Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 14:51:18

Title: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 14:51:18
This is the amount a local trader is asking for  a 2006 (56) Alfa 156 V6. I've not had the time to check it out but I believe the V6 lump is of the 2.5 litre variety and not the muscular 3.2.

Buy or walk on by?
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 October 2014, 15:15:13
I had the 166 3.2L V6 for a while. Nice car (red leather interior) but, despite the throaty exhaust note, not that much poke. My MGZT 2.5 would have left it for dead, as would my honda engined rover 2.3 Gsi.
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 October 2014, 15:18:53
I was also unimpressed with my honda legend 3.2 V6. Not fast.
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 15:27:48
I had the 166 3.2L V6 for a while. Nice car (red leather interior) but, despite the throaty exhaust note, not that much poke. My MGZT 2.5 would have left it for dead, as would my honda engined rover 2.3 Gsi.

As unreliable as rumour suggests?

I quite fancy an Alfa. :y
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 15:31:07
I was also unimpressed with my honda legend 3.2 V6. Not fast.

It is clear that it takes nothing less than a Daewoo to impress you. ::) ::) :)
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: omega3000 on 03 October 2014, 15:34:15
Set aside a decent wedge for parts consumables  , well thats what i thought but just checked and spares prices dont seem that bad compared to the mighty omega  :-\
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 15:38:44
Set aside a decent wedge for parts consumables  , well thats what i thought but just checked and spares prices dont seem that bad compared to the mighty omega  :-\

Thanks, Mr Emd.

The 156 is a reasonably good looking car. Even if I bought it (which I doubt) I'm in the fortunate position of being able to keep my MV6. :y
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: henryd on 03 October 2014, 15:49:00
This is the amount a local trader is asking for  a 2006 (56) Alfa 156 V6. I've not had the time to check it out but I believe the V6 lump is of the 2.5 litre variety and not the muscular 3.2.

Buy or walk on by?

Its 190 bhp so won't be without ::),I love Alfa's even if they are fragile and the wiring is made of cheese :y
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: omega3000 on 03 October 2014, 15:50:29
Have a look for a GTV6 2.5 .. what a beauty  ;)
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 October 2014, 16:05:27
I had the 166 3.2L V6 for a while. Nice car (red leather interior) but, despite the throaty exhaust note, not that much poke. My MGZT 2.5 would have left it for dead, as would my honda engined rover 2.3 Gsi.

As unreliable as rumour suggests?

I quite fancy an Alfa. :y
Unreliable? Well......it started and ran ok, but the niggles were never ending. Wipers, indicators, lights...all had a mind of their own. When  i enquired about a problem with my self levelling headlights, I was told it was a dealer job(Harrogate was nearest) because they had their own ecu.
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 October 2014, 16:20:45
Even Omega xenons have an ecu...
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: The Sheriff on 03 October 2014, 16:28:54
Even Omega xenons have an ecu...
Do the dealers want two grand before they'll have a look?
Probably  ;D
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 17:33:49
Okay, I've just been to view it along with  cough..cough a Renault Megane for the wife.

The Alfa is a four speed auto with 88000 miles under it's wheels. By and large it drove reasonably well, if slightly lethargic.

Bad points......all four tyres are fooked and the cambelt (or is it a chain?) was last replaced at 47000 miles. Service history is sketchy.

New discs and pads all round.

The fan is permanently on and every time the brake is pressed a little yellow light flashes in the speedo???????

Only one month MOT remaining but will sell with 12 months for £1200.

Hmmm...I wonder.


I'll post some pictures. :y
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: henryd on 03 October 2014, 17:41:20
The fan could be on because climate is on,switch it all off and see if it goes quiet,if it's got new discs all round its likely been stood somewhere for a while,yellow light when braking could be bulb failure,but could be something else :-\
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 October 2014, 17:43:38
Hmmm... Call me suspicious, but £500 discount AND a years ticket... :-X
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 17:49:50
Hmmm... Call me suspicious, but £500 discount AND a years ticket... :-X

If they were doing the MOT themselves I would be very suspicious. Instead they are using the garage across the road, one I have used many times for my Omega come MOT time.

