I Bought An Alfa 159 for £750 ... But It Has Problems! | 2.4 JTDM Ti

I've been teasing this for a while on the channel. Well, here is my uncle's old Alfa Romeo 159 that I bought off him. Of course, it's suffering from some typical Alfaness like rust. Here's the introduction anyway and as always, I'm going to be doing a detail to both the interior and exterior and restoring it back to its former glory in upcoming videos.

[@AdamLeask]

I've always had a soft spot for both the 159 and 147. What I'd give for a 159 Sportwagon!

[@da-mazing8500]

I genuinely can't understand why your subscriber numbers arent much, much higher. Quality content again. Well done

[@TorqueSteer]

Thank you :)) It's probably my own fault. I've never been consistent with my upload schedule and I don't think the YT algorithm likes that.

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

They are great things, really no worse for issues than any other car that age, i have a 2010 1750 TBi Ti, re-mapped to 240bhp, (mine is also black), had it about 18 months now, had to get the petrol as i'd have killed a Diesel with the driving i do (short trips, low miles), fortunately has no rust issues, it was sold new in Newcastle then went down to Portsmouth in it's first few years (it's now in Scotland), i have had to spend a bit of money on it, about £1500 over the winter but no regrets at all, it's a fantastic thing and like you say very scarce now (which is what i like), they are a very rare sight on the roads.

[@karlshad]

I used to have the 1.9 Lusso, black with red interior, apart from the rubbish gearbox it was a wonderful car and the first Alfa I owned. I'm now in a beautiful Misano blue Stelvio Quad. Alfa's are great!

[@volt8684]

In 1976 my friends mum had 2.0gtv with central rev counters bloody so desirable

[@paultucker1272]

We had a 156 TS Sportwagon back when they were new. It was one of the best cars we've ever owned. Beautiful, nicely built, handled superbly and........it was reliable!!! I think the 159 improved on the 156 on almost every area, which says a lot. It's so sad that Alfa Romeo is now a shadow of its former self. However, I'm really looking forward to seeing you bring this one back to life.

[@TorqueSteer]

The 156 certainly set the trend for this one. I've heard the 156 is a better drive but the 159 certainly isn't bad at all. I feel like the Guila is everything we wanted it to be dynamically but I think it just doesn't look as striking as an Alfa should. Not to say it's a bad looking car by any means, but I think the 159 and 156 were more stylish.

[@andyarmstrong1493]

Looking at that front I'm thinking Jaws. Awesome looking car!

[@andynorris3537]

Always had a soft spot for these, especially with the TI kit

[@daniellee9015]

Absolutely brilliant video Luke ❤👍what a stunning example of a Alfa Romeo brilliant

[@philipgligorov5848]

I had 1.9jtdm 16v for a short period of time and I had VDC errors pop up from time to time but no other problems. I sold the car to a friend, and he got problems with the dpf, the car went to limp mode and couldn't do regeneration of the filter so he needs to take it out (it's legal in my country). Also, his clutch bearing lost pressure and it's leaking brake fluid. The clutch still works but the pedal falls down from time to time. He now also has problem with the steering rack, when you turn the wheel it wants to return to starting point and it's a problem in curves, it feels very uncomfortable. We got recommendations to replace the whole steering rack... The car has around 220.000km on the clock. I now have a 2004 Gt with the 1.9jdt. It has 211.000km on the clock and has been the most reliable car I have owned so far so I prefer the 937 (147 and GT) generation of Alfa Romeos over the 159.

[@vincenzoinfantino2816]

I have the same car same engine but in stromboli grey also have given it a little refresh little bit more to do also been remapped i have also owned meany other alfas two of which were 156 with 2.4 20v and both remapped their a great engine looking forward to the content.

[@Everything_Evan]

It will be a broken spring, shock absorbers don't affect the height

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

True, could also be the spring seat collapsed, they rot out on the shock.

[@TorqueSteer]

Ahh thanks for the info guys. Yeah, I'll have to get the wheel off and have a look. Could be that spring seat then as the spring looks good on first inspection.

[@jonntischnabel]

Beautiful cars, i bought a 2.4 jtd in 2019, i was so chuffed with it until a big end gave up halfway through france! 😢

[@TorqueSteer]

I'm sorry to hear that happened. That's a shame.

