Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

~ ~ Alfa Romeo have come a long way in the past few years. I can remember a time not that very long ago that they had such a bad reputation, especially in regard to body rot, that the standing joke was that if you left one out overnight in the rain, the next morning you’d have to sweep up the pile of rust with a brush and shovel. No one ever doubted the ability of the Italian manufacture to build a motor car that would shift you around the ...
...able to upgrade to an Alfa 156 for the duration of the trip. My first nice surprise came on arrival at the airport in Bologna. I had booked a 1.6 litre model, but as one was not available, I was given instead the 2 litre Twin Spark, and at no extra charge! ~ ~ Before I’d even put the car into gear, I knew that this machine was going to prove something special. When you turn the key in the ignition, and hear for the first time the totally ...

the_mad_cabbie 11.03.2001 (23.10.2001) · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

...buy something different, and the Alfa had to be the choice. I purchased a 9 month old, low mileage "Lusso" 2.0ltr saloon version. Having still got the vehicle, how`s it stacked up? Read on for a few home truths after 30,000 trouble-free miles..... Initially the style of the car was a great attraction, not to mention the Alfa pedigree of "exclusivity" and relative scarecity (relatively speaking there are few dealers specialising in this marque). ...
...most speeds with the (gorgeous) Alfa growl only audible in the higher rev range. On the plus side, the 156 has without doubt the best steering system I`ve ever come across - the steering wheel has a beautiful but unusual profile and the steering itself is extremely light and positive. The power and torque is exactly where its needed - low in the rev range which gets the car away from roundabouts etc. at an impressive pace. The car itself drives ...

triplenut3 10.11.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

Buying an Alfa 156 is one of the best decisions I've made in a long time! Fair enough, I'm only about a month into it, but so far everything I've been told about the superb Alfa driving experience is true. I bought my 156 from a car supermarket, and still feel like I've got a hell of a deal when I look at how much car I've got for not much money. It's just over 2 years old, and regularly elicits amazed comments from friends when I give them lifts ...
...car's cold, although a local Alfa specialist has told me this is a mixture of steam and condensation and is nothing to worry about. Also, after 1,000 miles I found I needed to top up with a litre of oil, although this seems to be just what you have to do with Alfas - regular maintenance is the difference between life and death for these engines! Having read reviews on this and other sites, it seems like a lot of the above is pretty much par for ...

JohnnyMaher123 19.05.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

I recently trialed the new Alfa Romeo Estate (?) as an alternative to my current company car since I am looking for somothing slightly larger to accomodate all the kit required when my wife and I take our daughter on holiday with us. Torn between a 4x4 and the dull estates on the market I though the Alfa Romeo was an attractive and sporty alternative. In true Alfa Romeo style, the car accelerates like a beast, from 0-62mph in 8.9 secs! The handling ...
...While I was instantly impressed by the performance and luxury of the car (apart from the lack of cup-holders!) I was extrenely dissapointed with the space available in the car. While the driver and passenger have plenty of room in the front, the rear of the car is quite squashed and the boot space is even more restrictive. We only just managed to get my duaghter's pram (granted it's a large Mama's and Papa's affair) in the boot. The design of the ...

SmartRich 12.03.2001 (29.05.2001) · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

...get used to in an Alfa and doesn't mean anything is wrong. Much of the reported unreliability has arisen because people don't check their oil and think they shouldn't have to. Suspension is clonking a bit but this is another Alfa trait which I'll get fixed at a specialist soon. Costs - not as cheap as you'd hope. Servicing seems pretty expensive at the dealer although I've had no problems with Northgate Alfa in Canterbury. I may convert to local ...

dents1 23.01.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

The Alfa Romeo 156.…Where to start? The first thing you notice is it's elegant curves and aesthetics which makes the 156 an attractive semi sports car. There is something however that many (including myself) notice though about the rear doors, there is no handle or at least no visible handle. This little touch of Italian design is something of a puzzle to some and absolute genius to others. It is only a shame the same style could not be incorporated ...
...grey and black with the Alfa Romeo motifs on the front seats creates a nice touch. The front seats are slightly contoured for ultimate comfort and style and to some extent makes the whole experience a little more racy without being to boy-racer! You can of course I believe as an optional extra have the leather interior, and probably worth the cost to! I was once told that the dashboard of carbon fibre or similar is the same design of that found ...

amani_nicholson 12.04.2006 (13.04.2006) · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

I owned my Alfa 156 2.0 T-spark for a year in 2000. It was a fantastic year of motoring. I bought the car brand new from a dealership in Germany. I was able to get a huge discount, so the car was a real bargain. The car had the 155BHP engine which was never really lacking in power until past 120MPH, (on autobahns!). The top speed reached was about 140 MPH, although this was indicated on the speedometer so I would take 5MPH or so off that for something ...
...to own. The name Alfa Romeo in my mind always seemed pretty special, with images of sports cars tearing through the beautiful Italian scenery on a sunny day. It certainly does a lot more as a name than Bavarian Motor Works! I sold the car in 2001 for a profit. I'm now driving a Punto HGT, for which I have written a review entitled 'A Pricey Punto'... Lets just say I sometimes regret selling my beloved Alfa! ...

bazeebond 20.10.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

I imported my 156 2.0TS Sport Pack 1, from Holland after an exhaustive search for the best deal. I loved,its gourgeous external lines and it's sporty interior, and still do. The performance was all I expected from the 2.0TS, no Subaru Impreza, but it went as well as you can expect from 155BHP Saloon and sounds brilliant. The Handling is very good for a front wheel drive chassis, with quick sharp turn in, which is very controllable, yes it will understeer ...
...easily be controlled on the throttle. The Ride can feel a bit choppy with the sport pack suspension and body control is not the best but is rarely uncomfortable. The cloth sports Seats on my car were firm but comfortable giving good lateral restraint, the Seat fabric did not wear well however. Leather is a better option. The Car was generally reliable with only 2 problems, a noisey cam belt adjuster was changed under warrenty, and the rear suspension ...

Mitch57 27.06.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

I love the look of this car it is beautiful, me and my mum share one at the moment. The car is reliable comfortable drives well and handle's well too. I have lost it a couple of times on roundabouts when driving, but was able to keep control without being all over the road. Where ever you put the car it goes. The petrol consumption is good when driving around normally but when you put your foot down (i don't know how the T-spark thing works but it ...
...sound. There are not many things that have gone wrong with the car that i can remember, all the electrics are working fine and this is on a T-plate. The bad thing about this car is the turning circle. It is really annoying when trying to park at the supermarket, i'll be heading in for a sweeping turn then halfway through the steering wheel wont go anymore, then usually the person behind you gets too close so you can't reverse out again. Apart from ...

RobertBeecroft 12.04.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

I did work for Alfa Romeo for a while selling these, and I loved it! The 156 has been with us for some time now, but still looks good now. It had teething problems to begin which were soon rectified. The level of comfort is great, and you really feel you are driving something special, there is virtually no plastic in site on the later models too which makes it feel even more luxurious. The build quality is fine, and level of safety too. The way the ...
...Muira, which is how the just how the designers intended. Performance from the 2.0 is good, and returs good mpg. If you wind that engine up to 6000rpm it becomes more than an engine too, it becomes a musical instrument. This is a car that does not look out of place parked next to the likes of BMW and Mercedes, but is a fraction of the cost. As these are now only available on the second hand market they are a fantastic buy, which I have seen from as ...

FormerCarSalesman 25.01.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

I owned my Alfa 156 2.0 T-spark for a year in 2000. It was a fantastic year of motoring. I bought the car brand new from a dealership in Germany. I was able to get a huge discount, so the car was a real bargain. The car had the 155BHP engine which was never really lacking in power until past 120MPH, (on autobahns!). The top speed reached was about 140 MPH, although this was indicated on the speedometer so I would take 5MPH or so off that for something ...
...special to own. The name Alfa Romeo in my mind always seemed pretty special, with images of sports cars tearing through the beautiful Italian scenery on a sunny day. It certainly does a lot more as a name than Bavarian Motor Works! I sold the car in 2001 for a profit. I'm now driving a Punto HGT, for which I have written a review entitled 'A Pricey Punto'... Lets just say I sometimes regret selling my beloved Alfa! ...

bazeebond 20.10.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

...these helpings which the newer Alfa 156 have). Bad Points: Compared to my 25 years old Giulietta with an used 2,0 lt conventional motor, it cannot accelerate on wish suddenly. I was told that a Novitec Kompressor Kit would remove that handicap. Since I am 66 years old I will not install such a device.The nearly 200 PS would be to much power for me to handle as well as will be for the very bad road Greek network. Greece has no Autobahnen or Autostrade! ...
...General Comments: The Alfa Romeo 156 1.8 TS Lusso is definitely a superb limousine. Its exterior and interior design, the seats when equipped with leather ny Momo, look much more sporty and impressive than a Mercedes 200 Kompressor E. I have purchased the car in 2001. Since then I have done just 15.000 Kms (I am still using for short drives my 25 years old Giulietta). Sometimes I have some difficulty in sliding in the 5th gear. Up to now I did not ...

pluem 18.10.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

...reconditioned unit kindly supplied by Alfa FREE OF CHARGE (the least I would have expected) is not a scratch performance wise on my last engine. Maybe its still tight and requires longer to break in. So all in all a rocky ride, but as other Alfa owners who have encountered similar and possibly worse headaches will testify, you can't stop loving the car. And why should you, it handles beautifully, packs a reasonable 150 BHP and where appropriate speed ...

splendided 19.03.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

...advert on TV for the Alfa Romeo 156 while at university and promised myself i would have that car one day!!!When i finally got approved the finance package i chose that over the Audi TT. The Alfa Romeo is a more professional looking car and it earns respect! It is also the best car i have ever owned. Its stylish, powerful and very good quality. I personally have not had a problem with it. The interior is spacous, comfortable and stlyish. It handles ...
...i have had it a year which i am not pleased about. The Alfa romeo is an expensive car to run, on average it costs 50 pound a week on petrol and new tyres every year. Although once it has a service it is a very nice car to drive. ...

cadburys 08.06.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark

...not what one buys an Alfa for. Ride and comfort are firm but not harsh or noisy, and that's what you expect. Engine and road sounds are audible but not intrusive. Perfect for a sports sedan. Choice of tyres is critical to interior noise. High performance tyres and you can't hear yourself think. Now the down side. Performance below 3000 rpm (ie., city traffic) is awful. The car bogs down off the line so badly that it will not beat a clapped out Viva ...
...complaint about this issue on Alfa chat groups, with the same lack of resolution, although it does not seem to affect every vehicle. Second, the airconditioning is far below what is expected as a normal standard today. It is totally innefective on a warm (Australian) summer day. Most Australian, Japanese and European brands have sorted this issue long ago. Why not Alfa? Ergonomics is also below average. The main instruments are obscured by the ...

tango22 24.02.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark