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Alfa 156 2.5 V6 Review


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#1
lhl4pg3

Posted 13 January 2005 - 10:15 AM

lhl4pg3

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Could anybody recommend a website that having the review of Alfa 156 2.5
V6? I tried "carsurvey.org", but they only review the manual transmission
version in EU.

Thanks in advance.

#2
Redd

Posted 13 January 2005 - 10:53 AM

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the q-system isnt very popular in other parts of the world so ur not
gonna get many reviews for that particular model. but the rest of the car
is the same, so other than the gearbox, the review shd still hold true.

specifically for the q-system (made by aisin), id say that it's a very
reliable and particularly sporty autobox. its auto, with a torque
converter, but it's got a gated 4-speed selector. so in "manual" mode u
can drive it like a normal stickshift without the need for a clutch. the
program is very aggressive and its the only autobox i know of in a car of
this class/price that will let u bounce the revs off the limiter without
upshifting for u. very nice when ur thrashing it on the track.

the only complaints i have are that the ATF tends to overheat when ur
thrashing the car on the track, so watch that warning light. no damage,
just let her cool down. also, being a 4-speed the gaps between gears are
quite horrid and doesnt suit the peaky nature of the alfa 2.5 V6 very
well. acceleration thru 3rd gear to 190kph is awesome. pop it into 4th
tho and the revs drop out of the powerband and the car bogs a bit. once
the revs get past 5500rpms the car starts to scream again, all the way to
redline. ive taken a stock q-system all the way to 240kph before and it
beat a E39 528i getting there.

hope this helps.

redd

#3
atlaw

Posted 13 January 2005 - 02:50 PM

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Hi,

I have a one year old Sportwagon 2.5 auto, so maybe my personal views
will be useful.

Bought brand new,and during the run-in period, the car was horrid - no
power, high fuel consumption and the stock suspension really sucked big
time.

After run-in, the car became a completely different animal, with K&N air
filter, cat removal and uprated shocks, and absoultely no regrets
whatsoever. Although the auto version is more of a cruiser, the power and
in-gear acceleration is superb and idiot-proof - and the permutations of
city and sport auto options and manual h-gate allows the car to suit your
driving mood (would still love to have 5 or 6 speeds though).

To date, nothing has gone wrong with the car, and Selenia engine oil
really suits the car, much better than Mobil One, I should think. One
really beautiful car!


#4
75evo

Posted 17 January 2005 - 02:48 PM

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What about the sound of the car? Is it nice or...?

#5
atlaw

Posted 17 January 2005 - 04:12 PM

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Hi 75Evo,

with the bullet, the sound is very slightly growlier, but thankfully and
definitely not like the exhaust notes of modified wiras and wajas.

#6
Redd

Posted 17 January 2005 - 05:18 PM

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its nearly impossible to make the V6 sound bad. u cld put a milo tin in
there and it'd still sound good.

redd

#7
lastjan

Posted 17 January 2005 - 07:04 PM

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Yes - the only variable is the volume. Do you want a good loud roar or a
good not-so-loud growl.

Novitec makes good LOUD mufflers but costs a bomb here. Supersprints are
not as loud but sound very good nonetheless.

#8
Redd

Posted 17 January 2005 - 10:57 PM

Redd

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personally im not into branded mufflers and exhausts. its just steel
tubing fergawdsake! just find out what diameter tube supersprint or
novitec uses and get someone local to make it for a fraction of the
price. a lot of these imported exhausts are mild steel anyway and dont
last very long. supersprints have a reputation for rusting thru.

as for the mufflers, well get one suitable for the volume u want. for
higher volume, use less mufflers or smaller/lighter mufflers. go the
other way if u want less noise.

redd

#9
lhl4pg3

Posted 20 January 2005 - 09:55 AM

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Hi Redd & atlaw,
Thanks for the information. Seem like not many 2.5 V6 in the market.

Regards,
lhl4pg3

#10
atlaw

Posted 20 January 2005 - 02:40 PM

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Hi lhl4pg3,

no problem. I am new to alfas myself, and the forums are pretty good for
learning new things about the car. The closest thing (for me anyway) to
the 2.5 was my BMW E30 323i which was a factory "freak" as it gave me 40
mpg in city driving - fantastic deal as well - bought it for RM 37,000.00
in 1985 and sold it 2 years later for RM 55,000.00. Even the Audi 2.4 A6
doesn't come close.