1999 Alfa Romeo 166 Super from UK and Ireland - Comments

The automatic wind screen wipers failed.

Rear wheel bearings failed at 20000 miles.

Brake discs are beginning to wear.

Fuel gauge failed, but started working again.

The driving experience is superb for such a big car.

The engine sounds gorgeous, it's quite loud for a modern car - that's not a complaint though!

The interior is extremely comfortable.

The 166 is very well equipped.

The styling receives lots of positive comments.

The rain sensitive wipers are a useless gimmick.

Finally I found someone who bought the 166. Shame on all people running to buy Mercedes and BMW, leaving a jewel like the 166 at the Alfa Romeo factory waiting for the Italian government or some bicycle races to take the unpopular, underrated, and one of the best cars around.

I agree with everything said about this car, except for one thing, and, in my opinion it's a big thing - the brakes are crap, absolutely rubbish, if you try to take advantage of that beautiful 3.0 V6 (and it does ask for it) you had better not try to out brake anyone!!!

You really have to push on that pedal and it only ever feels like slowing the car at best, not stopping!!

The other thing I would say is this, for a 1 year old car in my case there are far too many things going wrong, gauges breaking and then working again, rattles everywhere and the central nav display has a mind of it's own when it comes to the contrast - the dealer just says that he cannot repeat fault!!

I still love it though - if only because of that engine!!

I agree with your comments. Had trouble with petrol gauge also. RDS functions of radio failed, one Alfa dealer insisted there was no fault, but another confirmed fault and replaced the unit. Power steering hydraulic hose failed (subject of recall) after 6 months and resulted in fire which put car off road for 5 months! Alfa supplied a lower specification 166 during repairs. Some rattles remain, but neither Alfa or dealer can/will fix them. Great car to drive and mostly fun to own, poor support and bad attitude by Alfa in UK does not win friends.

This car really does live up to its "super" tag. Performance is very good, although at times you can tell it's a heavy car. The engine just loves revs though and sounds great, although its not quite as vocal as the old 12v uncatalyzed 164 I owned previously. The gearshift is not as sweet either. No major faults, although I had a new clutch at 30k and a tire wear problem now seems to have been cured by the Alfa dealer after unsuccessful attempts by "fast fit" centers. Rain sensitive wipers are brilliant - wouldn't want a car without them now, daft central display only works if you have the radio on! Alfa dealers are getting better, but I have a sneaking suspicion that David Brent's TV show "The Office" is actually Alfa's HQ! (both in Slough apparently)

I beg to disagree. After owning mercedes and bmw I ventured into the Alfa World looking for excitement.

It didn't happen.

One year after taking delivery of my 3.0 v6 I can't wait for the day that I find a gullible buyer for it.

Average performance, lousy electronics, unreliable (towed to the dealer Three times) and...dated interior.

A cat dressed as a Wolf...

I take delivery of a used 911 Coupe in three weeks and KNOW I will be happy, Alfa dream on.

Look guys we are going to go on for ever here. The Alfa 166 is indeed a great car, but Alfa still cannot provide quality. Even Fiat ownership has not improved the situation at Alfa Romeo. It's so sad that some of the most sexy and sporty cars in the world are nearly unbuyable! I had a 164, apart from tradditional rubbish Italian electonics she was a reliable and bloody fast car, but for the 166 it hasn't happened. We all know the Fiat group is in trouble, so I cannot see an improvement coming soon. So sad really because I love Alfas. I hope nobody else takes Alfa from cash strapped Fiat, if they went to Ford or someone they would improve, but would not be Italian anymore. Mind you that would improve the electrics...

Hi.

Unfortunately I have to say that Alfa will never compete with the Germans' marques. I bought a second hand 3.0 V6 semi-automatic only to find out it was a four speed rather than a five speed one. I own an E34 540i V8 BMW and its some how more economical than the Alfa. It also rides better and that's after 200,000 miles on the clock. The alfa has 90,000 but feels like its done over 300,000. It looks great, but the engine is over rated and acceleration is nothing to talk about. Has a decent amount of kit though, but it doesn't make up for the disapointment. After two cam belt changes, engined feels overworked and when idling sounds like an eighties 4 cylinder. Dealers say they can't find anything wrong, and seem to undermine one another. Definitely one to avoid and will never look at an Alfa again.

Thank you.

If you need to ask what's special about an Alfa Romeo, the chances are you will never know. I own a BMW 760i, A Mercedes 600SEL and a Rolls Royce 1989 Silver Spirit, a Ferrari 550 M, an Alfa Romeo 166 (3.0 V6), 1996 Alfa Spider and 1996 Alfa GTV (twinsparks). The 166 is not ever going to be a true luxury car like the Rolls Royce if only because of Alfa's "mission statement" (cuore sportivo). It is, however, just as respectable. An Alfa Romeo can still raise respectable eyebrows, even in Rolls and Bentley country. For excitement, do not buy a sedan version of a sporting marque: it will disappoint. A suitable analogy would be a carpenter making a rug. for thrills, buy an Alfa Romeo GTV 3.2 V6 and have it tuned by Autodelta. 0-60 in under 5 seconds is an enticing prospect. They do, however, also work wonders for the twinspark engines.