upping from 156 to 166

hello all in the world of the 166, i am currently running a 1999 1.8ts 156,but i have to admit ive seen a few 166's around and am seriously considering p/exing my car for a 166 what should i look out for and which engine do you reccomend. cheers in advance

[niallmoran]

Excellent choice of model I've got a 2.0 TS and its fantastic. Its not exactly a ball of fire but its plenty rapid and makes a fantastic noise (although you'll know about that).

Think there is just the usual things to look out for - suspension wear, clutch, belt changes etc.

Oh, try and get one with a CD player already as its a bloody nighmare getting one to fit!

Good luck and happy hunting

Cheers
Niall

[Loafer]

I can only speak for a 2.5V6, but it's a great car.

A mate of mine said it sounded better than her car, and she's got an M5!

Regards,

Loafer

[Martin Jacques]

I highly recommend the 3.0 manual, go for a Super Lusso if you can find one. Fuel consumption is not that much worse than the TS (mine averaged about 28mpg), and the engine is a fair bit less stressed so will last well into silly mileage.

The V6s seem to be far better at preserving cambelts aswell, though that may just be that there are more TS's out there and so we hear more cambelt horror stories.

Things to look out for:
- Make sure it has FSH, though not necessarily Alfa main dealer
- The 60k service is £500, the 72k is £850 from Alfa on the V6s. Plan accordingly
- The clutch on the manual V6s will feel very stiff, they are all like that.
- If the rear shocks are worn, it is an 8 hour job to replace (parcel shelf, rear seats etc all have to come out)
- Cloth interior seems to hit the used value hard. Work out how much you really want leather.
- As Niall said, CD changer is a git to find aftermarket.
- Make sure the car has the audio code (2 codes if it has SatNav), and the master key.
- Look for uneven tyre wear. In my experience, they all tend to do this due to Alfa's alignment specs. It does mean the tyres can wear out quite quickly though. I would advise swapping the tyres between axles every 6k or so.
- Don't park it facing uphill with very low fuel level, and don't run it for just 30 seconds (ie moving it off the driveway) - both will cause it to not start easily.
- Oh, and finally, try and get one with headlamp washers. The standard headlamps are pretty poor, and after a day or two's driving on wet roads, they are even worse than useless

Great, great cars. Vastly underrated too, so go enjoy.

Hope this helps,

Martin.

[166alfa]

The 2,5 v6 manual is very adequate too. Fuel consumption is somewhere between 2.0 TS and 3.0 v6 and it still has all the power and acceleration you'll ever need. It easily pulls away in 2nd (although doing so might be a bit rough on the clutch) and has enough torque to overtake in 6th gear. Or you can change a few gears down and propel youself forward in cuore sportivo style and enjoy that v6 soundtrack

[niallmoran]

stop it guys - i'm gonna start looking for a V6 if you keep going on like this

Is the fuel consuption really not that bad on the V6's? I can only get a max of about 35mpg on a run if i drive like a saint, usually about 31 if i drive normally though.....

Cheers
Niall

[166alfa]

The best I've ever got out of the 2.5 v6 was 7.6 l/100km (about 37 mpg) last summer on a long motorway run doing constantly ~100 km/h. But it was with the aircon swiched off. With the aircon on, usual motorway consumption is between 8,5-9 l/100km (~31-33 mpg) depending on traffic and driving style.
City driving is where the big difference between TS and V6 becomes obvious - I usually get 12.5-14 l/100km (20-23 mpg) depending on conditions IF I drive reasonably (difficult to do ). You can forget these numbers when you like being always first off the traffic lights... I've seen the ICS showing 47 l/100km after a few laps on a track, so the engine is probably capable of buring up to a full litre per km in full throttle mode
I've also noticed that outside temp has a huge impact on fuel consumption - you can easily add at least 1 litre per 100km to the figures stated above when it starts to freeze.

[Martin Jacques]

Originally Posted by niallmoran

Is the fuel consuption really not that bad on the V6's?

The V6 fuel consumption was a pleasant surprise to me, but exactly as 166Alfa said, town work and heavy right foot gets the BP shareholders excited.

Sitting at 80-85 on a motorway in 6th would give me low to mid thirties. Enjoying myself on 2nd/3rd gear twisty roads would give 10-15 My company used to pay all my petrol, and I used to love getting the instant consumption down to 6.2 mpg

Martin.

[Tobes]

Hi there. I've been a 166 convert since last April. In fact, I've always promised myself one since they were first launched, but I didn't realise what great performance and value they have to offer! I initially bought an Alfa red TS as a daily driver (I had a Porsche 968 for the weekend), but enjoyed the 166 so much that I took that on holiday to Devon (from Yorkshire) in August.

In fact I sold the Porsche in September, but missed the performance so I decided that the best solution was to get another 166 - a beautiful V6 Super Lusso, in silver with the black leather interior (just like the one in the brochure, on the 5-hole 17" rims). This car does everything for me - style, comfort, practicality and performance in one package.

I also now have a unique perspective on both the 2 & 3-litre models. The TS was very easy to drive, smooth and comfortable. It also returned 25-35 mpg on a regular basis. I had it serviced by Albertos in Mossley (Greater Manchester) and he said it was in fine fettle. The Super is a very different animal - much, much quicker, but with a stiffer ride and slightly fidgety handling - it can also be a bit wild on full throttle in 1st/2nd gear. Economy-wise, I get 20-30 mpg out of the Super which isn't bad considering the perfromance on tap.

