Lusting after a 166

[D1H]

I am currently looking at buying my first Alfa. Have been looking at at a 166 2.5 v6. I travel 35 miles each way a day on motorway to and from work can any one shed a little light on what kind of mpg i would get and any maintenance issues. Ive been looking at earlier 166's on around a 2000 plate. Also how does the 2.0 twin spark compare to the v6? Many thanks

[coetzeeh]

Have a alook on www.alfaowner.com - loads of info on the 166 + buying advice.

I recently sold my 3.0 166 sportomatic at 92k miles. The car was a delight to drive, and the styling is to die for.

On long runs I used to get 30 mpg - IIRC averaged at 23mpg combined.

The sporto is a good day to day driver, but if you are a spirited driver go for the manual.

Cambelt change is the most imporatant factor to consider aside from overall condition - the original factory interval to replace belt is 72k miles/5 years - some suggest it should be changed at 60k miles/5years - I would not go past 48k miles 5 years. The 166 I sold snapped it's belt at 52k miles/54 months since the first belt change. BIG repair bill.

Sportomatic gearbox itself is a strong unit, but the heater matrix sits above the gearbox ecu - the matrix have a habit of leaking after approx 10 years which can cause the ecu to suffer/fail.

Buy the right car and you will not stop smiling!

[D1H]

Thanks very much. Will post pics when i get one.

[philoldsmobile]

I'd suggest it depends on how much you want the sportronic.

a 2.5 manual will have similar performance to a 3.0 auto, and a 2 liter manual will again compare to a 25 auto. My 2.5 manual is very good, but i'd defiantly prefer the 30 if i were after an auto.

[funwithrevs]

The 2.5 and 3.0 engines are supposed to be about the same mpg, on motorways I get around 30 in my 2.5 manual.
Annoyingly (for me) the 3.2 has better mpg figures than the 2.5, but that means buying a later facelift model which will sting you in emissions tax.
I was originally wondering between 2.0 (practical choice) and 3.0 (lovely engine sound and most toys) but in the end the majority of cars I found were 2.5l so that is what I ended up with.

[D1H]

May get a 2.5 then have it remapped.

[funwithrevs]

Remapping works well with turbocharged cars, won't buy you much here though if anything. If you want power, you want to start with the 3.0 engine. The 3.0/3.2 engined cars are more likely to come with things like cruise control, electrostatic air filters, heated wiper rests etc.

[aarondrs]

Just bought a 3.0 Sportronic, love it. See my initial thoughts in General Gassing "serious issues leads to car choice".