1999 Alfa Romeo 156 TS 1.8

Summary:

Even with the faults I'd have another

Faults:

Fuse box cover opened constantly.

Carburetor body replaced at 20,000 miles.

Interesting quirk... central locking was repeatedly tripped by washing the car!!!

General Comments:

Tyre wear is excessive... luckily it is a company car. On my 3rd set of fronts.

My company has 5x 156's in the fleet. The drivers all love them, but beset by major/minor problems.. leaks, rattles, power steering problems, instrumentation.

Still the best looking saloon on the road, and the most comfortable (I'm 6'2").

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th March, 2001

1999 Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed 2.0

Summary:

Always looks great

Faults:

Selespeed gear-box unable to select 2, often in cold start conditions. Workaround by selecting city mode. Then problem goes away after a few miles. Problem due to a known fault in the design of the gearbox actuator - waiting 3 months for a revised design (suspect a hydraulic oil leak).

Accident repair took months waiting for parts.

General Comments:

Great car - enjoyed the 156 manual company car so much I bought the Selespeed when I changed jobs.

Not as much room as you would expect in the back.

Constantly asked questions about it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th March, 2001

1999 Alfa Romeo 156 Twin Spark 1.8

Summary:

Sweet!

Faults:

Radio didn't work. Needed recoding, it has taken the dealer well over two weeks to even attempt to fix it/purchase a new one.

General Comments:

Beautiful to ride and look at. Handles like a dream. Classy looks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd February, 2001

11th Aug 2001, 10:16

Classy looks? I've never seen anything so ugly. Alfa Romeo can't even put the front number plates in the right place!

2nd Sep 2001, 08:00

Ugly?? It's the most beautiful car I've ever had. Handles like a dream and is wonderfully comfortable. Wife wanted to buy something like a Golf but when she sat in it said "this is Lovely." Bought on the spot. Sportwagon 2.0 Veloce with Recaro (beautiful) seats.

Seems to be regarded as a prestigious car by onlookers!

1999 Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed 2.0 T-Spark

Summary:

I look forward to getting in this car every day

Faults:

Faulty RH side door speaker.

Selespeed buzzer stopped working.

General Comments:

Superb design, performs as well as Mondeo V6 (previous car). Handling is awesome.

Recaro seats are hard although you do get used to them! Selespeed box is great fun - ignore the cynics.

Only gripe is the Selespeed buzzer stopped working, this is covered by the year 2 warranty, however I was charged 2 hours labour (£100) for diagnostic time - this never used to happen at Ford dealerships!

Nb. If you buy an import, the local dealer is unlikely to give you free courtesy car if it's off the road!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th January, 2001

1999 Alfa Romeo 156 Lusso 2.5 V6

Summary:

Like wearing a pair of stilletos - good looking but uncomfortable!

Faults:

Only had it 6 weeks and I'm getting rid it before my back goes completely.

General Comments:

Beautiful car, well balanced, easy to drive, lovely to take round country lanes and very quick without being flashy (no spoilers - nicely under stated) but so uncomfortable on the motorway. Alfa dealer says no lumber support on the car because the seats hold rear passenger air bags - I have tried to live with this car because in every other respect it is perfect but it's going to have to go!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th August, 2000

17th Dec 2003, 12:53

I had the same problem with the lumbar support in my 156; 60 minutes was the max I could sit in the car. The rest of the car was great.

1999 Alfa Romeo 156 TS 2.0

Summary:

Truely great saloon for the money with zero post-sales care

Faults:

Engine blew up after 6,000 miles coming back from Spain. First service not due until 12,000 miles and it is well looked after.

General Comments:

Great car, truely enjoyable drive - not that grippy but great handling for a frustrated sporting driver forced to own a saloon. Almost hard to tell its front wheel drive! Yes it is that good.

Engine blew (disintegrated piston) at 6,000 miles and dealer service/experience has been dire throughout. Zero customer service, zero interest in the car or owner. Truely 1970's poor. Thankfully this is a company car and is not my own investment.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th July, 2000

13th Jan 2001, 22:18

I'm a 156 Selespeed owner and have already had my first scary experience with my local dealer. Spoke to Alfa Head Office who seem to think dealers can operate as they want and don't appreciate that dealers have been entrusted with their valuable brand!

Any comments from other readers re. poor Alfa dealer service would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

julianwellings@bigfoot.com

20th Feb 2001, 05:43

I hear what is said about Alfa dealers in the UK. For what it is worth, I have been using Northgate Garage (Canterbury, Kent) for the past six years and have nothing but praise for them. Knowledgeable, helpful and with a real understanding about customer care. Adrian Pile (their head Alfa technician) has won Alfa Technician of the Year awards several times recently. The dealership has also an impressive array of "Gold Cloverleaf" customer service awards. For any of you with seemingly incurable irritations, do yourselves a favour - run it past Northgate. It will be worth the journey for those who live far afield.

Tel: 01227 765561

St. John Harvey (Bethersden Kent)

P.S. I do not - repeat DO NOT, work for Northgate!!

1st Sep 2001, 04:35

I have a vision in my mind after reading the comments about this fabled Alfa Romeo dealer.

On Monday morning, they will open their roller shutter doors to a wondrous sight. Horizon to horizon will be a shimmering sea of metal - Alfa Romeos, in all shapes and sizes, requiring immediate healthcare. From dawn 'til dusk, they will traverse the sacred service centre floor, to emerge on the other side, revving their charismatic Italian engines, their Latin spirit revived.