[AlfaMilko]

I recently Purchased a nice and sexy 166 with a 2.5 V6. The engine was already done recently so it felt safe to buy. I never thought the car would be this awesome. However I bought it relatively cheap with some minor problems to do. Mainly i sorted all the electrical problems. most of them were cable related and the brake fluid Cap level indicator caused a light on the dash. only 2 problems left to make it 100% functional would be the rear windows not willing to open normally and the drivers door speakers make no noise at all. I expect these to be cable related as well. Anyhow..

The main problem with the car is the back shock absorbers.. The car drives well but on slow bumps it tends to go down too deep and sometimes hits the safety rubbers of the springs. I think the shocks are worn out. I see alot is written about upgrade shocks but i just found out that most upgrades written about in the forums are no longer available. I love Koni but Koni does no longer support shocks for this car. I have no idea about how Bilstein would perform compared to Koni. However i am willing to try. But only if people are very positive about them and find them a huge upgrade. The price is high as well..Also there is a B6 ad a B8 so which one would I need without changing the ride height? And then again I hope they will be available since they are not in stock anywhere but still advertised.. And they are pricy!! I see a KW screw set but the price screws me as well. Anyone have experience with KW? They look sturdy and stainless feels good but then again a 1200 euro schocks on a 1900euro car doesn't make much sense.
So my main question is: What are good available shocks that are still on the market today for around 700 euro for the whole car that deliver a better ride than the standard shocks and possibly more sportive?

Any input directly related to the 166 is welcome.. And please don't start talks about other models since they wont fit!

 

[rezaqureshi]

I managed to purchase a full set of Sachs Sport dampers for mine. I also managed to purchase a set of Magneti Marelli for the rear, but was concerned when a Russian Alfa specialist I watch showed how the base shock bush was too big for the spindle it attaches to! Utter utter garbage.

I did, however, purchase a pair of Tedrun rear lower shock bushes so if they didn't fit, these could be pushed in.

 

[WallyZ]

A bouncy rear end is unfortunately something typical for the 166. (especially when empty) I changed the rear shocks for Sachs Supertouring. This improved things, but not for 100%

 

[AlfaMilko]

Did Anyone ever try STARK shocks? They are the only ones I see with 3 years guaranty in stead of 2. Maybe it says something about the product? Either they are better quality or the barely take shocks and therefore not wear out. hahaha.

 

[rezaqureshi]

Anything STARK is utter junk. It’s a Chinese reboxing company owned by Autodoc; they’re very quick substitute brand parts you’ve purchased with this junk and don’t tell you.

Avoid. Garbage.

 

[Jetronic77]

the trick with offering long warranty is not making products better and more expensive, but making them so cheap you can afford to replace/repair under warranty...

 

[Variator]

FWIW, I put my 166 (2.0 TS) onto Koni FSD's and Eibach ProKit springs in 2011. Had all the bushings replaced with Powerflex poly ones at the time.

The car sits a little lower (the 17" horseshoes fill the arches nicely) and the ride is a bit firmer but not the teeth rattling BMW M3 stiffness.

Very happy with the result (once the springs bedded in!). 10 years on and still a very nice ride.



Might be worth checking the bushings on the rear subframe while you're at it.

V.

 

[AlfaMilko]

@Variator.
Thats what I wanted but the koni's are no longer available.. very annoying. If you can find a set for me.. let me know.

 

[frosty984]

I believe Bilstein B6 is your safest bet. They are a tad stiffer than OEM. B8 is shorter and stiffer. However, they are pretty expensive.

 

[AlfaMilko]

I believe Bilstein is also sold out... at least not in stock anywere as far I can see.

 

[abecketts]

Kw coilovers are still available for about £1100
b6 still available via alfisti in Germany
I fitted Topline front shocks to my 3.2 ride is v std and good quality, available from shop4parts and they have front and rear in stock.

 

[walgje]

I was in the same situation, bought my 166 3.0 Sportronic last year and wanted to replace the shocks. I was unable to find a complete set of Bilsteins B6. Lots of online shops have them listed but when you order they find out that Bilstein does not supply them anymore. I found 2 sellers on Ebay Germany but it turned out to be the same shop, with just one front shock in stock . I ended up with Sachs (312 698 and 312 699) combined with Merwede springs (25/20 mm lower). I'm not overly pleased with the ride. Especially over speedbumps the car goes up and down a lot. I'm going to fit auxiliary springs to compensate the LPG tank in the back. Hopefully that will improve ride quality if not then I may fit standard springs again. As far as alternative shocks there is just one option that I found, the KW v2. No Bilstein B4 or B6, no Koni red, yellow, FSD or STR.

 

[Signor Mick]

I can confirm the Magneti Marelli shocks don't fit - saw the warning above too late! They match with the AR part number 60663895, but in a parallel universe they may fit, just not in this one. Problem is not just the mounting spindle, but the piston body is too narrow for the dust cover. Avoid.