Alfa Romeo 147 (2001 - )
Good: Stunning looks and well equipped. Lively Twin-Spark petrol and strong JTD diesel engines.
Bad: Mechanical, electrical and build quality problems are all too common. Poor crash test rating.
What's Good
Stunning-looking replacement for 145/146 with front-end retro styling reminiscent of late 1940s Alfas. Based on 156/Tipo floorpan. 4,170mm (13' 8") long x 2,729mm (5' 8") wide.
120 bhp 1.6 Twin-Spark, 150 bhp 2.0 TS and 110 bhp JTD. Voted European 'Car of the Year' 2001 narrowly pipping the Ford Mondeo for the title.
February 2001 launch models are the 121mph 120bhp 1.6TS in Turismo or Lusso trim and the 129bhp 150bhp 2.0TS with Alfa Romeo's Selaspeed semi automatic gearbox. All models are well equipped with air-conditioning and ABS as standard. Prices start at £12,985 for the 1.6TS Turismo, rising to £17,340 for the 2.0TS Selaspeed. Standard 3 year warranty included in price. 5 door version with 2.0TS manual gearbox offered from May 2001.
250bhp 3.2 V6 GTA version October 2002.
115bhp 1.9JTD diesel from mid March 2003 does 0-60 in 9.6 seconds, emits 155g/km CO2 and offers 48.7mpg. 1.9JTD prices from £14,500.
147 1.9JTD Multjet JTD 16v from August 2003 has 138bhp, 225lb ft torque, does 47,9mpg combined, CO2 157g/km, top speed 130mph, 0-60 8.8 seconds, price £16,170.
New entry level 105bhp 1.6TS from February 2004 list priced £13,350 for 3-dr and £13,850 for 5 door. 5 year or 60,000 mile warranty from January 2004.
Final edition Alfa 147 Collezione in UK from February 2007 with prices including metallic paint, leather interior and unique 17 inch spoked alloy wheels. Red and black leather, grey and black, or black and beige. Steering wheel mounted controls for the CD player, manual climate control, alarm system, six airbags, ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, and ASR traction control.
1.6 TS 3dr £13,950
1.6 TS 5dr £14,450
1.9 JTDM 3dr £14,950
1.9 JTDM 5dr £15,450
From late October 2007, 150bhp JTDM engine in the Alfa GT and Alfa 147 could be specified with a new limited slip diff. This offers a more sensitive set-up that maintains traction, roadholding and stability during hard acceleration in low grip conditions, and notably when exiting corners. It splits torque between the two front wheels constantly and dynamically in response to changing driving conditions and road surfaces; ensuring that effective grip is maintained at all times.
Q2 models also feature a satin finish on the ‘whiskers’, grille and mirror housings plus special 17” alloys on the 147 – 18” on the GT – a rear spoiler, chromed exhaust, lowered suspension and a Q2 boot badge.
Inside, red dials and white lighting, plus leather upholstery and red stitching on the steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake gaiter. Other neat touches include grey anthracite trims on the steering wheel spokes and console, and special Q2 kick plates and aluminium pedals. Also steering wheel mounted controls for the Bose stereo, cruise control and the VDC system.
3-dr 147 Q2 Sport Limited Edition 1.9 JTDM 16V £16,950
5-dr 147 Q2 Sport Limited Edition 1.9 JTDM 16V £17,450
Q2 GT Blackline Limited Edition 1.9 JTDM 16V £21,430
New Alfa 147 for 2008, complete with lowered suspension, new paint, leather interior and exclusive 17 inch alloy wheels. Now available in Ghiaccio White special paint finish, along with the unique option of a black gloss roof. The black roof paint choice is also extended to Alfa Red versions of the multi award-winning Alfa 147 range. Available from Saturday 9 February from £13,950. Has air conditioning and steering wheel mounted controls for the CD player, plus the knowledge that the vehicle is equipped with six airbags, ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, and ASR traction control. A high tech alarm system also comes as standard. Powered by either 1.6TS petrol or 1.9JTDM diesel engine, both producing 120 bhp, the Alfa 147 Collezione accelerates from 0-62 mph in 10.6 and 9.6 seconds respectively and on to top speeds of 120 and 121 mph.
1.6TS 3dr £13,950
1.6TS 5dr £14,450
1.9JTDM 3dr £14,950
1.9TJDM 5dr £15,450
Usergroup:
http://www.alfaowner.com
Club link
http://www.aroc-uk.com
Last updated 22-3-2008
What's Bad
Poor score in 2001 NCAP crash tests.
Paddle shift arrangement for Selaspeed on 147 doesn't work very well. Not a great drive.
Paint problems with solid lacquered black.
FIAT/Alfa joint worst for breakdowns attended by German ADAC during 2001. Alfa Romeo 2nd least reliable of 31 makes of car in 2002 'Which?' reliability survey cars 2000 - 2002; 3rd least reliable cars 1997 - 1999. Alfa Romeo had fourth highest warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 155.10 v/s lowest 31.93). Average for breakdowns and faults and poor for problems in 2003 Which survey. 22nd from bottom out of 137 models in 2003 Top Gear survey. 147 joint 10th bottom model and Alfa Romeo bottom marque in 2004 JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. Alfa Romeo 5th bottom of Reliability Index for 2004 combining average cost of repair of £392.88 with high 39.55 failures per 100 Warranty Direct policies. Link:-
http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk Came 6th from bottom in 2005 JD Power/What Car Survey of 23,000 cars reg Sep 2002 to Aug 2003 with satisfaction score of 72.5%. Joint 3rd from bottom in 2007 UK J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Survey with 74.4% score.
What to Watch Out For
Timing belt failures of 4 cylinder twin sparks extremely common. Timing belts, tensioners and toothed/non toothed plastic rollers need changing way before scheduled 72k miles. See TSB to change them at 36k or 4 years whichever comes first.
Early problems with Selaspeed gearbox actuator and long wait for replacement parts.
Bosch 'hot film' Mass Airflow Sensors seem to be failing regularly.
Several reports of 2.0 litre engine failures in 156s due to oil starvation when engines were full of oil points a finger at oil pump failure.
Witches brew of problems. This is just one owner's experience:-
"Here is a list of my faults of which most are on the AA report.
1) Selespeed failure to engage gear. Leaving car in dangerous position. Normally happens when on roundabout or turn when engine cold. Alfa dealer has had car in 4 times and not solved problem.
2) Alarm goes off when boot is unlocked with remote control.
3) Boot plastic gutter trim not secure at rear edge, hatch not
aligned.
4) Oil leak.
5) Positive terminal battery cover broken.
6) CD Player skips on normal CDs even when car stationary.
7) Front Windscreen washers very poor.
Power Steering fluid level below minimum.
9) Handbrake cable on left not fitted properly to floor bracket.
10) Timing belt cover not fitted correctly, gap at top and loose.
11) Carpet hanging out of passenger front lower trim.
12) Carpet loose on side of center console.
13) Alternator fails to charge battery.
14) Only 25 to 26mpg.
15) Engine uses oil.
Other problems:
16) Rattles from Door trims.
17) Rattles from rear seats.
18) Rear seats not locking in position.
19) Sunroof blind completely missing.
20) Sunroof fails to open.
21) Finish keeps coming off Selespeed Paddles on steering wheel.
22) The Climate Control keeps going to HIGH and MAX."
Recalls
September 2002: TSB issued to change timing belts and tensioners at 36,000 miles rather than 72,000 miles. 1-10-2003: Possible fire risk during warm up phase on just 6 cars ZFA937---3084119 to 3171718 and 5041468 to 5097241.
07/12/2007 R/2007/174 ALFA ROMEO 147, GT, 159, Brera and Spider brakes may fail. Chassis numbers ZAR93900005021630 to ZAR93900005021749. Build dates 20/11/2007 to 22/11/2007
