Faults:

Selespeed electronics failed at 10,000 miles. Car was in garage for 10 days for repairs. No replacement car was provided during this time.

Gearbox failed at 40,000 miles. A new gearbox had to be fitted. Dealer took 16 days to complete repairs. As the car was out of warranty I had to pay the entire cost.

Back brakes stick during hot weather.

Much of the front suspension, including wishbones, anti roll bars and shocks had to be replaced during my four years of ownership.

Many squeaks and rattles from the cabin.

General Comments:

I owned an Alfa 156 for four years, but given my ownership experience I will not buy an Alfa again.

The car is beautiful to look at and great to drive, but the dream quickly becomes a nightmare when something goes wrong. The level of quality and reliability I experienced is well below expectations.

The level of support from the Alfa dealer where I live also leaves something to be desired.

Finally to add insult to injury depreciation on Alfa's is very steep so when it comes to selling on more pain is in the offing!

Faults:

Reliability fears proved groundless. This car has never let me down.

The car has full electrics which all work perfectly after 63,000 miles.

General Comments:

The V6 engine is a fantastic piece of kit. The howl from that big - bore exhaust is spine tingling.

The engine pulls strongly from very low revs in any gear, making acceleration awesome.

The front wheels have been known to scramble for grip when pushed hard, even on new rubber. However, this car can outperform anything, but the most expensive super-car or stripped down sports-car.

With the looks of a slinky coupe, and the cosseting leather and carbon fibre interior, the Alfa 156 V6 is a "must have a go" for all enthusiasts.

Faults:

Various lights on the car fail quite often. The spark plugs took on water and became rusted. The gearbox sticks in 2nd when cold on occasion (rectified by putting the car into city mode). Nothing too major and costly. Just a bit annoying.

General Comments:

The car performs well when in manual mode. However, in city mode gear changes are somewhat slow and jerky.

The engine comes alive around 3000rpm and feels and sounds really good.

The seats (leather) are comfortable, but the driving position could be better.

The handling of the car is very good and benefits from having the slightly larger wheels than the normal 156's.

The turning circle is very bad and a 3 point turn may not end up being quite a 3 points. Be careful in car parks!!!

If using city mode be careful when approaching roundabouts/junctions. If the accelerator is pushed hard the car coasts into the middle of the road without much power then seems to disengage power for a second then drops to first and jerks the car. This is not enjoyable with a large truck coming toward your door. Beware!!!

The car seems to rev quite high in fifth gear on motorways, but gives quite good fuel consumption non the less.

Faults:

Selespeed Gearbox locked up. Internal failing of the machined cast gear selector guide hole. The broken piece of the guide hole ruined the gearbox by jamming inside the gears.

Rear suspension bushes needed to be replaced in order to pass it first MOT.

General Comments:

Do not buy and Alfa Romeo. The customer service from Alfa Romeo UK based with the very poor reliability will leave you a very big overdraft.

However, the car looks nice.

Faults:

Sidelight bulb blown.

Headlamp washer pipe has perished.

Paintwork finish is pitifully poor. Scratches and chips without the slightest encouragement.

Stereo sometimes comes on without warning.

Traffic Info feature comes on very loudly and the volume won't turn it down.

Boot wouldn't open when I took delivery of the car. Dealer fixed it without hesitation, but tried to charge me for the use of a courtesy car while the locks were changed.

General Comments:

Oil filler cap is very difficult to get at to turn, unless you have very thin fingers.

The car is very rapid and feels solid and purposeful.

It handles like a dream. Goes exactly where you point it, QUICKLY. You will struggle to break traction with the uprated factory suspension kit. A blast to throw around roundabouts. Great fun.

A very rewarding car to own, if you can afford to keep it on the road. I can't.

Dealer servicing prices are ridiculously high. £780 for a 60,000 mile service and cambelt change? And that figure was plucked off the top off his head without much thought. See below.

Dealer knowledge seems very limited, they don't fill me with confidence. Can't get a straight answer to anything without them appearing "shifty" or being "on the make".

Tyre wear is nowhere near as bad as people suggest. I've done 9000 miles on these Pirellis and they still have at least 3mm of meat on them.

Depreciation is a huge blow. My advice would be to buy a cheap secondhand (3yrs old) and keep it a while. Don't expect to trade it in in a years time. If you do a lot of miles, forget it and buy something else. The Alfa dealers will completely snub you when you come to want to trade in. Someone I met tried to trade her 2yr old Veloce (30,000 miles) and was offered £6000 against a new 156. Pitiful. The car cost her £18,000 new.

Interior is pleasant enough, but it's starting to look dated.

Trip meter/ outside temp gauge button is located in a really inconvenient position. It may as well be on the outside of the car!

Every 156 I see seems to have a boot that doesn't fit properly. Check for water ingress in the boot.

If you open the boot in the rain, all the water runs down the lid, into the channels and then into the boot.

Fuel economy is average. Expect around 440 miles from a full tankful if consistently driving on motorways at 70mph. Expect 480 miles if you stick to 60. Expect 280 - 310 if driving around town.

Headlights are worse than useless. My bicycle illuminates the road more effectively.

The car looks "the bees knees"!!