2001 Alfa Romeo 147 Selespeed from UK and Ireland - Comments

Leak on the power steering with a new steering rack required.

Cooling system leak which required AA recovery. New oil cooler casing required.

Complete Selespeed system failure with resultant replacement.

Continuing gear selection problems changing from second to third when it will often go into neutral or fifth. This problem particularly occurs after resuming driving after a longish journey. Problem is still unresolved.

Oil usage is incredibly high. This problem is still unresolved.

A very stylish car, fast, good handling. Firm ride.

Completely useless when the gears decide not to work. An embarassment to own. You find yourself lying to your friends about the problems you keep having.

This is very interesting... I also own a 147 Selespeed and can tell you that I have not had 1 problem in the first 3000km of ownership.

I am very interested in finding out more about the problems experienced on your 147. Could you please e-mail me on ss200@msn.com

I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks.

I have had my Alfa Romeo for just over a month now. Was towed back to the dealer after 3 weeks after the Selespeed system failed 3 times causing the car to stop. Very unsafe. I am currently arguing with the dealer for a refund. They cannot find a fault as it is intermittent. Apart from that I love(d) the car. E-mail me if you want to know more about this problem and potential risk as I see it at alan_hickmott@hotmail.com

I have had all of the above problems on the 2.0 147 Selespeed model. It has given me grey hair and left me with a feeling of disbelief that a major manufacturer can release mine from it's factory and even more stunned that the European press voted it European Car of the Year 2001! Like you my selespeed failures left me struggling to find any gears, after 4 different London dealers and 15 days off the Road. I found a good Alfa Dealer (Bishops, Guildford) they replaced the whole Gearbox with a refurbished model plus Selespeed Unit. I also have electrical problems with erroneous messages, plus failed rear Windscreen Unit and front sidelights. Yes, great chassis/drive, but extended warranty a MUST! Selling as soon as I've paid for it.

I purchased a fully imported (from Italy) Alfa Romeo 147 Selespeed in February 2002. After 4000 km’s the central locking system seized to work, which was fixed under warranty. Upon receiving the car I was told that the mechanic merely temporarily disconnected the computer to solve the problem.

At 40 000 km’s the central locking seized to work again, and I asked for it to be look at with the service. Upon receiving the car I noticed that half the light on the consoles no longer worked and that my air conditioner no longer switches off together with the ignition. This was luckily fixed upon request.

One week after the service, my car was kind of sluggish, and while on a long distance trip – the engine just stopped. I took the car the Alfa workshop and I was notified that the engine had seized and that they had to rebuild the entire engine. Luckily this was done under warranty. I have not had problems with the engine since.

The catalytic converter went after 55 000 km’s, even after faithfully and exclusively making use of Shell Unleaded fuel all throughout the life of the car.

I have had the computer complain about ‘Selespeed Failure’, yet I’ve not had problems with gear changing itself.

The car has been using oil since day one, even after faithfully making use of Selenia oil throughout the car’s life, as advised in the service booklet.

The car is an incredible drive, but certainly not very reliable. I often get the feeling that the drivers of German cars enjoy a little chuckle when looking at us.

I bought a selespeed in Oct 2002 as an import. The car has been in the workshop for gear box problems for 5 times, leaking steering 1, failure of selespeed 3.

Got to say I think the design and handling is great, but the technical issues need a little working on.

Alfa have a big issue on there hands as magazines like what car are recommending now avoid the selespeed due to "unknown technical issues". Read into that what you will. This is damaging the Alfa name in the UK.

If anybody is having the same issues after 18months like me I would like to hear from at greg.heath@derbyshirebooth.com.

I've had a very similar experience with a Selespeed: They are now virtually impossible to sell. I had to spend £1800 to replace the Selespeed unit after only 30000 miles - the car was out of warranty and Alfa didn't want to know.

Trying to sell the car was a nightmare: It took 4 months to sell it privately - an Alfa specialist even refused it as a trade-in, saying he wouldn't touch the Selespeed model at any price. I eventually sold the car at £2000 under the 'book' price for its age and condition - deaspite it being in immaculate condition - which, added to the £1800 for the selespeed, put me nearly £4k out of pocket, on top of the already high depreciation.

A complete nightmare.

I've now had a Spider for over a year: absolutely no problems, because it is a relatively simple car.

I've had a very similar experience with a Selespeed: They are now virtually impossible to sell. I had to spend £1800 to replace the Selespeed unit after only 30000 miles - the car was out of warranty and Alfa didn't want to know.

