Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed......

Well no offence Fox but you are talking as a non-owner. Some I agree with some not. Listening to you I would expect the car to breakdown everytime I drove it which is simply not true.

The 156 is one of the Alfas most successful cars sales wise, with many being sold to leaseing companies as rep-mobiles. Rep cars take a real hammering and often negleted by the drivers and rely on good dealership servicing. Sadly many dealers fall far short of the service these cars rquire. This is where Ford are experts and have learnt from mistakes of the past like the 1998 Mondeo engine.

Don't try an run an Alfa for pennies it just isn't realistic and neglet will certainly bring in big bills (as I found out). The main dealers are still rubbish and many faults caused by their failure to carry out service schedules correctly.

You can't fairly compare a BMW to an Alfa as a used 3 Series of the same year and spec will cost you at least twice the purchase price of a 156.
 
No-One said:
4. For some reason it always sounds like a diesel when it's cold.
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Thats the tensioner giving up. Mine did the same and I neglected it.

I got a big bill.

I would advise he takes it to a professional ASAP.

When these strange noises appear get it looked at. Ignoring them is why the car fails.
 
Warranty direct reliability index is a load of tosh.

Its based on waranties supplied by them to the trade - thing is no one with a decent reputation will use them!

It's only used by rubbish back street traders/

Alfa 156's aren't the most reliable car in the world, look after it and it will be as reliable as anything else - neglect it and you'll turn it into a money pit.

Cambelts are every 72k miles and it doesn't cost £700 to replace it, you can get it done a lot cheaper than that!
 
I was looking into buying an Alfa a few months ago (the GTV 3.0V6) until I crashed my car and lost my NCB (making it unaffordable)

Basically they're fine reliability wise if they've been impeccably serviced and perfectly maintained. Little things like checking the fluids every week (like you should do with any car) really help

Don't get one with a patchy service history

EDIT: The comment about needing to afford to buy it twice really is worth taking in. I got out a spreadsheet and budgeted in the price of servicing, repairs, camblets, etc. It's also worth having a contingency fund so that if you get an unexpected bill you're OK
 
I'd defend Alfas to my dying breath, but I have to echo the comments about making sure that they've been impeccably maintained and have a full history before you consider buying one. When you get a good one, and maintain it, they're wonderful. Buy a pup, and....well, it'd be cheaper and less painful just to shoot yourself in the 'nads :)
 
the gearbox blows chunks. drive one whilst sober and you will definately not feel like an f1 driver... at all.

i remember when EVO mag had a 156 sillyspeed in their fast fleet. endless agro, but hey, its not german afterall
 
My old man owns a selespeed 2L. I would have to say, go for the manual, the selespeed isn't that bad but it has a couple of annoying niggles that just make you want a clutch pedal.

However, they look lovely, sound glorious and it does feel 'sporty'. A much more interesting and rewarding car than its competitors :)
 
Third Opinion said:
Thats the tensioner giving up. Mine did the same and I neglected it.

I got a big bill.

I would advise he takes it to a professional ASAP.

When these strange noises appear get it looked at. Ignoring them is why the car fails.
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On a 53 reg car that's only done 14k miles?
 
Maz said:
Warranty direct reliability index is a load of tosh.

Its based on waranties supplied by them to the trade
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No it isn't - it's based on all warranties they sell, most of which are direct to the general publc. They are one of the better warranty companies out there and have a very good reputation amongst owners of more expensive cars - they are highly regarded on the BMW forums for simply paying out for anything that goes wrong without quibbling or finding get-out clauses.
 
No-One said:
On a 53 reg car that's only done 14k miles?
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Honestly this thread is hilarious, it has everything, people saying Alfas are super reliable, people saying they are not, people getting criticised for saying that and then people coming in saying 'omfg my 53 reg Alfa is making horrid noises..'.
 
[TW]Fox said:
You had to rebuild the engine on yours!
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There was me thinking this was a topic about 156's. ;)

I did have to rebuild my engine due to the tensioners not being replaced when the cambelt was replaced. Its allways the tensioners that go because they are not changed with the cambelt by dodgy garages.

Lets talk about your dad's 530d. That has been to the dealer endles times has it not :p
 
F355 said:
Lets talk about your dad's 530d. That has been to the dealer endles times has it not :p
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Yup 5 times for the climate control but I'm not trying to tell everyone that a cheap BMW isn't going to break down and cost lots to fix am I.
 
pretty cool, just wondered why it said 355 next to it, thats all. looks good.


so whats the verdict on the alfas?


i recommend the OP just gets out there, sees a dealer and tests one
 
Matt82 said:
so whats the verdict on the alfas?
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Great car, fantastic engine but don't buy one because you want something cheap to run. Keep them well maintained and they will not give you any trouble. Also keep away from the Selespeed, the manual box is much better.

When you own an Alfa you will know why people buy them. Its definatly a 'heart not head' thing.
 
most decissions made by hearts go wrong. hearts are ruled by emotions, if you buy with your head youll buy something logical lol isee where youre coming from.


i cannot deny that they do look good.

enjoy!
 
Matt82 said:
most decissions made by hearts go wrong. hearts are ruled by emotions, if you buy with your head youll buy something logical lol isee where youre coming from.


i cannot deny that they do look good.

enjoy!
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Stick to your Mondeo then :p
 
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