2001 Alfa Romeo 156 ts veloce from UK and Ireland - Comments

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!

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!

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.

Yes, there are known issues with 156's such as suspension noises (some silicon based spray should do the trick, unless the bushes are totally worn), or high oil consumption (this is also relative to the oil used and your driving style, higher rpms=higher oil consumption).

Browse this site and start counting A4/A6/Passat's with worn front suspension links, oil sludge (the 1.8T engine) and faulty coils. As the second comment points out, if you want hassle free motoring buy Japanese...

Ditch your VW in favour of a VW? No, no, no.

I've done the opposite. Over the past 13 years, I've driven nothing, but Golf VR6's (3 to be exact), and before this Beetles. An accident took my last Golf from me and so I started to look for a replacement, naturally another VR6, but then I noticed the 156 v6, so I took one for a test drive and never looked back.

Everything you read about this car - both the good and the bad - is true. My experience has shown me there are only ever two types of Alfa - a very bad one and a very good one, with no other flavours in between.

My current alfa is a 1998, 156 2.5 having covered 60K. The car has never let me down, despite having a plethora of electrical niggles, has a serious drink problem and each service leaves me considering whether or not to approach the IMF.

All is forgiven however, when the car is driven. Again, believe all you read - the good and the bad. Yes, the car is a tad nose heavy leading to a bit more understeer than you would like, you do have to be careful with speed bumps (coming off them, not the mounting part), the brakes could be a bit more powerful (see the nose heavy ref) - BUT without doubt, that engine is superb.

With all the windows down, 2nd gear, 30 mph and stamp on the go faster pedal. The noise acts as such an anti-depressant, it should be available on prescription from the NHS. It makes the VR6 seem lifeless and to 60 it is actually quicker although after this the VR6 will be a dot on the horizon.

Recently, I've considered buying the 3.2. The only reason why I haven't done so far is the point I made earlier - there are only good and bad alfas. I've got a good one and don't want to gamble on being landed with a bad one.

To sum up, don't give up on Alfas just because you've had one bad experience. There are good ones about, and when they're good they are fantastic.

I've never taken the plunge into Alfa ownership because I cannot afford to have an unreliable car. Now here's the thing, some Alfas are as reliable as clockwork, but others are utter dogs. There seems to be nothing in between, and that's a heck of a risk when you're buying one.

Two friends have 156's, both 2001 cars, both 2.0 Twin Spark models, and both manual. They're both serviced "on the dot" at the same dealership by the same technician, and both are well cared for.

One has done 75,000 miles with pretty much routine servicing only. It's a fabulous car. The other has done 50,000 miles and is on its second engine (cambelt snapped at 11,000 miles!!!), as well as numerous failures in the engine's electronics, poorly fitted trim, water leaks, idle problems, several driveshaft failures and severe starting problems whenever it rains.

The 156 is a corker to drive, and has a sense of occasion that BMW drivers wouldn't understand, but can you honestly imagine being stuck with something that unreliable as your everyday transport? How can you risk it?

I have recently bought the Alfa 156 Veloce and am finding it to be a wonderful car. Although the front suspension does creak a little and the car eats petrol, this all adds to the Alfa experience and it means the car is everything I expected it to be truly fantastic.

I have a 2004 156 2.5 V6 sedan (the Giugiaro update) ; and I love the car, however, it has taken to developing noises in the suspension. Not the squeaks mentioned in earlier comments, but a thumping that happens over light bumps. The dealer here in New Zealand has spanner-checked the suspension all round, and replaced the shocks front and rear (the car has only done 40,000 km and is still under warranty), but the noise is still there. Anyone struck this? Any ideas what it could be?

Check the front wishbones and also the sway bar bushings which are notoriously under engineered.

Having driven and owned numerous BMW's, Audi's and an Alfa 146, I have recently bought a used 2001 156 2.5 V6 24V Q-System Sport-wagon and can honestly say it is a dream to drive. Off the grid it does take a second to kick in (Auto Gear Box) but beyond that - SEE YA! It has covered just under 70,000 miles and there are a few niggles, the squeaky suspension (which only happens over speed bumps) the occasional blown bulb (keep a few spares handy) and a bonnet catch that takes a little getting used to to make it lock shut, normally a little nudge just above the Alfa badge.

As a previous comment states, you do get bad apples and my last Alfa certainly was - to the point where I was very hesitant on buying another. 2 clutches, bulbs blowing every where, air flow meters beyond belief, radiator fell out, squeaky brakes, dodgy wheel alignment etc etc. All this on a 1999 car that had only done 45,000 miles. Despite investing loads of money the same problems constantly arose, my mechanic couldn't explain it and just put it down to a 'bad car'

Despite my previous bad experience I can say (touch wood) that my 156 as yet seems to be one of the good ones, and even with the odd niggle, all is forgiven when I feel (and hear) that V6 kick into action. I do a lot of driving both in London and on the motorway and it is a pleasure to drive in both environments, well as good as it can get when driving through London traffic (GET RID OF BUS LANES!!!)

