166 Handling V6 vs TS

Chris155 said this:

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"""""Based on personal experience - I've driven both countless miles. The T-spark is nowhere near the V6 in terms of straight line performance. I've had my brother chasing me in his 2.0 selespeed often enough to know that.

The ONLY reason you'd buy a 2.0 is because it handles better. It’s a lot more neutral, the V6 will not oversteer, even under provocation. Its even worse in the wet, when wheel spin becomes a prevalent characteristic. The 2.0’s great, turn in is superb in comparison and it has a degree of throttle adjustability the V6 can only dream of.

Of course, if your willing to sacrifice a little on ride quality, aftermarket shocks such as Konis and eibach springs or FK coilover units will sort a V6 out. I’ve got FK’s on mine coupled with some strut braces (yes the strut braces do make a difference on the V6 at least, as it’s a big motor up front putting a more of a strain through the struts subframe and bulkhead) and the difference is startling. Its got the turn in of a 2.0, it’ll play at lift off oversteer, it corners flat with a level of grip that’ll worry most weaponary and best of all the ride ain’t that bad."""""""

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QUESTION

Does this apply equally to 166s. I have a TS but hanker after a V6, however, handling is VERY important to me..I hate understeer and LOVE lift off oversteer..can I have my cake and eat it?

Stevo

I have the TS and I'd agree that it handles pretty well. However, the 166 is not small and it is not the quickest off the mark by any means. It pulls pretty well once it gets some revs though! To launch it hard (but the 166 is more a limousine, so why would you do this?), you would have to dump the clutch in a rather profound manner.

For smooth stop/start traffic, I would love a torque laden V8. I would not like the fuel bill though ;-) [Aside: now that there seem to be GM HEMI V8's (arrggghhh Chrylser), do you think Alfa will get a 5.7l V8?!?]. I have heard that the Alfa V6 (have never driven one!!) - like the TS - suffers from poor low end torque. I find myself either letting the revs drop a wee bit too much or ending up slipping the clutch sometimes when I am in heavy traffic. This is not good... Maybe a still have some undiagnosed issue with the sensors/clutch, or it could just be the bit between the seat and steering wheel ;-)

Overall though, the 166 is a damn nice car.

I was seriously considering trading in for a 159 2.2 JTS - until I had a look around a black on black (leather) demo version with 18" alloys - just doesn't have the same "feel" as the 166. Sure, it is a great car, but I think I'd rather buy a Brera - and keep the 166!

that sounds perfect..keep ur 166 and get urself a brera...lovely

The only obstacle to the Brera is the Q4 costing about 60 grand with options! It could be that the 2.2 is nippy enough with the lighter nose though. That would be a bargain 50k Euros with options.

Yes I had a go in the 159, but it didn't feel like an improvement over the 166...I would really like to know whether the 166 3.2 is worth the effort to find/test/buy

IMO, the Brera isn't that good looking. It's better than most out there, but not as nice as the facelifted 166.

Facelifted 166 3.2 with Zender Sienas and Zender bodykit. Now that's a seriously nice car. (But no doubt rare as rocking horse sh!t in RHD).

I have been hunting for a facelifted 3.2 but no luck. There may have only been (this could be wrong!!!) around a dozen facelifted 166s imported in Ireland in total. I have certainly never seen one on the road.

By the way, the 166 specific Zender Sienas seem to have been discontinued. I have had some real problems getting a spare!

I haven't seen the Brera yet. If it looks as good as the GT in black with multispokes (there is one I see regularly), then it is a special car.