RE: Shed(s) of the Week: Alfa 166/BMW 5 Series
Discussion
Mt first E39 was an Oxford green R reg 520i auto with silver grey velour, very pleasant it was too. The automatic box transforms the E39 - a manual 520i really is painful whereas the auto seems to go better with smooth changes and no cumbersome gearshift/clutch.
That era E39 was a great car - the single vanos motor with the old E36 style cooling system is tough and easy to maintain, no ABS module issues and the early ones seemed to rot less as well.
As a car to use daily, the E39 would be much better. As a toy, I wouldn't really pick a gopping looking old Alfa saloon. Sorry.
They're both £800 cars as well. The age old 'I can get a newer one for the money' mentality means that low mileage/crap spec early models are never desirable.
That era E39 was a great car - the single vanos motor with the old E36 style cooling system is tough and easy to maintain, no ABS module issues and the early ones seemed to rot less as well.
As a car to use daily, the E39 would be much better. As a toy, I wouldn't really pick a gopping looking old Alfa saloon. Sorry.
They're both £800 cars as well. The age old 'I can get a newer one for the money' mentality means that low mileage/crap spec early models are never desirable.
hammo19 said:
LS400 for me please.....but definitely Alfa. Lovingly shaped by passionate Italian designers. BMW teutonically shaped by regimented designers.
Right....because an LS400 is MUCH better looking than the E39 
I don't see the Alfa as that good looking. Quite frankly, I think it's quite ugly. An early, pre-facelift E39 is no looker either, mind. Though a late sport model is a handsome thing.
silverthorn2151 said:
The easiest of decisions.
Boring boring BMW. And let's be honest the 520 is dull as dull can be.
Or an Alfa with a touch of character, style and that engine.
Not even close.
Couldn't agree more. Boring boring E39. Bought one with 120000 miles on it and took it to 200000. Boringly reliable. Boringly comfortable. .Boringly cheap to maintain. Boring boring BMW. And let's be honest the 520 is dull as dull can be.
Or an Alfa with a touch of character, style and that engine.
Not even close.
Sheds are about cheap motoring on a daily basis, with high mileage useage thrown in.
The Alfa might make a nice Sunday cruiser but as a day to day mileage hack the E 39 takes some beating.
no doubt the alfa is probably a great car. the front just irks me. small lights. its like it's got a face with eyes that are too small, far apart and looking droopy/or had a stroke. sort of looks like an elephant. the facelift does look much nicer IMO, and purely for the sake of it being a more emotive choice I would go for that.
PH seems to love the E39 though.
PH seems to love the E39 though.
The Hypno-Toad said:
Alfa all day long.
Saw a red one in beautiful condition round the corner from where I live the other day and I nearly left a note on his windscreen to say that if he wanted to sell it I'd be interested.
And I've not get anywhere to park it.
Or the money to run it.
Or any need for it as a day to day runner.
But boy is it pretty.
I'm a bit of an Alfa fan, but I've never liked the nose on the 166. Saw a red one in beautiful condition round the corner from where I live the other day and I nearly left a note on his windscreen to say that if he wanted to sell it I'd be interested.
And I've not get anywhere to park it.
Or the money to run it.
Or any need for it as a day to day runner.
But boy is it pretty.
Putting aside all personal bias from the pro E39 and pro something else camps, the 166 advert suggests an enthusiast owned car, with quite a few bits having been replaced, such as a clutch and suspension parts. Its a pretty honest ad in fairness, telling you in some detail what is good and what isn't. The E39 ad is just a typical trade "owned by 2 Doctors" sort of ad. So what; doesn't mean the Doctors have kept up with suspension work and other stuff that invariably needs doing when a car is this age. I almost bought an E39 a few years ago which was a "one solicitor owned" car, but the lack of a service in the previous two years put me off as did the two budget tyres on the back.
So for me, between a 3 litre 166 and a £300 dearer E39 with the smallest engine option, the Alfa would win.
If this was a 528i however, I'd probably go BMW. Always felt pound for pound, a 528i was one of the very best cars BMW ever made.
So for me, between a 3 litre 166 and a £300 dearer E39 with the smallest engine option, the Alfa would win.
If this was a 528i however, I'd probably go BMW. Always felt pound for pound, a 528i was one of the very best cars BMW ever made.
Edited by greenarrow on Sunday 20th August 16:22
No question for me, it would have to be the Alfa, despite the mileage. And to add to that, the 11.2 secs 0-60 time and 27.7mpg for the E39 (according to the advert) makes no sense whatsoever. Should be an appreciating classic, especially in 3.0 V6 form. I've just bought a 156 2.0 JTS Sportwagon. I had no need for it, with 4 other cars but it just looks damn gorgeous on the drive.
Reeves_and_Mortimer said:
Should be an appreciating classic, especially in 3.0 V6 form.
The 166 will be no more a classic than the 164, and they're worth sweet FA despite being far more lauded when new. It's another wonky old Alfa saloon that isn't worth much.I missed out on a metallic dark green 166 2.5 V6 manual for 400 quid last year - that's proper banger money!
Got to be the Alfa for me although I'm a tad biased as I've got a 3 litre manual v plate one almost identical spec to that but in gunmetal grey and with the 18" jetfin alloys off the facelift model. The front of the 166 is marmite to be honest. I think it's a very pretty car but some people think they're hideous. Id wanted a v6 166 ever since they first came out and I saw one at the motor show when I was about 10 and the busso v6 is a glorious engine, the interiors lovely as well. Mine was £200 last year but hadn't moved for a while when I bought it and I had to replace all the fluids filters and the cambelt that was overdue and get a little bit of welding done. I'd never get rid of it now. The engines are very reliable but the electrics are a nightmare. (Although saying that mines started making a clattering noise tonight) they also aren't particularly nice to drive around town (poor turning circle, stiff clutch etc.) but on the open road it always puts a smile on my face. I also wouldn't recommend having one as your only car and they're best just saved for weekend fun as it means you can park it up when something goes wrong until you've got time to fix it. For the money though you'd be hard pressed to find something that feels as special and had the same rarity value. They also seem to have bottomed out price wise and have started to go up.
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