2003 Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon Lusso from UK and Ireland - Comments

The car has been fault free.

My first Alfa was a 147 2.0 Twin Spark, replacing a Fiat Punto. It was an absolutely beautiful car inside and out, in my opinion the most elegant in it's class. It handles well and was well built, but did not have as much 'go' in it as I expected a 150bhp Alfa to have. However, this review is not for the 147!!!

I chose the Alfa Romeo Sportwagon as a car because while I needed some good load lugging ability, I didn't need the 'full on' capacity of say a VW Passat or a Volvo estate. The car I would have, also had to be the most stylish in it's class, which in my opinion it is, but the main reason for choosing this car, is that it is an Alfa!

An Alfa Romeo has obvious character and a hidden, subtle character that is hard to pin down, but stemming from the badge itself and the motoring history of the marque.

Engine choice was an easy one for me. A petrol 1.6 or a 1.8 was not on the list. The 150bhp 2.0 Twin Spark is the same as in the 147, but although it sounds great, would have even less pulling power in the heavier 156. The 2.5 V6 just drinks too much fuel as does the £10,000 more 3.2 V6 GTA version.

The 2.4 litre, 5 cylinder engine with a standard 150 bhp engine which pulls like a train with a gruff, warbling engine note was the version I chose for it's blend of power and economy.

Body roll is well controlled and handling is good, but not outstanding. Low speed ride on the standard suspension of the Lusso version is OK, but can get a bit bouncy when pressing on over bumpy backroads.

The 5 speed manual gearbox is slick and great to use and the seats clad in natural leather are both comfortable and grippy.

Build quality and reliability (so far at least) can't be faulted. The perception of Alfas rusting and breaking down is a myth.

What isn't a myth however, is the dealers. Their aftersales and service at times can be truly appalling.

Good review and indeed I driver a 156 JTS which I very much enjoy.

Totally agree with you regarding Alfa dealers after sales care or apparent lack of it!

Good review.

Try the new "M-Jet" 2.4 JTD engine in the facelift model. Now 175 bhp and even smoother! Matches the 2.0 TS to 60 and annihilates it through the gears.

Fantastic car 2003 156 JTD 2,4 150 - dealers complete rubbish - wouldn't replace a warranty wheel bearing as they needed to do 'nearly 60mph to hear the noise' = car fitted with a plug in tuning box from www.mrhoot.com, is about 185bhp now for another £300, best money spent since buying car. Always had German cars before, but they have got lesser in quality and even more boring, the 156 has got better and is actually very enjoyable to drive.

As an avid 156 jtd owner, I totally agree with the comments on the car, but feel I must warn readers about the above mentioned tuning company "Dragon Performace" i.e. Mr Hoot.com, and their "tuning boxes", after fitting one, and 15 minutes of driving, my car gave up the ghost, resulting in a massive drop in performance along with the E.M.L being on, after nearly 2 weeks at my local dealers, the diagnosis was complete, a new ECU was needed, at a cost of £800, Dragon performance would not admit liability, but did refund my money, so be warned!!!, the better option would be a re-map, by a reputable alfa specialist such as Nigel at "Angel tuning"-www.angeltuning.co.uk, top bloke!

I have just bought a 156 lusso. can anybody help me change the heater from Fahrenheit to Celsius? I have looked through the book and spoke to the dealer. the dealer wants £50 and says it might change it from climate control to just a heating system! superb car changed a 2001 vectra for a 2003 156 lusso how can these cars be placed in the same class?