Alfa 147 disaster! Need advice

[Vazza]

Hi all,  I have an Alfa 147 Selespeed 2003 and I am just about to give up. I love my car but I have had so many problems with it I would appreciate it greatly if you guys could give me advice.

- Firstly experiencing selespeed problems, I am having to rev 4000-6000rpm in 1st gear to get to 2nd gear. This only happens when the car has warmed up and been driven in town for 15 minutes. It starts perfectly but the more it is driven the worse the problems gets as I have to rev higher. This happens every time I need to stop and only with 1st gear.

- Having electrical problems some times when I apply brake I get a ABS and VDC failure simultaneously and this has been happening more frequently as of late. When the Alfa dealer (Kings Cars) had a look no faults were picked up in their diagnostics.

- Knocking sound coming from front left of car, unsure what this is. But the sound is similar to sound a trailer makes when going over bumps if that makes sense!

I'm extremely disappointed and upset as this was my first 'true' car and I worked so hard to get this car. I have never missed a service (purchased 60,000km and have only done up to 80,000km) and only use the recommended products. So I'm looking to sell this car, I'm just not sure if I should waste time trying to fix problems or just be upfront with potential sellers and heavily discount the car. I originally booked in with Lance Dixon but on further research have been advised the Italian Job in Oakleigh is good. As I am from the country this is 4 hour drive and I am preying this will solve my problems. I have taken the car to so many specialist (i.e. transmission etc) and they have no idea.

What do you guys recommended? I would love to hear your thoughts and advice. Once again thank you for taking the time to help out!

[dehne]

the unfortunate thing about kings cars is that they are new to the alfa game and there mechs do not know enough about them yet. there comp diag is also a bit iffy as i have a know prob with my 156 and it shows up on everyone elses comp but not theres go figure. i would use one of the sponsors as they will be cheaper than a alfa dealer by millions  i have not heard of this symptom before and there has been billions of topics with sele probs as i say take it to someone who knows how to fix them and not someone who sells them