How long can a 166 last?

Just out of curiousity, how long can a properly maintained 166 last? Are there any 166´s out there with ridiculously high milage?

Of course you could keep anything on the road for ever if cost is no issue, but I mean normally used cars with a "fair" amount of replaced parts.

I see no reason why one can't last for ages! Mine is nearly 9 years old and it appears to be one of the best built Alfas that I have ever owned (apart from the usual electrical quirks!).

My only concern is the suspension. Mine has been a little "squeaky" but last week for the first time I had quite a bit of weight in the car and boot which resulted in no noise.

In the past I've had two 75 2.0 TS's and they went on for 220,000 miles +

There is no doubt that over the years Alfa Romeo cars have got better and better. I remember my first little Alfa Sud Ti. "rust bucket!"

It's like with any car, if respected and cared for it can go on indefinitely, rag the hell out of it from cold and don't bother getting it serviced then it won't last as long. Which basically means you have no idea who's done what with their car, even if they have FSH etc.

It's just luck of the draw really mate, find a decent one you like with relatively low mileage if I were you, then make sure everything's okay with it and you should do alright.

Good luck!
Darren

Mine has 99k miles (05/2003 reg.) and is still on original clutch and had no major issues - Does not burn or drop oil, does not use water. Slight squeak from OSF suspension but just needs a top mount (£30ish - Not an MOT issue yet just occasionally annoying) and central locking playing up (NSR door lock needed - £50ish, I just need to find time!).

Well put together and reliable - As Darren says respect them and they will go on for years. Mine is not yet 5 years old but has 9 stamped services including all important belt changes. Problem is that bargain basement purchase prices means scrimping on servicing and care by many! Buyer beware!

My '99 Super has 124K miles and no issues whatsoever, including the almost-obligatory electrical glitches! And all I've done is basic servicing and a few fairly minor repairs, such as to the air con. Perhaps I just got lucky with a good 'un but seems to me that the 166 is very reliable.

OK, sounds good then. Coal9011, 220 000 miles is really impressive! I had a Fiat Croma Turbo i.e once that had made almost as much at the time I finally sold her.....but I had spent quite a lot on repairs, major things like re-seating burnt valves, new turbo, new lamnda and stuff. Also, suspension and brake part had to be replaced almost regularly. Then a few minor things like a new cat, exhaust and water pump. On the other hand, the way I used to drive that car may have had something to do with it.....

Feels good to know my 166 will probably last for a few years, I really love driving it so I will keep her.

Mines 6 years old and like new

As long as you consider most parts as consumables, you'll be fine.

Since I've had mine, it's had the following:

New Clutch
New Gearbox (warranty job, thank god)
belts, tensionsers, uprated water pump
New rear bushes
New wishbones
new shocks
new dampers
new Q2 LSD
new stainless exhaust.

with the exception of the gearbox which had a knackered syncro and the LSD, they're all consumables. Expensive consumables but consumables.

Originally Posted by minch

As long as you consider most parts as consumables, you'll be fine.

Since I've had mine, it's had the following:

New Clutch
New Gearbox (warranty job, thank god)
belts, tensionsers, uprated water pump
New rear bushes
New wishbones
new shocks
new dampers
new Q2 LSD
new stainless exhaust.

with the exception of the gearbox which had a knackered syncro and the LSD, they're all consumables. Expensive consumables but consumables.

51 Reg 166 Super for sale !!!!!!

Originally Posted by howell811

51 Reg 166 Super for sale !!!!!!

I know most of that was going to need doing when I bought it. Except for the cambelt, but that turned out to be a good thing as it saved me a big chunk of cash because the plastic impellar on the water pump had failed. So I dodged a double head gasket failure.

The suspension jobs could have been cheaper but I wanted everything refreshed and upgraded. I didn't have to go for Konis and Eibachs.

The Gearbox was sorted under warranty and it was prudent to do the clutch at the same time.

The diff hadn't caused me any problems but as a Q2 bolts straight onto the 6 speed box, it would be rude not to when I was having all the suspension work done.

I've now got the car I want, with some sensible modifications that (hopefully) won't need anything else doing to it for quite a while.

If you don't mind me asking : What exhaust have you got, and are you happy with it ? I am thinking of uprating the suspension as I find it a bit soft ? Are larger alloys worth the money as I'm on 16" at the moment.

All the items mentioned, with the exception of the gearbox, are definitely consumables and you'd need to replace them on any high-mileage car, not just an Alfa.

Originally Posted by howell811

If you don't mind me asking : What exhaust have you got, and are you happy with it ? I am thinking of uprating the suspension as I find it a bit soft ? Are larger alloys worth the money as I'm on 16" at the moment.

