The Car Thread.

[plastic penguin]

Had my 156 Sportwagon for nearly 6 years, beginning of the year I had the engine rebuilt. Also had a new clutch assembly and I treated it to a bespoke radiator. Got the car back from the Alfa specialists everything was great: more bhp, sounded great blah blah blah... until July when I started to smell petrol. Wasn't much, just like if you had dripped a little on a station forecourt. Lifted the bonnet couldn't see anything significant, other than some moisture around the rocker cover.

It transpired one of fuel injector seals were leaking. The specialist replaced them free of charge. Now things go all Pete Tong.

You really couldn't make this up.

At the beginning of August had to the 147 loan car back because the MOT had expired. When I walked through their reception door, the main technician looked ashen-faced.

"I'm sorry Mr. P, but there's a problem with your car. We took it out for a long test drive to make sure the seals didn't leak. Unfortunately, someone pulled out of a side road and hit your car."

I asked if it's structurally damaged and he said no. They had it up on their ramp and it's purely cosmetic. They said they will get it professionally repaired and resprayed. I said make sure the body shop doesn't go by the paint codes, instead scan the original paint to get the perfect match. They said they will...

The accident happened in late July. The insurance company have sent two assessors, and it looks like they want to scrap the car due to it being 17 years old. But as the specialist have valued the car at over twice the repair cost, and the sheer rarity of this particular model, suggests it should be saved.

The accident had nothing to do with me, unless I get compensation for a replacement, I'll get really angry.

5 months on from the accident and still no real progress. The only positive thing is the loan car I'm only paying for petrol. The tax and insurance is paid by the Alfa specialist.

Here's pictures before and after

 

[michael hoy]

Had my 156 Sportwagon for nearly 6 years, beginning of the year I had the engine rebuilt. Also had a new clutch assembly and I treated it to a bespoke radiator. Got the car back from the Alfa specialists everything was great: more bhp, sounded great blah blah blah... until July when I started to smell petrol. Wasn't much, just like if you had dripped a little on a station forecourt. Lifted the bonnet couldn't see anything significant, other than some moisture around the rocker cover.

It transpired one of fuel injector seals were leaking. The specialist replaced them free of charge. Now things go all Pete Tong.

You really couldn't make this up.

At the beginning of August had to the 147 loan car back because the MOT had expired. When I walked through their reception door, the main technician looked ashen-faced.

"I'm sorry Mr. P, but there's a problem with your car. We took it out for a long test drive to make sure the seals didn't leak. Unfortunately, someone pulled out of a side road and hit your car."

I asked if it's structurally damaged and he said no. They had it up on their ramp and it's purely cosmetic. They said they will get it professionally repaired and resprayed. I said make sure the body shop doesn't go by the paint codes, instead scan the original paint to get the perfect match. They said they will...

The accident happened in late July. The insurance company have sent two assessors, and it looks like they want to scrap the car due to it being 17 years old. But as the specialist have valued the car at over twice the repair cost, and the sheer rarity of this particular model, suggests it should be saved.

The accident had nothing to do with me, unless I get compensation for a replacement, I'll get really angry.

5 months on from the accident and still no real progress. The only positive thing is the loan car I'm only paying for petrol. The tax and insurance is paid by the Alfa specialist.

Here's pictures before and after

Sorry to hear that PP. Had a 156 myself once.
I would have thought that the company would have just repaired it out of their own pocket so as not to disadvantage you, They should then battle with insurance behind the scenes.
Really hope you get this sorted.

 

[Al ears]

That a real bummer, you would have thought that the insurance company would see sense wouldn't you?

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Really sorry to hear that, and how you've been messed about. I would agree that the dealer should be fixing this out of their own pocket, not you claiming on your insurance. Raise merry hell.

 

[WayneKerr]

Really sorry to hear that, and how you've been messed about. I would agree that the dealer should be fixing this out of their own pocket, not you claiming on your insurance. Raise merry hell.

