Considering a 166

Hello all, I am considering replacing my 33 with a 166, I'm looking at a 1998 for 4800 Euros with 99Ktms on the clock. What should I look for in this car? Do they have engine problems? Electrical? any help will be greatly appreciated. By the way here is a link to the car.

http://eng.autoscout24.com/home/inde...roto=5000&zip=

You can't complain at that price. 4800euros = 7500 australian dollars. In Australia that buys you nothing.

Mind you a couple of major mechanical problems will inflate the 4800euro purchase price fairly quickly.

I own a 166 '98 2.5L car and from that i've gathered.

Besides the obvious in all cars (oil changes and such)

A) I would check timebelt changes, depends who you ask but changes every 50-60.000km are recommended.

B) Check front Wishbones or all wheels for that matter. It's a heavy car on the front and wishbones go bad quickly. Need to replace one :/

C) Check top Engine mount (can be found ontop of the engine on the left. Rubber in the mount seems to go early in the cars life, just replaced mine.

D) Aircon, check if the aircon and fan motor are ok (i've had my motor replaced.

I think that about sums it up mind you when i bought mine i didn't notice the B, C and D needed replacing, but fortunatly it wasn't very expensive.

GL M8 and you'll love the car if it threats you right

don't think reliability is the issue with these wonderful cars (If you get the cam belt sorted early!) but mine has 108K on the clock now and it's starting to get REALLY expensive to keep in tip top. Suspension issues a major head ache, hand brake cables sticking (Fraid with age) an expensive job due to the run of the cable. Eating front tyres alive now on the inside. (Tracking has been checked, now suspect worn springs) Radiators are a weak point & not cheap.

BUT I forgive it all this 'cos when she's on form, she's just FANTASTIC! Great looking car and great to drive.

Just be prepared for expensive service/repair costs. Use the money you save not buying an equivalent boring bland BMW or Audi and put it by for the bills!

Had a quick look at the car advertised, and it is good value for 4.8K. The most important thing with Alfa's in my opinion is a solid service history. Specifically look for evidence of timing belt change every 50K, and general records of regualr servicing.

Another couple of things to check are:

1) Hot Idle - Run the car untill it gets to operating temperature (90C), stop the car and check over a period of a few minutes that the car ildes smoothly just below 1000rpm. If it's not running smoothly demand that the problem is resolved before you buy it. You can take a chance that it could be a sticking butterfly value or a faulty air flow regulator, which are easy to resolve.....but you never know.

2) Check that the ICS is working properly and that you have the relavent code for it as they are expensive to replace.

3) The larger engined 166's are exceptionally front heavy so get the front suspension & wishbone assembly checked, an obvious sign of a problem is uneven wear in the front tyres.

Other than that it's the usual things to check when buying a second hand car, Shut Lines, electrics (watch for tired seat and window motors)...etc.

Mine has 134K miles (about 215K km), amost 7 years old.

Radiator replaced last week - £330 all in - you could see through it in places - so check for corrosion. Air con as mentioned - been through one recharge at ~£100.

Suspension bushes will soon go - be done next service so check them.

Exhaust lasted about 95K miles, complete change was around £300 - 350 I think, so check if this has been changed or not.

I do the cambelt every 60K when they do the plugs - that way it doesn't have to get taken to bits again just for the cambelt. Most Alfa folks will tell you to do this too.

Clutch has been fine - loads of motorway miles with not much changing up or down.

Will also replace the water pump next time too as a precaution.

Only major issue was power steering - there was a recall out for this on the early models - mine dumped its fluid twice. Got a complete new system out of Alfa eventually and no problems since.

As all have, mentioned look at bills - especially cam belt.

But most of all enjoy - the ride and handling are great

When was the recall for the power steering and how did you go about getting it replaced FOC? Is it too late to get one now?
Thanks

The recall is FOC but only applies to certain models. My guess is that it should still be valid if your vehicle is affected.

Details here : http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/re...omeo&makeId=A0