"Jonathan Day" > wrote in message
...
> Hi
>
> I recently booked my 147 1.6 Lusso into Caledonia Preston (lancs) for its
> 36K service and need fell off my chair when they gave me the price £355
> +VAT. Along with the brakes that will probably need doing I will likely
face
> a £500 bill.
>
> This is just the thought of thing that will put me off buying my next Alfa
> which is a shame as I really like the car. I also have a Hyundai which
comes
> with a 5 year warranty and 3 years servicing thrown in. It also has no
> faults whereas the 147 has several including a repeat problem with the cam
> variator.
>
> Anyone else feel put off by high servicing costs, crap service and cars
with
> too many faults? For me it taints the joy of owning an Alfa.
>
> Jonathan
>
>

Time to learn some DIY. Things that aren't covered in the price of the
scheduled service (brakes, exhausts etc) can be done by yourself or an
independent for much cheaper (you still keep your FASH). Dealer quoted me
£60 for one rear brake disc (not including fitting) for the 156 V6. I paid
£30 for 2 Delphi Lockheed discs and 15 quid for the DL pads, including
postage. The whole axle done for less than the price of one dealer disc
(which probably isn't as good as the Delphis anyway). Leave the brake fluid
for the scheduled service. http://www.buypartsby.co.uk

Rgds

Stuart