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Hello! Need help on this.


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#1
mrtsunami

Posted 19 January 2005 - 09:10 PM

mrtsunami

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Hello. Im newbie in this forum. Currently driving a 97 Fiat Bravo 1.8GT.
Im planning on selling my Bravo, and getting myself a sedan.

I will get myself a wife and my own family in next couple of years, so it
wont be proper to dwell the streets with a small hatch anymore.

Im always passionate with Italian cars. And what come across my mind is
Alfa Romeo, for I personally think that larger Fiats doesnt have
that 'fierce' factor Im looking for in a sedan.

The Alfa Romeo 155 is my choice if Im getting myself an Alfa.

If I can afford to buy 156, I would buy one. However, I am not.

Yesterday, a silver 164 overtook me on LDP highway. There was something
about the car that really interest me. It look somehow different from any
164 i've encountered before.

If im not mistaken, the reg. number was WDY 39. Before yesterday, 164
were never on my buying list, if Im getting myself another car. However,
the silver 164, did changed my perspective on 164. The car can look
menacing!

So now, im in dilemma. I cant figure out which one I would buy, a 155 or
164. Im still in love with 155, however, half of my feeling now were
stolen by 164. Very confusing.

In this case, I really need your guys opinion on which one is suitable
for me, for I know nothing about Alfas.

And if anyone know who is the owner of WDY 39, can you please ask him if
he want to let go his 164. Or maybe if he dont want to, perhaps I can ask
advice from him on how to transform a standard 164 into something like
him, if Im getting myself a 164.

Thanks.


#2
nine2five4

Posted 19 January 2005 - 09:26 PM

nine2five4

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I would suggest you get yourself a 155. I should think that is good enough
for your age. The 164 is normally for middle-aged man like me. But I never
like the 164 shape and neither its dashboard. Wink

#3
Taj156

Posted 19 January 2005 - 09:31 PM

Taj156

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WDY39 is a 168 Super 3.0V6 24v, fitted with 17" Zender Milano rims,
Zender front lip and rear boot spoiler. Current owner is a guy named Zul
(sorry but i don't have his contact) and he works somewhere around Sunway
Mentari area. He just bought the car sometime mid-last year. He's the 3rd
owner. 1st owner was the previous AROCM President, while the 2nd owner
was one fast flying singh, Ajit.

I don't think Zul wants to sell the car cos the last time i spoke to him,
he was enthusiatic bout his ride and loves every moment of driving it.
He's spent a bundle on the car, from overhauling the entire engine to
paintjob.

#4
recce

Posted 19 January 2005 - 11:17 PM

recce

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There are some fundamental differences between the 155 and the 164/168
that you'll need to consider. The most significant, is the engine
capacity. The 155 typically in Malaysia is either a 1.8/2.0 8Valve, or
1.8/2.0 16 valve while the 164/168 has a 2.0 8Valve (the same as that on
the 155) or a 3.0 V6 24 Valve. Due to the sheer size and weight of the
168, the 3.0 is perhaps a better choice in terms of performance compared
to the 2.0, but the road tax, mileage and maintenance costs are much
higher.

The next thing to consider is the transmission. Most 164/168 have
automatic trainys, the 155 are mostly manual. Looks wise, both are
appealing to me, I like them because their boxy shape gives a more bulky,
mean look than the newer sleeker 156/147/166. And the classic wedge shape
of the Alfas are more prominent on the 155 and 168 then they are on the
newer models. Whatever it is, good luck to you... and hope you find a
bella that will care for you well.

BTW, I love your line.. "I'll be getting a wife and family soon". You make
it sound like you're actually going shopping for a spouse and family!!



#5
Redd

Posted 20 January 2005 - 12:18 AM

Redd

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imho, the 164 is the last real Mafia car. get it in black with black tint
and even the cops will make way for u. a friend of mine who previously
drove a 164 was allowed to park in the Prime Minister's Office compound
when he went to the PMO for a meeting, whereas a colleague of his driving
the bimmer behind him was denied access. hilarious!

my uncle has a green 164 3.0 V6 12V 5-speed manual for sale if ur
interested. email me with ur name and contact info.

redd

#6
Taj156

Posted 20 January 2005 - 11:08 AM

Taj156

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Quote "the 155 are mostly manual".. I don't think there are any auto
155's.

The earlier 164s came with the 3.0V6 12v in auto or manual guise. The 164
Super 24v (called 168 Super here, in S'pore and HongKong), only came with
auto tranny although they had 5-speed manual in other countries. The top
of the line model sold here was the 164 Cloverleaf. There was the earlier
Cloverleaf 12v model (200bhp) and the later Cloverleaf 24v model (230bhp)
in limited numbers. There are about 2 units of the 12v Cloverleaf and 5
units of the 24v Cloverleaf, all manual trannies only. However, the real
top of the line model is the Cloverleaf 24v 4wd called the Q4 but was
never sold here cos it was left hand drive only.

#7
recce

Posted 20 January 2005 - 11:59 PM

recce

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Uncle Taj,

Thanks for the correction.. How seriously bad is the cost to maintain a
164/168 as opposed to 155?? Whats the mileage like.. This topic is starting
to give me ideas.

#8
Taj156

Posted 24 January 2005 - 09:58 PM

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Generally speaking, imho, it would cost more to maintain the 164/168 as
compared to the 155. 1st of all, if it's a 3.0 164, it's not just your
road tax but fuel bills. I was running a 168 Super 3.0 as my daily car a
few years ago and putting at least 200km a day so i was refuelling around
every 3 days. Nowadays, i'm running a 147 1.6 as a daily car and it's
proving to be a wise investment, with current fuel prices.

Maintainance-wise, the 164 parts are slightly more expensive. General
rule, the bigger the car, the bigger the part, so price slightly bigger,
usually (there may be exceptions to the rule though). Examples are things
like a V6 timing belt; longer belt so price also more as compared to a
Twin Spark 146/155 16v timing belt. Bigger absorbers than a 146/155,
bigger price too. You get the idea.

However these days, there are chopshops like Fresh Tools/Alfatech so
prices have dropped somewhat and more choice of suppliers. Still, i feel
a 155 will be cheaper to maintain overall. Then again, the best 155 to
buy is the 2.0 16v compared to the 8v. No offence meant to 8v owners,
it's just a personal preference. If the 8v is all you can afford then get
a 2.0 8v against the 1.8 8v cos the extra 200cc and torque makes a big
difference.

#9
recce

Posted 25 January 2005 - 12:54 AM

recce

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Thanks Uncle for the reply... You're the first chap I know who preferred
the 2.0 16v over the 8v... why's that??

#10
Taj156

Posted 25 January 2005 - 10:08 AM

Taj156

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Both the 8v and 16v have their plus and minuses.

The 16v engine is a newer generation, so parts are easier to obtain
currently. It shares many parts with the 156/147s. Also, it gives better
torque and bhp compared to the 8v. However, the engine block is derived
from Fiat, but cylinder heads by AR. It also runs timing belts, which is
acknowledged to be a weakness here, with advised local intervals of 40k.

The 8v runs on timing chain so lasts longer compared to timing belt in
16v. It's also a REAL Alfa engine developed by AR. Currently, the last
REAL AR engine are the V6s. Other plusses are the current market prices
of the 155 8vs which are a bargain currently. Then again, that goes with
age of the car. However, the electricals and aircon system may be
wanting, and 8v parts are slightly scarcer than the 16v.

Just my 2 sen...