2000 Alfa Romeo 156 TS Veloce from UK and Ireland - Comments

Sticking/squealing back brakes.

Fuse box cover falls off (like everyone else's!)

Air con switch unreliable.

Fuel gauge unreliable.

First the good stuff... I love the way it looks and love the way it drives - still attracts attention.

Beautifully styled interior.

Surprisingly comfortable on long journeys although super-sharp handling can be wearisome on motorways.

Engine sounds fantastic, gearbox is excellent and corners like it's on rails.

I look forward to driving it every day.

But...

Uses a lot of fuel for a 1747cc engine.

Watch out for excessive tyre wear on the inner side of the fronts.

Feeble ventilation and air-con and have you ever seen a car with a more useless sun visor?

Seems relatively poorly equipped compared with cars of similar price.

Servicing is expensive and dealer service is ropey.

Paintwork seems soft and easily marked.

Depreciation is a killer!

"Depreciation is a killer" - another Alfa trait! And the only way that it would be possible for me to buy one, as I can't afford a new one. A post 2000 156, with full service history (and no problems!), is my aim for 2004. Apologies to all those who bought new, and who bought 'lemons'!

My friend you have all of my sympathy for the lemon you've got. You should stay with your good old (D7) 406, you have had before, or at least buy the new (D9-D10)Peugeot 406. It never lets you down in disapointment. It is also much elegant and roomy and if we talk about reliability, this brand name is well known for ever lasting cars.

What you are describing is actually a pretty good example. All 156 have a fuel gauge that is innacurate as it gets below the 1/4 full point - it takes a few minutes to settle down. The back brake squeal is something that a lot of people experienced and is fixed very quickly by the dealer. Enjoy the car for what it was designed for - it's engine, handling and elegance.

I was about to buy a alfa. perharps all those comments I have read, has changed my mind. The big question is, What should I buy, that can by reliable enough, a bicycle maybe, any suggestions to cbsa@terra.com. I really thought that buying a car was a nice experience, not any more due those sincere comments. Thanks God these page exists,

UPDATE FROM OWNER - Now 2 and a half years and 33k miles into ownership - what can I say? 156 continues to be great to drive and attracts stares like no other car I've ever had. But the irritating problems persist - a permanently leaking sunroof, snapped exhaust hanger, leaking gearbox, unpredictable air-con, suspect clutch master cylinder. Having said that, I have never been left stranded, but annoying nonetheless. My conclusion is that you have a choice - reliability issues with the trade off of fantastic looks, styling and driving experience (ie Alfa), or reliability and a more mundane form of transport (other manufacturers!). Residual values continue to be a cause of concern - I've been offered £6k for a car which had a list price of almost £20k less than three years ago - so it looks as though it is going to be a long term relationship!

I can agree with the above comments. I was about to try to get my fuel guage looked at, maybe I shouldn't worry. I was also interested to read about the front tyres; Milcars sold me a second hand model with the canvas exposed on the inner edges. Doesn't say much for their 'pre-delivery inspection', does it? Love the car now it's re-shod. Getting just over 30mpg, which is a good return for the fun it gives.

I've had alfa's since 1981 and up to 02 had about 11 of them, the last one was a 156.All I can say is when you hit your 40's and with kids, you just don't have time for workshops anymore.I'm not driving an alfa anymore, my wife has stop nagging me, my two kids have stop giving annoying remarks on the alfas and what do you know?I'm enjoying motoring all over again. But any alfa I chance upon on the road, they have the right of way.Well, it's my time to annoy my family.

What a drive handles superb. nice standard recaro seats with alfa embroyeded no problems yet 2000 model 20 t spark great fun.