'03 156 2L JTS Sport wagon Long Term Update

[KJE]

Reading the thread on Chip tuning the JTS was motivation to type this up. Hopefully prospective 156 buyers might find it of some interest.

My (rented) 156 SW 2L JTS stopped running one day at about 10,000 km. Towed to dealer/renter, sat there for 2 months waiting for a replacement "computer" from Italy. Diagnosis: computer fried due to short caused by animal chewed wiring (really)

Got her back 6 months ago, took it to the Nurburgring in May where it performed well for 15 laps (except for the ABS/Brake failure idiot light going on and power briefly but completely cutting out every lap through the Karrussel), 1 month ago the "Motor Uberwachung - TAKE CAR TO DEALER NOW" light blinks (and no power over 3000rpms). Diagnosis: Lambda sensor problem. Resetting the system seemed to fix it. Then it happens again 2 weeks ago (at 20000 km). After 1 week in shop (incl the service, probably did nothing) and it does feel more perky than I remember.

Anyway, sorry for the lack of knowledge about the specific problems, in the states I do everything on my car, but here Ive been lazy since repairs and loaner car delivery (usually a spider) are free.

Other niggles in the 8 months/12,000 km: remote door lock button crapped out in key. Dealer lost then took 5 months to replace GPS CD. Humming/ringing noise, increasing with RPMs, from stereo (the '03 1.6 SW loaner I had for a week definitely had a better sounding Bose system. And more comfortable cloth seats, but above 100kph it was a slug) Rain pours in off the roof onto you shoulder if the window it cracked. Stereo volume knob is miniscule. Throttle response is disgraceful. Armrest between front seats designed for aliens with an extra joint in their arms. Aircon and heater weak. Cruise control usually works great, will sometimes decide to cut off.

Good points - cruises quite comfortably at 130 mph. Nice steering, but the 1.6L felt lighter and more tossable at lower speeds (but the drivers side outside door button usually stuck in, requiring the key to pop it out again). Brakes and motor held up well to 15 laps of the Ring. Relatively practical - can fit a good amount of stuff in it if you are careful and creative.

Verdict: I would be pretty fired up about all the niggles if I paid list price for this car. 2003 JTSs seem to be prone to electical gremlins, and at least my lame-ass german Alfa dealer cant figure them out. Looking forward to giving my beautiful but quirky 156 back next week, and taking over a Spider until Nov, then a 147 Tdi. Still dreaming about a 3.2 V6...