Originally posted by Bagpuss
A quick google.....
Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed
by Bill Slessor
I have owned my Alfa Romeo 156 for some 16 months from new and driven 16k miles in it. I offer the following history.
The car was supplied by Dixon Motors and all warranty work has been carried out by them.
The Selespeed has proved to be a nightmare.
After about three months, it became slow to drop into first gear and often when I put my foot down to move away I found the gearchange was in neutral and just dropping into first. The revs therefore increased violently and the gear was engaged, resulting in 'burning rubber' and considerable danger if moving away from a junction or onto a roundabout.
The system was checked twice. The first time, no fault could be found; the second time, adjustments were made with some improvement. But the problem reappeared and got worse. It would change down when the up-gear button was pressed and often would not change up from second gear when travelling down a slight incline at speeds up to 25 mph. It was necessary to slow down to about 10 mph with the brake on and go up the gears again.
New parts were ordered and arrived after six weeks. They were fitted but were faulty and the car was off the road for another six weeks until a second set of parts arrived. This was three months ago, but the same faults are beginning to appear again. Dixons cannot find any fault, although I have had my observations confirmed by passengers.
After about three months, the rubber/plastic began to rub off the Selespeed buttons on the steering wheel. After a five-week wait for new parts, these were replaced, but the same problem has developed again and, after another wait of about six weeks, Dixons has taken the parts from a showroom vehicle and put them on mine.
I have a three-year warranty on the vehicle but feel I cannot risk keeping it if these faults are going to occur again, resulting in massive parts bills and long waits for replacements.
The car is a joy to drive and very sporty, but it is also the vehicle with which I have had the most trouble in 40 years of driving.
Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed
by Bill Slessor
I have owned my Alfa Romeo 156 for some 16 months from new and driven 16k miles in it. I offer the following history.
The car was supplied by Dixon Motors and all warranty work has been carried out by them.
The Selespeed has proved to be a nightmare.
After about three months, it became slow to drop into first gear and often when I put my foot down to move away I found the gearchange was in neutral and just dropping into first. The revs therefore increased violently and the gear was engaged, resulting in 'burning rubber' and considerable danger if moving away from a junction or onto a roundabout.
The system was checked twice. The first time, no fault could be found; the second time, adjustments were made with some improvement. But the problem reappeared and got worse. It would change down when the up-gear button was pressed and often would not change up from second gear when travelling down a slight incline at speeds up to 25 mph. It was necessary to slow down to about 10 mph with the brake on and go up the gears again.
New parts were ordered and arrived after six weeks. They were fitted but were faulty and the car was off the road for another six weeks until a second set of parts arrived. This was three months ago, but the same faults are beginning to appear again. Dixons cannot find any fault, although I have had my observations confirmed by passengers.
After about three months, the rubber/plastic began to rub off the Selespeed buttons on the steering wheel. After a five-week wait for new parts, these were replaced, but the same problem has developed again and, after another wait of about six weeks, Dixons has taken the parts from a showroom vehicle and put them on mine.
I have a three-year warranty on the vehicle but feel I cannot risk keeping it if these faults are going to occur again, resulting in massive parts bills and long waits for replacements.
The car is a joy to drive and very sporty, but it is also the vehicle with which I have had the most trouble in 40 years of driving.
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