So what car would persaude you out of the 166? (Warming contains Non Alfas!)

Originally Posted by Tony Rome

I read a report recently about the 'real' figures and those which are quoted by the manufacturers. Some were actually over 50% out (guess which way ) and I have no idea how they can get away with that

The BMWs were within 10% of what were already very low figures for the power, though, so that was pretty impressive and backs up what the contract guys were saying about the engine technology there.

From what you've said about the Brera, Dougie, it's ludicrous to be allowed to quote a 24.6mpg average when, in reality, it's more like 15mpg. And it's not as if the engine is really that powerful, either!

A quote from another thread that may interest you Tony -

Originally Posted by Chesterton

I had a new shape BMW 320D, 163 BHP for 18 months and 40K miles, prior to getting a Brera 2.4. No way that the 0-60 on the BMW was even close to the Brera and no way can the BMW achieve 59 mpg.

I managed 38 mpg in the beemer, versus 32 I'm getting from the Brera.

So in my "real world" experience, BMW achieves 65% of their official combined mpg and Alfa 77%.

Keep the 166 and get a job closer to home. Works for me !!

Originally Posted by Tony Rome

The only reason they haven't been mentioned on here is that they are a long way into the 'fantasy' category, whereas older Maseratis are on the edge of affordability, at least to buy, if not to run.

I'd take a black 599 if I had a spare £150K .

Nah, it ain't. Ferraris up until 348 are very affordable. Got a friend who bought a very nice 348Spider for change (well, realatively small amounts), 308s are very cheap. But I still wouldn't want them...

Maserati Mexico, mmmmm....

My 164 persuaded me out of my 166

I sold the 166 last night. Glad to be rid of that lemon. Fired it up for the first time in weeks, drove to fill up with petrol, spent more filling it than I spend on three week's groceries. Then, driving away, windows steamed up with the glycol aroma. Hit the air conditioning but, "Air Conditioner Faulty" - that's a new one! Had to wind the windows down to see. I put in some Wynns radiator stop-leak (the liquid type, NOT the metal shavings...) Later on the 3km trip home, I switched on the lights and two bulbs in the instrument panel blew. Got those replaced pretty easily though because the screws holding the cluster were missing.

Last week I finally determined that the cambelt had NOT been changed (the dealer had lied to me), and it was all downhill from there, really. The inner CV boot split a few days later, in time for my discovery just half an hour before last night's sale.

Hope the new owner doesn't read this...


Anyway, I LOVE my 164 and happily this forum seems to try and cater to both the 164 and the 166, even though to me they're like chalk and cheese.

-Alex

I think the reason we prefer Maserati is that Ferraris are too obvious and too flash. Maserati are a much cooler option. It's why we love Alfas not BMWs...

Originally Posted by DavidP.

Nah, it ain't. Ferraris up until 348 are very affordable.

Yeah, that's true but I wasn't referring to cars that old! The conversation had been about the relatively cheap 3200GTs ('98-'01) and the current Quattroporte ('04-). Hardly comparable to a 1970s 308 or a 1980s 328/348

Modern Ferraris are well made, advanced, reliable, beautiful...and expensive, even secondhand. There's a black 599 locally and it's eye catching without being loud or unsubtle. And by the time that's worth £15K, you'll be too old to drive If you reckon any of the recent Maseratis are better than that, make an appointment with your optician .

Originally Posted by Dougie166

A quote from another thread that may interest you Tony -

That guy was talking about an earlier model, Dougie. There's a lot of discussion about it here
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...ml#post1829888 (Want better fuel consumption?)

The mpg figures are always open to discussion but just check the power/emissions for the BMW diesel engines. Absolutely no comparison with others.

It's also the sheer choice of options. With Alfa you get the 1.9 or the 2.4 diesels. That's it. Apart from the 320d 2 litre diesel, BMW have the 1 series 123d engine, which is a twin-turbo 2 litre with 201bhp and low emissions, the 325d, the 330d and the 335d (281bhp). Then you have the 4 litre and 4.5 litre V8 diesel in other models! Don't know about you but I'd like some of those engine options in other cars...

[quote=Tony Rome;1829722] Modern Ferraris are well made, advanced, reliable, beautiful...and expensive, even secondhand. QUOTE]

I'd disagree - We had a 430 Spider in at work and the quality seemed quite low rent. The welding on view around the engine was like pidgeon s**t. The 'carbon fibre' seats were fibre glass with a layer of carbon where the seat is visible & the centre console was greasy plastic. A fast £140,000 mid-life crisis Fiat basicaly - A complete lack of 'suprise & delight'.

Originally Posted by CrayfishLagoons

I'd disagree - We had a 430 Spider in at work and the quality seemed quite low rent. The welding on view around the engine was like pidgeon s**t. The 'carbon fibre' seats were fibre glass with a layer of carbon where the seat is visible & the centre console was greasy plastic.

Listen to that engine! Look at that superb design! My God, the handling is outstanding! Hold on, look at that dodgy welding in the engine bay. Forget it, I'll go for the Maserati 3200. Hold on, though, that was built by Ferrari 10 years ago and is far worse. OK, I've made up my mind, one Toyota Avensis, please

No low-rent cabin materials on the 599. I think I could live without carbon seats and some dodgy welding in the engine bay. Wouldn't be red, though!

All I'm saying is for £140k I'd expect better.

Originally Posted by alexGS

My 164 persuaded me out of my 166

I sold the 166 last night.

Alex, this is very selfish, what am I going to drive in 2011 when I'll have enough money to visit NZ again?

I took my friend back yesterday to the hotel, and we shouted "Maserati" at the same time when we got into the car park. Then another 60 seconds gone, when we realized there are about 15 (!) Bentleys beside the Maserati. A dealer was parking the cars there overnight.

But my weak point is the Aston Martin Vanquish S.

One of the local residents is a hot-shot barrister who owns a new QuattroPorte. I love seeing those portholes in the front wings while he fills gas next to the old Volvos and Opel. Quite a contrast..

I still haven't seen a Ferrari that would be worth its price. They are H-Ds in that sense, they sell on pure name and aura around the marque.
Felt-down a 599 and F430 the other day and I think they have many years til they are worth their price. They should be enjoyed from the outside listening or as a motoring journalist driving it on a course never minding the longevity of the car.

On cost issue alone, it would have to be a Ferrari 348 or 355..As a matter of fact I was just testing a 355 targa of 1997 today..Not to replace the 166,but as a special weekend car..USD 65,000..manual gears...The Maserati,even though is a much classier car.it just doesn't cut it next to the Ferrari aura...But the new ones are getting there...Mind you, i saw this cheap Montreal the other day..But that's another story!!!

Db9 !!

Have driven hoards and owned a few exec' saloons,american,german,english,but its always the Italian cars that do it for me.Character,style,etc. Although we dont get it here what about Lancia Thesis,Ferrari uses a fleet of black ones to collect custmers in.I see them when I go to Modena every year.I agree with you guys about Masa' QP Mk4&5.

I always fancied a QP mk4 but seen one up close recently in a light metallic blue - It did not look impressive, actually looked small and cheap Not a patch on the 166 FL!

Wil have to be a mk5 for me then!

If and when my 166 finally goes to the garage in the sky, the Citroen C6 is on my list. Fully loaded, individual and they depreciate a lot so they are great buys 2nd hand. I haven't driven one yet so I don't know about the handling but I did have a C5 for a while when someone rear-ended the Alfa. Yes it was soft but on real roads (potholes etc) the ride was terrific and it went round corners well, ok the steering wasn't as good at the 166 but it was perfectly acceptable.
Mike

Very good taste, Mike.