Which would you go for?

[wirelessjunkie]

Originally posted by erica34+May 4 2005, 05:05 PM-->QUOTE (erica34 @ May 4 2005, 05:05 PM)

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Originally posted by bindablitz@May 5 2005, 04:27 PM
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.

Bindablitz, long time no see. There is a rare GTV6 previously given to Tun Mahatir as a G2G gift by the Italian government. It's for sael if you are keen. Facelift model with single dash and plenty of character.

 

[Redd]

528i vs 166, well depends on which is louder - ur head or ur heart.

looks - sorry but i have to give this to the 166. like bindablitz said, a black 166 with full kit and black tinted windows; u almost expect it to stop and have big burly men in pin-striped suits carrying guitar cases walk out. the car looks so MAFIA!

interior - also have to give this to the 166. very sporty yet classy interior. the 528 interior has the typical BMW look - functional but a bit spartan.

reliability - bit of a toss up here. i'd say BMW gets this one initially, but some friends have had probs with their 5-series, too. at any rate, watch out for that ZF automatic gearbox in the 166. not the strongest around. and the front lower arms go quite quickly too due to the added weight upfront.

build quality - BMW for sure. the italians need to spend more time making things fit right and less gawking at the pretty cars and pretty girls.

performance - outright performance the 166 should win, since its got more hp. might lose out just in pickup tho due to peakier nature of alfa V6 engines and lower torque down low. but in the high speeds, i doubt the 528i can touch the 166.

handling - stock for stock, the 528i is more planted in the corners and has more electronic doohickeys to make sure u stay out of trouble. 166 very front heavy and prone to understeer.

fun factor/driving experience - smiles per mile, i doubt the 528 comes close to the 166. WJ hit on the one thing that always puts a smile on an alfisti's face, and something that keeps us looking forward to the next time we get to drive our cars - the engine sound. just cant get enuff of it!

value for money - goes to 166. younger car for the same price. after the first 3-4yrs depreciation which is hefty, the normal alfa depreciation is about 10k/yr. about the same as a bimmer of a similar age. add that to the fact that ur getting a bimmer that's 4-5yrs older for the same price, the 166 gives good bang for the buck. bear in mind that u cant get a loan anymore for anything over 10-yrs old. so ur gonna have a hard time selling the bimmer later if u use it past its 10th bday.

verdict - if im letting the missus drive it, id get the 528i (unless she's a greasemonkey like me). less hassles, and u cant expect non-car enthusiasts to give the 166 the attention they require. if it wass for my personal consumption, i'd get the 166.

redd

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Originally posted by Redd@May 7 2005, 07:01 PM

fun factor/driving experience - smiles per mile, i doubt the 528 comes close to the 166. WJ hit on the one thing that always puts a smile on an alfisti's face, and something that keeps us looking forward to the next time we get to drive our cars - the engine sound. just cant get enuff of it!

That's why there is a HiOP 3.2l in the market

 

[bindablitz]

WJ, not fair. Your car is not a good comparison. Yours is anything BUT normal. GTV6? What year and what price?

I still miss my 164

 

[Alvin]

Dun know about the sound of cars much but i just love the sound of my E30. The sound from the throattles is something i simply cant get enuf!

Well have had various Alfa's before from the GTV to the spiders. Lovely to drive & the sound is also lovely. Depends on what you want really. Comfortable day to day or something to play with.

WJ

Sell the E39 lar, damn boring liao! I also cannot decide what to get yet! Maybe a STI?

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Originally posted by Alvin@May 9 2005, 05:08 PM

WJ

Sell the E39 lar, damn boring liao! I also cannot decide what to get yet! Maybe a STI?

But what is there to get with an equivalent in performance at that price?

 

[E34EuroTouring]

I must agree the Alfa is fast and can keep up with a Porsche 911. The 528 would be hard pressed to see the tail lights of that pair on a long stretch. Ownership comes in many different quality/value sets of any perspective person.

The Alfa owner typically loved the kick and its associated Ferarri-like roar. Its rawness has appeal to enthusiasts. The BMW is more for the refined driver who like some rawness occasionally (but I cannot find ANY rawness in E39 at all, some in E34 tho). People who enjoys the refinement and better than average driving pleasure without much harshness or too much raw feel. This exudes confidence that the car feels.

