No they don't - they blow their engines and dump you by the side of the motorway. Despite Alfa Romeo contributing a (measly) third of the cost of the new engine (for want of a cambelt tensioning idler...you end up with exhaust valves in your catalytic converter), I would never touch one again. And I would pass this experience and advice on to anyone who asked. They shouldn't blow up in the first place. Reliability, quality and character are not mutually exclusive.

And �100k+ of hi-fi should work faultlessly. At the very least I would expect some-one senior on the phone sending out a replacement, making the return arrangements and prioritising the repair. Otherwise I might consider dumping it all and going elsewhere........

In the spirit of Spinaltap, I would like to confirm that I am not involved in the corrupt theft of a global sport.