Italian Alfa 159 vs German BMW e90.- junior exec motor trophy

climkt · 07-30-2006, 11:54 PM

Tried the new alfa 159 2.2 185hp 6 speed manual (0-100kmph-8.8sec )on sunday.
It felt more German in feel but retained its lusty, easy revving (revs effortlessly to 7000rpm) italian character. Comparing stock body designs, the alfa 159 looks more sporty with double corner exhuast pipes and a stock rear diffuser. The aceleration is only marginally faster than the 320i manual as the alfa is hauling more metal in flight.
The italian is really hot on the heels chasing the german for the top junior exec trophy.
The superb driver orientated dashboard/ console,6 speed short throw gear box, great cornering ability are plus points for the Italian.It has also acquired a start stop button like the e90 and the Lexus IS250.
It loses to the e90 150hp 320i (9.0 sec century sprint) for comfort, rear cabin space and boot space.
My main annoyances for the new italian are the dull colour limited options and the small claustrophobic foot well. my left shoe tip kept getting caught in the foot well.
Those who love manual shifts, aural engine experience and a free revving driving experience may prefer the alfa159 2.2 over the 320i.
Those who value spaciousness should still keep the german option.
With the world cup experience just over, it felt like a nail biting match with the german winning only after a penalty shoot out.

siriusinvestor · 07-31-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by climkt

Tried the new alfa 159 2.2 185hp 6 speed manual (0-100kmph-8.8sec )on sunday.
It felt more German in feel but retained its lusty, easy revving (revs effortlessly to 7000rpm) italian character. Comparing stock body designs, the alfa 159 looks more sporty with double corner exhuast pipes and a stock rear diffuser. The aceleration is only marginally faster than the 320i manual as the alfa is hauling more metal in flight.
The italian is really hot on the heels chasing the german for the top junior exec trophy.
The superb driver orientated dashboard/ console,6 speed short throw gear box, great cornering ability are plus points for the Italian.It has also acquired a start stop button like the e90 and the is250.
It loses to the e90 150hp 320i (9.0 sec century sprint) for comfort, rear cabin space and boot space.
My main annoyances for the new italian are the dull colour limited options and the small claustrophobic foot well. my left shoe tip kept getting caught in the foot well.
Those who love manual shifts, aural engine experience and a free revving driving experience may prefer the alfa159 2.2 over the 320i.
Those who value spaciousness should still keep the german option.
With the world cup experience just over, it felt like a nail biting match with the german winning only after penalty shoot out.

I don't know about you but that Alfa looks like =

climkt · 07-31-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

I don't know about you but that Alfa looks like =

well, i guess it/alfa makes u nauseous, i actually think the italian car looks okay- sporty. i prefer it to the outgoing merc c class.

siriusinvestor · 07-31-2006, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by climkt

well, i guess it/alfa makes u nauseous, i actually think the italian car looks okay- sporty. i prefer it to the outgoing merc c class.

Ok, if being compared to the outgoing C-Class, I think you got a point.

twinspark · 07-31-2006, 06:27 AM

Being an old Alfa 156 owner before. I would go for the 159 over my current 2006 320i. though, i must confess the Bmer's interior is much nicer and the suspension is alot better.
The only reason i would get the Alfa is its nervous engine and stylish design.

My old 1.6 TS used to smoke the 318i all the way till 200 & the 523i till 100 Km/h . then ofcourse the 5 series takes over.

Robin_NL · 07-31-2006, 06:37 AM

A friend of mine gets his 159 JTD this week. I think it's a cute car with a very agressive and mean thus very good looking front. imho.

BUT those cars fail on happy driving because there somewhat 100kgs heavier than our E90s for each enginetype

And only the 3.2 gets 4wd=heavier too.

croaker · 07-31-2006, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

I don't know about you but that Alfa looks like =

You’re on crack man. The Alfa's new style is dead sexy. For sure the sportiest looking sedans out there. When they come to the states again I may try one of those the next time I buy a car.

txusa03 · 07-31-2006, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by croaker

You’re on crack man. The Alfa's new style is dead sexy. For sure the sportiest looking sedans out there. When they come to the states again I may try one of those the next time I buy a car.

