...I friends 156 2.0 has a knackered crank, been told by an Alfa dealer that she needs to buy a new engine. Can anyone recommend a good specialist (cheaper?) who can do the work rather than a dealer (or maybe even can just replace the crank!) - Wiltshire/Oxfordshire prefered.

Thanks,

Try Black & White Garage at Coldash (Nr Newbury)http://www.blackandwhitegarage.com/
(Don't know if they're anygood but they've been around for ages.)

D