Continuation of NoDosh's Vol 1 thread, in which he asked:
"Anyone care to comment on today's report in which Alfa has moved up the reliability scale whilst VAG, BMW and Merc have hit the bottom?"
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=24422
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I was fortunate enough or unfortunate enough to drive 3 off E Series TD MB from 1999 on. All from new.
First dropped oil on my drive from new. It also had the habit of going into \"Safety Mode\" at odd times. This meant you had to drive home at 20 mph. No fault ever found.
Second was a 2000 E320CDI which spent 6 weeks out of the first 12 in the workshop. Cruise Control not working intermittently. ABS Fail Lamps. etc etc etc. MB UK were patronising. Garage advised me to pull over (on the motorway ) whenever the ABS fail lamp illuminated. \"Switch off the ignition, restart the car and if the alarm has gone then it\'s a false alarm\"
After 3 sets of steering wheel stalks, 2 replacement Control Units, 3 brake light switches etc etc etc I was handed the car and asked to \"see how I get on\" \"Have you fixed it?\" I ask. \"No\" is the answer. I kept their courtesy car and told the dealership that I would return it when they provided a solution.
15 minutes later the MD is on the phone to me and we are talking at last. I comment that my 2 letters to him had gone unanswered. He will call the police if necessary he tells me. My response is that I will have the local press available when they arrive.
Common sense prevails. MB UK and the dealership agree to replace my car. It arrives 3 months Later. I take it in for first service and comment that there seems to be a problem with the demisters. They take the dash out and discover that the dashboard demist tubes have never been connected from new.
That\'s why I was making enquiries of Autobytel about a Volve V70.
See; Do These Cars Exist?
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The survey was for cars up to 2 years old that have broken down in the last 12 months. Maybe Alfas are good for a couple of years?
Anyway, what happened to the SMART? (I repeat) If they were so pinkfurrydice good last year, why havn't all the CA gone out and bought them in their thousands?
(This is posted further up the thread -not marked as 'new' - I'm repeating it to see if I can work out why. Did I reply to wrong post?)
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Maybe Alfas are good for a couple of years?
That's right. They all break down instantly 2 years and one day after purchase.
Honestly...
Mind you, I shouldn't complain. At least you spelt it right this time around.
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:o
I can't believe this topic is still rumbling on :o
OK, Here's the bottom line....
If a survey says what you want to hear it's great
If a survey says the opposite of what you want hear it's pants.
The only thing that matters is that we are happy with the cars we drive.
For the record I don't want you reprobates driving Alfas ;-)
@StuartLi .... just to be on the safe side I am being very tic OK?
;) Jab
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>>It also had the habit of going into "Safety Mode" at odd times.
Which is why I reckon that driving a decade old German car that hasn't got silly (sorry helpful!) automatic stop devices is currently the way forward. What I'll be driving in 10 years time, I have no idea. I'll probably be back to an 80s Renault 21.
For goodness sake, mnodern cars go into safety mode if an airbag light goes on!
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