Alfa Romeo 146 2.0 ti 5d (1999/T) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
Had one on contract hire and cost >£400 a month.
Costs
Not bad fuel economy considering its tendency to need thrashing.
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On the road
Driving
More fun than a Golf GTi, and with sports suspension be prepared to feel every bump in the road! The harder you drive it, the more rewarding it is.
Performance
Buy one just for the noise above 5000rpm! Seems to have powerbands like a motorbike... grin machine!
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Living with it
Reliability
Needed new speedo head after 1 week, blew 4 aircon pipes, aircon pump died (£800) and all 4 brake disks flaked after 9 months! Thankfully warranty paid out, but worrying... Italian cars not renowned for reliability and this car proved it.
Image
146s are fairly rare, especially ti - more exclusive than Golf GTi.
Comfort
Pretty good for a performance car and even a practical 5 door hatch for those Ikea runs...
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Security and Service
Security
Thankfully no-one tested it, but remote central locking sometimes has mind of its own...
Service
Dealership in Kent was fantastic and couldn't do enough, however, on moving to Cardiff the official dealer were actively unhelpful - put me off another Alfa unless I move somewhere else!
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Fantastic, though spark plugs recesses did fill with water once causing misfires?!
Other
Aircon, water around spark plugs, speedo head.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
New
Would you buy the same model again?
No
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
No