156 Q-system autobox

Our 1994 318i is getting tired now, so we're thinking of replacing it.
We've come across a 156 2.5 V6 Q-System, and I am looking for feedback on
the box and car in general.

We like the idea of another automatic, none of this sillyspeed stuff, but a
proper autobox with a torque convertor. I was initially concerned that the
box might prove as unreliable as the famed Renault autoboxes, but an
Austrailian article I came across suggested that the box was supplied by
Asin[sic]. Aisin are part of the Toyota group, and the box in my MKIV Supra
turbo is an Aisin one, so I'm quite relieved to hear this but would
appreciate feedback all the same.

Is the box known to be reliable?

How about the 2.5 V6 in general? I can't remember whether it's the V6s or
the twinsparks which ate cambelts and killed themselves. A search of 156 V6
on eBay yeilds no cars for sale, but there are a good few adverts for
replacement engines, fitted, which can't be a good sign, can it?

It's a lovely looking car, and I know the Alfa V6 is a much loved engine
particularly in terms of sound, so I'm hoping any feedback will be positive.

thanks very much,
Carl

"Carl Farrington" <carl RemoveThis @noitsnotcss-networks.commy.invalid> wrote in message
news:5ngmeaFi1prjU1@mid.individual.net...
> Our 1994 318i is getting tired now, so we're thinking of replacing it.
> We've come across a 156 2.5 V6 Q-System, and I am looking for feedback on
> the box and car in general.
>
> We like the idea of another automatic, none of this sillyspeed stuff, but
> a proper autobox with a torque convertor. I was initially concerned that
> the box might prove as unreliable as the famed Renault autoboxes, but an
> Austrailian article I came across suggested that the box was supplied by
> Asin[sic]. Aisin are part of the Toyota group, and the box in my MKIV
> Supra turbo is an Aisin one, so I'm quite relieved to hear this but would
> appreciate feedback all the same.
>
> Is the box known to be reliable?
>
> How about the 2.5 V6 in general? I can't remember whether it's the V6s or
> the twinsparks which ate cambelts and killed themselves. A search of 156
> V6 on eBay yeilds no cars for sale, but there are a good few adverts for
> replacement engines, fitted, which can't be a good sign, can it?
>
> It's a lovely looking car, and I know the Alfa V6 is a much loved engine

Nevermind. The car we were looking at seems to have disappeared off
autotrader this morning. Advert may have just expired rather than the car
sold, but it's not on pistonheads either