Maybe it is not photogenics...

like our e90. you have to see it in person to fully admire the car's beauty...

canucklion · 07-31-2006, 07:27 AM

looks so squinty

stressdoc · 07-31-2006, 08:30 AM

Alfas are cool, lot of personality quirks. The best underdog to the BMW. Unlike getting buzzed by some maniac in a Fiat 600, you can grudgingly admire the Alfa driver that finesses a pass on some windy Italian coastal road.

vladinecko · 07-31-2006, 08:33 AM

alfas, just like E90s, are not very photogenic. you need to see one in person to really appreciate it. they're awesome cars!!

climkt · 07-31-2006, 08:33 AM

i prefer the alfa 159 rear. stock diffuser looks understated yet functional. if they made the foot well larger and rear cabin bigger with more striking colours rather than shades of gray, dark red, black- may consider it. alfa brera has much more interesting colour choice.

climkt · 07-31-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinspark

Being an old Alfa 156 owner before. I would go for the 159 over my current 2006 320i. though, i must confess the Bmer's interior is much nicer and the suspension is alot better.
The only reason i would get the Alfa is its nervous engine and stylish design.

My old 1.6 TS used to smoke the 318i all the way till 200 & the 523i till 100 Km/h . then ofcourse the 5 series takes over.

alfa engineers really know how to get the gear ratios right, u could drag the third in the alfas to 130/140 kmph easily in 3rd gear and smoke everyone.

Hunter399 · 07-31-2006, 10:34 AM

I like the Alfa alot

shragon · 07-31-2006, 11:15 AM

i'm not a fan of the alfa's front end, but i like the rest of the car.

Scarabeo · 07-31-2006, 12:08 PM

I think Alfa Romeo is finally hitting its stride. That is a great looking car - and the 3.0 liter version is faster than the 325. I also like the placement of the GPS, much better than the 325/330. I stopped in an Alfa dealer the other (my second car is a 166) day to browse around...very impressive the new models.

Juve29 · 07-31-2006, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

I don't know about you but that Alfa looks like =

The 159 is one of the best looking car around.

Juve29 · 07-31-2006, 01:04 PM

I'm not sure but is the 159 front wheel drive?

Ghunger · 07-31-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

Maybe it is not photogenics...

like our e90. you have to see it in person to fully admire the car's beauty...

This is very true, I saw quite a few of these at the Nurburgring while I was on my ED and it looked much better in person. The nose wasn't nearly so "thin" looking.

Kit523 · 07-31-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusinvestor

I don't know about you but that Alfa looks like =

+1 please
the E90 look way better

voltron1011 · 07-31-2006, 02:47 PM

Alpha 159 is FWD... End of discussion...

Asiann · 07-31-2006, 03:04 PM

Different is all I can say. Have to see one in person.