One can say, the BMW makes the driver feel like a hero when it is near the edge, while the Alfa will squeeze much excitment with more element of risk, at the edge. Adrenalin pumping on the edge for the Alfa, while the BMW will get adrenalin pumping AFTER the edge!. You choose which scenario you rather have!.

Great cars with rather different focus for the drivers. I have tested Volvos and Audis, both of which are pretty "dead" in feel. To the point of being boring...

 

[Redd]

have to agree there. when i first got my 156 V6, i found it too quiet! i was falling asleep cruising at 160 cos it was just too silent. i also found i always missed the shift points and bounced the revs off the limiter (when i was in manual-mode) cos i couldn't hear the exhaust note change when it got near the limit.

one new exhaust system later and she certainly cant be accused of being anywhere near quiet.

ive also had the pleasure of riding in bindablitz's E39 many times and its COMFORTABLE! its quiet, smooth, and hardly rolls. the a/c is quiet. its just so peaceful. like being enveloped in a soft down pillow.

different strokes for different folks, i guess. if i was driving, id pick my bella. but if i was a passenger, id prefer bin's 528i.

redd

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Redd, wanna an E39?

 

[Alvin]

WJ

What you gonna get ar? I'm interested to know le. Me due for a change also.

 

[Redd]

LOL, WJ! only if ur gonna chaffeur me around in it all the time.

btw, thanks for following up on the parts issue. ur ace!

redd

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Originally posted by Alvin@May 12 2005, 10:19 AM
WJ

What you gonna get ar? I'm interested to know le. Me due for a change also.

Options are open buddy. Thinking penny wise.

 

[erica34]

Originally posted by wirelessjunkie@May 12 2005, 09:27 AM
Redd, wanna an E39?

ei, like that means you'd seriously take an alfa over bmw... traitor...

 

[wirelessjunkie]

well well, the new ones are a bit dry but after so many years of happy ownership, do u think I'd desert? Surely I'll get a nice UDM again. Perhaps of a vintage flavour.

 

[erica34]

Originally posted by wirelessjunkie@May 12 2005, 08:24 PM
... I'll get a nice UDM again. Perhaps of a vintage flavour.

nice... old cars me like... looks cool on the road...

 

[Redd]

yah a well maintained classic is like a diamond. any ol' joe can go out to the showroom, drop a wad of cash, and drive home a brand-spanking-new car. no challenge in that (other than getting that wad of cash in the first place).

it takes someone special to find and restore that old classic to pristine condition and then use it as a daily driver. respect, man!

redd

 

[E34EuroTouring]

Ya la , Redd. Some older cars are better built than newer ones. Occationally, there is a gem like the Lancia Delta Integralle !.

I like the e34 over the E39 or even E60. Those X models does not look so appealing besides no real chance of going off-road anyway. I will get a boring LandRover Dedender if I needed an off-roader.

E34 is raw enough to not put a driver to sleep. It has all the elements of a BMW in its glory days before this Bangle fellow starting to flame everything left and right. Bangle is a brilliant designer, just working for the wrong company to flame.....one of these days someone will twist the flame his direction!.

 

[Redd]

Shhh... I get the impression that discussing Bangle here is like asking the question "Does Klang really have the best BKT?"

ppl will fight tooth & nail to the death to defend their position.

redd

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Originally posted by E34EuroTouring@May 16 2005, 06:35 AM
Ya la , Redd. Some older cars are better built than newer ones. Occationally, there is a gem like the Lancia Delta Integralle !.

I like the e34 over the E39 or even E60. Those X models does not look so appealing besides no real chance of going off-road anyway. I will get a boring LandRover Dedender if I needed an off-roader.

E34 is raw enough to not put a driver to sleep. It has all the elements of a BMW in its glory days before this Bangle fellow starting to flame everything left and right. Bangle is a brilliant designer, just working for the wrong company to flame.....one of these days someone will twist the flame his direction!.

I politely disagree witchu lah. It's a question of personal tastes anyway and this debate can rage on till the earth stops turnin'. Staying in Bangsar, I see so many Mercs and BMWs that it can make some people sick. Well, I'm pretty sick of seeing S-Classes but every time a 7er whizz past, I can't help but give a second look at the lines and stature. Same is beginning to happen with E60s. I'm beginning to realise that these designs may be ahead of their time!