Re: Bangernomics - Alfa Romeo 147 any good...?
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2025 8:37 pm
Minor update...
Done around 1500 miles in the car now, and just did an oil service on it this morning... Jacked it up properly for the first time, and blow me... Literally ZERO rust underneath it! OK there's a bit at the back of the wheelarches, but underneath is absolutely solid!
Got to be said, just as well I've done the oil change now, old oil came out quite thin and black (obviously, it's a diesel!), but new oil has silenced the slightly tappety sound nicely which I wasn't expecting...
Have had a few teething troubles with the electrics (it's an Alfa!)... The airbag light is on, which I'm going to have to pay someone to investigate sadly (at least if I want it to pass an MOT in 6 months if I still need the car then), and I had to replace the driver's side electric window regulator as it kept playing up. There's also a loose connection to a sidelight bulb and also rear numberplate bulb (which is very annoying as it gives a loud warning and a symbol on the dash, but a smack in the right place on the bumper makes the fault go away again!) and the aircon and the cruise control don't work... But honestly, for the price, how well it drives (it really is lovely to drive!), the economy (it's returning a solid 50mpg verified) and the comfort (nicest leather seats I've ever sat in!), this car was an absolute steal...
Spoke with an Alfa specialist today about getting the airbag light looked at, and he said with 105k on the clock, the 1.9jtd engine is barely run in! He's seen them do 350-400k before and is sure you would get 500k out of a well maintained one before it would need rebuilding. I don't think I'll be going that far in it, new jobs I'm applying for either come with a company car or a hefty car allowance (and I'm guessing the expectation to drive something less than 5yrs old), but I'm enjoying the 147 for what it is right now and should at least get my money back when I come to sell it all being well...
Done around 1500 miles in the car now, and just did an oil service on it this morning... Jacked it up properly for the first time, and blow me... Literally ZERO rust underneath it! OK there's a bit at the back of the wheelarches, but underneath is absolutely solid!
Got to be said, just as well I've done the oil change now, old oil came out quite thin and black (obviously, it's a diesel!), but new oil has silenced the slightly tappety sound nicely which I wasn't expecting...
Have had a few teething troubles with the electrics (it's an Alfa!)... The airbag light is on, which I'm going to have to pay someone to investigate sadly (at least if I want it to pass an MOT in 6 months if I still need the car then), and I had to replace the driver's side electric window regulator as it kept playing up. There's also a loose connection to a sidelight bulb and also rear numberplate bulb (which is very annoying as it gives a loud warning and a symbol on the dash, but a smack in the right place on the bumper makes the fault go away again!) and the aircon and the cruise control don't work... But honestly, for the price, how well it drives (it really is lovely to drive!), the economy (it's returning a solid 50mpg verified) and the comfort (nicest leather seats I've ever sat in!), this car was an absolute steal...
Spoke with an Alfa specialist today about getting the airbag light looked at, and he said with 105k on the clock, the 1.9jtd engine is barely run in! He's seen them do 350-400k before and is sure you would get 500k out of a well maintained one before it would need rebuilding. I don't think I'll be going that far in it, new jobs I'm applying for either come with a company car or a hefty car allowance (and I'm guessing the expectation to drive something less than 5yrs old), but I'm enjoying the 147 for what it is right now and should at least get my money back when I come to sell it all being well...
