Alfa Romeo 159= 3 series E90 beater?

Robin_NL · 06-25-2005, 07:44 AM

I love the design, but hate the fwd layout + they're rather heavy.
http://www.automobilemag.com/2007_sn...lfa_romeo_159/

Not available in the USA yet?

ward · 06-25-2005, 08:22 AM

aside from the FWD, that alfa's beautiful.

we'll never see it stateside though

thebigman · 06-25-2005, 08:28 AM

I love how the dash curves around the driver…

bzzbenz · 06-25-2005, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigman

I love how the dash curves around the driver…

i agree very very nice!

Athos · 06-25-2005, 10:52 AM

They keep postponing the return of Alfa Romeo to the U.S. I think they were working on some deal with GM but that has fallen apart so who knows when they will come back if ever. In my opinion, Alfas were the best driving cars available at a reasonable price in the 60s with tremendous character. The new ones look great. They have a new coupe, I think it's called the Brera (sp?) that also looks terrific. If they could just go back to RWD, provide reliability, and decent distribution in the US, I would consider buying one.

johnfkitchen · 06-25-2005, 11:54 AM

Is that a Nav system just in front of the gear lever?

If it is, then look how far down the driver would have to drop his/her eyes to see it!

That may be OK for radio/CD controls, where the timing of interaction is easily deferred, but Nav is a real-time thing.

I like the way the E90 has the Nav screen in the sight line for the driver. It's easily in the peripheral vision and the eye can flick to it and back to the road easily - no "hunting".

Kao BMW · 06-25-2005, 02:42 PM

I totally love Alfa's... but ultimately, it's not a BMW.

maq · 06-26-2005, 03:48 AM

In terms of design, Alfa has been doing a much better job than most brands out there. Unlike BMW, they know how to move on without losing the essential brand elements. That said, I do however think their new designs tend to be overstyled and too aggressive. The 156 GTA from the de Silva era was a masterpiece, and Audi is looking to be in great shape in his hands.

In terms of driving experience though, FWD beating RWD? Never gonna happen.

Thavash · 06-27-2005, 04:01 AM

We have the Alfa 156 here in South Africa. When they were first launched , people bought quite a few , but now sales have dried up - why ?

Well, quality is not that good. Lots of people have had bad experiences with the 156. And with FWD the handling is nose heavy and can't really compete with the 3 series ( the E46 ). The E90 is further ahead.

I agree the new one ( 159 ) looks great though, but if the quality is the same then BMW has nothing to worry about.

crazybones · 06-27-2005, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thavash

We have the Alfa 156 here in South Africa. When they were first launched , people bought quite a few , but now sales have dried up - why ?

Well, quality is not that good. Lots of people have had bad experiences with the 156.

Same here in the UK, together with a dealer network offering poor service levels.

Flash · 06-27-2005, 05:43 AM

we have a saying where i stay in South Africa. You dont have to be married to have problems in your life you can just buy an Alfa.

davinet78 · 07-04-2005, 01:18 PM

you can never beat a rear wheel drive car nor can you ever beat the german quality of cars
im just a bimmer lover and nothing can change me

06-25-2005, 07:44 AM	#1
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8739 Rep 7,847 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Alfa Romeo 159= 3 series E90 beater? I love the design, but hate the fwd layout + they're rather heavy. http://www.automobilemag.com/2007_sn...lfa_romeo_159/ Not available in the USA yet?
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06-25-2005, 08:22 AM	#2
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	aside from the FWD, that alfa's beautiful. we'll never see it stateside though
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06-25-2005, 08:28 AM	#3
thebigman Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: E90 320d SE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I love how the dash curves around the driver…
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06-25-2005, 10:52 AM	#5
Athos Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 2006 330i 6-spd Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco, California iTrader: (0)	They keep postponing the return of Alfa Romeo to the U.S. I think they were working on some deal with GM but that has fallen apart so who knows when they will come back if ever. In my opinion, Alfas were the best driving cars available at a reasonable price in the 60s with tremendous character. The new ones look great. They have a new coupe, I think it's called the Brera (sp?) that also looks terrific. If they could just go back to RWD, provide reliability, and decent distribution in the US, I would consider buying one.
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06-25-2005, 11:54 AM	#6
johnfkitchen First Lieutenant 30 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 323is & 330i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eastern Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Is that a Nav system just in front of the gear lever? If it is, then look how far down the driver would have to drop his/her eyes to see it! That may be OK for radio/CD controls, where the timing of interaction is easily deferred, but Nav is a real-time thing. I like the way the E90 has the Nav screen in the sight line for the driver. It's easily in the peripheral vision and the eye can flick to it and back to the road easily - no "hunting". __________________ 1998 323is SP manual with all the goodies in ArktisSilber + 330i auto SP PP CW iDrive/Nav SatRadio Active Steering Arktis/Beige/Poplar
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06-25-2005, 02:42 PM	#7
Kao BMW iLOVE90 64 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA iTrader: (0)	I totally love Alfa's... but ultimately, it's not a BMW.
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06-26-2005, 03:48 AM	#8
maq Lieutenant 12 Rep 469 Posts Drives: MTA Monthly Pass Join Date: May 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	In terms of design, Alfa has been doing a much better job than most brands out there. Unlike BMW, they know how to move on without losing the essential brand elements. That said, I do however think their new designs tend to be overstyled and too aggressive. The 156 GTA from the de Silva era was a masterpiece, and Audi is looking to be in great shape in his hands. In terms of driving experience though, FWD beating RWD? Never gonna happen. Last edited by maq; 06-26-2005 at 03:54 AM..
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06-27-2005, 04:01 AM	#9
Thavash Private First Class 21 Rep 166 Posts Drives: F30 M-Sport 320i Red Join Date: May 2005 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 320M [0.00] 2005 320i [0.00]	We have the Alfa 156 here in South Africa. When they were first launched , people bought quite a few , but now sales have dried up - why ? Well, quality is not that good. Lots of people have had bad experiences with the 156. And with FWD the handling is nose heavy and can't really compete with the 3 series ( the E46 ). The E90 is further ahead. I agree the new one ( 159 ) looks great though, but if the quality is the same then BMW has nothing to worry about.
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06-27-2005, 05:43 AM	#11
Flash Private 13 Rep 72 Posts Drives: E90 320i Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Africa, Cape Town iTrader: (0)	we have a saying where i stay in South Africa. You dont have to be married to have problems in your life you can just buy an Alfa.
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07-04-2005, 01:18 PM	#12
davinet78 Lieutenant Colonel 28 Rep 1,832 Posts Drives: bmw e90 320d Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: gibraltar(europe) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 bmw 320d E90 [0.00]	you can never beat a rear wheel drive car nor can you ever beat the german quality of cars im just a bimmer lover and nothing can change me
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