> wrote:

> I'm thinking of buying a used 166, maybe a '99 and almost certainly a
> 3l V6 auto. The problem is that I am rather scared of the costs
> involved after I purchase. There's a baby on the way and I don't have
> much cash so the last thing I want is a massive bill when something
> goes wrong.
>
> Can anyone give me an idea of prices of common parts such as brake
> disks and pads and service parts.

As an example, here's the front disc and pad prices:

https://sslrelay.com/buypartsby.co.u...p?recordID=186

> I can handle most jobs myself on older cars but my experience is
> limited on anything in the last 10 years with the exception of simple
> stuff like a Fiat Punto, so I'm worried I might get in over my head
> with all the gadgetary in a 166 and end up with a huge Alfa main dealer
> bill that I can't afford.

A 166 is no more complex than any other luxury car in it's class - look
at how complex a MkIII Mondeo Ghia is, for example.

> Is a cam-belt change on one of these involved? And if it is, are they
> costly from the dealer?

Don't go to a main dealer - cambelts are surrounded by myth and mystery
- however, my local back street mechanic is happy to replace the belts
on anything (the one on my Passat was quite complicated to replace, but
he did it for under £200) - I'd say he'd charge me about £300 for a
service and belt change on a 166.

> And is there any other advice anyone can offer?

Stay away from main dealers - find a competent local mechanic with a
cheap hourly rate, but also find a local Italian car specialist who can
do the more specialist jobs - not that you'll need them very often.

> What I'm getting at is, is a 166 going to cost me a lot more to
> maintain than something dull like a Vectra? CShould I wait till I am in
> a beter financial position before becoming an Alfa owner? I'd hate my
> first experience with an Alfa to be a bitter one.

IME, Alfas are more expensive than mainstream cars to run. The insurance
is a bit more, but not massively so, and servicing costs *can* be
higher, although I know people who've paid silly amounts of money out on
servicing Volkswagens.

> My heart says Alfa Romeo, my head says Ford Mondeo

Go with your heart - the 166 is one of the undiscovered bargains on the
used car market. As you're new to Alfas, I'd definitely recommend buying
from a specialist or having the car you're interested in inspected.

As has been said by someone else - also consider the 2lt TSpark. It's a
great engine, if a little low powered for such a big car. However,
they're a lot more economical and the engine is certainly easier to work
on.

On the other hand, are you sure you need something as big as a 166? -
with the 159 on it's way, 156s are currently at bargain basement prices
- we bought a 156 2lt TSpark Lusso recently, on a 99V, with climate
control, for £2800 with a 12 month warranty, from a respected Alfa
specialist.


--
Steve H 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
http://www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - MZ ETZ300 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 2.0 TSpark Lusso - Passat 1.8 Turbo SE - COSOC KOTL
BoTAFOT #87 - BoTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #