another 156 cambelt thread...

Simon wrote:
> "MarkK" > wrote in message
> >...
>> "NC" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> All,
>>> I am looking at buying a used 156 1,8. I am booked to see 2 private
>>> cars
>>> on Tuesday next week:
>>> 1) 1999(v) Veloce, 69000 miles, cambelt done as part of main
>>> service at 60000. (£4.5k)
>>> 2) 1999(T) Veloce, 50000miles. Owner has done "nothing" to the car
>>> outside of things like brake pads and wiper blades. (£4.7k)
>>>
>>> I am more interested in (2), mainly due to the lesser miles, its
>>> much
>>> closer, and the wife prefers the colour (I know.. I know..). I am
>>> planning on trying to use the Cambelt change as a bargaining tool in
>>> (2). So, how much can I expect it to cost, and when should I be
>>> getting
>>> it done ?
>>
>> Hi Neil,
>> Our local dealer recommends it's done at 5 years or 60k miles, but
>> 36k is
>> safer. Either way (2) needs it doing as others have said. I had mine
>> done a
>> month ago at Desira on Woodbridge Rd for £390 for my 2.0TS.
>>
>> I inspected the old belt afterwards and it was in perfect condition
>> after 5
>> years and 30k miles. Better safe than sorry, though.
>>
>> I'd be wary about buying (2) if what you say is literally correct,
>> i.e he
>> hasn't serviced it. If true, find another.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Mark
>
>
> I completely agree with Mark on this one. If it hasn't got a service
> history don't think about it. The damage this guy could have done with
> low oil could haunt you. Your AA check is not going to find this
> unless he takes the head off... Low oil will also put further wear on
> the timing belt (he's lucky it hasn't gone already).
> There's plenty about, plus I got a 2.5V6 S2 1998 60,000 FSH for £5K,
> so are those a bit overpriced? Maybe not if they give a reasonable
> 'haggle'.

I got the impression he meant the owner had done nothing himself, but that
perhaps the services have still been completed by the dealer?

"Paul" > schreef in bericht
...
>
> I will see how the Alfa GT fairs you never know I may return, I still like
> the Alfa allot I think once they get in your Blood they never really
leave,
> its just a shame the dealerships are crap and the residuals are poor.
>
> Paul

From what I hear the Alfa orginazation in the UK is now managed by a guy who
has a very good track record in SERVICE.
Let's hope he gets the UK dealers on the road again.
See you back then!!
In Holland we had the same problem, but in my opinion the dealers are not
the primary source of the problem, but the Alfa importer (Fiat). They have
put crazy and unrealistic sales targets on them so in the end they never met
the goals so no end year bonusses etc. Then the dealers start slipping!

The situation overhere is better than 3-4 years ago. Dealers are supported
better by Fiat/Alfa and recently a rumor came up that Fiat would stop
importing Alfa themselves in 2005.
They are to be "giving" that to the present Ferrari/Maserati importer!!!!
I just traded my 156SW in on a new GT 2.0JTS
In August 2000 I paid Dfl 55000 (now euro 24.950) and have a trade in at 1
October, the delivery date of the GT, of euro 12.000; a deperciation in 50
months of euro 12.950 or slightly under 51%
Not bad from new!
I have seen friends with BMW/Audi/VW/Merc with worse %-ages; not to talk
about the actual euro's (depreciation end interest!!) they lost with their
(much) higher prices when they bought the cars.
--
Ciao from Holland
AlfistaGJ (Gert-Jan)
Alfa red 156 SW 1.8 Madeno tuned (2000)
Golden Montreal 1428700 (1973/4)

"PyroJames" > schreef in bericht
...