They are always more than strict when I take my car there. :y

Of course.......they could always be 'bezzie mates' and therefore willing to turn a blind eye.
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: PeteH on 03 October 2014, 18:59:31
As a recovering previous Alfa owner ( 2x 164 v6's, 2x 156 v6's :)) some observations; all my Alfa's were reliable and never needed anything other than routine servicing (unlike my miggy >:() - my '98 156 v6 had done 150,000 miles and ran beautifully.
However, best buy from an enthusiast/owners club member, these cars need to be cherished and pampered, FSH is essential. Cambelts MUST be changed every 60,000mile or every 4 years, together with tensioners - also make sure the water pump has been changed to a metal impeller one rather than the standard plastic. Suspension arms and bushes never last long. Never had a problem with electrics - all the toys on my '96 164 worked, even the heated seats and folding mirrors!
Would avoid the auto - the 2.5 v6 needs to be worked and it's worth it to hear the Busso v6 at 7,000rpm - automotive porn with a decent S/S exhaust!
Couple of cheeky pics of my old ones;
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/pdh66/164pics030small_zps4fb0ad8b.jpg)
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/pdh66/156advert020small_zps58bf4c8c.jpg)
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 19:23:27
As a recovering previous Alfa owner ( 2x 164 v6's, 2x 156 v6's :)) some observations; all my Alfa's were reliable and never needed anything other than routine servicing (unlike my miggy >:() - my '98 156 v6 had done 150,000 miles and ran beautifully.
However, best buy from an enthusiast/owners club member, these cars need to be cherished and pampered, FSH is essential. Cambelts MUST be changed every 60,000mile or every 4 years, together with tensioners - also make sure the water pump has been changed to a metal impeller one rather than the standard plastic. Suspension arms and bushes never last long. Never had a problem with electrics - all the toys on my '96 164 worked, even the heated seats and folding mirrors!
Would avoid the auto - the 2.5 v6 needs to be worked and it's worth it to hear the Busso v6 at 7,000rpm - automotive porn with a decent S/S exhaust!
Couple of cheeky pics of my old ones;
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/pdh66/164pics030small_zps4fb0ad8b.jpg)
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/pdh66/156advert020small_zps58bf4c8c.jpg)


Thanks, Pete.

Very informative.

I will say that it made a beautiful noise when given the beans. However, I was less than impressed by the 'slow witted' auto box.  :y
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: omega3000 on 03 October 2014, 19:25:58
Hmmm... Call me suspicious, but £500 discount AND a years ticket... :-X

Not to be sniffed at , mighty fine discount  ;D Just get it hpi'd beforehand  ::)
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 19:28:56
Hmmm... Call me suspicious, but £500 discount AND a years ticket... :-X

Not to be sniffed at , mighty fine discount  ;D Just get it hpi'd beforehand  ::)

£595 to be exact.

My mistake ........sticker price is £1795 and not £1695. :y
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 19:30:03
How much to change the cambelt, I wonder?

......plus 4 new tyres.

...plus a full service.
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: omega3000 on 03 October 2014, 19:33:32
How much to change the cambelt, I wonder?

......plus 4 new tyres.

I would imagine the same as vauxhall dealer price , then you always have the oof mechanics though  :y
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 19:35:00
How much to change the cambelt, I wonder?

......plus 4 new tyres.

I would imagine the same as vauxhall dealer price , then you always have the oof mechanics though  :y

£550 ish?
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: PeteH on 03 October 2014, 19:38:43
A good indie, such as The Alfa Workshop or Autolusso will charge about £450-£500 for belt and tensioners, worth getting the plugs done as well, about another £60. Needs a locking tool as it's very easy to get the timing off by a tooth or so, a bit of a PITA I believe as access is not brilliant.
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 03 October 2014, 19:41:34
A good indie, such as The Alfa Workshop or Autolusso will charge about £450-£500 for belt and tensioners, worth getting the plugs done as well, about another £60. Needs a locking tool as it's very easy to get the timing off by a tooth or so, a bit of a PITA I believe as access is not brilliant.

