1998 Alfa Romeo 156 Lusso 1.8 TS
Summary:
If the Alfa Romeo 156 was built by Honda it would be the perfect car
Faults:
Delivered with engine management system fault. Three attempts required to repair it.
Rattling dashboard Three attempts to almost cure problem.
Safety recall on braking system.
Air bag system fault. Two attempts to repair. Spare module took three months.
Hand brake fell apart. Repaired and fell apart again.
Fuse box cover kept falling down which required four attempt to cure.
Rear passenger air vent fell apart.
Replacement air vent also fell apart after being used three or four times, but as it was a year after the previous one and out of warranty I didn't bother.
All the above in the first year.
The air conditioning never worked properly until I paid for a service at four years. (£45)
Rear disc's seized at 30000 mile. Pads needed replacing. (£158)
Front stainless steel exhaust failed at 38000 miles. Mild Steel section still OK at 44000 miles (£265)
Water leak floods passenger foot-well, possibly from sun roof. About £360 to investigate and repair, but with guarantee of a cure.
General Comments:
Whilst this car has had more problems than all my previous cars of the past 20 years (All Fords) it is still the best one I have owned.
It is a delight to drive.
I would like another when I replace this one, but I doubt I will because in my experience Alfa Romeo and the dealer network do not respond effectively to problems.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 31st January, 2004
1st Mar 2004, 18:44
My sunroof leaked also, when I brought my 2L 156 to dealer they quoted me Eur 750 to attempt to fix without guarantee! Dealer also told me the leak was definitely NOT the seal around the sunroof as I had suggested because he had the same problem on his 156! I took the car for a 2nd opinion to Autoglass - (Car windscreen supplier/fitters), who told me to rub vaseline into seal - I did and leak was fixed!
My passenger foot well only became wet after I removed plastic belly pan from under car for servicing purposes.
When replaced, dampness disappeared.
14th Sep 2004, 06:54
My mate steve wants to buy one of this cars, I have told him they are troublesome, but he won't listen hellllllllp him.
10th Nov 2005, 05:13
Has anyone experienced a water leak in the roof of the 156 TS?
My Alfa (which is a dream apart from this) has been with the garage for 3 days and they cannot detect where water comes in.
It sits on a steep driveway and in heavy rain water leaks in overhead, back seat, passenger side.
3rd Feb 2004, 06:48
I too have suffered the majority of these faults, the most potentially damaging being the sun roof leak. I really like the way that the interior trims of the 'A' pillar have been designed to perfectly funnel the water down behind the dashboard into the electrics!! This was traced to a poorly fitted sunroof seal, but given the age of my car was not fixed under warranty (£300). I think if you have one of these, if (sorry when) there's a problem you have to smile and remember the good times! Didn't stop me buying another alfa though...