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Alfa Romeo 156 road tests and consumer car reviews

Alfa Romeo 156

5 stars - average customer rating
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Alfa Romeo 156 consumer reviews by year of make: 1998  2000  2001  2004 

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Alfa Romeo 156 consumer car reviews

Steve Walker, Lancashire

Alfa Romeo 156 Veloce 2001

5 star review

Buying this car went against the grain for me as I was always told to avoid Alfas like the plague, blah, blah blah. Anyway, I saw this very tasty looking 156 Veloce in red with a nice spoiler and really nice black leather interior. I took one look at my 03 Mondeo, which had been to the moon and back and it was a no brainer for me, so the Mondeo went and I purchased this red pocket rocket for pennies and it was cheaper to insure and tax. It has little niggly faults like the plastic clip on the elec window breaking and a not fantastic interior build quality are far out weighed by the pure driving pleasure; it handles better than most sporty newer and expensive cars and it’s very quick for a 2.0 car. I think the 0-60 time is slightly wrong because it gets there faster than the 8.5 secs it suggests. I love the car to bits but I live in fear of a massive bill in the near future...

Submitted: 11/10/2011 13:13:51 | ID: 8414

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Darren Nunez, Gloucestershire

Alfa Romeo 156 1.8 tspark 1998

4 star review

Easily the best car I have ever owned. I bought it 5 years ago with 60,000 miles for £1300; with the aircon was not working a small radiator leak. Yes, I know!  I had never driven an Alfa before and I was amazed how much car you could get for the money. Parts are average for a luxury brand and £200 pounds later the car was sorted. It’s very pacy and feels a lot quicker than it is, especially on the motorway. It is a bit noisy at speed and jolts a bit over bumps, but otherwise it is very composed and comfortable; rides like a proper executive saloon. The boot is roomy and a good shape. The rear space is also good considering its coupe styling. The steering is direct and accurate, but lacks a bit of feel. The handling is good and has great lift-off oversteer. If you are careful the mpg is ok, but very thirsty when pushed. This car loves to rev and it sounds very satisfying when it does. It is a bit creaky inside, but with a hard life and stiff springs I expected this. Build quality is fine. Inside is a work of art considering what it costs, even new and never gets boring to look at unlike its uninspiring German and tacky Ford rivals. Although some of the plastics feel cheap they are very durable and always looks new after a good spring clean. The carpets do wear a bit fast though. The sun roof is a bit noisy and leaks a bit in the car wash, but it is an old car. The rear visability is a bit naff, with small wing mirrors and high rear screen so it can be difficult to park... I do drive a van for a living so I’m qualified to say that! The seating is supportive and comfortable although at 6ft I did find the pedals sit very close for the steering reach. The tyres wear fine and even. The suspension wears quickly if punished and should be checked regularly to keep the handling sweet. The driveshafts are strong and last for the life of the car (keep an eye on boots though). The brakes are great and can take a hammering. If they squeal they haven’t been fitted properly. ABS works well. Mechanicals are well built. The engine is strong. but the cam belt and cooling system must be looked after. The clutch and gearbox are excellent; changes are smooth and direct even after 140,000 miles. The Bosch engine management is ok, but can go a little ditsy every so often. The mass airflow meters are fragile and are the first port of call for idle and rev faults although usually a management reset cures most running problems without spending cash (look online for how to do this, but only if you’re confident). The electrics can be a bit unreliable and bulbs regularly blow. The remote central locking can be a bit temperamental and keys are naff and cost £200 to replace. Heating fan problems are easy to fix as they are easy to get to, but the parts are expensive; £80 for a resistor pack! The climate control works brilliantly though. Body panels are galvenised and the paint is of very good quality, but at 13 years old mine does have a couple of rust spots. The chassis is poorly protected and because of this the car rusts underneth easily so check before you buy to see if it has had any welding done already or you spot rust under the bonnet and walk away if it has. If you want to keep the car for a while get it wax-oiled. Regular services are a must so factor in this cost when you buy, but don’t be put off by this though because it is true of any luxury car. If you are not really into driving and only see a car as a way to get about then this probably isn’t the motor for you; most bad reviews of this car are by people who’ve bought it to look good but can’t be bothered to check the oil every now and again. However is you have even an ounce of petrol in your blood you will fall in love forever and will have no regrets. This car regularly puts a smile on my face and has overall been very good to me. It’s only cost me about £350 a year to keep inc. tyres, servicing, mot etc. so even if I scrap it now for £100 that’s £3150 with the initial cost for 5 years and 80’000 miles of motoring. Beat that in a Golf or a BMW!

Submitted: 09/08/2011 14:26:17 | ID: 8102

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Rick Hough, England

Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Twin Spark 2001

5 star review

Had this two years now and we’ve just gone over 105k miles. Cost virtually nothing to buy and as I expected it needed a few maintenance jobs! I did most of these myself but left the cam belt to a specialist. This was my second 156 and the first one was just as good at the same age (10 years). They are great cars, fast enough for most people and brilliant handling. Lovely leather interior and we’ve had no real problems given the age of the car - performance bargain really. Things to look for are corrosion underneath, cam belt needs to have been done properly and on time/miles and check the cooling system is in good order, although not hard to change radiator and expansion bottle etc. water pump needs to be done with cam belt. Mine uses a pint of oil between changes - check it every week and you’ll be fine, ignore it at your peril! Overall a good car, so much better than the Alfa Sud I had in the 1980s. Treat it right though or it’ll cost you dear.

Submitted: 20/03/2011 11:30:13 | ID: 7392

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Aldo De, England

Alfa Romeo 156 selespeed 2000

5 star review

I have had the car 10 years, since new. It developed a gear change problem after 3 years - due to a sliver of steel in the gear box. I often look at the quality control, thin red paint, poor fitting panels and a couple of plastis bits have broken, but it has put a smile on my dial every drive for a long time. I have kept it for my son - like they say on top gear - you have just got to own at least one Alfa in your lifetime. One suggestion- don’t be stupid with the gearbox.

Submitted: 05/12/2010 13:15:47 | ID: 6616

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Paul Jackson, Durham

Alfa Romeo 156 2.0 Veloce Selespeed 2001

5 star review

I’ve owned this beautiful car for a year now and had no problems. It drives and handles fantastic, it’s a real head turner, finished in black with red leather, the best looking car on the road by far... unlike all the other Euro boxers out there it stands out from the crowd. Don’t blend in stand out! Be brave. It always makes you smile everytime you drive it. I love it.

Submitted: 26/07/2010 11:06:36 | ID: 5750

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Andrew Else, England

Alfa Romeo 156 2001

5 star review

Lovely drive, typically as an Alfa it’s plaged with problem, but its charm and spirit keeps it in the family.

Submitted: 26/05/2010 10:01:13 | ID: 5298

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Jay Ramakrishnan, England

Alfa Romeo 156 Veloce 2004

5 star review

Quirky like they say. I have done 10000 miles on this with 24k miles on the clock and an average of 43 MPG and a pulling power to put most other cars to shame! and funnily enough haven’t had to take it to the garage yet! Like they said.. So I guess this has rendered the experience all the more enjoyable!

Submitted: 03/04/2009 09:41:26 | ID: 2740

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