Hmmmm.
I think I've sold my 406, maybe.
This is a likely candidate. Aside from the woeful description, I think it looks okay for the price.
tinyurl.com/4qndrk
Questions I have asked the seller -
1. Service history?
2. When was the last cambelt/tensionser/water pump change?
3. Any bodywork defects, other than missing reflector?
4. Original engine (engine number unknown on HPI)?
Anything else that I should be asking before I commit to viewing it?
Cheers all,
DB
Edited by Pugugly on 19/09/2008 at 19:30
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The lack of service history would raise reservations. I would also wonder why the pictures are taken in what appears to be an empty car park.
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The boot space on a 156 saloon is not that big. The estate has even less space.
Had a 156 2.0TS Veloce a while back as a hire car. Liked it a lot but it's not that big a car. A lot smaller than a 406 I would think.
I cannot comment on reliability but I'd be cautious of an Alfa with a CR diesel engine without a service history.
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I'm not too worried about boot space to be honest. The lack of description worries me more though!
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For a start it's not an estate but a lifestyle car according to Alfa, they're a decent size but think Focus rather than Mondeo. I found the boot big enough for the 2 of us & never had a problem including moving some big wardrobes, in bits!
At that mileage it needs a good look at the clutch it's a big job, 7.7hours according to the book! Mine was 100quid for the clutch & 750 to fit it. If it's not been ragged & it doesn't live in the city they typically go 120-150K but mine went at 98K because the rear seal leaked.
It's a Veloce with Black MoMo leather so good spec.
Cambelt is 72K miles & around 500 at a dealers less at specialist. Belt failure earlier is fairly rare. Bits that fail & cost money are the German bits ;-) Mine did an HP diesel pump which is 690 + R & R. AFM die but aren't expensive. Suspension bushes can be a pain but mine were only done once in 106K. At that mileage it may need bushes & possibly shocks done.
You buy Alfas from people who can run them, so have a look are all the tyres a decent make & the same? Who has maintained it, hopefully either a good Alfa dealer or a decent specialist.
I had mine from 36K to 106K & it was fantastic, alays put a smile on my face & I'd have another in a heartbeat. They're great for baiting 3 series with & proving who bought the better car ;-)
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Thanks for the thorough reply.
I haven't had a reply to my questions as yet so I can either assume he doesn't want to tell me there's no history etc, or he's not bothered about selling the car!
Cheers,
DB
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Just make sure you take out breakdown cover before you drive away in it Dieselboy.
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Well, I have eventually bought the 156 I was looking at. I went to look at it this morning, armed with a very large checklist courtest of alfa156.net.
Apart from a scrape here and a small leak (which I think I can cure pretty easily) it seems to be a good, honest Alfa for a not unreasonable £1650.
Goes like stink too.
I am looking forward to getting acquianted with Alfatune in St Helens now!
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Oh I do hope you enjoy it ! (my heart is pounding at the thought)
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So far, so good. Although I do need to drain the water out of the fuel filter, according to the warning light that has flashed a couple of times at me.....
The low down grunt of the 150 horses is unbelievable, especially after 2 years of trundling round in a wallowy 90 brake 406.....
DB
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