Looking into buying an Alfa Romeo Selespeed 156 sedan 2002 model, however I have been told various times to stay away from European cars because they're very expensive to fix. Anyone own one / give your thoughts on it?
intrade,
Dec 2, 7:39pm
well anything new is expensive to fix if it goes wrong 2005 onwards is regarded as new= plastered with electronic crapola. Now for alfa you need somone with advanced knowhow and skills in electronics there is one guy in kaitaia i seen post on iatn he seems to know his alfa stuff he figured a secoundhand module he programmed in to the seele speed was also faulty . he posted as resolved issue comment
desmodave,
Dec 2, 7:45pm
Alfa Romeo Selespeed 156 sedan 2002 model
Just Google that and you will come up with Forums and reviews so you can help form your opinion . You obviously want 1, can you afford to own 1 and keep it on the road . As you say you have been told to stay away various times . Did you ever question what part was expensive to fix . Anything with a motor can be expensive to fix .
tamarillo,
Dec 2, 8:55pm
Mostly it's just another car with no odd things and there is no reason at all for it to cost more to fix. But. The selespeed is a known problem. Once Fettled and loved it can work fine for ages. But a lot of workshops here don't bother finding out about it and waste time and money on them. I had the exact model you want, and loved the engine and chassis. It just wanted to rev and find a twisty road. Eager, sounds great, fun. Selespeed great in these conditions. But in slow moving stop start traffic selespeed was crap. So, if still keen, get car checked by someone who knows them, makes sure selespeed is in full working order, hopefully with servicing receipts.
You have the Italian Job workshop in Christchurch, they'll be on to it.
eagles9999,
Dec 2, 10:21pm
[quote=tamarillo
But in slow moving stop start traffic selespeed was crap. .[/quote
There is a "City" mode
lil_miss_moo,
Dec 2, 11:21pm
Na I mean as in its hard to source the parts because it's not a common japa. I'll look after the car fine I just want to make sure it's reliable not breaking down all the time. My fam thinks it would be costly to fix / general repairs be darer. @tamarillo: The one I'm looking at appears to be in good condition, the listing is 989922860. So by the sounds of it I will need to be going Italian job specialists because as you say the workshops around here don't typically look into them and waste time and money on them.
I'm keen on the car but don't want to get caught on a bad egg that's all ya know? I'll try the Alfa Romeo forums and see what others have to say there. :)
franc123,
Dec 2, 11:50pm
A customer of mine from a few years back bought one of those cheap thinking that the $9k of receipts left in the glove box from just ONE previous owner was a good thing, plain sailing from now on,right? Alas it wasn't. Much of it was for that pig of a Selespeed system and from an Alfa agent too. Not recommended.
moodybleu,
Dec 3, 12:06am
Been there, done that with a European car. Cost an absolute fortune and had to wait weeks for parts. Would never go there again even if it was free!
tamarillo,
Dec 3, 12:10am
Don't recall its different modes. It works, but for lots of stop start its jerky.
tamarillo,
Dec 3, 12:11am
I've had no problems with various euros.
tamarillo,
Dec 3, 12:13am
If owner will let you get it looked at by Italian job. If won't, walk away. You seem keen so worth effort. When out on open road with some nice corners it's a wonderful car.
gpg58,
Dec 3, 12:37am
Bought a red 03 156 selespeed clover leaf 9 months ago, absolutely love it, but it is not my everyday driver, as i have a work truck. Only issue so far was airbag light came on, turned out to be a common fault, the plugs under the seats are the issue(often happens when you move a seat), cure is to cut off plugs and solder wires direct, there is also another set worth doing in the boot on right hand side(small plastic panel in trim).You will need faults cleared afterwards to turn light off, your local mechanic with a code reader CAN NOT, it needs a dealer or a auto sparky with the correct software, do not waste your money letting plonkers stuff around for hours any where else(i used Deans auto electric in kaiapoi.) Forums often say many drive as a manual and never have selespeed issues, personally mine is sweet as in city mode almost always, but twice has not wanted to change up when cold until 4000rpm, so ya just hit up paddle then city mode again, and its fine from then on. I was actually given a spare selespeed pump with car, which may be worth considering as often it can be cause of failure to select any gear. Actuators some times die too. If it has the info display on top center of dash, they often fade to dull to read, its a heat issue, a guy on here fixs them, but its only a display so dosnt cause any faults. Extremely important cam belt is done every 3 years regardless of km'S, or at 50,000 intervals MAX. About $1200 including both belts idlers and water pump. Has the car got its key code with it? and radio code? it cost me $940 for a spare key(remote) and codes from italy, and key programming. Cockram motor group on st asaph are also parts agents. Really is a car that puts a smile on my face every time i get in her.
sw20,
Dec 3, 1:00am
Selespeed. Yuck.
Get a manual Alfa Romeo or don't get one at all.
tamarillo,
Dec 3, 1:08am
Well like previous poster says, it can work. And for those of us who need clutch less for everyday driver it's a good compromise.
Realistically if you like working on your own cars, and are happy to spend time doing so, go for it. But if you just pay others to sort it for you, stay clear, buy a toyota or nissan, unless you have deep pockets.
phillip.weston,
Dec 3, 4:20am
Personally myself I would stay away from a 13 year old Selespeed - nice to drive when they are running but are problematic and expensive to fix. I would opt for the manual instead if you must get a 156, and go for the 2003/4 facelift if possible.
gsimpson,
Dec 3, 5:00am
+1 for Italian job. Good value and they know what they are doing. These cars including the Selespeed are not hard to work on (at least the actuator stuff is on the outside of the box). They are an automated manual so a clutch replacement is just like a manual and the selector mechanism is just a hydraulic replacement for regular selector. I have later FIAT selespeed that has self adjusting clutch mechanism. I think the Alfa has to be checked and manually adjusted. This can be a problem if not done at service. I like it much better than our Toyota slush box auto. In manual mode it is a proper sequential shift manual box not just an auto with manual overide. Sounds great on a twisty road to Queenstown as it blips the throttle on the downshift.
sw20,
Dec 3, 5:36am
Yep it can work. It's an Alfa though. You drive them, not just commute in them. If you want a Euro to pose in and still have an auto, get a C class Merc.
gsimpson,
Aug 6, 11:07am
You also get the efficiency of a manual with the convenience of an auto.
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