After 12000 miles the problems started with the gear box. The car could not select 3rd gear and would then go in to neutral. A new speed sensor was fitted and this lasted about 5000 miles. The problem re-occurred and lasted for about 35000 miles before a new gear box, selespeed etc was fit in April 2002. Cost to Warranty £2500. This took 4 weeks, but the car was in the garage at least 8 times before the repair was carried out.
Whilst repairing the car, the dear scratched the bumper, wing and wheeler which cost them £750 to repair.
The problems have not occurred since. However, the timing belt snapped in September and this was replaced along with bearings, valves etc. Cost to Warranty £2000. The deal advised that a new engine (Re-conditioned) should be fitted, but the warranty company would not authorise! This took 4 weeks and no car was provided in the mean time. Within 10 days of getting the car back it was again being towed to the dealer and a re-conditioned engine was fitted. Cost £2500. In the garage for 2 weeks.
I am now trying to sell the car, but all the garages are very sceptical about the Selespeed model and I have been offered £6250 as a trade in on a £30,000 car.
I would be interested to know if any one has successfully received any compensation from Alfa for the trouble and inconvenience cause because they do not appear to know the meaning of the words customer care and appear to do the least they can get away with.
When the car works, it is fantastic, but this is very rare.
There are many smaller problems such as; seat belts that will not release, sticking door handles etc, but on the whole the car looks great in side and out.
I have a similar problem, I purchased an Alfa 156 sportswagon selespeed 2nd hand from a dealer. I had it checked by the RAC, which showed nothing wrong with the car. I knew that at 68000 miles the previous owner had to replace the engine with a reconditioned engine as the big end went. Having been told to love the engine and oil it every 1000 miles, I did so around every 750 miles. The engine has only done 17000 miles and is now in the garage awaiting a new reconditioned engine because the big end has gone again. The warranty company will not pay as it is not a mechanical failure and I am still waiting for Alfa UK to decide if they may make a sympathetic contribution. I had hoped for a few more miles from the engine before it needed a new one!!!
I absolutely love the car though, and I would buy another one so that is a good sign.
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