Thanks for that, its had all the usual front suspension bits changed recently as well as cambelt.
Does anyone know the life expectancy of the clutch/dmf as this hasn't been changed? The car has done 80K
well mine was done at 56k, and need one now im on 99, so there you go.
likely the mechanic was crap, as ive had one of the most unreliable 156's (and alfas?!) of 2012. 99% of it was likely bad workmanship outside of the factory as i bought a 2004 like you.
should start sweet first time, with little to no pause in theis weather on the glows, expect creaky suspension, chekc out ofr road noise that could be bearings, and make sure the cambelts done.
Mines always been rubbish under 2k, stil lstrugglign to fix yet my missus 147 pulls like a train from 0 revs up so its just my engine.
my ecu is also knackered, if you want my full list of issues that occured check my thread for the most faults in 12 months, you'll ikely get at leas tone of them
Personally i think the 147 is a better built car!