1998 Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 V6 24v review from UK and Ireland

Air Flow Meter Failure.

Air Filter Housing Broken.

Tires wear out in 8000 miles approx (front and rear)

Engine bay under tray damaged by speed bumps (car is lowered with aftermarket suspension kit)

Bumpers faded (red car)

Likes to blow headlight bulbs occasionally.

I have always steered away from Italian car ownership in the past. My father's driving career spanned the sixties and seventies where all Italian cars seemed to rust away within weeks and had useless electrics.

As a result I have primarily owned fords and Peugeot's to date (various RS, XR, Cosworth and GTi models). The 156 has, however always struck me as one of the most pretty looking cars on the road (especially in this day and age of the anonymous euro box with a corporate grill). This was the main reason I chose to try one.

My opinion now is firmly that running an alfa romeo need not cost any more than a similar class of other european car. There are plenty of independant specialists available that specialise in Italian brands using geunine parts.

The rewards are having a lovely looking car on the drive that has a glorious sounding engine and genuinely well built attractive interior.

High initial depreciation also means that the cars are a very good second hand purchase. I bought my average mileage (fully specced) 6 year old car for a fraction of what a similar aged, similarly engined, similar specced, 3 series or A4 would have cost.

I would recommend buying so long as the service history is complete.

Whether I'd buy brand new, and take the hit of the depreciation myself, is a different matter!