Areas for improvement: Electrics
Just sold the 164 after nearly three years of impeccable service.
Notwithstanding the a list of relatively minor faults, the car never failed to get me to destination safely, quickly and in comfort.
Faults were never failures, allowing diagnosis and repairs to made in good time, under the excellent Alfa Mastercare warranty by Northgate Garage, Canterbury.
It is currently fashionable too bad-mouth the quality of Alfa franchised dealers in the UK - much of it undoubtedly justified. It is refreshing to report however that after nearly 10 years with Northgate, I have nothing, but praise for their level of service and technical competence. The forthcoming move to a new premises with more service bays etc will reduce service lead times - the only niggle I can level at them.
I look after my Alfas fastidiously. I make sure I have comprehensive warranties for peace of mind. I always spend time finding the right (1 owner, low-mileage) car and it pays dividends at point of resale. For the money, nothing drives like an Alfa, no engine gets close to delivering verve, sound and character in similar measures. It has style and individualism in a world of look-alike Euroboxes and covers any journey with aplomb.
The 164 has been replaced with a 166 3.0 V6 24V Super - model evolution at its best. All the attributes of the 164 in a fresher, more up-to date and better equipped body.
The 164 served me well - I look forward to the same with the 166.
Issues:
Rear suspension bushes every 25,000 - 30,000 miles (common occurence on all 164s)
Driver's side electric window motor.
PAS fluid cooling pipe rusted and leaked.
Indicator relay.
Bonnet release cable broke.
Cambelt tension pulley bearing worn.
Auto gear lever detent button broke.
The running costs for Alfa Romeo 164 3.0 V6 24v Automatic are normal
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