General Swop Stilo for Alfa ..

[Shadeyman]

Since my better half was attacked in our Stilo Multiwagon a few weeks ago she hasn't been too keen on driving the car so I've been thinking about selling it and getting something similar with a bit more grunt. So I've just been to have a look at an 2003 Alfa 2.4 JTD Sportwagon.

I liked it, a lot, very nice car to drive, loves motorways and pulls like a tank.

I'm sure running costs will increase but apart from that they seem very similar, what do you lot think?

 

[TangerineTractor]

Traitor.

 

[mzhussein]

We recently got a 159 2.4JTDM for my mum....goes like stink with a good service.

im also trading in for an Alfa JTDM in jan/feb

think you can see where this post is going

 

[Shadeyman]

Traitor.

I must admit I'll be sorry to see the Stilo go if I do decide to sell, she's a lovely car. But I'm getting the Alfa at a good price and that 5 cylinder 2.4 JTD sounds great and really goes when asked, 175bhp as standard I think.

The Stilo needs the drivers internal door handle replacing and a good clean while the Alfa needs wishbones, bushes, brakes, tyres and a few electrical problems sorting, hence the low price.

They're very similar cars, infact they're so similar working on the Alfa should be easy.

We recently got a 159 2.4JTDM for my mum....goes like stink with a good service.

im also trading in for an Alfa JTDM in jan/feb

think you can see where this post is going

I've considered the 156 and the 159, went to see the 156 this morning, whats the difference between the 156 and the 159 and how does it compare to the Stilo?

Ultimately it will be the missus's decision to sell and buy an Alfa.

 

[rattystilo]

is it the 20v multijet. I used to have one. Great car, had it remapped to 225hp and it gave 58mpg on the run to and from work.

BUT

I have heard that they can be susceptible to either injector or valve failure at around 100k. Give Paul at A for Alfa a call for his opinion.

 

[rattystilo]

if its the 10v its 150hp. Bags of torque though

 

[Muppet1]

I must admit I'll be sorry to see the Stilo go if I do decide to sell, she's a lovely car. But I'm getting the Alfa at a good price and that 5 cylinder 2.4 JTD sounds great and really goes when asked, 175bhp as standard I think.

The Stilo needs the drivers internal door handle replacing and a good clean while the Alfa needs wishbones, bushes, brakes, tyres and a few electrical problems sorting, hence the low price.

They're very similar cars, infact they're so similar working on the Alfa should be easy.



I've considered the 156 and the 159, went to see the 156 this morning, whats the difference between the 156 and the 159 and how does it compare to the Stilo?

Ultimately it will be the missus's decision to sell and buy an Alfa.

Dont know about how different they are but from the front end the 159 is just ooooooooooooooooooooooooo er ummmm just does it for me.

 

[Shadeyman]

is it the 20v multijet. I used to have one. Great car, had it remapped to 225hp and it gave 58mpg on the run to and from work.

BUT

I have heard that they can be susceptible to either injector or valve failure at around 100k. Give Paul at A for Alfa a call for his opinion.

Yes its the 20v and like most cars they have their faults. From what I read on other forums the worst problem on the 20v is driveshaft failure, usually due to the huge amounts of torque they produce when remapped. No mention of injector failure but I'll look into it a bit more.

if its the 10v its 150hp. Bags of torque though

I did consider a 10v as they don't suffer from driveshaft failure and most can have a special diff fitted to help control the huge amounts of torque they produce.


A 150 Stilo was another option but not sure the missus wants another.

 

[volxstu]

The 2.4 JTD uses the same floating crank as the 2.4 Petrol so if you do get one don't forget to keep a can of oil in the car.

 

[Shadeyman]

The 2.4 JTD uses the same floating crank as the 2.4 Petrol so if you do get one don't forget to keep a can of oil in the car.

2.4 diesel Alfa uses the same crank as the 2.4 Petrol Stilo or Alfa?

The diesel crank looks far heavier, are you sure?

 

[volxstu]

Stilo. Same as the Croma I believe.

 

[Shadeyman]

Stilo. Same as the Croma I believe.

Will I be able to check that using the Fiat/Alfa ePER?

 

[rattystilo]

oh yeah. driveshaft failure. i had that one. also, my one hadn't been undersealed on the floorpan from new and was rusting. make sure you take a good look underneath it.

As i had had it serviced at a specialist not main dealer Alfa wouldn't entertain a claim although knowing the law now they didnt have a leg to stand on.

They like wishbone bushes as much as a Stilo as well

 

[volxstu]

I wouldn't know. I've never used eper. Surely the Service disks would be more revealing.

 

[Shadeyman]

They deffinately use the same crank, pretty much identical engines as far as I can tell, apart from the Croma is 200bhp standard and the Alfa 156 is 175bhp standard.

Time to search the Croma section I think.

Thanks for the "Heads Up" Stu.

 

[rattystilo]

Shadey,

just a thought, i thought the 20v only came on the facelift model introduced in 2004. The 16v is the better drive though but the 5 pot sounds lovely.

 

[Shadeyman]

Shadey,

just a thought, i thought the 20v only came on the facelift model introduced in 2004. The 16v is the better drive though but the 5 pot sounds lovely.

There were 2 facelifts for the 156, the second in 2003 included some very important engine upgrades that included the 20v head(Pre 2003 were 10v) and a new fuel injection system that was able to run 1500 bar.

 

[mzhussein]

the 159 is just a "newer" version of a 156....think of them both like 3 series bmw's and the 159 is the latest one...

If only the 2.4 JTDM came in the Alfa GT...ill have to settle for the 1.9 JTDM (and a remap )

 

[Shadeyman]

the 159 is just a "newer" version of a 156....think of them both like 3 series bmw's and the 159 is the latest one...

If only the 2.4 JTDM came in the Alfa GT...ill have to settle for the 1.9 JTDM (and a remap )

If I do decide to sell the Stilo and buy a 2.4 it will deffinately be remapped after the brakes and tyres are sorted.

The could thing about the 1.9 is they're able to have a special upgraded diff installed that makes a massive difference to how the car uses the huge amounts of torque they can produce when remapped.

 

[rattystilo]

have to say i never had a major problem with torque steer in my mapped 20v even though i had 17s on it.