1998 Alfa Romeo 156 v6 review from UK and Ireland
"Should be available on the NHS as an anti-depressant"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Alarm had to be replaced at 50K.
Air conditioning fractured at 40K.
General comments?
After a decade of ownership of a variety of Golf VR6's I decided on a change and after a short test drive of a 156 v6, I was hooked.
The fantastic styling coupled with THAT engine results in a refined cruiser that isn't adverse to the odd bit of motoring hooliganism.
After having owned a string of VR6's, I was initially concerned that the Alfa was going to disappoint. I couldn't be more wrong. While performance is on par with the VR6, it makes the VR6 appear boring and uninspiring. The noise and eagerness of the engine is simply stunning.
All of this comes with a price. Fuel econmony is lousy - low 20s, 28mpg if you're lucky. Fortunately the tank is large so range is around 350-400 miles.
Servicing is always pension threateningly expensive - my last one saw my future off-spring denied a £2000 inheritance.
The car eats front tyres and more alarmingly brake discs and pads. Tyres last on average 10K, brakes replaced every year (£400+).
Air-conditioning packed up at 40K - an investigation revealed a fracture i.e. an engine-out-job, so this will be fixed sometime never.
The car has other electrical niggles - fuel gauge is a pathological liar, sometimes central locking doesn't work. Alarm replaced at 50K due to water ingress into the control box.
Apart from this the car has never let me down.
When you've got a good Alfa - you hang onto it. There are only very good ones and very bad ones, none in between.
To sum up. Stunning. I am converted.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1998 |
| Year of manufacture | 1998 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.5 V6 Manual |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 13000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 60000 miles |
| Previous car | Volkswagen Golf |
| Date of Entry | 11th September, 2005 |