I've bought my first Alfa Romeo, a 166 Super Lusso!

I've bought my first Alfa Romeo, a 166 Super Lusso!

Author
Discussion

LincolnLovin

Original Poster:

2,858 posts

221 months

Wednesday 3rd July
quotequote all
I’m looking forward to cleaning it at the weekend! The new parts should arrive by then as well.

I need to get an oil change done, but that looks a right pita due to the filter being at the back of the engine and access being v limited.

Spinakerr

1,228 posts

148 months

Wednesday 3rd July
quotequote all
Yep LHS wheel off and arch liner out then reach behing the alternator. Great fun.

Rumdoodle

805 posts

23 months

Wednesday 3rd July
quotequote all
Very nice. This sort of Alfa is on my list of potential smoker barges.

LincolnLovin

Original Poster:

2,858 posts

221 months

Wednesday 3rd July
quotequote all
New cars are dangerous things, I have a desire to try and make a GTA version of the 166,

There's a bit of clutch judder, so that will likely need replacing, whilst its being done it makes "sense" to install a Q2 LSD or a Quaife LSD. Then uprating the suspension, adjustable coilover, new control arms etc maybe polybush?

Tiglon

182 posts

45 months

Wednesday 3rd July
quotequote all
Beautiful car, with an engine I've always wanted to own.

I had a 156 (only the 2.0, sadly) with a very similar wooden steering wheel and the same cracked intake hose! Loved it for the 6 months I had it before it rusted away...

LincolnLovin

Original Poster:

2,858 posts

221 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Fitted some improvements at lunchtime, the new GSR silicone intake hose and a BMC drop in air filter





The intake hose was in a very sorry state, splits and cracks and held together by electrical tape. Hoping these additions will enhance the intake noise.

The engine bay needs a good clean, I’ve noticed a leak coming from the rear valve cover. I’d want to get the covers painted in the future so I’ll plan to replace the gaskets at the same time.

Mighty Flex

904 posts

174 months

Thursday
quotequote all
LincolnLovin said:
New cars are dangerous things, I have a desire to try and make a GTA version of the 166,

There's a bit of clutch judder, so that will likely need replacing, whilst its being done it makes "sense" to install a Q2 LSD or a Quaife LSD. Then uprating the suspension, adjustable coilover, new control arms etc maybe polybush?
Can't help much on the judder - I think mine was a bit juddery at similar miles but i never did anything. I believe it will be easier to do the diff at the same time. I think the 166 is harder to replace the diff than some of the other FWD Alfas. I liked the idea of a "GTA" version too, but never did much towards it. The Zender body kit helps that look. If you are doing suspension stuff, clean and treat for any corrosion in the turrets as much as possible, especially at the back.

I never quite got on with mine as far as steering response went, and went back to the 156. The 166 was much more comfortable and refined though.

LincolnLovin

Original Poster:

2,858 posts

221 months

Thursday
quotequote all
It’s not a hard drivers car really, the vague steering off center is a strange design choice.

Long term we’ll see where we get the GTA 166, in the meantime I want to clock up some miles and get a proper opinion on the car.

Court_S

13,437 posts

180 months

Thursday
quotequote all
It certainly looks pretty clean especially for what you paid for it.

I've never been quite sure about the looks; sometimes I think they look good, others I think it's a bit awkward. It's a fabulous engine though and nice that you managed to nab a manual.

beautifulbusso

717 posts

168 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Welcome to the Alfa family!!

I've owned several Alfas myself with my last being a 155v6 and I kinda wish I could find another one but over here in the US the old ones are very rare.. then mega expensive vs the quality of the car leaves a lot to be desired

boyse7en

6,850 posts

168 months

Thursday
quotequote all
I had a red one of these that I loved. Eventually the clutch went and a replacement was over £1000 (and the car was barely worth that at the time) so it ended up being broken.

Interior is great, really hardwearing
Front balljoints/arms need to be treated pretty much as service items, they wear out with alarming alacrity.
Make sure the timing belt gets done on time. You really don't want it breaking. If you can get hold of the cam locks its not a terrible job to do yourself.
Keep an eye on the sills. They have a trim over them which can hide creeping rust

Oilchange

8,568 posts

263 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Well done, I think you will fall in love with this!

LincolnLovin

Original Poster:

2,858 posts

221 months

Thursday
quotequote all
boyse7en said:
I had a red one of these that I loved. Eventually the clutch went and a replacement was over £1000 (and the car was barely worth that at the time) so it ended up being broken.

Interior is great, really hardwearing
Front balljoints/arms need to be treated pretty much as service items, they wear out with alarming alacrity.
Make sure the timing belt gets done on time. You really don't want it breaking. If you can get hold of the cam locks its not a terrible job to do yourself.
Keep an eye on the sills. They have a trim over them which can hide creeping rust
I’ve not felt brave enough to take off the sill covers yet.

MiniMan64

17,197 posts

193 months

Thursday
quotequote all
Fantastic barge sir, outstanding vehicle.

Selling my 156 2.5 is going to be a sore point for a very long time, that engine was glorious

Oilchange

8,568 posts

263 months

Thursday
quotequote all
I'm on my third! lol

carinaman

21,435 posts

175 months

Thursday
quotequote all
LincolnLovin said:
New cars are dangerous things, I have a desire to try and make a GTA version of the 166,

There's a bit of clutch judder, so that will likely need replacing, whilst its being done it makes "sense" to install a Q2 LSD or a Quaife LSD. Then uprating the suspension, adjustable coilover, new control arms etc maybe polybush?
I think making contact with the previous owner of the Nuvola Azzuro one that Spinakerr mentioned may be useful.He modified his and owned it over many years. I am sorry I cannot remember his PH name but he posted in Readers' Cars with his 1.6 Lancia Prisma earlier this year.

Regarding sorting out the chassis I saw a post in the AlfaOwner 164/166 section where someone opined that despite years of experimenting and fettling there was amiss with the platform with regard to getting handling and ride spot on.

I love the 17 inch horseshoes and wooden steering wheels.

LincolnLovin

Original Poster:

2,858 posts

221 months

Thursday
quotequote all
I think trying to make this a b road blaster is likely a fools errand. The car does currently get unsettled over bumps so I’d like to get the suspension refreshed and the alignment sorted, then I can make a proper judgement on what (if any) handling mods can done.

That said I’m just back from the cinema and it was GLORIOUS to drive the Alfa. The intake noise is much improved and the car feels perkier now the intake hose is sorted. Placebo? Probably, but who cares!

LincolnLovin

Original Poster:

2,858 posts

221 months

This weekend’s plan is cleaning, particularly the engine bay. Any tips for getting the intake hoses super shiny?

Spinakerr

1,228 posts

148 months

I'm sure a detailer who does these things properly will comment, but I just use a silicone lubricant spray after cleaning.

LincolnLovin

Original Poster:

2,858 posts

221 months

That’s good enough for me! I’ve also just bought some metal polish for the chrome tubes.