> Shame really, but I need a car that is going to be
> reliable as well as fun to drive.
>

I drive Alfa since 1972
Only three times an Alfa left me standing.
1. My 1980 Guilletta 1.8 with a dead battery at 01:00 on 26 December 1981
(left my lights on)
2. My 1993 155 1.8 with a totalled engine at the "age" of 1 months and 3500
km's (broken valve hat jammed cam shaft etc)
3. My 1973 Montreal broke the Spica fuel pump in October 2003 (did not
change the fuel filter on time)
--
Ciao from Holland
AlfistaGJ (Gert-Jan)
Alfa red 156 SW 1.8 Madeno tuned (2000)
Golden Montreal 1428700 (1973/4)

Carl Farrington wrote:
> Simon wrote:
>
>>"MarkK" > wrote in message
>...
>>
>>>"NC" > wrote in message
...
>>>
>>>>All,
>>>>I am looking at buying a used 156 1,8. I am booked to see 2 private
>>>>cars
>>>>on Tuesday next week:
>>>>1) 1999(v) Veloce, 69000 miles, cambelt done as part of main
>>>>service at 60000. (£4.5k)
>>>>2) 1999(T) Veloce, 50000miles. Owner has done "nothing" to the car
>>>>outside of things like brake pads and wiper blades. (£4.7k)
>>>>
>>>>I am more interested in (2), mainly due to the lesser miles, its
>>>>much
>>>>closer, and the wife prefers the colour (I know.. I know..). I am
>>>>planning on trying to use the Cambelt change as a bargaining tool in
>>>>(2). So, how much can I expect it to cost, and when should I be
>>>>getting
>>>>it done ?
>>>
>>>Hi Neil,
>>>Our local dealer recommends it's done at 5 years or 60k miles, but
>>>36k is
>>>safer. Either way (2) needs it doing as others have said. I had mine
>>>done a
>>>month ago at Desira on Woodbridge Rd for £390 for my 2.0TS.
>>>
>>>I inspected the old belt afterwards and it was in perfect condition
>>>after 5
>>>years and 30k miles. Better safe than sorry, though.
>>>
>>>I'd be wary about buying (2) if what you say is literally correct,
>>>i.e he
>>>hasn't serviced it. If true, find another.
>>>
>>>Cheers,
>>>
>>>Mark
>>
>>
>>I completely agree with Mark on this one. If it hasn't got a service
>>history don't think about it. The damage this guy could have done with
>>low oil could haunt you. Your AA check is not going to find this
>>unless he takes the head off... Low oil will also put further wear on
>>the timing belt (he's lucky it hasn't gone already).
>>There's plenty about, plus I got a 2.5V6 S2 1998 60,000 FSH for £5K,
>>so are those a bit overpriced? Maybe not if they give a reasonable
>>'haggle'.
>
>
> I got the impression he meant the owner had done nothing himself, but that
> perhaps the services have still been completed by the dealer?
>
>

yep - thats the impression I got

NC wrote:

> All,
> I am looking at buying a used 156 1,8. I am booked to see 2 private cars
> on Tuesday next week:
> 1) 1999(v) Veloce, 69000 miles, cambelt done as part of main service at
> 60000. (£4.5k)
> 2) 1999(T) Veloce, 50000miles. Owner has done "nothing" to the car
> outside of things like brake pads and wiper blades. (£4.7k)
>
> I am more interested in (2), mainly due to the lesser miles, its much
> closer, and the wife prefers the colour (I know.. I know..). I am
> planning on trying to use the Cambelt change as a bargaining tool in
> (2). So, how much can I expect it to cost, and when should I be getting
> it done ?
> I am no used car pro, and this will be my first Alfa. As a result, the
> AA will be doing an advanced check o nthe one I like most.

I have bought a different one altogether...! 1999(t) 1.8 - 38000 with
full dealer SH, for £4.5k. Perfect condition - AA are having a look
today and I hopefully collect at the weekend.

"NC" > wrote in message...
> NC wrote:
> I have bought a different one altogether...! 1999(t) 1.8 - 38000 with
> full dealer SH, for £4.5k. Perfect condition - AA are having a look
> today and I hopefully collect at the weekend.

That will still need a cambelt & tensioner and aux belt ASAP, unless you
have proof that it has already been done (unlikely...).
--
David C
156 Selespeed sp3 + Brembo conversion