[@apb3251]

I had the 1.9d, great car, handled well. My issue was not rust but handbrake seizures. Personal preference to remove the boot lid spoiler as it doesn’t add to the styling. Have fun with it

[@TorqueSteer]

I thought it handled well too. Certainly better than my A4 did in everyday driving. I even prefer it to the 3 series I had unless you're driving it hard.

[@rice-rocket]

That is a fabulous looking car.👍👍👍

[@TorqueSteer]

Thanks 👍

[@acelectricalsecurity]

I remember James may driving one of these on top gear, and he said one of the main guys from BMW took charge at Alfa which may explain why it's German like.

[@TorqueSteer]

Yeah I heard the same. I think he was responsible for the decent electrics on this. If I recall correctly, I seem to remember hearing that its release was delayed so that they could switch over to Bosch electronics. Either way, pretty much everything electrical works on this (except that I think I've got a bad ground).

[@williamdoyle7152]

Love my 2.4 brera so reliable .quick .elegant

[@MrTwister86660]

Brilliant photos them luke. Where’s that video of the a4 on Kirkby ind est when you came out the boot? 😅

[@TorqueSteer]

Hahahah, I'm trying to remember what video that was Richie. I've come out of the boot a couple of times in videos.

[@MrTwister86660]

@@TorqueSteer it’s the one where your in the silver a4 and do a review on it and I think your mate is in an evo or Nissan skyline or something

[@ClergyChaos69]

Had 2 159s and they both jumped the timing belts 🙄 great looking but appalling in a crash 👍

[@TorqueSteer]

I'm sorry to hear that. What engines were they?

[@ClergyChaos69]

@@TorqueSteer both 1.9 petrol 👍

[@darrenward2926]

Gus is a legend retired in greece now

[@TorqueSteer]

Ahh he went back home (he's Greek right, not Italian)? Well, I'm glad that he was able to perform his magic on this first.

[@Vaino_Hotti]

I've been thinking about getting 159 wagon as a daily. A diesel one would be practical and fuel efficient, but still be somewhat fun to drive. I have big problem, I can't hold on to practical cars...

[@TorqueSteer]

Haha, I agree. Although my pick for a 5cyl estate still has to be my Volvo V70 (still got that 5cyl noise and massive practicality). 4 years on and I've still got it!

[@Vaino_Hotti]

@@TorqueSteer a V70 would be nice, but in Finland the diesel ones are taxed pretty heavily and the petrol engines arent very fuel efficient. Also I don't find the V70s particularly fun to drive. The CNG ones are a very intriguing option though.

[@williamdoyle7152]

2.4 with stage 1. Better intercooler .remove pdf and soft ware. Flying machine. as quick as the 3.2. .... 260 bhp lots of grunt

[@giotto4321]

Nice car, I've always liked these a lot. But let's say - hypothetically - are you going to refit a new DPF whose removal, as you no doubt know, is an offence? They're there for a reason...

[@kieranwhoriskey7270]

What the fuck is going on with the music man?

[@TorqueSteer]

Hahah, it was meant to be Italian :))

[@kieranwhoriskey7270]

@@TorqueSteer Never again sir

[@id70b40]

Of course it has problems… it’s an Alfa Romeo!😂

[@gaffnaldo1]

Had one of these thinking it would be alright. It was heavy, clunky and bereft of any refinement - reminded me of an old defender 90. Worst car i've ever driven by a country mile

[@TorqueSteer]

Sorry to hear that. To be honest, in terms of refinement, I found my Audi A4 and BMW E92 to be on par with it. It's only been the Volvo V70 I've had that seems to be more refined (in terms of noise and comfort).

[@gaffnaldo1]

@@TorqueSteer it was the TI model so naturally was never going to offer a magic carpet ride. I adored how it looked but loathed how it felt on the road. Didn't cause me a bit of bother though

[@TorqueSteer]

@@gaffnaldo1 yeah it is quite stiff. None of the 'sports' saloons seem to be refined though and there is certainly a lot of road noise. I'm more of a comfort person, so that's why I've stuck with the Volvo as my daily.

[@mercedes_and_more]

Very very annoying background music distracts from you. Please reconsider for future videos

[@TorqueSteer]

Noted, thanks for the suggestion.

[@natsabuannam1725]

Poor you.