My personal experience of a modern Alfa is pure bad news, despite that buffoon Clarkson gushing over them. I had a 2002 147 1.6 as a company car some years ago (glad I did not own it).
The rear suspension arm bushes disintegrated at 25K miles. The entire arms were replaced under warranty (manufacturing fault apparently).
The rear number plate lamp bulb kept blowing (got through 5 bulbs in 3 years).
The central locking ceased to work. The Alfa main agent could not find out what was wrong with it, but unfortunately it was out of warranty by then. I just lived with it (used key to open door).
At 75K the engine finally gave up. I kept the car regularly topped up with oil and serviced. Whilst heading north on business on the A1 at Nottinghamshire, I noticed lorries were overtaking me. The engine started to make a metallic noise and could not pull beyond 50 mph. I soldiered on and took it to the main Alfa agent in Knaresborough that day. They believed the problem was the air flow meter. This was replaced, along with plugs and made no difference. They then believed that there was a problem with the cam which would need investigation, likely minimum cost £600. I drove the Italian Bacofoil mobile back to the office, parked it up in the works car park and let the weeds grow up around it before the lease company took it away and replaced it with a Honda Accord 2.2 diesel. No problems whatsoever with the replacement car!
The Italians are great at exterior styling and tan leather but do not have a clue when it comes to electric string and engineering....
