Faults:

Rear window lifters broke (replaced several times under warranty).

External door handles corroded (replaced several times under warranty).

Rear brakes seized.

General Comments:

This car is an individualist's alternative to the ubiquitous Germans.

It has attractive external optics and a truly stunning interior full of Italian style.

The car is well equipped with excellent seats and climate control. The suspension is astonishingly comfortable. This makes this Alfa a very capable mile eater for long fast autobahn blasts.

The engine is incredible. This has to be one of the best engines in its class ever made. The sound is just terrific. A spine tingling growl, becoming a Formula One shriek once revved. The only disadvantage is that the engine is annoyingly thirsty. Fuel consumption when driven hard is on a par with an old V12 Jaguar. This is hard to believe but true.

The car is reliable, but quite expensive to service and operate.

Faults:

A/C fault, probably needs regasing.

Front RH Bearing changed,but I have a feeling it was a bad decision and the tyres are the real culprits.

Slight hesitation at 1500,maybe MAF.

General Comments:

One of the best cars to drive in this segment and one that makes you feel you're in the driving seat.

Having owned Mercs, BMW's and Lancia's, my original belief came back to haunt me.. Any Italian car is a driver's car, specially Alfa's and the 166 even with its size, always delivers satisfaction for its elegance, power and design.

I am looking now for a nice late series spider to go with the 166 as a weekend toy.. Got to go all the way.

Faults:

ZF Power Steering Hose burst at 42000mls.

Horrible fix, very difficult to replace. only €40 for part from Alfa, but 4 hours labour! (ZF power steering system made in Germany)

Heated Front Seats on/off Switch broken on both seats (Made in Germany) No damage, just needs replacement. €40ea from Alfa, easy fix.

General Comments:

Fantastic car to drive and own.

Great performance, reasonable fuel consumption for size.

Great handling. Fantastic direct steering, great road grip and feel. Can really plaster it around bends, will slide predictably - no over_steer. Torque steer is very manageable and composed. Fantastic breaking.

Does not like bad, bumpy roads due to limited ground clearance. (same as average family car) Tends to bottom and scrape the belly on bad bumps and pot holes.

The TCS Electronic Traction Control System is not fitted to my car for some reason, so if you accellerate violently, the car will spin the wheels freely until you back off the throttle! Kinda fun sometimes...

Winter/ city mode. Irritating sometimes because it activates automatically with no warning or any indication. There is no indication to tell the driver it is now activated and in winter/city mode. The only way to know is when you pull off, the car pulls off in 2nd gear instead of 1st. This seems to happen after having lost traction on bad road surface or a pot hole. The only way to override the winter/city mode is to drive in sport mode or manual sequential mode. The system will reset once you stop the engine and start it again.

Faults:

Faulty clutch: collapsed at 6,000km.

General Comments:

Apart form the collapsing clutch, this has been the most wonderful car to drive that I have owned.

The Integrated Control System, with 8cm monitor reduces clutter and provides wonderfully simple, yet elegant, access.

Interior is beautifully appointed, both luxurious and stylish.

The engine sings.

Exterior styling is typically Italian and exudes class and sophistication.

The reputation of Alfa, damaged in the bad old days of the 70's, should now be consigned to history.