handling of 156 vs 166

[cannotstop]

Dont know where else to put it...

What is the opinion on the handing of the 156 vs. the 166 ?
I have heard several people comment that the 166 actually has better handing than the 156.

What do you think of this ?

Yes is the sort answer the 166 imo is better. I have access to both outside my house and the 166 is just as good if not better than the 156 for handling. It just shrugs off it's weight and digs in. Very neutral handling and rarely understeers but even you can say that for the 156 too.

[Mitch916]

Originally Posted by Damien_C

Yes is the sort answer the 166 imo is better. I have access to both outside my house and the 166 is just as good if not better than the 156 for handling. It just shrugs off it's weight and digs in. Very neutral handling and rarely understeers but even you can say that for the 156 too.

Absolute poppy c0ck! (Great word ) The 166 is a fantastic cruiser but the 156 is like a go cart in comparison. Really, it's that different.

[Grahameo]

I was going to keep out of this one and just smile
But It all depends on which 156 and which 166.

As far as the 156 is concerned, well having owned three different types a 2.0TS, a 2.4 JTD 10v and now a 2.5 V6 24v as well as driving on a regular basis family owned 1.6TS, 1.8TS and 1.9 16v JTD..... All I can tell you is that there is a strange obvious familiarity to them all yet they also drive and handle completely differently... Not talking just the engine and power outputs but the balance and feel and they way they deliver it... None of them are bad, just different.

I don't know how the hell Alfa did it but they managed to make all six different variants of the same car almost like another model in the Alfa range...

IMO a 2.0TS Veloce sp2 is by far the best handling and best balanced of them all and sorry but the 166's I have driven (a 2.0TS Lusso and 3.0V6 lusso) wouldn't be able to get anywhere near when it comes to the twisty stuff...
The handling of a 2.0 TS is thought controlled, you are that plugged in, on a perfect bit of road kissing the apex perfectly without a grumble or complaint... If a 156 understeers, you aren't going fast enough and doing something wrong... They can suprise and lift off oversteer once the the limit is rarely passed but easily brought in line!

Best fun though?... A V6 24v everytime
The 166 is a beautiful powerhouse of a cruiser that can surprise too

[michaelb]

I've owned both a 2.0 156 (Selespeed) and a 3.0 166.

I was always amazed at the speed the 156 would hold on the twisties, I often found myself glancing down at the speedo and thinking "oh dear, better back off before plod takes my license". It was agile and gripped like a limpet and simply carried the speed.

The first weekend I had the 166 I nearly binned it. I was approaching a roundabout on a dual carriageway town bypass where I had been 'enjoying' the V6 power, the road curved and dropped downhill as it approached the roundabout. I had to give it a gentle touch on the brake to shed some speed and the back end started to come around. A quick touch of opposite lock and a brown trouser moment. It was sheer luck I didn't spin off into the scenery.

When I started breathing again I thought to myself: okay, so the 166 isn't as agile and predictable as your 156, calm down and cruise.

[michaelb]

And another thing. I don't know how 166 owners in Ireland cope with Irish roads. My 166 hated them: getting upset by hidden dips, crunching out on the undulations.

A Dublin based friend bought a 166 because he was impressed with mine. Within a few months of ownership he managed to rip the power steering lines out of it on a bumpy road in Kilkenny. That was an expensive fix.

There are 166s in Ireland but I don't know how they survive.

[symon]

I always felt that the 156 V6 had pretty poor damping, even with the sportpack fitted, where as the TS variants handled exceptionally well if a little harsh riding.

I have not driven a 166 to compare, but the laws of physics sort of argue that it can't be as good due to its size all things being equal.

[a17esh]

Try a 166 with the Konis, Eibachs, or even Ti springs and powerflex bushes....... No issues with the way it handles with that set up :P

[ultraviola]

Originally Posted by a17esh

Try a 166 with the Konis, Eibachs, or even Ti springs and powerflex bushes....... No issues with the way it handles with that set up :P

I'll vouch for the Koni's

[alfa166italian]

I find the 166 handles suprisingly well for a big cruiser, it will take corners at all kinds of speeds, however, it is supposed to be a cruiser, & although I've never driven a 156, I would expect it to handle better when cornering. Again, depends if you change setups

Originally Posted by Mitch166

Absolute poppy c0ck! (Great word ) The 166 is a fantastic cruiser but the 156 is like a go cart in comparison. Really, it's that different.

I'm sorry but it just isn't. I own a 156 with Blilsteins B6s and Eibach's and yes it has made it handle well but compared to the 166 it's just not in the same league. The 166 outside the house has all brand new rear suspension and upper and lower new front suspension. And I can't leave it on a back road. And even on the same road which I know very well the 166 tops out a good 15mph more than the 156 round the bends. And I've driven all 156's from the 1.6 to the 3.2 GTA all on varying roads. And the same for the 166.

The 166 just floats over the bumps. It is under damped like all Alfa's but nothing that FSD's and Eibachs can't fix. The 166 imo is just better than the 156 any day of the week.

Originally Posted by michaelb

And another thing. I don't know how 166 owners in Ireland cope with Irish roads. My 166 hated them: getting upset by hidden dips, crunching out on the undulations.

A Dublin based friend bought a 166 because he was impressed with mine. Within a few months of ownership he managed to rip the power steering lines out of it on a bumpy road in Kilkenny. That was an expensive fix.

There are 166s in Ireland but I don't know how they survive.

There is a lot of them and they survive fine. You just need to know how to read the road in Ireland. Anyone from Dublin can't drive anyway as they have mainly city roads and I work up in Dublin and they are by far and a way the worst drivers on a back road ever. They just do not know how to read a road with blind corners or hidden dips in them.

[GTA_Nigel]

So I guess the answer is........there is no answer! It obviously depends on the individual car and your own preferences. Drive both and see which you like!

Cheers,

Nigel

[nayf]

love the handling of the 156 TS SW.
Totally belies its size and weight for chuckability.
Then again it is the same size as a modern hot hatch these days I guess.