Alfa Romeo 3.0 V6 Super with manual gearbox in 'much used' condition

Item Features Alfa Romeo :

Seller notes:

Used : An item that has been previously used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.

“If it had a face you'd describe this Alfa as lived in. It's solid, reliable and has lots left to give a loving home. But it'll never win at Crufts. Cosmetically it's showing the signs of having been driven by someone taught to drive on the dodgems, but mechanically it's all good. As with pretty much any Alfa of any age, the electrics - of which there are a lot - have their good days and bad days. Otherwise, this is a solid, cheap, dependable old smoker that has the superlative Alfa Busso V6 - even if you only buy it just to experience that it's worthwhile.”

Year:	2001	Mileage:	148,288
Reg. Mark:	**51 *** Get the Vehicle Status Report	Manufacturer:	ALFA ROMEO
Metallic Paint:	Yes	Model:	166 SUPER V6 24V
Type:	Standard Car	MOT Expiry:	11/2016
Doors:	4 DOOR SALOON	Particulate Filter:	Yes
Colour:	GREEN	Power:	226
Seats:	5	Reg. Date:	25/09/2001
Drive Side:	Right-hand drive	Engine Size:	2959 cc
Safety Features:	Alarm, Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Driver Airbag, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Immobiliser, Passenger Airbag, Rear seat belts, Safety Belt Pretensioners, Side Airbags	Transmission:	6 SPEED MANUAL PETROL
Exterior:	Alloy Wheels, Catalytic Converter	Fuel:	PETROL
Interior/Comfort Options:	Air Conditioning, Climate Control, Cruise Control, Electric heated seats, Leather Seats, Power-assisted Steering (PAS), Power Locks, Power Seats	Previous Owners:	8
In-Car Audio:	AM/FM Stereo, Cassette Player, CD Multichanger, Navigation System, Premium Sound System

vehicle description:

This is a 99p start, no reserve auction for my Alfa Romeo 166 3.0 V6 Super with manual gearbox.
If you"re after a mint Alfa Romeo 166, look away now. For your sake and mine the finer details of this car will only upset you. Suffice to say it"s lived a life.
The car is cosmetically rough but mechanically sound and reliable, although it will need some work doing in terms of the cambelts at some point in the next few months. But if you can live with its smoker status, it"s a great car to tool around in.
OverviewThe car is a 2000 Alfa Romeo 166 pre-facelift with the 3 litre V6 Busso engine, manual six speed gearbox and "Super" spec.
I bought this car from a fellow Alfa fanatic because I missed my old Alfa 166 3 litre auto. if you know these cars, you"ll know how under-rated they are - they are brilliant long distance cruisers and the engines are superb. But in the few months I"ve owned it I"ve hardly used it, mainly because we now have two greyhounds who aren"t too keen on the back seat.
So reluctantly it"s up for sale. I"m being totally honest about this car"s condition - it is what it is and it"s either for you or it isn"t.
About the Alfa 166The 166 uses a lot of the chassis and mechanicals from the popular 164 but was heavily redeveloped. It was never very common in the UK and, despite a rave review from Jeremy Clarkson (check it out on YouTube) it held the dubious honour of being the fastest depreciating car in the UK when it was new. This reputation hides what is actually a really good car and one that was easily competition for contemporary BMWs and Audis. The 166 handles very sweetly, has sharp steering, very good ride and excellent performance from the 3 litre. Only Alfa"s dodgy reputation let down what was really a well sorted car.
The 166 is surprisingly solidly engineered with heavy doors and good quality trim and fit and finish. They are also well specified with built in satnav, trip computer, cruise control, auto dim mirror, ultra comfortable leather Momo seats (with electrics, heat and memory), big boot, six speed box and other gizmos beloved of well-lunched executives. Or discretion-obsessed top mafioso, which is really this car"s ideal buyer.
General ConditionSomewhere along the line this car has been owned by someone with, lets just say, spacial awareness issues. There is undoubtedly a weekend"s entertainment to be had spotting and cataloguing every one. They"re all cosmetic, but they"re all over the place - rear arches, rear doors, front and rear bumpers, and so it goes on. The car looks pretty good in its unusual light green metallic from about 3 metres. Closer up, it"s a lesson in how not to park.
To add to its cosmetic woes, the 166 has that most unique of early 00"s Alfa quirks, paint flake. The top of the boot and small patches on the bonnet have delaminated, giving a finish that can best be described as "non standard."
On the plus side, the unusual and rare 17 inch wheels have recently been refurbished and reshod all round, so the car sits nicely. Inside the leather is all good, the instruments all work and the only downsides are some wear on the front centre armrest and some tears in the gearshift surround.
Electrically, the car is a bit off and on The main stuff works fine, but niggling issues include the driver"s seat operation (the switches need a wiggle) and a fault in the brake pedal that occasionally activates the brake and ABS warning lights. This is obviously just a switch or relay as both work fine. The cruise also works, although in typical style sometimes needs a wiggle. The trip computer, CD multiplayer and satnav all work, or at least they did when I just tried them.
On the road, this car drives really well - probably better than my old 166 (which was a really nice one). The manual box suits the car and the engine and it can be hustled along B-roads like an oversized hot hatch. if you wish. The gearbox and clutch are both fine (the latter is heavy, which is typical of these cars) and the steering sharp and precise as it should be. The car rides and handles as it should with minimal slop.
The MOT runs to 17/11/16. The only advisories on the last one (less than 4,000 miles ago) were tyres (since replaced), deterioration of the reg plate (easy fix) and suspension arm dust cover slight deterioration. I really don"t anticipate any problems putting it through the MOT - if you want it MOT"d before buying it I am happy to discuss that. The cambelts will need done at some point soon. Mileage is 148,000.
Good PointsIt"s an Alfa 166 V6 for buttonsBig history file with obvious signs of mechanical care (although bodywork care more questionable)Current MOT with simple advisories and few miles since Lovely big leather Momo armchairs6 speed manual gearboxSuperlative 3 litre V6 with 226 bhpFour new tyres and refurbished alloysSatnav, trip computer and audio all work Bad Points
This list is not necessarily exhaustive as it"s based on what I have noticed and can remember. But it definitely covers the main points.Bodywork in poor condition - no rot, just damage and paintwork deteriorationBonnet release catch erraticFault with brake switch causing ABS and brake fault lights on dashboard occasionallyElectric driver"s seat switches play upCentre armrest in front worn SummaryIf you can look past the cosmetics then this is a solid Alfa 166 in a good spec. It will need a MOT soon but nothing suggests it won"t go through easily since it"s done few miles since the last one. I"m only selling it because it just doesn"t get used.
The car is located in Redditch postcode B97.
Note to buyers
If you"re an honest bidder, this doesn"t apply to you. You bid to buy, not to come and take a look, kick some tyres and discuss the price. I recommend you view before you buy - if you don"t and you win it, it"s yours. Please make contact within 24 hrs and pay a deposit in the same period. Ideally collection within 7 days. We can deliver the car nationwide for a competitive price if needed. There is no buy it now - I"m happy to let this one run.
Feel free to call me on 01527 893733 (Graham) or message me via ebay. Any questions welcome - I have nothing to hide.

Want to buy this Alfa Romeo car?

Contact the seller for the description of the cars listed

Also published at eBay.co.uk