Which would you go for?

[wirelessjunkie]

Guys, we were debating on this issue today and what's your opinion? We stand divided over the value proposition. It goes like this.........Would you pay RM125k for a 2001 Alfa Romeo 3.0 V6 166 or RM125k for a 1997 528i? Think about it? 4-5 years apart at the same price and similar power rating?

 

[eddiefiola]

i'll take the 528. but if have money, i'll take both......

 

[bad4eva]

alfa depreciates faster than beemer, so my money will go to the 528...

plus, italian electronics gives me bigger headache than the germans...

 

[Bmmad318i]

Originally posted by bad4eva@Apr 29 2005, 11:01 PM
alfa depreciates faster than beemer, so my money will go to the 528...

Yeah I notice in the motor trader for a 5-7 yrs Alfa 146 going for abt RM30-40K vs RM90-100K when new.

Y does the Alfa does not retain 2nd hand value...... isit that for an Alfa at that age need to replace many wear and tear parts???

Can some pls enlighten???

Thanks

 

[Vanquish]

WJ,

The head says "Beemer" but the heart says "screw the consequences and take the bella"!

 

[shaifulo]

replacement parts are notoriously expensive in malaysia compared to even the bimmer. since only a hadnful of units sold in this country (relative to bimmer), obviously part distributors dont have bargaining power & cant pass any sort of bulk discount for the end customers. also, the design of those older models especially never considered the humid and hot malaysian weather hence reliability becomes a major factor.

cant comment on the 166 coz havent been inside one but, if compare the e46 vs the 156, bimmer has much better build quality. you'll notice a lot of squeek/rattles in an alfa, but in terms of look/styling (especially the interior), the alfa is better....to me la (me like 147), also take it to the twisty b road...it'll perform commendably, handling is very good!

 

[Bmmad318i]

Had considered the bella before getting my current UDM but finally the E30 was the one I wanted.

 

[bad4eva]

alfa might have the machoistic look compared to bmw.. but the 'long arm short leg' driving position is a big no-no for me...

 

[3er]

wireless:

In addition to the depreciation and maintenance factor, i prefer the E39 exterior design over the 166 (barring electrical gremlins). The old classic Alfas are nice but the 166 doesnt quite do it for me. When push comes to shove, the 166 with a heavy 3.0L V6 lump plus FWD, it will really understeer. The 5er in comparison will remain quite composed. You may not track the 528i but the reassurance of the 50-50 handling does wonders in an emergency and on a confident spirited drive on a twisty A route. I think that seals my decision quite immediately.

 

[Fuhrer]

i dont think its only in malaysia that depreciation sucks, it sucks big time here to in australia. a brand new 166 is around the 70-80 braket & 3 years down the track you can pick one up for just under 30k!! now that's some scarry depreciation!
the same in the UK as well & they're known for providing absolutely crap service there.
i like the 166, interior is fantastic & the design cues radical. but would i buy one? probably yes n no! haha....

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Haha...Deja vu.. All those thoughts raced through my mind as well but nevertheless the engine is a real gem. Notice how unmetallic it sounds relative to the Bimmers. If you have heard an E46 M3 take off, it's all metal grinding but if you listen to an ALFA 156 GTa take off, man, your heart melts. The newer Alfas seem to be holding its value pretty well. I was in Sepang inside a 166 and it's pretty impressive but for the 4 speed Auto. We are definately in the market for another car since the long overdue replacement for the stolen Harrier. If is RM120k budget, I guess 5-6 years down the road, the Alfa will still be less than 10 years old whilst the same E39 would be about 13 years old which it's resale is probably < RM50k. but then again, see what the Missus say about it. There is also a very sexy looking 2003 147 Selespeed with full zender kit etc at the same price too...but down on the hP and the all important torque.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Usually, I would choose the 4-year old car over the 8-year old car but then the 166 is just too rare and complications can hurt whereas sourcing for E39 parts should be fairly easy. So, I would go for the E39 (and get it facelifted) even tho the 166 is a current model.

