156 GTA rust epidemic warning?

Originally Posted by Ferryman_1957

Just a thought - it is worth those of us in the UK that may be suffering from this problem making a collective approach to ARUK about this so we can get a "standard" approach agreed? If several of us approach them together we may get them to agree this is a common issue.

Cheers,

Nigel

Nigel,
this is an excellent idea, i would be more than happy to approach ARUK. How do you think we shoudl do it?
Regards
Kostas

Nigel, obviously it is a little late for me to get involved in this, but you're more than welcome to use my details to help you argue your case if it come to that.
PM me if and when you need them.

Do you want me to sticky this thread fellas? Seems to be a widespread issue with all 156 GTAs.

This is a good idea.

I guess we would need to coordinate a list of names, addresses, reg no's, rust on offside/nearside/front/rear and then draft a letter to ARUK.

Any natural born co-ordinators out there and who is willing to participate?

I would be happy to coordinate this, i'm not a born coordinator but i will give it a try and i think due to my profession i hope they will not give me silly answers. So if you can PM me your details and photographic evidence i will compile a letter to send to ARUK.
Regards
Kostas

Great idea. I will try to get some evidence together over the weekend and will forward to Kostas.

Cheers,

Nigel

Photos are going to be very difficult. Was almost impossible to get a meaningful piccy of either of the bubbles I've suffered.

Originally Posted by OperationAlfa

Do you want me to sticky this thread fellas? Seems to be a widespread issue with all 156 GTAs.

I think that would be a good idea, that way new owners will know what to check for and what can be done about it.

Originally Posted by bazza

Photos are going to be very difficult. Was almost impossible to get a meaningful piccy of either of the bubbles I've suffered.

Both times I have been in to the dealers they have struggled and both times I have ended up taking the photos myself and they have turned out well.

You meed to use a macro setting (or close up) on your camera or phone so that you can focus at less than 1m. You will also need to watch for light, the flash can bounce off metalics etc so you may be better waiting for a bright day - good luck with that btw.

Kostas: Thanks for taking on the task, I have had one wing replaced under warranty but the rear refused. If you PM me an email address I can send you the full story and pictures used for the claim.

My car has now had it's 3-year bodywork inspection and they didn't notice the rust in this spot on the NS wing - I'm not suprised as it is barely visible. At least now if I want to progress this at a later date I ought to be covered... It will need to get worse before it is worth fixing, but I'm sure it will...

I'll be interested to know what ARUK have to say about it, as it sounds like some people have had to repair at their own expense - and given AR offer an 8 year warranty and this is a clear case of perforation from the inside out in a place not subject to stonechipping, that should not be the case.

Just bare in mind that ARUK do read this forum. I would advise to keep any legal stuff hidden... and off site.

Do not post anything that may give them indications of the way you are doing this.

I would suggest you keep that between emails gents.

OA

FWIW, here's the rust on my nearside front wing. I thought I had some on the rears but I don't think I do.

I've PM'd Kostas about the way forward.

Chers,

Nigel

Originally Posted by Ferryman_1957

FWIW, here's the rust on my nearside front wing. I thought I had some on the rears but I don't think I do.

I've PM'd Kostas about the way forward.

Chers,

Nigel

Nigel,
i sent you PM.
To all,
please send me a PM if you are intersted to send me pics of the problem areas. I will wait a couple of weeks until we have as many people as possible and then i will compile a complaint letter and the pictures in a file and send it to ARUK and maybe AR Italy, i would like you also to sign the letter so i will need your names(with PM please).
After the letter is sent i will keep you updated of the progress. And i will also send a scanned copy of the letter to you.
Do you think thats a good way to tackle it? I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks and regards
Kostas

Kostas,

I sent you an email with the pics. As I said in that, I'm happy to write the letter (I write for a living) if you collect the details of everyone's car that is affected. My full name is Nigel Rayner.

Anyone else interested in taking part, PM your details to Kostas.

Cheers,

Nigel

Originally Posted by gwales

I have posted in other threads about my issues with rust and have become aware that Bazza and EddieGTA have a similar issue.

I dropped the GTA off this morning for a new wing (gulp) courtesy of Alfa and the dealer told me that they have another GTA come in with rust in the exact same place, also a 53 plate.

Is there a wider problem here?

Both mine and the other at the dealers are 53 plates and the rust is on the drivers side front wing (see image below). Mine is a sportwagon I think the other is a saloon.

Eddie and Bazza which wing is it?

I have heard of other manufacturers having issues with the kit that presses the wings resulting in a batch of bad wings, could this be the story here?

If you have a 156 GTA thats around 4 years old you might like to drop the splash guard and inspect the rear of the wing, the issue only shows once the rust has eaten through the wing.

Hi
I am a new member. My GTA has bubbling and rust spot on roof above driver door. She is a 2003 model.

Sorry to hear that John,

It doesn't sound like the same issue and is likely to be from damage/chipping. The roof is not galvansied either so you probably want to get that addressed before too long.

You might like to take it to a dealer and see if they think they could claim for a repair but it doesn't sound like the type of thing Alfa take responsibility for.

Yes, this is a common issue on 156s overall (the roof rust). The rust bubbles on the wheel arches seems to be a unique problem for GTAs - John, check to see if you have that as well. It's not that obvious - I did not notice it on mine until my specialist pointed it out.

Cheers,

Nigel

Hi all,

Got my 5 year inspection done at the local dealer (Whitequay in Reading, seemed pretty good). They saw the rust on the front wing and are going to raise a warranty case with ARUK so I will let you know the response. This will guide any collective action we might want to take.

Cheers,

Nigel

Thank you all for your help,

The wheel arches seem to be ok,

I am going to take it to my local garage.

Gentlemen,
if you are interested to provide information with regards to your rust issues you can email me some pictures and your names in the following email address: alfaissues@yahoo.com. The more people we are the better case we will make. My plan is to wait a couple of weeks in order to get as many people's response as possible and then i will draft a letter with Nigel's help and send it to ARUK and AR Italy. I will also send you a copy via email.
Regards
Kostas

Nigel at Mangoletsi was aware of this thread (asked me if I'd posted about it when I pointed out the rust issues) so there's some awareness of the problem out there.
Hello Nigel, if you're reading this
I promise to say all sorts of nice things about Mangoletsi if you keep my bill down

Just a quick update from me. Dealer says ARUK probably won't accept this under warranty but he is going to see if they can get a goodwill contribution. Will keep you posetd, in the meantime, send your details to Kostas.

Cheers,

Nigel

I'd recommend contacting Alfa UK yourself. I did, and they seemed to have no problem with accepting the claim.

Originally Posted by newalfisti

Gentlemen,
if you are interested to provide information with regards to your rust issues you can email me some pictures and your names in the following email address: alfaissues@yahoo.com. The more people we are the better case we will make. My plan is to wait a couple