trip to Berlin and back over the new year still saw mid-forties including cruising at 100mph+ for several hours.

Apparently the newer jtdm in real terms are not as economical as the earlier counterparts and driving a 159 and doblo vs our earlier stilo jtd feels as if its got less low down torque aswell.


But it is far more refined than earlier 1.9s which are slightly tankesque but uttertly reliable..We recently got 610miles from a tank in the stilo.

I often wondered why Alfa didn't do the 2.4 in the GT as well.

Exactly coupe dummy the old JTD's felt like a tank, as reliable as one as well though!

Hmm I'll read the link, but am drawn to the 2.4 of course

Because it wouldn't fit. At least not without R&D kept at decent cost, low enough investments in the production line, matching different gearbox,...

How come, the Gt is the same chassis as the 156 ?? not doubting am just curious.

its much closer to the 147 rather than the 156

Yes, it is basically a 147, but with a GT body.

I thought the 147 was basically a shortened 156, with the same front suspension setup, subframe etc, so the differences won't be too massive.

The 1.9 is a decent enough engine for a Diesel though. It just doesn't sound very nice.

All related yes Simon, but lots of 147 and GT parts are interchangeable, lots of 156 ones are not.

It irks me on AO that they're all in together!

Interesting that the cheapest place I've been able to locate an EGR valve is a Saab supplier - same part for Fiat/Alfa/GM/Saab, it seems. Must have been part of the technology transfer.

There is an easy fix for someone as competent on the spanners as yourself, Neil.

Simply unbolt the EGR, drill a small hole in the top plastic part to allow access with a pin punch, punch out the solenoid gubbins and get to work with some brake cleaner on all of it. Assembly, as they say, is the reverse of removal. I had to do it to the GT I had with that engine.

The servo is servoing, Adam, but it seems the springs in the valves get tired.

I'm really torn on what to do with this, I really love the look of the 159 and gt but can't help thinking I'd miss owning a Coupe.

I've had coupes on and off for the last 5 years, mostly on, and can fix most problems that come up with them and have tons of spares. If I buy an alfa I'm pretty much at the mercy of a garage if anything goes wrong. Plus whilst the fiesta doesn't blow my skirt up, it's nice enough to drive and turns in 60-70mpg on my commute.

Then I think, coupes are getting old now and sooner or later the tin worm is going to win.

Ah, fair enough. It was coked up on mine hindering the movement of the valve and felt like a kangaroo surge at low speeds.

I don't know how much a new EGR is, but it might have been worth a shot for a few mills of brake cleaner, WD40 and an hour of your time.

EDIT: Alternatively, if you have some thin sheet you could always blank it off. They're a PITA and not really necessary.

Going to look at a GT Q2 tomorrow at a really good price, may be able to afford to keep the coupe if I go for that one.

Already been through the cleaning route, Adam. You can't blank it off on the Euro4 engines; the ECU checks flow and complains, and I'm not keen on sorting a new map unless I can see all the code... there's a new one in the post, so we'll see what that does!

You will!




Excellent, look forward to seeing the photos of your GT

My advice would be don't give up your Fiat Coupe. I traded my 20VT 6 for a 159 2.4 TI last June and have missed the coop ever since. It's driving me round the bend thinking about what do about this!

I got the 159 remapped by Alfatune in St Helen's who are rated as the best at doing this in the country and it shows. The 159 now has somewhere in the region of 260bhp+ and 400Ibs of torque. A rough 60-100mph timing by me came in at 8-9 seconds!!! This was holding it at 60 then flooring it so quick and impressive for a car weighing nearly 1600KG. I think it might actually do 160mph flat out now. Dare I say it could possibly be slightly quicker than a standard 20VT!

It really doesn't feel as quick as the speedo indicates though. It's so refined and the turbo is always boosting around 0.8 bar if not more (tops out at 1.4 bar). The torque curve is flat so there's no kick like you get in the Coop. The kick and 5 pot petrol engine note are what I miss most I think.

The diesel 5 pot sounds OK at low revs (below 3K) after that it sounds harsh. The 159 is a great car though. The ride and handling are very impressive for such a large car. It also has 4 pot Brembo's with 330mm front rotors so stopping power is good. The gadget list is almost endless. Dual zone climate, electric memory heated seats, USB socket, light and rain sensors, 19inch alloys, twin exhausts, 2 computers. It's returning 40mpg on my 11 mile dual carriage way commute but can manage 45mpg on longer runs.

I look almost daily at the classfieds for Fiat Coupes though and still don't know what my plan is! Sell the Alfa or keep it and have a coop as 2nd car. Could barely afford to do it but I miss what has been my favourite car in 22 years of driving.

Is it the springs really Neil? Or are they starting to get clogged up or oxidising and this limiting the spring movement?

Anyway, we're having the 159 chipped at Squadra Tuning and they'll be blocking the ERG as well and removing the checking code.

Kayjey will you be getting the dpf removed as well? This seems to help improve mpg from what I've read.

Nah, KJ, been through it and cleaned it out but the fault was back the next day...

Been to look at the gt today, not perfect but very very nice and offered me a very good deal.

The ride was surprisingly firm which I liked.

Going to sleep on it I think.

Link Please!

Link here http://www.jct28.net/used-cars/alfa-romeo-gt-mansfield-201146428650974

It's a done deal

Very nice Joe,really suits those alloys in the silver!!! Good Health!!

She's a beauty Joe, fantastic looking car!

Yeah quite happy with it, a few jobs to do but nothing major. I was very surprised how well it cornered. The alloys were only on that model, and only 91 of them made it to the UK. Nice to have something a bit different.

Now, how to perssuade the mrs that we should keep the Coupe.....

Q2 alloys aren't that rare