2000 Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed review from UK and Ireland

Gearbox would not allow selection of higher gear when driving down a steep slope.

Gearbox would jump into neutral when driving around corners.

Gearbox would slip into neutral when on full steering lock.

Gearbox eventually packed up with the transmission beeping at me every ten seconds until I couldn't select a gear to drive the car!

I was told that I required a new Selespeed control unit but it only lasted two months.

Gearbox then proceeded to throw itself into neutral at 60 miles per hour, with the engine revving wildly. When I pulled over to try and restart the engine, it wouldn't even start. I was told that this was a problem with the gear lever, not the gearbox. The system was rebooted, apparently, and proceeded to work alright for the next 150 miles, when it packed up in exactly the same way. Now the garage tell me that it is a different problem and that I now need an entirely new gearbox, but they are not 100% sure that that is the problem.

When the car is working, it is simply magnificent.

When it is not working, which seems to be most of the time, it is nothing short of a dangerous piece of junk.

Alfa UK are a complete waste of time. The regional manager appears not to deal directly with clients.

When you get to speak to Alfa directly, as the dealership suggested, they cannot understand anything you say.

I wish I had never leased an Alfa Romeo, let alone one with a Selespeed gearbox.

I may never again experience the driving pleasure of an Alfa that works.