2001 Alfa Romeo 156 T Spark 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great value for money and huge fun

Faults:

ABS light and Engine Management light occasionally come on, but always reset on start-up.

General Comments:

I drive 60 miles a day on the motorway, and this car simply eats it up. For a 1.8 the performance is exceptional, and the handling is superb. I can return over 30mpg even at motorway speeds, the comfort and ride quality being great.

My last car was a BMW 325i, which was good, but this is so much more fun, with sleek looks and a quirky style.

So far it's been totally reliable; everything works fine, and a local garage has all the gear to service and maintain it for the same costs as any other car.

A comfortable family saloon that drives like a sports car, highly recommended.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st May, 2008

2001 Alfa Romeo 156 T Spark 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Nice car to drive, but not to own

Faults:

The timing belt went.

The car then started losing one litre of oil for every 300 miles and the engine was then replaced.

The door button sticks in wet conditions.

The electric sunroof needed to be replaced twice.

The sun visor needed to be replaced.

Occasionally the car will not go into reverse.

The battery needed to be replaced. After the car was jump started, the airbag failed and the car stalled in every gear. The engine turned off several times while driving.

General Comments:

The car has a great sporty sound.

The car is very comfortable.

Although the Alfa Romeo 156 is a very attractive car and has great performance, it has caused too many problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd March, 2007

13th Jul 2007, 05:16

Though Alfa's look gorgeous, reliability is less than any Korean. I'm not the least bit surprised at the problems you've been having. A friend of mine had his rear exhaust literally fall off while driving one day.

In reply to 13th Jul 2007, 05:16

11th Jul 2015, 17:22

I have seen the rear of an exhaust fall off a few cars. It needs to be replaced before this happens, it's called maintenance.

2001 Alfa Romeo 156 TS Veloce 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

I will never buy an Alfa or any car sharing the same platform

Faults:

Squeaks started to come from front tyres after 3000 miles, dealer checked could not find, but the squeaks stayed.

Stereo stopped working after 6000 had to go to dealer, costing £250 to repair.

Clutch pedal died at 9000 miles dealer explained that it was the hydraulic pump at the clutch. had to wait 3 weeks for parts to be shipped from Italy.

Bushes needed replacement at 12000.

Power steering pipes - both of them - burst at 17000 not covered by the guarantee cost me £550 to fix. Again 3 weeks wait in the dealer due to parts coming from Italy.

And all kinds of trim rattles.

General Comments:

It is really fun to drive it.

It looks great.

Reliability is not there and the dealers are not good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 3rd February, 2006

2001 Alfa Romeo 156 ts veloce 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

I need to get rid and buy a VW!

Faults:

Head Gasket blew 2 months after purchasing this car! Worst car experience ever, this has ultimately put me off for life.

Guzzles oil incredibly, up to now have used 3 litres in the last 3 months!

I hardly ever check my mini Mirca!

General Comments:

Noticed suspension has started to make a whole host of squeaking noises!

Brakes/clutch are on their way, bearing in mind only had it recently serviced!

Apart from the bling appearance and plush interior, they are proving to be all looks and class with no real backbone!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th September, 2005

9th Sep 2005, 21:16

The 156 is generally considered to be one of a new breed of Alfas, with improved build and reliability. The suspension squeaks is a well-known problem (as is the oil consumption on the Twin Spark engines), and is caused by the need for new bushes.

Don't expect any better from VW, read some of the reviews on this site, their QC seems to be a thing of the past! If you want reliability, buy Japanese.

View 12 more comments

2001 Alfa Romeo 156 T.Spark Veloce 2.0i 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fantastic!

Faults:

Car is too low to ground as I have the sport suspension so I hit every speed bump and have trouble down country lanes, anti-roll links went at 33,000 miles.

General Comments:

Fantastic sport saloon, would recommend it to anyone, fantastic looks, and performance, however boot space and rear leg-room is limited!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th August, 2005