Alfa Romeos

Sir,

From someone who is now thoroughly fed up with Alfa Romeos, having had a Giulia TI, here are a few more facts and figures

First, ordinary servicing has cost me the best part of £200 in one year with a main London dealer. This does not include any major repair work.

Secondly, and worse, with a complete new set of piston rings (c £90), the engine seized up (two broken piston rings), was repaired, and 500 miles later while running in the new ones the two remaining ones broke. Surprise!

It seems as though I am being saddled with the costs of the seizure, though not the second breakdown. Alfa Romeo are doing absolutely nothing and have not even bothered to find out this unusual (?) thing has happened as the car is out of guarantee. I am told by the dealers that Alfa’s don’t even guarantee their exorbitantly expensive spare parts. Where does the customer stand in this sort of situation, apart from a permanent footing of enormous bills?

I, for one, will never touch another Alfa Romeo, fine car though it be, unless the company does more to protect the client and expenses drop. Isn’t it time sanctions were introduced against foreign manufacturers who do not comply with British standards of guarantee, such as art extra import tax as an insurance scheme to cover the failures of the manufacturer?

London, W.8.
Robin Gaunt.