1998 Alfa Romeo 156 review from UK and Ireland

So far only had the car for a couple of thousand miles. The suspension creaks on speed bumps which gets louder if it's been out in the wet. I've seen on Car Survey that this can be sorted with an application of STP silicon spray on the front suspension bushes. The Alfa Radio is not up to much. One channel cuts out sometimes over bumps. The timing belt was replaced at around 40k miles. Don't forget these HAVE to be checked at least every 50k miles. If not there's a risk of some heavy piston vale hitting damage. The 156 uses a lot of oil - always check it before any long journey and make sure you put the same oil in when you top up as what's already in there.

There's no question about it. This is a beautiful looking car. Far more distinctive than the legions of 3 series around. Handling is a dream and it drives beautifully with plenty of go even in the 1.8 version. It is a revvy car if you want to keep in the power. It's a great car in town and on the motorway, but the grins come from twisty (not too bumpy) A roads. Overall I was surprised a how comfortable the car is for me.

Being 6ft 2" I was relieved for all the driving position adjustments, especially the seat raise/lowering. Just as well as the car looked so good I would have bought it anyway! I am always worrying about the trip to an Alfa dealer as their reputation seems so bad. Don't forget if your buying secondhand, and it's a bargain of a car, consumables are very expensive so haggle hard for worn breaks, tyres etc.

Never by one of these without a full service history and check that the timing belt has been replaced every 50k miles.