Likewise... asked the dealer every time I had the car (156 GTA) serviced to
check the suspension. Told them that it was noisy and on past experience it
would mean that at least the bushes needed replacing. Every time they told
me that they could find nothing wrong... until it went back for its first
visit outside warranty. Guess what? They told me that the suspension was
"noisy" and needed attention. I've long since given up being surprised. Like
other people on this group- my excitement at the 159 or Brera is tempered by
what a totally frustrating experience it can be delaing with dealers (and
I'm now on my 8th Alfa). I remember taking this car back shortly after I got
it to report that the door opener kept sticking- despite best efforts with
WD40. The service manager told me that "they all do this so learn to live
with it." I fetched the sales manager who had sold me the car and asked the
srvice manager to repeat what he'd told me. I then asked the salesman how
many cars did he think he would sell if he said "oh- and by the way, the
door handles won't work after you've had the car a couple of weeks. But
don't worry- they all do it". His response? "Oh yes- they do on mine as
well." Trouble is, smartarse, I have to pay for mine and I haven't got a
garage full of spare cars I can help myself to every time it goes wrong. I
have to make a mile round trip.. normally once for them to agree that
something needs fixing, then again to get the car in and (on 3 occasions)
another trip because they ran out of time on the day I booked it in, butthey
forgot to ring me. I'm getting very close to calling it a day I'm afraid.

Oh yeah, that reminds me, some rear bushes were changed in my 147 too,
fortunately that was under warranty!

Oh well, thanks for your thoughts folks,...I was hoping for something more
positive to try and convince myself that a GT was the right way to
go...perhaps if I can change it after 3 years before the warranty runs
out...! :-/

Regards
Ross

I remember seeing a magazine article comparing running costs of about
100 cars. IIRC, the 156 was as expensive as a Porsche Boxter. I've now
come to the conclusion that the Boxter is a VERY expensive car to
own..  :-(

AFAIK
The crap rear bushes started off in the 156 when demand picked up and
they used a second supplier (2000 ish). Main Dealer service dept tell
me that they were changing 3 out of 5 cars under warranty at one
point. ISTR that AR changed the supplier and compound about 2003.

Pete