156 Sportwagon 156 2.4 diesel here
Drop links, corroded earth strap (which led to a flatbed recovery), minor electrical niggles and a whistley turbo. Put 80k on it over 4 years, cambelt changed at 60k. Smallest estate in the world, but drives brilliantly. If I'm careful, I get close on 50mpg; would love the V6 but I couldn't affort the fuel given the miles I'm doing at the mo. Will def. buy another Alfa next year.
As mentioned above, key is finding a good independant – they love Alfas and are massively cheaper than the twits at the main dealers. There's a great independant just outside Wrexham if you're near there.