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thepeter · 23-05-2008

Hello everyone

I've just bought an Alfa Spider 3 weeks ago. 1999, 47.000 miles on the clock, pretty good service history, quite good looking for it's age. Overall a very lovely car, I loved it. Weather was nice, so most of the times I was cruising, doing not more than 70-80mph. The idea is that I have not pushed the car. Last Friday my engine broke down and after a week of investigations I was told that the big end is gone. Pretty much my options are limited now and I'm looking at a bill of at least £1.200 to get it back on the road. And I really want to get fixed because it puts such a big smile on my face driving it.

The last service was carried out just a week before I bought it and it was carried out by an Alfa specialist. All the engine belts have been replaced as well as all the usual bits that come with a service (oil, filters, etc).

Now so many questions run through my head:
- can you tell in advance that the big end will fail?
- are there any signs that an Alfa specialist would see?
- could the garage have advised the seller to get rid of the car?

I have only covered about 800 miles and I told you it was very decent driving.

I really need your opinions guys, Thanks in advance!

23-05-2008	#1 (Post Link)
thepeter Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Alton, Hampshire Posts: 12 Member car: Spider 2.0 TS	Have I been conned? Hello everyone I've just bought an Alfa Spider 3 weeks ago. 1999, 47.000 miles on the clock, pretty good service history, quite good looking for it's age. Overall a very lovely car, I loved it. Weather was nice, so most of the times I was cruising, doing not more than 70-80mph. The idea is that I have not pushed the car. Last Friday my engine broke down and after a week of investigations I was told that the big end is gone. Pretty much my options are limited now and I'm looking at a bill of at least £1.200 to get it back on the road. And I really want to get fixed because it puts such a big smile on my face driving it. The last service was carried out just a week before I bought it and it was carried out by an Alfa specialist. All the engine belts have been replaced as well as all the usual bits that come with a service (oil, filters, etc). Now so many questions run through my head: - can you tell in advance that the big end will fail? - are there any signs that an Alfa specialist would see? - could the garage have advised the seller to get rid of the car? I have only covered about 800 miles and I told you it was very decent driving. I really need your opinions guys, Thanks in advance!