 

[tyke]

i share the same sentiments as jpb....i would go fro the e39 as parts r easier to come by.
let me tell u tht alfa is my 2nd fav car.i alwiz wanted to get one when circumstances allows me to.
i just love the boxer growl.... :nyehehe:
dont u find it weird tht alfa's and bmw's dont carry much of a resale value? i find tht sad tht such fine works of automotive engineering dont hold their value for long!

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Originally posted by tyke@May 4 2005, 07:05 AM
i share the same sentiments as jpb....i would go fro the e39 as parts r easier to come by.
let me tell u tht alfa is my 2nd fav car.i alwiz wanted to get one when circumstances allows me to.
i just love the boxer growl.... :nyehehe:
dont u find it weird tht alfa's and bmw's dont carry much of a resale value? i find tht sad tht such fine works of automotive engineering dont hold their value for long!

 

[bmwky]

Originally posted by Juan Powerblow+May 4 2005, 02:11 AM-->QUOTE (Juan Powerblow @ May 4 2005, 02:11 AM)

 

[ALBundy]

Well, I think WJ is not that concern over the parts, depreciation and etc, at least compared to the fun factor which I believe is his main priority!! All I can say the 166 is an awesome car and looks sleek and cool too!!! I think it has more hp and torque (225hp?) compared to the 528 (193hp).

I have had the 156 2.5V6 for almost a month and really had a blast with the V6 engine. Now I could only imagine what another 500cc and 30hp can do WJ, go with your heart!! :nyehehe: :nyehehe:

 

[erica34]

Originally posted by ALBundy@May 4 2005, 04:52 PM
I have had the 156 2.5V6 for almost a month and really had a blast with the V6 engine. Now I could only imagine what another 500cc and 30hp can do WJ, go with your heart!! :nyehehe: :nyehehe:

ei friend, u bmw feller where can talk like that about the alfa v6? cannot lah like that... but actually talking seriously, since you one of those hardcore type, and got experience farking with alfa v6 and bmw straight 6, which one nicer ah?

 

[ALBundy]

Both also nice!!! I am talking about engine+transmission only not the rest.
The alfa is more raw compared to the beemer which is more refined. You could hear the engine and exhaust note which will get your adrenalin flowing. And the sportmatic is pretty similar to the steptronic so I was having tonnes of fun with the V6.

 

[erica34]

one more raw and one more refined, hmm... like that very difficult to decide... ok, better get one of each...

 

[bindablitz]

Interesting topic. I use to drive the 164 3.0 V6 and believe nothing sounds like the Alfa V6. The 166 comes with the 3.0 V6 24V and the chrome intakes are beautiful!!!

That said it is a FWD with 226hp and 4 speed Steptronic but it pulls a higher top speed of nearly 260km/h. Don read the paper specification.

The 166 is a work of art. Imagine a black 166 on the road. It looks like a stealth fighter/car hovering on the road. It just looks amazing.

A 2001 unit is about $120k whereas a 2001 528i is about $190k or so. The newer generation Alfa are alot more reliable as compared to their past. No doubt the bimmer is alot more reliable and less headache.

If I have a choice I go for both. Nothing sounds like the Alfa V6. It is just so raw, unrefined and it just grows on you. I miss the V6 till this very day. The 2.5 V6 does not sound the same as the 3.0 V6. The V6 is like a mini ferrari engine. I used to have other Alfa owners during the Ulu Yam tailing me just to listen to the V6 engine blasting at high RPM and those guys used to drive the Alfa Boxer and the boxer engine is addictive.

Too bad the Alfa V6 will die in the upcoming 159 and future models. They will be using the GM V6 and nobody knows whether Alfa can replicate the glory of the old V6. The last V6 implementation is in the Alfa GT 3.2 V6. I know when I have the $$$ I look for one of the classic V6s.