Thanks for the reply. I've pasted the email I've just sent to Alfa Sidlow below!
Dear Richard/Jason,
My 2004 JTD (purchased from you in August 2007) is currently with Meridien Milano in Bournemouth who are investigating the hard/soft clutch pedal problems I've been having since October last year. This is the car's third visit, as twice previously they've dismissed it as having nothing wrong with it.
Finally they've accepted that there is a problem (fingers etc) and the car has been examined by a representative/engineer from the company who back the warranty. Guess what? In his 'opinion' there is nothing wrong with the clutch, although he did accept that it was biting very high. So despite both myself and the dealer being of the same opinion the warranty company are refusing to stump up for the work to be done.
Alfa have told me that the warranty company representative has advised that the clutch should be stripped down to inspect for damage, but that if none is found then I will be liable for the labour costs for doing this. If the clutch requires replacement then the warranty will cover all the work.
I'm between a rock and a hard place on this one, I can't go on with the clutch like it is, and will get nowhere unless I authorise Alfa to strip the clutch down. I've therefore given Alfa the authority to do this and am obviously keeping my fingers crossed that the warranty co rep will accept that a new clutch is required.
Following removal of the clutch, I have been advised that there is nothing wrong with it, which is beyond belief!! The symptoms my clutch has been suffering from are very well documented and I have been advised by a number of people that it is caused by the clutch fingers hardening. This coupled with the high biting point and increasing heaviness indicates the clutch will fail completey before too much longer. I am advised that visually there is nothing wrong with the clutch - yet according to many accounts of this well known problem, there are no visual signs!!
My warranty it appears is worthless, making something of a mockery of an 'Alfa Approved Car'. I would not expect a clutch to fail after only 34,000 miles!!!!! Can you assist me here? Meridien Milano in Bournemouth currently have my car in pieces and are waiting for me to give them the go ahead to fit a new clutch. I feel that Alfa Romeo have a responsibility to pick up the cost for this and am looking to you to contact Meridien to agree to accept this. I'd be grateful if you could respond to me urgently and talk to Rob (Service Centre Manager - Alfa Meriden Milano). Could you please also let me have contact details for a customer service advisor with Alfa Romeo UK.