Alfa Romeo 166 3.2 V6 Lusso

[spkennyuk]

I assume the only reason there were £5k QPVs is that they could easily require £5-10k to bring up to std with subframe corrosion, clutches, variators, suspension, brakes etc, all adding up to high risk. Do these alfas have the same challenges?

Running costs are not bad at all for the 166. They dont suffer with sub frame issues like the 159 does. Brake discs for example are around £90 each. The most expensive bits that your likely to buy new are suspension parts but thats true of most Alfas.

Like for like suspensions parts price as a rough idea are around 20 to 25% of QP suspension parts.

The only issue i had with mine was a maf sensor and a broken window switch both easy and cheap fixes.

Parts are still available for everyday stuff but you may struggle with oil pipes and the like. Work arounds are available but for example you may have to change oil cooler and pipework to fix a leakinging oil pipe as the connectors / pipes are no longer available.

If i was after another then running costs and parts supply wouldnt concern me and they are a lovely place to be for long cruises and short trips.

 

[gb-gta]

I got an aftermarket oil cooler kit on my 147GTA when the original pipes needed doing. Better than original anyway!

 

[Motorsport3]

Isn't it a bit too large for a FWD car?

 

[AlfaManc]

Lovely thing, just bought my old Twin Spark back yesterday. Was tempted by a 3.2 but for what I’ll be using it for, I didn’t need another Busso…

Lovely. Miss mine but after three 166s, it might be time to move on ....

 

[CatmanV2]

I liked mine, but only as a cruiser. Couldn't hustle it (although that may just have been me)

Bought it sight unseen off eBay and drove it to Champagne the next week (I must have been insane) Decided it wasn't for me about 2-3 months in and sold it to my Dad, and got a 156 3.2 (I'd fallen for engines with >4 cylinders then)

C

 

[Nayf]

Isn't it a bit too large for a FWD car?

Not really - if all you’re doing is cruising about, it’s fine.
The Twin Spark’s lightness in the nose means you can fling it a bit and it seems to like it…

 

[gb-gta]

I’m not sure anyone ever flung them around local B roads when they were new, never mind at near 20 years old. Just drive it at 7/10ths max when pushing on and it’s fine.

Although having said that I also had a 164 V6 manual about 30 years ago (that makes me feel old!) and that was like a big mk2 golf GTI to throw about.

 

[Andyk]

I’m not sure anyone ever flung them around local B roads when they were new, never mind at near 20 years old. Just drive it at 7/10ths max when pushing on and it’s fine.

Although having said that I also had a 164 V6 manual about 30 years ago (that makes me feel old!) and that was like a big mk2 golf GTI to throw about.

I loved the 164. Remember having a test drive in the V6 and loved it but the torque steer was a bit scary if giving it some. I also prefer the looks of the 164 to the 166.

 

[zagatoes30]

I loved the 166s we have had, they are such a nice place to be and great value and different compared to comparative stuff

 

[rs48635]

Lovely thing, just bought my old Twin Spark back yesterday. Was tempted by a 3.2 but for what I’ll be using it for, I didn’t need another Busso…

Ti is the sweet spot for 166 in terms of style, might even drive the best of thew bunch. I will always want the busso though