159 (939) 2005 - 2011

The Alfa Romeo 159 was introduced in 2006, available as a 4-door saloon or 5-door Sportwagon, and continued in production until 2012.  It was the replacement for the 156, in the so-called compact executive market segment.  Available with various petrol and diesel engines, including 1.9, 2.0 and 2.4 diesel, and 2.2, 1750 turbo and 3.2V6 petrol, the most common in the UK being the 1.9D.  Designated series 939 by the factory, it shares many components with the 939 series Brera coupe and Spider models. 

Most production cars were front-wheel-drive, but the 2.4D and 3.2V6 were also available in four-wheel drive; most were 6-speed manuals, but an auto option was also available.  Throughout the production cycle there were several different trim levels with the most desirable being the Ti (Turismo Internazionale) introduced in 2008.  Like all modern Alfa Romeos, it features very direct steering, a little over 2 turns lock to lock, which makes for a very responsive driver's car.

Never a huge seller, and often criticised as overweight, it is actually a very desirable car, with a high basic specification, with many additional luxuries in the higher spec Lusso and Ti versions.  Nevertheless nearly 250000 Alfa 159s were built.  Ti versions and the rarer 1750 Turbo, 3.2V6, 2.4D and 4WD versions have held their values well, and UK prices are now increasing.

WV59FZD is a 159 Sportwagon 2.4JTDm Ti Q4 - one of the very rare 4WD 2.4 diesel Sportwagons - believed to be less than 20 Ti examples plus a handful of earlier Lussos imported to the UK - every one of which appears to be still on he road. The 4WD system is a Torsen Type C mechanical system, unlike most modern cars which use electronic systems, and is very effective, and drive is rear-biased.

This car was the last 4WD diesel imported, registered in October 2009 and was a fleet car for the importer for its first 6 months.  Acquired by me as the 4th owner in 2016 at 48000 miles, it is now on 85000 miles.  It has been continously on the road from new, and passed its 15 year MoT with no advisories. 

In 2016 it was remapped from the original 210bhp/295ftlb to around 260bhp/440ftlb by Alfa Aid Maidenhead, using the AHM remap, and which actually improved fuel consumption around 10% - typically better than 40mpg in normal use (outside of urban centres).  Common faults on the 159 are a rusty subframe, an appetite for springs, wheel bearings and suspension components, and this car has had the subframe rust-proofed and new factory-spec springs, bearings and suspension bushes.  The diesels are also known to suffer from bottom pulley and dual-mass flywheel failures- both are damped in order to smooth out the diesel vibrations, and the damping system can delaminate - however this car has had no such problems to date. 

More recently the exhaust was replaced with a handmade stainless steel system, and other than this, an aftermarket (and period i.e. 2009) Pioneer sat-nav and the remap, the car is original factory specification.

It has been featured in Auto Italia magazine twice, in comparative Alfa Romeo 4WD features - editor Chris Rees was pleasantly surprised by the levels of grip ("with the 159Q4 it is all about grip") and the seamless power delivery of the remapped engine.  Having owned both I can confirm that  it is a lot more sure-footed than the FWD version and can really put the power down a lot earlier than a FWD car.

Sadly showing some scars from its use as an everyday car - some leather scuffs and those paint chips affect every Alfa in Rosso - the car is otherwise in very good condition.

Engine: 2387cc 5-cylinder 20V turbo-diesel, 210bhp/295ftlb (remapped to c.260bhp/440ftlb), Euro 5 emissions (DPF)

Transmission: 6-speed manual, permanent 4-wheel drive, switchable traction control

Brakes: 330mm 4-caliper Brembos (front); 292 mm (rear)

Tyres:  235/40WR19

Trim: Ti - leather interior, heated electric seats, 19" multispoke alloys, red painted calipers, side skirts, twin exhausts, chrome finish mirrors, dark headlining

Performance: 141mph, 0-60 8.3s (standard spec); remap will have improved to 145mph+, <7.9s