I have a Powerflow stainless exhaust, which the previous owner kindly fitted . 17s look a lot better but don't help the ride quality!

The main issue with more modern cars like 166 is the electrics, bodys, engines etc can always be fixed but the ECU's failing will proberly end the life of these cars, it just wont be fianacially viable to get a new ecu and have it coded up to the car, thats if the ecu's are still available !

i think it's very very rare for a car's ECU to fail....i remember reading scare stories years ago about the more complex ECU's potentially wrighting off good cars when they fail and i don't think i've heard of any such problems....

Originally Posted by howell811

If you don't mind me asking : What exhaust have you got, and are you happy with it ? I am thinking of uprating the suspension as I find it a bit soft ? Are larger alloys worth the money as I'm on 16" at the moment.

I got longlife in Berkley to make one up for me. It's exactly what I wanted. I asked for a mild note, could spec what tailpipe I wanted and this one won't turn into a collander, like the old one.

As Mr Rome states, the 16's have a better ride. 17's can look better.

As for suspension, I put eibach -20mm springs on, which is very close to the drop that it had on the standard Super springs. I went for Koni adjustables for the shocks. They're set in the middle of the adjustment and it's a bit over damped at the moment. I would adjust them but to do the rears you have to take the back seats off so i'll wait for warmer weather.

If you're going to the automoto festival in April, the car should be there, so you can have a nose around it.

ive had the ecu code system dissconnected from a 155 16v ecu when it failed and refused to liten to any of the supposed cures

i dont think cars have been around long enough to suffer from electronic brain failure yet, but who would spend 1K getting a new ecu on a car only worth 1-2k, not many people

nah, it would be time for the crusher if that happened! Are ECU's car specific or can 2nd hand ones be made play ball? It seems the immobiliser/key code is a potential weak spot and i suppose as they get more an more tightly integrated disconnecting won't be an option!

Originally Posted by howell811

If you don't mind me asking : What exhaust have you got, and are you happy with it ? I am thinking of uprating the suspension as I find it a bit soft ? Are larger alloys worth the money as I'm on 16" at the moment.

I fitted Eibach springs and Bilstein B6 shocks on mine over Christmas. What an improvement! If you go for Koni och Bilstein is just a matter of taste I think. But don't go for anything less then that, it improves the ride with lightyears from the original. Especially if you have a heavy V6 in the front.

Otherwise mine have done just 100k miles and only changed oil, filters and cambelts/tensioners and now the shocks. No electrical glitches either. Next hing up to change is some bushings and the wishbones in the front. Otherwise the car is very good for being 8 years old. It have aged a lot better than my friends cars, like VW, Volvos and other "premium" brands.

My 166 JTD got an engine failure at 53500 miles despite regular service and frequent oil checks. Cracked crank and broken pulley wheel bolt.
As of this it is quite impossible to say how long the car will last, it is just down to luck in the end. A resonable expectation would be 200 - 300k miles. I know of a Nissan Patrol that has done 600+ kmiles without any engine work.

Originally Posted by Gustav_H

Next thing up to change is some bushings and the wishbones in the front.

*cough*Q2*cough*

Originally Posted by Tony Rome

I have a Powerflow stainless exhaust, which the previous owner kindly fitted . 17s look a lot better but don't help the ride quality!

16" look a little small, but got to save up for anything more !

Originally Posted by minch

I got longlife in Berkley to make one up for me. It's exactly what I wanted. I asked for a mild note, could spec what tailpipe I wanted and this one won't turn into a collander, like the old one.

As Mr Rome states, the 16's have a better ride. 17's can look better.

As for suspension, I put eibach -20mm springs on, which is very close to the drop that it had on the standard Super springs. I went for Koni adjustables for the shocks. They're set in the middle of the adjustment and it's a bit over damped at the moment. I would adjust them but to do the rears you have to take the back seats off so i'll wait for warmer weather.

If you're going to the automoto festival in April, the car should be there, so you can have a nose around it.

I'll be there ! Had a longlife on my last car, but wasn't impressed with the install (pipe smaller than original and vibrated at low revs).

Originally Posted by Gustav_H

I fitted Eibach springs and Bilstein B6 shocks on mine over Christmas. What an improvement! If you go for Koni och Bilstein is just a matter of taste I think. But don't go for anything less then that, it improves the ride with lightyears from the original. Especially if you have a heavy V6 in the front.

Otherwise mine have done just 100k miles and only changed oil, filters and cambelts/tensioners and now the shocks. No electrical glitches either. Next hing up to change is some bushings and the wishbones in the front. Otherwise the car is very good for being 8 years old. It have aged a lot better than my friends cars, like VW, Volvos and other "premium" brands.

Definitely got to get the suspension uprated !



Thanks all !