166 3.0 Ti Sportronic
Discussion
Would be my choice any day, I would go for a 3.2 manual personally but 3.0 Sportronic OK just a bit sluggish and very thirsty although not as bad as 159 3.2 Q4. They are an older car obviously and this is most telling in the interior where there is a lack of gadgets and an older generation feel, however the seats and door trims look very sumptuous, I would also stick my neck out and say that they will hold their money better than the 159, also apart from very early 159 3.2s they are subject to the £400 plus road tax rate. 166 all the way for me, prob is finding one!
crostonian said:
Would be my choice any day, I would go for a 3.2 manual personally but 3.0 Sportronic OK just a bit sluggish and very thirsty although not as bad as 159 3.2 Q4. They are an older car obviously and this is most telling in the interior where there is a lack of gadgets and an older generation feel, however the seats and door trims look very sumptuous, I would also stick my neck out and say that they will hold their money better than the 159, also apart from very early 159 3.2s they are subject to the £400 plus road tax rate. 166 all the way for me, prob is finding one!
Cheers. I have had 3.0 164s which was a great car. Currently pootling around in 1.6 156. Although underpowered i like the lightness and responsiveness of chassis though not all the squeaks etc! The 159 has supposed to have sorted that?The 166 looks a nice handsome cruiser if a little old school. But the Ti version looks great. Have always had manuals so not sure re sportronic etc. TBH not really sure what is does? Does it give the option of driving in standard Auto (D) but also changing up or down without any manual clutch? If so, an auto clutch will almost certainly be quicker than most peoples manual change so surely it could be quicker and manually choosing WHEN to change? Perhaps therefore it's the gearing that lets it down on performance and economy?
Ive got a 166 but its a 6 speed manual. The sportronic is a 4 speed auto with the ability learn the driving style of the owner, so if the previous owner drove like captain slow then you may want to reset the ecu of the car which is easily done on a 166.
The box can be left in fully automatic mode but can also be put into semi auto mode and driven like a manual by shifting the gearstick up and down. Im sure a sportronic owner will be along soon and give some more details.
Yes the 166 may be a little old school now but you will not find a better cruiser and I can tell you from experience they can really be hustled along when the need arises. Get one with a leather interior and admire the craftmanship and the embossing of the leather is pure class.
Hope this helps you.
The box can be left in fully automatic mode but can also be put into semi auto mode and driven like a manual by shifting the gearstick up and down. Im sure a sportronic owner will be along soon and give some more details.
Yes the 166 may be a little old school now but you will not find a better cruiser and I can tell you from experience they can really be hustled along when the need arises. Get one with a leather interior and admire the craftmanship and the embossing of the leather is pure class.
Hope this helps you.
Great info guys. Thanks. Despite also owning a TVR Chimaera 4.0HC, i'm getting very lazy and am not a fast driver at all. As i live in London i was thinking of the lazy auto but quite liked the option of the semi even though only a 4 speed. I guess the long sixth gear in the manual is gonna give better economy on the motorway that the 4th in auto?
Re-setting the ECU is good idea and i've done this on both my TVR and current 156. I assume simply disconnecting the ECU or battery does this on an Alfa as it does on the TVR? Made quite a difference i think. Esp as the Sportronic 'learns'.
Re-setting the ECU is good idea and i've done this on both my TVR and current 156. I assume simply disconnecting the ECU or battery does this on an Alfa as it does on the TVR? Made quite a difference i think. Esp as the Sportronic 'learns'.
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