2006 Alfa Romeo 156 JTDM 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Truly a driver's car with excellent handling

Faults:

EGR valve needed cleaning and that's about it.

General Comments:

Sticks to the road like glue, and the direct steering response makes you feel you not driving an ordinary car.

The diesel engine in this car is so full of torque, and at the same time doesn't sound a bit like a diesel engine.

I have driven several Vauxhall and Audi diesels, and they sound like a tractor and offer no feel of driving.

The interior and exterior styling makes you feel like a star.

Very comfortable with up to 60MPG on motorway, and the 6th gear in this car is amazing, in that you will not even realise what speed you are driving.

You can be sure to see your similar powered opponent in your rear view mirror quite often.

Buy one if you want to drive and not to be driven...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st December, 2009

2006 Alfa Romeo 156 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Unreliable

Faults:

Where do I start...

Six brand new replacement Selespeed units, three of these which failed completely within 1,000 miles each. The last one cost £1500 to replace.

Both front and rear suspension needed replacing, the former cost me £1000.

Car spent 3 months of the road because Alfa UK could not get the replacement parts from Italy, because the factory was allocating all parts for production lines. Alfa UK did nothing to help neither did the factory's customer dept in Italy who ignored all my pleas for help.

Leather seating is splitting and thread is coming undone.

General Comments:

Looks lovely, drives wonderfully and seduces wonderfully on the test drive.

After 5,000 miles that is when your problems start. A lovely car let down by atrocious unreliability, a manufacturer that gives little attention to its customers.

I've spent so much money now on the car that I've given up with the brand. Its sad, but I want to sell the car and buy a reliable Japanese motor instead.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th October, 2006

12th Nov 2008, 06:46

Six brand new replacement Selespeed units? I DON'T THINK SO.

12th Nov 2008, 10:48

I can well believe it - these cars are known for it. My experience has been of continual failure of the same part.

Buy a bad one and it spends more time in the shop than on the road...

1st Feb 2009, 23:19

It is a perfect car, but have to be careful with the Selespeed. If serviced on time using the right parts and the right people, the car will be a beauty. But as you said, the Selespeed is a tough one, can make your life hell and hate the car. Manuals are much better, after all the Selespeed is the only known issue there.

21st Dec 2009, 14:17

If you buy a bad used example and do not maintain it, you end up bad. Alfas are truly driver's car. and they need to be loved to get the best out of them.