Need help and advice re knackered 156

[redbalthazar]

Hi all, some of you may remember my post the other week about a Y-plate black 156 1.6 TS Lusso I bought that had cambelt noise. The Alfa specialist mechanic has now examined it and tells me it looks like it's been run dry of oil. As well as needed a new belt it needs a cam drive and various other bits. Mechanic says it could cost £1,000 to fix what he can see - but he would expect ("90 per cent" to find bottom end damage if he looked further into the engine. Says a replacement engine is the best way forward. Garage has refused refund. I need to know...

1. Any thoughts on diagnosis/cost of new engine for this car?

2. I've paid £1,850. I think the law says he has to put right any damage not appropriate to the gae and consition of the car not already reflected in that price. How do I find out what a fair price was for the car?

Any help would be very much appreciated.

[redbalthazar]

Really sorry but I can't find the FAQs thread. The only one I can see, on this forum, is exmpty. Can anyone direct me?

Also, just in case anyone wondered, that was mean to be a close brackets on my original post and not a smiley face, which I haven't got at the moment.

[redbalthazar]

Update: Trading Srandards up here got me £300 back, so I've got a knackered 156 for £1,350. Now for a new engine. Anyone?

[redbalthazar]

Cheers, I've actually been in touch with them alreayd. They'll pick up the car and recondition my enginefor £1,350. Only thing is it's fully warrantied for just two months, which doesn't sound much.

[redbalthazar]

Just thought I'd post an update as this is a story with a happy ending. In the end the mechanic changed the belt and repaired the top end damage - and to his surprise the bottom end was fine. Total bill less than £1,000, so taking into account the cheap cost of the car, not bad really. Now happily driving and all well so far.