Ian Royle takes the 1998 'Car of the Year' - Alfa Romeo, for a test drive and finds out whether it deserves the title. He goes through the car's features and compares it to some of the competitors.
I have a problem in my Alfa 156 selespeed 1999 model. It happens while driving very slowly; a red light on the RPM monitor TURNS ON when this lights up, the gear dismantles from Engine , instantly the car doesn’t move front or back, also no fuel acceleration though the engine still running, but the car doesn’t move UNLESS I SWITCH OFF THE ENGINE , then the car moves on normally. However while driving long distance the car runs excellent it doesn’t make any trouble. The engine temperature shows normal too. Hope any one gives me the correct reason and what is the parts should be replaced in this situation. Thanks for every one for your sharing
European car of the year has always been something of a joke. So many crappy cars have won the title. The 156 was relatively worthy but still very Italian in its build quality. That makes it rare and therefor more appealing than the German cars which are literally everywhere.
Italian quality? I have still an over 19 years old piece now in my garage, and i must say it is far away in quality aspect than Opel or Ford Europe of those years of 90´. I had this brands and it was really inferno. And fast the whole car is "made in germany" only assembled in Italy. Italians have almost no own parts in that. Its because they wanted with 156 to break through the market in 90´ and save the brand from comming down.
Alfa's create great first impressions. Its when you take them home that the shoddy italian engineering starts to come out. They are also very expensive to maintain next to their Japanese and american counterparts.
I haven't had a single Italian engineered part fail on mine, the German bits need replacing regularly though. V6's and 2.4 Diesels are bulletproof. The JTS petrol on the late engines is less robust than the rock solid earlier TS lump.
The v6 is expensive to maintain but it's a reliable engine as is the car. Needs a bit extra to keep it running well yes but that's all 6 cylinder + engines.
