156 GTA rust epidemic warning?

All,

Latest update from me - Alfa have refused to meet the rust under warranty. The dealer approached them for a goodwill contribution, I heard today that is looking unlikely. I will let you know when I have final feedback from them.

Kostas, I'll be in touch soon re the letter.

Cheers,

Nigel

I don't understand this. How can they refuse your repair, but pay for mine when it's the exact same problem?
Do you want my details so you can point out their inconsistency?

That's bad news ferryman. Had your car had the body inspections at 3 and 5 years, come to that had yours Bazza?

Mine hadn't, or at least the subject never came up, and I have nothing to indicate it had.

That's why we are trying to coordinate a response to Alfa. Mine hadn't had the three year check, I took it in for the five year check. I am still waiting for the full reason why Alfa won't honour the warranty. Bazza, could you PM me an email on which I can contact you to get the full info on your situation.

Cheers,

Nigel

I just heard back from the dealer. Alfa say they will not cover this under the anti-corrosion warranty because they class it as normal wear and tear. They will also not make any goodwill contribution because the car is second hand and not in the dealer network (ie I'm not getting it serviced at a main dealer).

So we'll take this further....

Cheers,

Nigel

Originally Posted by Ferryman_1957

I just heard back from the dealer. Alfa say they will not cover this under the anti-corrosion warranty because they class it as normal wear and tear. They will also not make any goodwill contribution because the car is second hand and not in the dealer network (ie I'm not getting it serviced at a main dealer).

So we'll take this further....

Cheers,

Nigel

Are they allowed to say something like that - i.e. I thought under European laws ?????? that now even new cars can be serviced by independent garages without it effecting the new car warranty ???

Sorry that I don't have the full facts on this piece of legislation, but I'm sure someone here will have the correct line on this?

Thanks for that - I will research that.

Cheers,

Nigel

I think what they are saying is that it is not covered under the warranty, but if it was still in main dealer network they would consider a contribution. However we all know that this is complete horse dung, how can rust be wear and tear?? If that was the case why have a corrosion warranty at all???

PR is right. As they're saying it's not covered by the warrantee you can't really argue that they're avoiding it because you got it serviced elsewhere (hence their use of the word goodwill) - the argument has got to remain around the poitn of whether it SHOULD be covered under warrantee.

There seems to be a consistent line of wear and tear BS coming from Alfa.

Given that rust is still the reputation Alfa are trying to shake I would say that if Kostas coordinated approach gets the wear and tear response then we take our combined stories to the motoring press.

Does anyone recall all that marketing gumph about how GTA's were target at executives and company directors? Are they not now trying to position themselves to compete with BMW and Audi?

Come buy a nice new Alfa, as long as you don't mind it rusting in three years which the manufacturer consider normal. This doesn't sound like a headline they would want published.

Any chance you guys have responses in writing?

How many of us are there now?

Cheers,

Gary

I agree GWales, print headline that Alfa considers rust to be wear and tear and Im sure top brass in Italy would get to hear of it!

Mine seems to be ok btw, but my bodyshop bloke said he'd done one, under warranty, and it was where the wing had been pressed.

I fail to see how this FAULT can be seen as wear and tear by the stealers! It is blatantly a design issue specific to the 156 GTA front wings/arch liner (you do not see this problem on standard 156s twice the age/mileage!) please refer my post on page 3 for pics. This needs to go right to the top if Alfa is going to take any notice, and maybe bringing it into the public domain (ie press) might just do that.

Don't worry, we will be. If we do not get satisfaction, I am sure Alfa would love to see a story in the motoring press about how rust is still an issue and their anti-corrosion warranty is not worth anything. But I am really hopeful it won't go that far. I really don't want to have to resort to disparaging the brand I love.

Did I really say love? I must have this Alfa thing bad.

Cheers,

Nigel

I think we all need to wait and see what response Kosta gets. If the response to a group complaint is the same then it will be time to take it to the press.
Damn that tin worm...............

Chris, Kostas and I are working together on this. We have four people with the same issue - will keep you posted.

Cheers,

Nigel

Kostas,

Can you get in touch with me via email or PM as soon as possible please?

Thanks,

Nigel

Just had a look at mine and it is happening on both sides of one car. the other is fine.

Originally Posted by edward

Just had a look at mine and it is happening on both sides of one car. the other is fine.

Is that based on a exterior inspection or looking inside the wing with the weather gear removed?

Had a quick look at mine yesterday and it seemed ok. I will have a closer look over the weekend.

Here's an update on my situation. After lots of discussions with Alfa, they won't accept the rust on my car under the anti-perforation warranty. They did however offer an 80% goodwill contribution, which I decided to accept. This is because I am on weak ground - I don't have the three-year inspection stamp and the warranty language clearly states this has to be done.

I am getting the repair done at an Alfa-approved bodyshop. I have asked them to inspect both front wings as they do the work (I am getting the whole front end resprayed at the same time) and give me a report on what is causing the rust. I reckon if it is penetrating from the inside, Alfa are more likely to take note of one of their bodyshops than me. The bodyshop also said they would fix the liners if they are rubbing.

I'll keep you all posted. In the meantime, my advice is to make sure you get the three-year and five-year inspections done so you are on strong ground if you do want to claim.

Cheers,

Nigel

PS if anyone wants more details of my discussions, please PM me.

I have just had my timing belt changed and I got the alfa dealer in Inverness o do the 5 year paint inspection and I pointed out the corrosion on the front drivers wing and told them it was common problem on 156 gta's they stamped my Service book noted about the rust in service book and took photos to send to alfa directly.Thedealer said they would have no argument fixing it they just need to get the go ahead from alfa uk I will keep you posted how I get on.

My 2002 model has got bubbles on both front wings After reading this tread last autumn I checked my car and found one little bubble on left wing and bubble was on the same place as most pictures show on this tread. This spring I found lot of bubbles on right side but they are on that seam which is between the wing and plastic under part.

My car has been made a total anticorrosion treatment autumn 2005 and I think that has worsened the situation while invisible rust has been left under the anticorrosion treatment

I made my decission to replace both wings with new ones. A professional in local painting shop said that it is not possible to get rust totally removed. My car is bought from Germany and I am the second owner in Finland (and have not had nothing to do with local Alfa dealer) so it is no use to try to get it under warranty.

Total costs for replacement is 1100 euros. I bought the wings from Germany (Alfa-Service ::: Home) and the local painting shop shall do the rest and they`ll make anticorrosion treatment as well as they can after painting the wings.

Sorry to hear of your rust issue teuhka.

That looks to be a pretty hand link though, 265 euros for a GTA wing if I read it correctly.

Are they original parts, galvanised and all?

If so, I am more relaxed about sorting out the rust down the line