At the end of the day, it's down to individual choice. I think the Super is without doubt the better car, but if you're not bothered about the out and out performance, the TS is perfectly acceptable - just make sure you get one with leather, as these are much easier to sell-on!

[rvandamme]

The V6's certainly can get thirsty around town but I get 28 - 32 MPG on motorway runs.
I'm very proud of the fact that I once got 196.4 miles on a full 72 litre tank in my 3.0 Sportronic.
Of course with consumption like that I managed to run dry for the first time in my life at a very busy narrow junction. It's a heavy car to push by yourself. In the Rain. With people pointing. And laughing. BA$%"D's.

ENSURE it has a CD player! You will go insane trying to get one.

Suspension is really that floaty, don't be put off.

The V6 is lovely but I wouldn't recommend the Auto box. I only got it cause there's not much choice in Ireland in used V6's and I got a great price, but given the choice I'd stay away from the Auto. Really feels like it's dampening the flair of the V6.

thanks for the input guys i have put my 156 up for sale and am looking for a v6 2.5 or 3.0 with all the toys, can't make my mind up between silver and black, not many out in the market from what i can tell with most being ex-fleet with motorway milage but watch this space and i'll let u know when ive found one

[Tobes]

Hi again. Have you had a look at ebay motors recently? Theres a 3 litre auto in silver currently going for less than £1000. It has no tax or MOT (not too expensive to get these sorted). In fact, I sold my red TS through ebay - the buyer contacted me to view the car and gave me the price I really wanted. My advice would be inspect any car thoroughly and make sure it has a full set of stamps in the book and the receipts from any major work carried out (engine, suspension, brakes etc.).

hi tobes i have looked at that car on ebay but 171k miles and no service history put me right off, on the subject of cheap 166 there's a red 2.0ts down the road with 107k but full engine rebuild for under £2,500 not bad for a 2000 car, i might just go and have a look

[Tobes]

Did you look at/buy the TS? I've just run down the M1 today to the midlands and the car was just beautiful - 30 MPG, near silent cruising (cruise control set at 85mph). Parked up, walked away and looked back from 20 yards at the stunning bodywork! I think I've caught the 166 disease!

I still can't fathom why these cars are so cheap to buy, when they offer so much. I agree that 171k and no history is slightly worrying, but I think the 166 (unlike many other Italian exotics) was built to last, and there certainly shouldn't be any problems buying one with 100k on the clock - just check that the belts have been done (before 60k on the TS) and that the previous owners treated it to a regular supply of quality oil!

tobes

[niallmoran]

damn you and your 6th gear! No way my TS is silent at 85 and i don't think i'd get much more than 31-32mpg either. Now wishing i'd let the heart rule the head and held out for a V6

Have to agree about the mileage though - mine is at 110k now and it goes like a dream and could easily pass for less than half that mileage. Probably the only give away is the shiny steering wheel!

They are seriously addictive cars - just seem to get better looking the more you look at them....and to think i thought they were ugly a few years ago

Cheers
Niall

[HowardA]

Originally Posted by niallmoran

damn you and your 6th gear! No way my TS is silent at 85 and i don't think i'd get much more than 31-32mpg either. Now wishing i'd let the heart rule the head and held out for a V6

Autodelta do a longer 5th gear if you really want it

Have to agree about the mileage though - mine is at 110k now and it goes like a dream and could easily pass for less than half that mileage. Probably the only give away is the shiny steering wheel!

62k on mine & the gearknob looks a bit shiny & I barely use it (1st to 4th to 6th, 6th to 3rd to 1st mostly)

They are seriously addictive cars - just seem to get better looking the more you look at them....and to think i thought they were ugly a few years ago

Amazing what massive depreciation does to the eyes

I loved the 166 from the start, apart from thinking the headlights were a bit small.
Now I appreciate all the curves & when washing it in daylight all the metallic flecks in the paint just shine out - magic

Wife told me off yesterday - I booted it in 4th & was doing 105 - it felt like I was in 3rd at 80

[TOX1C]

I must admit to a soft spot for a 166. Was at the Alfa Stealers a few weeks back and a guy had just taken delivery of a 3 year old absolutely gorgeous 3.0 fully loaded 166 in Nuvelo. I looked at my almost new 156 that I had just paid twice as much for and knew I'd made a mistake.

I paid the obvious comments to the very proud owner; he said he was passing, saw the car and went straight in and bought it! I would have done the same, Mrs T and Ms T both agreed. Saw him half an hour later and got a big grin and wave.

Looks like a 166 next then!

bloody dealers why are they always trying to rip us off, got in touch witha dealer who had a166 up for 3395, so i ring them up and state that i would be looking to part-ex my156, asks me how much im looking for then baulks when i say ill gladly swap my car for thiers which was older and he tells me he can get a 1999 156 with arsh for about 2,500 and says he wants 1000+ my car.
arguement ensues to the tune of ;" who the bloody hell do you think youre kidding and why havent you got a forecourt full of £2,500 156's selling for 4,995 like everyone else smartarse."
cheeky b4strd thought he'd make a killing on his car and then a killing on mine, needless to say i have put mine up for sale and i'll wait till i am armed with the cash.
oops sorry for the swearing.