Jazz re #14.love to know where you can get parts that cheap. NZ prices for Variator were over $500 from 2 suppliers. Tensioners were over $150 and Drive belts were over $100. Maybe you can buy online from overseas but that all takes time and there's always a risk it wont arrive. Luv my red Alfa 156.
gman35,
Sep 8, 10:20am
Great looking wagons !If won lotto , a 159 ti in black (3.2v6 , I know its now just a Holden/current Vauxhall based engine !, and not great on gas I believe but has to be the one) would be my choice of car.P.S. Why would someone buy a sedan !
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 8, 10:24am
I disagree, I find buying online easier than buying from anywhere local. I have never ever had anything not arrive (and why would they not when you are dealing with a reputable supplier) and rarely do things take much more than a week to get here. Even if something did fail to arrive I would usually have complete recourse to get my money back anyway.
The only things with buying online is you do need to do need to be mindful you are indeed buying the correct parts. (But this is pretty easy and most online places are very helpful if you ask). The other trap is buying cheap generic Chinese stuff thats not up to scratch, particularly waterpumps. But that comes back to using a reputable supplier as they won't stock junk anyway. Don't be afraid of not using genuine Alfa stuff though, quality 3rd party like Dayco etc are fine and usually these companies are making the genuine item anyway.
A good way of finding out who is a reputable online supplier is to jump on the forum's for your vehicle make and see who they recommend. Sometimes the recommended supplier will give further discounts to forum members too!
Those prices should be pretty much around standard for most of the online suppliers. The variator rebuild kits can be a bit hard to find but even a complete variator should be in the $150-$250range and you can generally get away with changing that every second timing belt change if need be once you know its up to date etc.
gman35,
Sep 8, 10:25am
I also think Alfa have lost the plot with current frontal styling (Mito / Guilietta etc) Where is a continuity of the beauty yet aggression of the 159 !
vtecintegra,
Sep 8, 10:30am
I think it has something to do with pedestrian safety standards - its hard to design something with a low bonnet these days.
gman35,
Sep 8, 10:32am
Good point , but those lights , really !It's all personal pref. I know.
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 8, 10:34am
kcc55a, Just had a thought, a good place to start dipping your toe in the water with ordering online for Alfa's might be http://www.shop4parts.co.uk
They give a further discount for Fiat Forum members (possibly also Alfa Forum memebers) if you make a small donation to the forum. Even without the discount its still much better than your quotes though.
Oddly I have not used them myself but they are one of the big places and you can check out posts about them online etc. The reason I don't use them is the only significant Alfa parts I have needed of the last couple of years have been for my 75 spider and I order those from sites dedicated to older vehicles. That and I generally shop around and get things a bit cheaper than what shop4parts do them for.
That said a variator from shop4parts is still around half the price of your quotes as is the timing belt etc.
Good luck! Oh and if you want to do the timing belt yourself give me a hollar and I can give you some ideas if you want.
kcc55a,
Sep 8, 11:29am
jazz - Thanks for the offer of help/advice with the timing belt. I used to play aroud a bit with Lotus Twin Cam engines but am getting too long in the tooth nowadays. I have already sourced AlfaCambelt, Variator and metal tensioners etc from UKtotal all up was $380 incl post. and parts arrived promptly. Same stuff locally was over $900
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 8, 12:07pm
Sweet! $380 sounds pretty good to me, in my opinion anyway thats quite acceptable pricing for parts for a major 3 year service for a sports sedan.
Just remember if you are getting someone else to fit the belt make sure they used the cam locks and a proper TDC gauge. If you can't find someone who is appropriately equipped with a sensible hourly rate then it may be worth buying the cam locks etc yourself and providing them with the parts. You can always sell them again when you sell the car.
Cheers, couple of guys in the Hutt do a few Alfas so will leave it to one of them. Incidentally that link you gave is to Steven who sold me my bits.Really helpful reliable supplier.
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 8, 1:30pm
Super sounds good all round!
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 8, 4:50pm
Ouch! Thats a bit steep for a LHD spider with the "ugly bum".
michael.benn,
Sep 8, 7:58pm
Heh, nice little car though :)
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 8, 8:07pm
Yip, I have a 75. They are a heap of fun, just take care in the wet! Mine has factory standard LSD which sounds like a great idea. what happens in reality is a bit different.
Pretty much it will start to slide out in a nice controllable fashion then wham! it will lock the diff and propel you straight ahead at whichever angle the car happens to be at the time. Its great fun. the first few times.
If you want to see what I mean watch that episode of topgear where the hamster is driving one around the track when they have all bought cheap alfas.
Its amazing how far ahead they were than the likes of MG etc at the time, they are amazing cars.
michael.benn,
Oct 16, 9:48am
How many cars do you have! :)
and yeah, I enjoyed that episode :P
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