Hey Roswell, we're certainly cast from the same mold, also driving a 1.8TS 2001 (Y) manual, just had the 72K service.
Luckily I have an local Alfa specialist who has no objection to his customers sourcing their own parts, got all the bits.. belts, tensioners, filters and a water pump ( I thought, might as well while they're in there) from Mangoletsi for £180(ish) delivered, not too sure how much the fitting and service bill's going to be, hasn't sent it yet but he had it done in a day. Whatever it is it'll be less (a lot less) than the previous owner spent, he had it changed at 36K (sensible guy) by a main Alfa dealer and I still have the bill....£846.00
Had any trouble with yours? Apart from the usual things like brakes, tyres mine's been trouble free, can't understand why they get all this bad press
Having said that, I did have a blown n/s dipped headlight bulb this morning, what a PITA it was getting that out, can't see replacing it is going to be any easier.
Ta-ra
Pub