Buy 166 - should I ?

[Bebs]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about buying a used 166, V6 with around 90,000-ish miles on the clock to use as
everyday transport. Would you say 90K miles is too much and I'll be heading for engine trouble? Looking at a 2002 so I guess motorway miles mostly..

Cheers!

[correlejco]

Go for it! A superb car for the money. Very classy, well engineered and cheap as chips. J Clarkson loves them but they're good despite that.

Not as dynamic as a 156 but the 166 oozes style and is comfortable too. 2.0 TS versions are OK but beware the usual cambelt issues. At 90k it should be nearly ready for its 4th belt!

The V6 models are bullet-proof but thirsty - and make a glorious noise. The 2.5 feels lazy but is tolerably quick - the 3.0 is a Beemer-burner. Change cam belt at 72k I think (expensive so make sure it's been done).

The most desirable are leather upholstery and CD player - you can't add the CD later unless you pay an arm and a leg so get the spec you want - it will be easier to sell if it's high-spec and has FSH.

I'm sorry I had to sell mine (was given a company car). Let us know if you go ahead. Good luck

[Alfahorn]

I would be more confident of a leggy V6 than a twinny. Check the history with a fine comb and if it all stacks up go for it, you will not be disappointed I'm sure.

[Bebs]

Thanks guys - will keep you posted.
I was also looking at this 156 on PH..
Looks clean to me.. any thoughts?
Love the colour - my TVR Tuscan was the same

www.pistonheads.com/sales/123479.htm

Or would you say this 166 was a better buy - looks like it has been looked after as well..

www.pistonheads.com/sales/118216.htm

Cheers!

Bebs

Edited by Bebs on Tuesday 30th January 13:27

[wombat rick]

TBH either looks lovely!!


Shame the Wagon doesn't have leather, but they book look good in the pics. The 166 will be the more comfortable drive. Veloce 156s are quite firm. Depends what you are using the car for really.

[Bebs]

I'll just be using it for the commute to and from work and a bit of lugging stuf around/shopping etc. The odd trip.
My other Italian will be set aside for just fun

I was really just interested to see if anyone thought it was asking for trouble buying a high milage Alfa.
The 166 on PH classified is 2003 and looking at the service record it must have been mostly motorway miles with 94,000 on already..

Mmmmm... decision..decision

[wombat rick]

Bebs said:

I was really just interested to see if anyone thought it was asking for trouble buying a high milage Alfa.

I don't think so providing it's been looked after. The suspension bushes are a bit crappy leading to clonks and bongs but other than that there's not much difference over any other make. There are plenty of big mileages over on Alfaowner and in the AROC. One chap has a Sportwagon JTD with 205,000 on it.

[Bebs]

Thanks Wombat!
Appreciate the input.

[sumplug]

Ok, being an Italian car nut, i can tell you they make cracking bargains, but beware a few typical Alfa problems. Engines are strong as long as they have been serviced correctly. Specialist is better then main dealer. Infact they are better if they are over serviced. Cambelt is a must to check its done, as they do have a tendency to snap unexpectedly [prob owners not doing them on time due to cost ]. Head gasket[s] can sometimes go [usually due to something else related], fly-by wire throttle switch on the pedal all go at some time and is a bosch unit costing £320 from your friendly dealer. Wishbones as on all italian and prob most modern cars, wear due to the weight up front. Rear bushes go as well causing a clunk and a feel the rear end is steering. Electric windows motors fail. Key fobs play up, electrical gremlins will occur.
Bet you are thinking that iam painting a grim picture??!! Well no, for these happen from time to time over many many miles. But to here that V6 on full throttle is spine tinglingly brilliant. Get it in a tunnel, and its heaven!! I would rate it close to a BMW 5 series, and think its highly underated. Best of all, it drives much smaller then its size, and is very very comfortable.

Andy.

[julesv]

Go for it!!! I have had three Alfas and my first 3 litre 164 was still going strong at 170,000 miles. Much more durable than you would think. Just make sure it has been looked after. Would avoid the 2 litres though. My old 2 litre 75 was brilliant but had the earlier chain driven cams. Newer ones with belts have a tendancy to snap rather regularly.

[jamieboy]

julesv said:

Newer ones with belts have a tendancy to snap rather regularly.

I think we need to be a bit careful about that - as far as I know, they're no more inclined to lose their cambelts than any other car except that Alfa originally specified too optimistic a change interval. I believe they've now revised this to 36,000 miles, whereas they initially said 72,000 I think.

So I guess what I'm saying is that there's nothing intrinsic to the engine that'll make it snap the belt, just that many of them broke because people followed a service schedule that turned out to be too ambitious.

[julesv]

Fair comment. I guess as cars descend to bargain basement level important items may get overlooked.