To Selespeed or not to Selespeed? That is the question...

[cranberry]

I'm interested in a 156 with Selespeed, 130,000 kms on the clock. It's a 1999 model. Is Selespeed generally something to avoid in an early 156? Should I factor in a rebuild in the short/medium term?

Thanks in advance...

[colcol]

Before you buy the car, have it checked out by an Alfa Specialist, look on the service providers on the Forum adverts, the early 156 Selespeeds were more complicated than the later 156's which were more simple, trouble is an early 156 needing a rebuild, may exceed what the car is worth, if you decide on a Selespeed, have it serviced every year, as it can foresee any problems that leave you stranded on the side of the road, manuals are more fun!, Colin.

[tony8028]

Dont be sucked in by the charms of this car and try to overlook that its a selespeed.

A quick search on google for "selespeed problems" or "selespeed nightmare" should be all the research you need.

Unless you need a bigger a car, I'd actually look at a 147 as well given that they have great A/C, better than the 156.

[dehne]

Selespeeds can be good and they are not that expensive to fix, do your research on the car, has it had any issues has there been work on the sele. The thing I would look at is price for a 99 sele I would be thinking under 7000 unless it is immaculate and full service with sele work as full comp insurance is only 7500 with shannons

[Mr156_2.0]

In the uk Alfa forum most problems In the Alfa 156 section is about selespeed issues.

[wankski]

I'm interested in a 156 with Selespeed, 130,000 kms on the clock. It's a 1999 model. Is Selespeed generally something to avoid in an early 156?

yes

Should I factor in a rebuild in the short/medium term?

Thanks in advance...

yes

the early sele is pretty jerky in practice - esp shift from 1-2 gear and can and does go wrong leaving you completely stranded.

i heart alfas, and one wouldn't be completely bad as a track car or weekend blitzer if you really like a SMG system, but for me - can't go past a manual alfa...

it blows as an auto in city mode, so if you are an auto only driver - simply look elsewhere. Alfa did do a few conventional auto boxes. eg, the 156 v6 auto is good, and you may also look to the 166 3.0 v6 auto..

the later models coped more modern auto boxes, and those in the 159 range are hard to go past for daily duties.