So, with a cambelt change and 4 new tyres I'd be looking at £2000 for a 56 plate car with 12 months MOT.
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: scimmy_man on 03 October 2014, 22:34:54
yea what could possibly go wrong?................ ;D
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: PhilRich on 03 October 2014, 22:51:02
I thought you were Boracic Lint Opti :o, or has that Bird from the Postcode Lottery been knocking on your iron studded oak front door ??? ;D ;)
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Vamps on 03 October 2014, 23:33:58
This is the amount a local trader is asking for  a 2006 (56) Alfa 156 V6. I've not had the time to check it out but I believe the V6 lump is of the 2.5 litre variety and not the muscular 3.2.

Buy or walk on by?

Have I missed something? have you not got the Big Merc anymore....... :-\ :-\ ::) :-[
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: henryd on 03 October 2014, 23:41:18
This is the amount a local trader is asking for  a 2006 (56) Alfa 156 V6. I've not had the time to check it out but I believe the V6 lump is of the 2.5 litre variety and not the muscular 3.2.

Buy or walk on by?

Have I missed something? have you not got the Big Merc anymore....... :-\ :-\ ::) :-[

That went a while ago,I believe Opti donated the proceeds of the sale to the inland revenue, kind soul that he is ::)
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Vamps on 03 October 2014, 23:45:15
This is the amount a local trader is asking for  a 2006 (56) Alfa 156 V6. I've not had the time to check it out but I believe the V6 lump is of the 2.5 litre variety and not the muscular 3.2.

Buy or walk on by?

Have I missed something? have you not got the Big Merc anymore....... :-\ :-\ ::) :-[

That went a while ago,I believe Opti donated the proceeds of the sale to the inland revenue, kind soul that he is ::)

 :D :D :-X Thanks, I missed that........ :y
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 04 October 2014, 10:35:38
This is the amount a local trader is asking for  a 2006 (56) Alfa 156 V6. I've not had the time to check it out but I believe the V6 lump is of the 2.5 litre variety and not the muscular 3.2.

Buy or walk on by?

Have I missed something? have you not got the Big Merc anymore....... :-\ :-\ ::) :-[

That went a while ago,I believe Opti donated the proceeds of the sale to the inland revenue, kind soul that he is ::)

Yep...£6000 for 50% payment. :'(

I told them I was skint but the revenue had it's heart ripped out many years ago. :'(
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 04 October 2014, 10:37:40
I have already paid the bastards 'zillions'.

First they take the cake and then they want the crumbs. :-\


That's why I drive an eleven year old Vauxhall and live in a hovel......Not that any of you lot care. ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: omega3000 on 04 October 2014, 11:48:23
Have you bought the cars yet  ::) You can have my mint MV6 for £2k  ::)
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Keith ABS on 04 October 2014, 11:59:51
 If you get on well and know the garage that will do the MOT, could ask them what the reputation of the sellers is like. I would love a 159 estate as they look so nice. Had a Sud years ago, mental little car :D
Keith B
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: henryd on 04 October 2014, 12:02:14
If you get on well and know the garage that will do the MOT, could ask them what the reputation of the sellers is like. I would love a 159 estate as they look so nice. Had a Sud years ago, mental little car :D
Keith B

I had an Alfa 90 v6,it looked like a fiat Regatta but went like a bloody rocket,I had fun in that car before it turned to dust :-\
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 04 October 2014, 14:55:17
If you get on well and know the garage that will do the MOT, could ask them what the reputation of the sellers is like. I would love a 159 estate as they look so nice. Had a Sud years ago, mental little car :D
Keith B

Good point, Keith.

The garage in question is a new enterprise. One which has been trading for just three months.
Title: Re: £1695.
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 04 October 2014, 14:56:40
If you get on well and know the garage that will do the MOT, could ask them what the reputation of the sellers is like. I would love a 159 estate as they look so nice. Had a Sud years ago, mental little car :D
Keith B

I've had more fun in Alfasuds than any car I can think of. :y

My late father owned two.


A 1976 1.2 ti...... and a 1979 1.5 ti. :y