replies

[lambchops]

lol...looks like you need a minimum 100 looks by members before you get a reply...not to worry..i will try elsewhere and get a mechanical report done on the vehicle...cheers

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Helps if you post in the correct section also.  166 is a 932 series car, not 160.  Try posting there you may have more luck, and have a browse through the section also, some of your questions may have been answered before.

[lambchops]

Sorry.
Shows how ignorant i am of all things Alfa.
I presumed 166 would fall into 160 series.

[Jekyll and Hyde]

Well, it does say in the heading "932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, and 166)"...

In response to your original question, cambelts/water pump done on schedule and a good service history are the main things to look for, beyond that get an independent Alfa specialist in your area to check it out - NOT your average RACQ inspection (I assume they do the same as RACV in Victoria).

Belts are due at 60,000km, this is NOT negotiable.  You get to 60,000 since the last change, you better have just driven into the workshop to have it replaced, or you may well be up for 24 new valves, and a lot of labour.  Waterpump is usually done at the same time, its in behind the cambelt and some were fitted with plastic impellors which split, spin on their shaft and cause the car to overheat due to not actually pumping water anymore.  So if the car is coming up to 60k since last change add the cambelt + waterpump replacement cost to your buying price straight away, same deal if the history is not known.

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Sorry.
Shows how ignorant i am of all things Alfa.
I presumed 166 would fall into 160 series.

First lesson in Alfanomics - throw Logic book out the window.

[lambchops]

Thanks for the input guys.I have decided to back off this vehicle as i have found it has 170000klms and the last service by ALFA was 2.5 years ago.To top it off the seller has only agreed for me to inspect the vehicle tommorow with less than 24 hrs to go on the auction.All smells a bit fishy to me and i dont want my first ALFA experiance to be a total disaster.I am still eager to give this make a try so i will continue hunting around.
                                                            Thanks again,
                                                                               Peter