Alfa Romeo's Biggest Mistake? How the 166 Became Britain's Most Unwanted Car

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I owned a 1999 166. It was, by a long way, my favourite car ever. I did 112 thousand trouble-free miles. It was great fun to drive. Since then, I've owned Jags and E Class Mercs, and none have been as enjoyable to own and drive as the Alfa.

The biggest mistake was Alfa ever dropping rear wheel drive (or rather Fiat's mistake it was to force them to do so).

I had a 166 Facelift V6 with Automatic in the absolutely stunning colour Nuvola Azurro (pearl blue metallic that shifts colours depending on the light) - I drove it for a year and no issues with it, other that a rear no longer responding to the central locking, the most reliable car I ever had. And 0 depreciation too, bought it for 5000 and sold it a year later for 5000 as well. I sold it because I found the suspension too hard for my taste on longer journey. This was 1 of only 2 cars that I owned where I sometimes just looked out of the window to enjoy it's beauty (the other one was an E34).

I have a pre-facelift which I prefer for it's slightly odd looks. Great cruiser and nicely different from the crowd

Honestly though the original design pre-facelift looks a lot better than the facelifted model.

Hi James; I've had both the 156 and 166 Alfa Romeos; both with V6 motors, the 156 was manual and the 166 automatic. I really enjoyed my 156, but my 166 was a car I truly loved. Very fast, very, very comfortable, and surprisingly reliable. I kept both cars for a year, but then was offered an exchange - for a Lancia Thema 8/32. Of course I accepted and that Lancia was the only car I've ever owned that nearly cost me my nice clean licence! As you may be aware, I'm settled into Lexus now, but I'd still buy a 166 if a good one came up.

I'm driving 166 for 15 years now and this is fantastic 4-person grand tourer :) No steering issues if you look after the suspension and use 17/18-inch wheels. Great car, especially with Busso engine!

166 was a very good car. I don’t agree that it was poor quality. Was solid and reliable overall.

German Wolfgang Egger designed the Alfa 166 facelifted version was so beautiful better than the opposition! Lancia Kappa was a great large executive in that era too known in Holland as the "Italian Mercedes" due to its high mileage capabilities!

Still we all want one😂

I had a 166, one of the best cars i have owned, i cant remember steering being bad, maybe the one you were driving had some issue, otherwise the 166 is an amazing car.

I own the pre-facelift in black, I think the walter de silva design frontend fits the rest of the car a bit better. I like the 166 because it is unusual and a bit mysterious. And also a unicorn when you see it on the road. I think most people dont know this car exist and are intrigued when they turn their head.

I used to have a 2.0 TS one. Loved it despite the cam belt failing which caused a long winded warranty claim. The interior was amazing, handled well for a big car and the headlights were epic. I had mine converted to lpg due to high daily mileage and eventually the engine blew. I was gutted to see it go.

Shame this review just regurgitated all of the usual journalist comments about Alfa 166’s. Having owned several along with owning an E39, the 166 is superior in just about every way.

I own a 166 2.5 V6 24v, 1st series, Lusso, remaped to 202 hp on the dyno (from 188hp), 11/2003 REG, full leather like the car in the test, but silver & with the 17 inch. alfa dial wheels. 330.000 kms since new & maintain her like new! Glorious for high speed cruising, aerodynamic, silent traveler. Never had credibility issues. Busso engine also glorious. I will keep her in my garage forever, next to my 2.2 diesel Giulia I just bought. I think the 166 is already a collector's item.

Sounds like it needs a suspension refresh and a 4-wheel alignment. They are great to drive when properly set up, nice steering and a decent turning circle. Bit thirsty though.

I had a 166 super for 16 years and did 220k miles in it before it blew its head and tore its back end suspension apart. Never experienced that steering weirdness you seemed to have here. Such a shame but I personally think if you can get a t66 that is lower mileage today for around 5k, it'll be the best 5k you've spent in your whole life.

Facelift 166 V6 3.0 owner here. No steering issues whatsoever, take it to an alfa service for the maintenance.

Its just like im looking into my car, 3.0 V6 just that mine have a few options on top of the presented car! Its not as roomy as other cars of the age in that class (5-series, E-Class or A6) but have the best seats ever, comfy, soft and supportive! And the noise that V6 Busso combined with Zender exhaust system is EPIC!!! Got that car for around 2k pounds (5k leva as live in Bulgaria) about 3 years ago! Today is worth it about 3 times more at least in bulgarian market! People just go at the usual stuff like BMW and Merc and the nice and rare cars are left behind and they are rather cheap to buy since most people are not interested and have no idea how capable and special they are!