New 156 - 1.6 or 1.8?

mcody · #1 20.09.2002, 09:45

Hi Alfa fans

I'm after your advise - I am looking to buy a new 156 in a month or so and am undecided whether to go for the 1.6 TS or 1.8 TS.

My dealer wasn't particularly helpful - so I thought I'd ask the people that really know!

Also, I hear there were a few reliability & build quality issues with this model....can anyone convince me otherwise?

Many thanks

Mark

LaTiNo · #2 20.09.2002, 13:18

Go for the 1.8!

I've had a 1.6 for 3 years and although it was ok for an 1.6 you missed just that little bit more power that you will be missing soon too!
I also had a 1.8 146 and (although it is a completely other car) you could certainly feel a substanstial difference.

Don't know anything about differences in reliabily though, but I guess the engines are practically the same.

Check the Englisch forum on www.alfaowner.com for more info.

Saludos

Alfawolf · #3 20.09.2002, 16:47

the best of both worlds and my next alfa: 1.8 TS

Alfawolf

Waldek · #4 20.09.2002, 21:35

Hi,
from my own personal experience I know that it is better to avoid the lowest engine of a car - you always can feel the difference between a few more HP... and I think that there should not be such a big difference by paying it...

Greetings by
Waldek

KJE · #5 23.09.2002, 08:50

Hey Mark

Why not the 2.0 JTS?

specs (just numbers of course, drive for yourself)

1.6 TS 1.8 TS 2.0 JTS 2.5V6

Kw/PS 88/120 103/140 122/166 141/192
Tq (Nm) 146 163 206 218
rpm max tq 4200 3900 3250 5000
Max km/hr 200 208 220 230
0-100 sec 11 9,7 8,2 7,4

My point is that there is a fairly large gap in performance between the 1.6/1.8 and the 2.0, then a not-so large gap to the V6 (especially torque).

So far I've gone through a couple tanks of gas with my '02 JTS SW, and returned a combined city/highway fuel consumption of around 29 mpg(8l/100 km). Not bad - I don't usually linger in the low zone of the tach either....

Can't comment on reliability after only a few hundred miles, but there are some ergonomic foibles that will tweak you. The price of beauty!!!

In the next week or so I'll be posting my detailed observations on living with a 156 after 1 month - as an underpriveledged American without normal access to new Alfas, I feel very lucky to be driving this car, but some niggling is due....

cheers

Kurt
Görlitz Germany

Felleas · #6 20.12.2002, 10:40

definatelly the 1.8 T.S.
the difference comes in open roads,when you really feel the 20+ horses!

gastrax · #7 20.12.2002, 12:14

Hi there mcody!

Not having driven either of the two, I can only repeat what the guys in the german forums say when this question pops up:

Drop the 1.6, go for the 1.8.

AFAIK both engines are basically the same, except for the obvious larger displacement in the 1.8, but I am sure Felleas is right, the higher torque and HP will definitely come in handy.
Here in germany you will hardly find any 156 1.6, reason being that the 1.6 is simply underpowered for autobahn raids.

greets
Florian

Reuven · #8 24.12.2002, 15:18

Is there a big budgetary difference between your mentioned options to the 2-liter motor?
I would take the 2-liter motor.
After driving the 2.5 v6 and the 2 liter, I thing the 2 liter is really a great car.

Reuven

alfablue · #9 26.12.2002, 02:47

I'd get the 1.8T, I'd think the 1.6T would be sluggie. I've driven audi 1.8t and 1.8t with a chip, there nice!!!

Get a 1.8 and chip the turbo for a kick!!! Actually do whatever you want, but in your place 1.8!!!

chris

LaTiNo · #10 26.12.2002, 13:44

eh? There are no turbo's here. The 1.6 and 1.8 are TS engines and TS stand for Twin Spark.

Reuven · #11 29.12.2002, 14:00

Latino,
What would you say about 156 3.5 liter twin turbo 500HP?
Reuven

LaTiNo · #12 29.12.2002, 16:34

Yeah, but that would be a custom solution. But it seems like Alfablue is thinking the T stands for Turbo Spark or something like that

penryar · #13 30.12.2002, 19:26

As someone who is currently selling a 156 1.6 Sportwagon, and who drives a tuned 155 Q4 normally, I have to say that the 1.6 doesn't really feel that slow. Yes it takes its time to get upto speed but it gets there.
More details about the car for sale can be found at Alfasource

Steve

Mige · #14 09.01.2003, 20:13

Hi guys

I would definitively go for the 2.0 TS. did you test drive them all 3?

bryceyboy · #15 22.01.2003, 18:28

If you've got the cash go for a 2.0JTS or TS Veloce

I've got the 1.8 Veloce and it's prety good but power to weight ratio when overtaking lets it down. Still a very good drive don't get me wrong!