07-30-2006, 11:54 PM	#1
climkt Bimmer Manual all the way 68 Rep 1,811 Posts Drives: e90 320i manual Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: singapore iTrader: (0)	Italian Alfa 159 vs German BMW e90 Tried the new alfa 159 2.2 185hp 6 speed manual (0-100kmph-8.8sec )on sunday. It felt more German in feel but retained its lusty, easy revving (revs effortlessly to 7000rpm) italian character. Comparing stock body designs, the alfa 159 looks more sporty with double corner exhuast pipes and a stock rear diffuser. The aceleration is only marginally faster than the 320i manual as the alfa is hauling more metal in flight. The italian is really hot on the heels chasing the german for the top junior exec trophy. The superb driver orientated dashboard/ console,6 speed short throw gear box, great cornering ability are plus points for the Italian.It has also acquired a start stop button like the e90 and the Lexus IS250. It loses to the e90 150hp 320i (9.0 sec century sprint) for comfort, rear cabin space and boot space. My main annoyances for the new italian are the dull colour limited options and the small claustrophobic foot well. my left shoe tip kept getting caught in the foot well. Those who love manual shifts, aural engine experience and a free revving driving experience may prefer the alfa159 2.2 over the 320i. Those who value spaciousness should still keep the german option. With the world cup experience just over, it felt like a nail biting match with the german winning only after a penalty shoot out. Attached Images Last edited by climkt; 09-27-2006 at 05:24 AM..
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07-31-2006, 06:27 AM	#5
twinspark Private 16 Rep 64 Posts Drives: VW Passat 2007 & soon a 335i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Egypt iTrader: (0)	Being an old Alfa 156 owner before. I would go for the 159 over my current 2006 320i. though, i must confess the Bmer's interior is much nicer and the suspension is alot better. The only reason i would get the Alfa is its nervous engine and stylish design. My old 1.6 TS used to smoke the 318i all the way till 200 & the 523i till 100 Km/h . then ofcourse the 5 series takes over.
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07-31-2006, 06:37 AM	#6
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8723 Rep 7,847 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	A friend of mine gets his 159 JTD this week. I think it's a cute car with a very agressive and mean thus very good looking front. imho. BUT those cars fail on happy driving because there somewhat 100kgs heavier than our E90s for each enginetype And only the 3.2 gets 4wd=heavier too.
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07-31-2006, 07:27 AM	#9
canucklion pull my finger to get your kinder® surprise 148 Rep 10,455 Posts Drives: circles around you Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (9)	looks so squinty __________________
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07-31-2006, 08:30 AM	#10
stressdoc Moderator 618 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	Alfas are cool, lot of personality quirks. The best underdog to the BMW. Unlike getting buzzed by some maniac in a Fiat 600, you can grudgingly admire the Alfa driver that finesses a pass on some windy Italian coastal road.
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07-31-2006, 08:33 AM	#11
vladinecko Brigadier General 281 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	alfas, just like E90s, are not very photogenic. you need to see one in person to really appreciate it. they're awesome cars!! __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - IB/Beige/Sycamore Wood/6MT/EDC/ZPP2/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/iPod-USB/Enh. Audio 2008 E92 335i - Montego Blue/Black/Gray Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/HDRadio/iPod-USB - *Sold* 2006 E90 330i - Mystic Blue/Black/Aluminum/6MT/ZPP/iDrive/PDC/Heated Seats/Sat. Prep - *Sold* 1994 E36 325i - Boston Green/Beige/Automatic/ZPP/Heated Seats/Premium Sound - *Sold*
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07-31-2006, 10:34 AM	#14
Hunter399 Major General 325 Rep 8,091 Posts Drives: F90M5 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (33)	I like the Alfa alot
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07-31-2006, 11:15 AM	#15
shragon Moderator 497 Rep 27,441 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	i'm not a fan of the alfa's front end, but i like the rest of the car. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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07-31-2006, 12:08 PM	#16
Scarabeo Private First Class 5 Rep 172 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Milan, Italy iTrader: (0)	I think Alfa Romeo is finally hitting its stride. That is a great looking car - and the 3.0 liter version is faster than the 325. I also like the placement of the GPS, much better than the 325/330. I stopped in an Alfa dealer the other (my second car is a 166) day to browse around...very impressive the new models.
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07-31-2006, 01:04 PM	#18
Juve29 First Lieutenant 19 Rep 324 Posts Drives: 325i titanium silver spk Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Montréal, Canada iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure but is the 159 front wheel drive? __________________ 325i Titanium Silver / Sport Package / black interior / Chrome Kidney Grill / Tinted Windows.
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07-31-2006, 02:47 PM	#21
voltron1011 Colonel 119 Rep 2,909 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, FJR-1300 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (2)	Alpha 159 is FWD... End of discussion...
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07-31-2006, 03:04 PM	#22
Asiann Got Seoul? 116 Rep 2,862 Posts Drives: 2012 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Honolulu iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 535i [0.00] 2008 750Li [0.00] 2006 BMW [0.00]	Different is all I can say. Have to see one in person. __________________ Can you say Alooooha? [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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