Agreed. This has nothing to do with PP it is down to the dealer, your wishes should come first and the garage should pay, nothing whatsoever to do with your insurance PP. They damaged it, they pay for the repair regardless of the age of the vehicle.

 

[Al ears]

Agreed. This has nothing to do with PP it is down to the dealer, your wishes should come first and the garage should pay, nothing whatsoever to do with your insurance PP. They damaged it, they pay for the repair regardless of the age of the vehicle.

Yep, dealership should be claiming off the other drivers insurance to enable rebuild.
if they took it out for a test drive they are operating under their insurance not yours, or have I missed the point?

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

The forum consumer panel has spoken!

 

[plastic penguin]

Cheers guys.

Just to confirm, my insurance company has not been told. The insurance company mentioned was the guy who hit the car. The specialist has now involved their insurance company as they are also legal advisors.

The car had trade plates on when hit. It happened over 20 miles from my doorstep. Consequently I'm left in limbo. I want to keep the car because of its condition, rarity and all our family really like the car: family holidays, and mundane stuff like shopping, taking my daughter to University etc etc.

If it has to go to scrapheap-on-the Wold, then I demand compensation for a suitable replacement, which will be far more than the cost of the repair.

 

[plastic penguin]

Another thing. The insurance company of the driver who hit my car has hinted that if they agree to cough up on the repair they will categorize it as Cat N. That's useless to me as and when I come to sell it it will choke off any prospective buyers off.

My specialist have said to the insurance company it's costing them money on my loan car. It's also costing us money. The boot of the loan car is too small to fit Mrs. Ps wheelchair. When she wants to go out either she has to rely on her 82-year-old mum or we call Dial-a-Ride, which isn't cheap.

I have been looking at a replacement, should I get compensation. This does it for me. The TBI engine is one of the best engines has produced for years

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Look at the reg number. 😁

 

[plastic penguin]

Had a phone call from the Alfa specialist while shopping in Lidl. The insurance company have accepted the quote for the body repair and respray. The car should be ready by the end of Jan.

Not holding my breath though.

 

[Al ears]

Had a phone call from the Alfa specialist while shopping in Lidl. The insurance company have excepted the quote for the body repair and respray. The car should be ready by the end of Jan.

Not holding my breath though.

excellent news although understand you'll suffer the wait.

 

[plastic penguin]

You're right. I'm itching to get it back. Mind you, I've been itching so long I've scratched myself red raw.

 

[Al ears]

You're right. I'm itching to get it back. Mind you, I've been itching so long I've scratched myself red raw.

May I suggest Larnacane....

 

[plastic penguin]

May I suggest Larnacane....

Or a can of Petronas Syntium😋🙂

(Other quality engine oils are available)

 

[plastic penguin]

....And so it goes on....

Finally picked up the car last week after the other car crashed into the Alfa. The repair and respray looks fine.

Driving it back from the specialist I popped into a service station to get petrol. Came out and the car had trouble starting up -- it took about 10 goes before it fired back into life. The engine management light came on, flashing like a beacon. The engine sounds great.

As the station is only about 2 miles from the specialist, I popped it back. They had trouble starting as well. They plugged in their diagnostic machine. Guess what? The cam sensor has failed. The real fly in the ointment, though, is the sensor for my car isn't made anymore. If they can't source one from this country they'll have to get it from Italy. It could take a few days or a few weeks, depending on availability. So I've still got this loan car.

I've made it clear I'm not paying another penny for months, until it needs a service.

Ho-hum.

 

[WayneKerr]

....And so it goes on....

Finally picked up the car last week after the other car crashed into the Alfa. The repair and respray looks fine.

Driving it back from the specialist I popped into a service station to get petrol. Came out and the car had trouble starting up -- it took about 10 goes before it fired back into life. The engine management light came on, flashing like a beacon. The engine sounds great.