Trying to sell the car was a nightmare: It took 4 months to sell it privately - an Alfa specialist even refused it as a trade-in, saying he wouldn't touch the Selespeed model at any price. I eventually sold the car at £2000 under the 'book' price for its age and condition - deaspite it being in immaculate condition - which, added to the £1800 for the selespeed, put me nearly £4k out of pocket, on top of the already high depreciation.

A complete nightmare.

I've now had a Spider for over a year: absolutely no problems, because it is a relatively simple car.

16th March 2005.

I have become a little depressed at reading problems with Selespeed system. I purchased my 147 5-door Selespeed June 2002. Selespeed failed on two occasions. First time could drive in manual mode however, second time too far on busy roads to try this and embarrassingly had vehicle towed. Other small problems with key systems adjusted.

However, the radio is also a major disappointment as in the mono band crackles and wobbles almost constantly to the extent that if I have passengers I either try FM or switch it off to avoid further embarrassment. Even CDs jump at times. I am at the stage that I will insist on a new radio before warranty runs out. Naturally, they never hear the problem at workshop!

I love the look of the car and appreciate the technology, but I live in fear of another Selespeed failure and have lost some confidence in the car and wonder what outlay will be required after warranty runs out.

Also, I am not happy to have to replace cam belt at 60,000kms at great expense. Have any of you had this carried out yet? I feel this should be done under warranty as originally, cam belt replacement was required at 100,000.

At present am trying to decide on tyres brand.

Would appreciate any comments on bellwood.hm@bigpond.com.au.

The general consensus would seem to be "avoid the Selespeed model" then. Never understood the attraction of a flappy-paddle gearbox anyway :-)

Are you sure you're you not just Alfa bashing, I have owned my 2002 2.0 Selespeed since new and have never had a problem with it except having to replace the exhaust. My two brothers each have had VW Golfs each from new and both have had more problems than me.

We bought our 147 selespeed 9 m0nths ago with 2 previous owners and 32 ooo miles from a non alpha dealer.

It has been completely reliable with no problems at all. It does use quite a bit of oil, but I just keep topping it up with selenia. It uses about 0.5 liters every 1000 miles.

The computer gives the odd erroneous message, but I just check the error it gives and if its OK,motor on. Oh and I need to sort the heated seats, probably just a fuse.

Highly recommended and I'm now looking for a gt selespeed.

We bought a 2002 147 2.0 selespeed this year. 70000 miles on the clock. We managed to buy for a good price... reading the articles on this site we perhaps understand why! But it is a gorgeous car to own.. always needs another look from behind when you park up.

We have found a very good local mechanic who is very familiar with alfas and has all the kit to deal with it. Cam belt was changed immediately after purchase and he gave it a good look over. Is driving well and sounds fantastic. We live in the borders of Scotland and the car demands a hard drive now and again... seems to prefer it this way

However, recently we have been receiving mesages from the computer saying there is a selespeed failure, but only in 5th gear.. loud beeping etc. But no problem with the gearbox and driving, just the beep. Mechanic has checked out thoroughly. He reckons it is the oil pressure and that we should check oil levels when it happens.

We really love the car... we are concerned that the selespeed is perhaps a labour of love, and probably a nightmare waiting to happen.

We have a good friend who owned a 156 2.0 selespeed. Not one problem and he drove it hard all the time. regular oil top up was all it needed.

We would be really grateful if anyone could contact us at " sonialach@tiscali.co.uk " if they have had problems with 5th gear and the selespeed.

I own a 2001 Alfa 147 Selespeed and love it. I have had it 6 months now and the only problem I have had is it was flaring between 2-3 & 3-4 gears. Have since had the transmission gear oil flushed twice and refilled. It appears the previous owner/s?? may have put water in the transmission thinking it was the window washer?? (Note the drawing on the lid). It appears to be going good now. I'm hoping it continues. The only problem I have now, is I hate the beep it makes when I put it in reverse. Otherwise, all good.

I bought a used selespeed 147 a couple of months ago.I've done about 2000 miles totally trouble free, touch wood. I think it is awesome, by far the best car I've ever had. My only slight niggle is the aircon, i don't seem to be able to get cool air in my face.

Just got my 147 2.0 selespeed one week ago. Brand new, but a overstocked 2005 with a good discount.

Have learned a lot from all your comments, but as I am keen to get the most from it, I wonder if there is any tricks in terms of shifting, faster acceleration, how to make the a small burnout and so on.

Thanks a lot.