I have a Veloce 156 2.0 JTS, beautiful, its one of those cars you just look back at after parking... you know what I mean.

I am experiencing a number of problems:

1) Squeak over light bumps - it may be a coincidence, but I have just had the upper front wishbones replaced.

2) Thump noise - sounds like its coming from the front, but unable to recreate the noise... it only happens very occasionally, but what an awful noise, I first thought it was the backbox on the exhaust, but I have been told by the dealer that its not the exhaust, but couldn’t shine any light on it since I can't recreate it.

3) Speak from the centre console... so annoying.

Can anyone please advise on my 3 point above.

Still a great car though.

Just bought a 1999 156 TSpark 2.0 16v to go with my Citroen C5 comfy bus and much modified 1969 MGB GT.

The Alfa has done 65k miles and has full service history at a main dealer. Power delivery is right up the top end and a joy, handling is go cart (for a big car) and viceless.

I hear the horror stories, but I guess I got a good 'un (for now). I have no squeaks, rattles or bangs and the car has been good so far, using very little oil, although I am going to replace the radiator, which looks only slightly corroded, but is the original and due for renewal!

I have lovely blue leather seats, white dials and wood wheel and the car always feels special - but the best bit is the price. I can afford to throw it away at the end of the year or if it blows up!

Hi there.

I have a 2002 V6 6 speed manual in black.

I can say I bought the car in perfect condition, but problems arose after taking it for the dreaded cambelt service.

The mechanics, who are actually in Sydney Australia.. have messed up something in the car and won't admit to it. Seems like the bearings whine from 1-3k and then disappears.

The performance isn't lost though that is for sure... Like everyone says, once you hear that thunderous roar, you will forget these little issues.

I also suffer from very squeaky brakes, which could be very embarrassing, but still, I have to get original discs and not replicas I guess... Believe me, when it comes to this car, you really do get what you pay for. Always use a reputable Alfa dealer. No 3rd party mechanics, unless you're doing simple jobs like brakes.

It is by far the best car I have owned and I love it to bits..:)

Woman seem to love it, which is a bonus.. :)

Remember, once you drive an ALFA... you will be hooked for life.

I have a 1999 156 2.0lt Twinspark that caused me nothing but trouble until a chance meeting with a company called Autodelta in London. They have been able to fix all my issues instantly. These have included completed engine rebuild caused by the bottom end bearings going. Upper and lower wishbones which make a squeaking noise when they are failing, and a knocking or thud noise when they have gone. It is worth getting both sides changed.

To add to the list of problems with my car, the front hub now needs replacing, caused by a tyre technician over tightening the wheel nuts.

I have bought my first Alfa (a 156 Twinspark 2.0 with Lusso trim and Sports pack) since an Alfasud put me off in the early 1980's. This one is a good one - no rattles, no squeaks, no electrical niggles, no oil required between changes.

It has been serviced properly throughout it's life and has done 65k miles in eight years. The car is adequately quick for modern roads and the suspension allows you to make full use of it. The brakes don't fade like they do on my Citroen C5 diesel and modified 1969 MGB GT.

What a revelation this car is. Not the fastest thing I've ever driven, but an excellent compromise. There is no rust and this car looks "box fresh".

I have replaced the radiator which was badly corroded and gave up when hit by a rock on the motorway, but that's been it so far.

I enjoy driving this car. I'm a classic car nut and have had six MGs, rebuilding three of them.

The Alfa with leather trim and woodrim wheel feels like a classic car, but the modern underpinnings means it drives like a modern should, what's more I can get 40mpg.

And the cost of this lovely piece of kit? £1700. Get one now, but get a good one.

Yep, I've just bought a 2000 reg 156 twin spark veloce and it also suffers from squeaky suspension going over speed bumps, am going to book it in with a local Alfa mechanic to replace the upper wishbones and see if that does the trick.

I've had my Alfa 156 Veloce 1.8 Sport pack in rosso red about a month. I've put a ragazzon cat back exhaust on; sounds even better.

I too had squeaky suspension, but only in the dry, when it's wet I don't hear it.

Was very surprised for a 2001 car how rusty the underneath was. Wow, don't they rustproof these cars? I had to waxoil the whole underneath.

I bought her off ebay for £1500 with 59000 miles; no service history, doesn't use a drop of oil, and she's very economical too; 30 to 40 miles to gallon.

She's my mistress, I love her... sad I know.