Alfa 166

[Lippy]

Hi

After having my Corrado stolen and subsequently written off, I've been looking at suitable motors to replace it.

I fancy a comfy, cruiser with plenty of space and have seen some tempting 166s on the trader at around 2-3k!!!

What do I need to know? Parts, servicing etc? My mate is a mechanic, is there anything stopping him servicing it? I figure at this low prices a FSH isn't worth the paper its printed on...?

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

[julesv]

I think they are great cars. I have had two 164s which were both really good. Would favour the V6 if you can as I think they are more reliable and they go a lot better too. Make a great noise as well. Lots of specialists about too. Go for it.

[pwig]

Well when our Alfa guy said when the 159 came out 'Build quality is now up to 166 levels' you know how good they are.

[Lippy]

cheers guys, so buying on for 2-3k is not asking for too much trouble?

what about the cambelt, how long between replacements and is it a specialist job or can it be done DIY?

[jwyatt]

I don't think many better motoring bargains exist.

Cambelts should be at 36k for the 4-pots to be safe, maybe a bit longer with the V6's. It's not especially difficult, use a specialist or a friend rather than an Alfa dealer -they'll charge you a third as much and do a better job...

[rs48635]

get 166 V6, ideally the 3 litre. Massive car, great speed, handling presence with stylish and luxury interior. Passengers always comment. Look out for special Momo leather interior, only bettered by Maserati and Ferrari.
Cambelt on V6 at 72k mile but don't wait that long. Find local specialist or get busy yourself. Can get tons of good info from alfa forum and EPER (parts catalohue on cd-rom) from ebay. Build quality is very good, but it is packed with italian electric gizmos.......The only problem is what car to get next, they never replaced this model.

[ASBO]

Lippy said:

Hi

After having my Corrado stolen and subsequently written off, I've been looking at suitable motors to replace it.

I fancy a comfy, cruiser with plenty of space and have seen some tempting 166s on the trader at around 2-3k!!!

What do I need to know? Parts, servicing etc? My mate is a mechanic, is there anything stopping him servicing it? I figure at this low prices a FSH isn't worth the paper its printed on...?

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

Oooh,

I'm after one of these too. Any info would be mucho appreciated

[sjn2004]

rs48635 said:

get 166 V6, ideally the 3 litre. Massive car, great speed, handling presence with stylish and luxury interior. Passengers always comment. Look out for special Momo leather interior, only bettered by Maserati and Ferrari.
Cambelt on V6 at 72k mile but don't wait that long. Find local specialist or get busy yourself. Can get tons of good info from alfa forum and EPER (parts catalohue on cd-rom) from ebay. Build quality is very good, but it is packed with italian electric gizmos.......The only problem is what car to get next, they never replaced this model.

LOL, its still made but they just don't sell them in the UK anymore!

www.alfaromeo.co.nz/Showroom/Alfa_166/MenuId/147.aspx

[SCOOTERMAN]

sjn2004 said:

rs48635 said:

get 166 V6, ideally the 3 litre. Massive car, great speed, handling presence with stylish and luxury interior. Passengers always comment. Look out for special Momo leather interior, only bettered by Maserati and Ferrari.
Cambelt on V6 at 72k mile but don't wait that long. Find local specialist or get busy yourself. Can get tons of good info from alfa forum and EPER (parts catalohue on cd-rom) from ebay. Build quality is very good, but it is packed with italian electric gizmos.......The only problem is what car to get next, they never replaced this model.

LOL, its still made but they just don't sell them in the UK anymore!

www.alfaromeo.co.nz/Showroom/Alfa_166/MenuId/147.aspx

I think that's the last dreggs of the RHD 166s that are kicking around at the importers in NZ (where, suprising, you see a fair few of them!): the Kiwis always seem to get "new" models a good six months after Europe.

[minimoog]

Which is the better bet - manual or auto? And how much difference (performance v costs) between the two V6 options?

[pooh]

I dont think there would be a big differance in fuel consumption between the 2.5 and the 3.0, the 3.0 has more low down torque so it does not have to be worked as hard as the 2.5. Not sure how good the auto is but I seem to remember it got iffy reviews.
I spotted this one on Autotrader, I love the alloys and pearlescent paint.
I have always fancied a 166, lovely cars.

Edited by pooh on Saturday 3rd March 19:06

[chris.mapey]

[quote=sjn2004
LOL, its still made but they just don't sell them in the UK anymore!
[/quote]



They will build you a RHD, and sell you one, but you have to ask & deal with Alfa UK. The demand wasn't there to insist all dealers had a demo, etc, but its still type approved for UK.

HTH

Chris

[mr_tony]

The PH model of choice is the 3.0 Super (as tested by EVO).
Super comes with manual box, stiffened lowered suspension, momo leather interior. 0--60 7.8s.

I'm looking for one at the moment - theres a reasonably large price variation though - cars range from about 2500 up to 7500 and mileage does seem to lower the price but it's not an exact science...

[rs48635]

Mine is the PH model - 3.0 v6 super. Was supposed to sell it when we got the 3200 but cannot bear to let it go.
have owned for four years and 50k miles, still get a buzz just being in it.
MIght ket i tgo in the summer and by a Vespa!

[mr_tony]

rs48635 said:

Mine is the PH model - 3.0 v6 super. Was supposed to sell it when we got the 3200 but cannot bear to let it go.

I miss my 3200 so I'm thinking that a 166 with the full momo interior will be a decent substitute for everyday driving.

Anything in particular to look out for when searching for one of these?

So far I've gathered this list of things to check for from alfaowner :



Check for uneven tyre wear front & back - Wear on inside edges suggests 4 wheel alignment required or bushes or both!

Have a good play with clutch - Most are fairly heavy, very heavy suggests end of life, check for slip.

Check all the toys inc. mirrors (operation and folding), ASR, cruise control etc. - Don't assume anything is working.

Use check button on dash to see that required lights come on (blown bulb or removed bulb may be hiding a system failure!).

If it has the 17s the tyres should be at 2.7bar (2.3 for 16s), handling will not feel right if set wrong.

Check discs - Big fronts are not cheap! and all the usual stuff inc. levels

Radiator - falls to bits

ICS - check radio

Check radio turns on / screen brightness.

Drive slowly on full lock - any clonking and walk away.

Accellerate hard in high gear - any knocking noses - walk away.

[atm]

I found this one:

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/

[julesv]

Buy it! I really don't see how you can go wrong at this price. Just keep a bit of money aside just in case.

[mr_tony]

Looks great - however it's in Wakefield and I'm in london with no opportunity to travel to the north any time soon, so I'll hang on until something closer to home crops up.

I'm thinking a dark colour with light / tan leather would be my preferred option, but silver black is probably the most likely combo...

[atm]

Hmmm

I'd like Ferrari style Le Mans Blue with Natural Brown leather ..................

[rs48635]

Will have my 166, silver with black momo interior, in london next week - maybe you should come and have a look to check you like colour ?