Alfa Romeo’s executive flagship car was launched in Europe in 1998, taking over the 164 as the brand’s biggest saloon. Perhaps buoyed by the initial success of the pretty 156 in the UK, Alfa Romeo took a gamble and launched the RHD version of the 166 a year later. The original Italian launch date was originally set for 1997 but Alfa Romeo was not satisfied by the rear suspension set-up. This decision may have been influenced by the recently announced E39 BMWs, which gained near faultless marks across the board, so Alfa assumed that the delay would be worth the effort. Was it? In most respect yes.
The 166 was equal to the 5 Series when comparing in-cabin refinement, space and ride but unusually for an Alfa, it was the performance of the smaller engines and four-speed autos that let the car down. Likely to have been added to take advantage of lower domestic tax brackets, purists had to wait for the Sportronic gearbox and the 220bhp 24V 3.0-litre, before a more rounded opinion could be formed.
However, the chances of UK fleet managers jettisoning their German barges for a brand with traditionally expensive servicing and high leasing rates were unlikely. This meant that the few that were sold here were mostly to private customers. It really should have been the car that finally lifted the doubts about the brand’s fragility but a conservative fleet market didn’t give it a chance.
Even when the final incarnation of the 166 with the superb 32V engine arrived in 2003, it had become largely forgotten and its subsequent tumbling depreciation meant buyers stayed well away. The lack of a diesel alternative didn’t help matters either. In recent years, specialists have done their bit to keep as many as possible on the roads and those are the ones to seek. This example has had just one previous owner and has a full-service history with just over 40K on the clock. It sold for £4,300 in early 2022, which isn’t far off a leggy but well-kept 5-Series of the era. However, the 166 has something the Beemer doesn’t have – exclusivity.