As the station is only about 2 miles from the specialist, I popped it back. They had trouble starting as well. They plugged in their diagnostic machine. Guess what? The cam sensor has failed. The real fly in the ointment, though, is the sensor for my car isn't made anymore. If they can't source one from this country they'll have to get it from Italy. It could take a few days or a few weeks, depending on availability. So I've still got this loan car.

I've made it clear I'm not paying another penny for months, until it needs a service.

Ho-hum.

Ruddy cars can be a pain in the b*m!

 

[Friesiansam]

....And so it goes on....

Finally picked up the car last week after the other car crashed into the Alfa. The repair and respray looks fine.

Driving it back from the specialist I popped into a service station to get petrol. Came out and the car had trouble starting up -- it took about 10 goes before it fired back into life. The engine management light came on, flashing like a beacon. The engine sounds great.

As the station is only about 2 miles from the specialist, I popped it back. They had trouble starting as well. They plugged in their diagnostic machine. Guess what? The cam sensor has failed. The real fly in the ointment, though, is the sensor for my car isn't made anymore. If they can't source one from this country they'll have to get it from Italy. It could take a few days or a few weeks, depending on availability. So I've still got this loan car.

I've made it clear I'm not paying another penny for months, until it needs a service.

Ho-hum.

Such is the life of an Alfa owner...

 

[plastic penguin]

Such is the life of an Alfa owner...

Well, I've owned Alfas since 2006, never had this situation before. They have their foibles but mechanically they are usually very solid.

My favourite was a GT 3.2 V6. Those Busso engines are fabulous, along with the 1750 TBI -- possibly the two best Alfa engines since Alfasud Boxer engine of the 70s and 80s.

Which reminds me. I'd love this car but over budget. Gorgeous colour, very partial to blue cars.

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[WayneKerr]

I do like that blue, had a Bora in the same colour, but to me that Alfa is ugly, especially viewed from the front... your current one isn't.

Oh, and the price, it's nearly 3x anything I've paid for a car over the last 20 years

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Sorry to hear that - a malfunctioning car that you love is a hard thing to deal with!

 

[Friesiansam]

Well, I've owned Alfas since 2006, never had this situation before. They have their foibles but mechanically they are usually very solid.

I’m sure they have got much better over time.

I have a liking for French cars, especially Citroens on Hydropneumatic suspension. I have had four of those Citroens and they always had a reputation for complexity and unreliability. I never had many problems and the hydraulic system was always reliable.

 

[plastic penguin]

I do like that blue, had a Bora in the same colour, but to me that Alfa is ugly, especially viewed from the front... your current one isn't.

Oh, and the price, it's nearly 3x anything I've paid for a car over the last 20 years

It's also way beyond anything I purchased before.

I know this sounds strange, but the Giulietta isn't Alfa looking. You could put a Seat or BMW 1 badge on it and no one would blink. Perhaps that's why it was designed it like that, to appeal to a mass market.

By contrast, if you put a Beema or a Seat badge on mine, folks would think I lost the plot.

 

[plastic penguin]

I’m sure they have got much better over time.

I have a liking for French cars, especially Citroens on Hydropneumatic suspension. I have had four of those Citroens and they always had a reputation for complexity and unreliability. I never had many problems and the hydraulic system was always reliable.

Mechanically they've always been solid. Alfa started out making racing cars in the early 20th Century. Their biggest issues used to be tin worm. Owners of Suds used say when it rained you could hear it rust away. Over a million were made in the 70s and 80s, only about 100 are left in the UK.

 

[plastic penguin]

Mechanically they've always been solid. Alfa started out making racing cars in the early 20th Century. Their biggest issues used to be tin worm. Owners of Suds used say when it rained you could hear it rust away. Over a million were made in the 70s and 80s, only about 100 are left in the UK.

Giuseppe Busso, before designing Alfa's V6 engine was an aero engine designer. Most of the the Italian military planes were designed by Busso.

Alfas most famous racing driver in the early days was Enzo Ferrari.

Alfa have a great heritage.

 

[plastic penguin]

Picking up Tuesday. (Gulp)