It's now dark, the curtains are closed so I can't see my Coupe, so I don't feel like I'm betraying it by looking at other cars on t'internet.
Alfa V6. It's all about the sound.
My mate has restored an Alfa GTV6 1984 and it sounds the biz.
He also has a GTV V6 which I had the pleasure to drive and used it to stay with an Audi R8 around the lanes. It's an epic car.
For me to get into Alfa V6 ownership, my budget stretches to one of these . Alfa 156 2.5
But one of these has come into view GTV V6 3.0

I guess you have to view on merit, rust being an issue, cambelt change too.

Are they a strong engine? Do they have h/gasket issues? Dodgy cranks?

Like Coupes, they are at rock bottom prices and can only go up in value or get scrapped so it's now or never...

Not owned personally but the pre-Brera V6 Alfa units are the Busso engine - very strong and well tested as used since the late 70's...

Not me either. But would love one.

I think Bruce01 on the forum has got one though. GTV cup. Ask him perhaps?

What Nello said. Probably one of the most acclaimed v6 designs used a loads of Alfas and several other fiat group cars.

I drove one of these and was then instantly hooked by the Busso V6 - splashed out on a Cup model. Fantastic engine and strong so far as I know. Obviously needs belts and all tensioners done according to interval (£600 job), but if well looked after should be fine. Good luck with the plunge

PS. with a less restrictive exhaust they sound magnificent - try search on You-tube for some clips

I've been hooked since I saw a mates Alfa 75 Cloverleaf years ago. Sounded stunning.

There were a couple of stunning V6s at Brooklands too. A 147 3.2 GTA with the bonnet up - those polished inlets look amazing.

We get to work on quite a few at Motormech - the Brera/159 engine is not an Alfa lump, and its shows - much softer sound with nowhere near as much character

The "proper" Alfa V6 Busso lump comes in several flavours, with 2.5 and 3.0 versions in 12v form and 2.5, 3.0 and 3.2 versions in 24v format

There was even a 2-litre turbo version

Earliest (usable) cars with the Busso lump will be the 156 (166 and 164 versions are pretty rare now)

Next up would be the GT (3.2) - quite a few around and not yet collectable, so can be had for reasonable money

After that, would be the GTV/Spider, which have recently starting fetching very strong money, especially the GTV Cup

Last would be the GTA versions (147/156), which have always fetched top dollar

TBH, if you're only after the sound, a £1k 156 will do everything you want (although it will also need some regular preventative maintenance - they were never the 3-series rival they were intended to be....)

The GTV and GT are the wrong way round.

Plenty of info over at Alfa Owner including common faulty guides and buyers guides for most models.

I would probably opt for a GTV rather than a 156. I wouldnt get a v6 Spider personally.

I think maybe Nigel is listing those cars in an order other than cronologically (e.g. required budget and/or personal preference).

Cronologically the GTA's are wrong in Nigels list too; 147 and 156 GTA were released in 2002. The GT didn't get the 3.2 until 2004.

Thanks all for your input.

I'm going to have a chat with the bloke up the road who passes my house on a hill in his 156 2.5 (another reason why I'm looking at getting one cos it sounds great under load every time he passes).

A 156 suits my wallet, a gtv my heart. It'll have to be pre March 2001 cos after that the tax gets worse still!

I have a bit of a history of busso V6 Alfas, starting with a skinny 155 V6 back in the early 90s, and more recently a 156 V6, which started as a 2.5 with a blown bottom end and ended as a 3.0 24v conversion before being wrecked by a Czech truck driver on the M25.

The engine lived on and got transplanted into a 155, which was an awesome car to drive, although there was always further development work to do.

More recently I have had another 156 V6 2.5, and my daily drive currently is a 12v 2.5 155 (when I am not driving the Coupe).

I can't really add to anything above about what to look for. They are strong engines if well maintained, and high miles should not be a worry if there is proof the car has been looked after. Watch ut for evidence of overheating. The rear bank of cylinders gets warm, which can lead to head gasket failure, although its meant to be quite rare. Heatproof wrapping the rear manifold is meant to help this (and protect the bulkhead electrics).

I would happily snap up a V6 24v GTV. Not only is the engine excellent, but if the suspension has been looked after, the handling is exceptional. The rear wishbone subframe solves a lot of the FWD understeer problems as it has an element of self steering that gives really sharp turn in.

A GTV would make a great stable mate for a 20VT Coupe!!

Apologies - should have made it clearer - my order is my personal take on affordability, with the 156 at the cheapest end and the GTA models at the pricey end

Although I'd say the GT is the better car, the GTV and especially the Spider appear to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity at the moment, with the V6 models commanding very good prices

Oh, just to add, water pumps were a weakness and require a cambelt change to get to them.

A lot of 24v engines came with plastic impellors on the pump which split and spin on the shaft when under load.

Spotting this is usually through the temperature climbing when the engine is driven at higher rpm, and getting it sorted quickly is necessary to avoid head gasket issues etc!!

This isn't that common, but is definitely a known issue on older engines. A water pump with a metal impellor is available, and if a belt change is needed, checking the pump and changing to a metal impellor is recommended.

http://www.themartholmemotorcompany.co.u...201502251229377

Do it. You know you want to.

Currently running a alfa 166 2.5v6 with 160k miles on it! If you look after them they will live almost forever....shame about the mpg!

What sort of mog you getting Sam? I get about 25 average and 30 on a motorway run.

26 today on average driving like the pope

What, standing up?

Possibly, there is quite a lot of room

Fantasy!

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/detail/motors/classic-cars/alfa-romeo/156/108990 Possible reality - all jobs done.

Would prefer red though...

That cars been for sale in various guises both private and dealer, on most car selling/auction sites over the last year or so. Been listed at under £3k at one point.

I think the tax is £500 pa

I seem to recall it is <£300 for GTV 3.0 V6

depends on co2 emissions

My GTA is £290. According to that advert the Co2 for the 166 would put it in the highest band which is £505. BUT ist registered pre 2006 so will also be £290.

I ran a GT V6 3.2 for two years on a daily basis (work and pleasure) and found it to be a fantastic car, handles and brakes well, looks stunning too. The only thing I didn't get on with was the MPG, no matter how you drive it, it's in the low teens or even single figures around town. The coupe is far better for economy in my opinion.

I guess it depends how much you sit in traffic etc but don't think I seen anything lower that about 22 average out of mine, normally around 25. To contrast I got about 28 average from my coupe doing the same type of driving.

Checked and it was £285 last year.

Did not one of the Alfa V6 engines use the block and bottom end made by GM-H here in Australia with Alfa adding the rest?

Thats the replacement v6 Alfa now use in the current range. As far as I am aware all the Busso V6 were made in Italy with some being re-engineered in South Africa (and other places)

This will make you buy one go to 1min 50secs for an earful of mine, filmed in March.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR6RTWqI314

I bought a GTV V6 after Brooklands a few years ago when a chap called GeoffyB went round the track at AutoItalia and his GTV V6, sounded the best car of all of them Fezzas Lambos et al.

Don't buy a cheap one it will be a money pit for you, get one that has been cared for by an enthusiast, you are looking at circa £3500 to £5500 for a good one. Bloke I bought mine had all the history with it, he had just had the belts done (had the year before spent £1500 at Autolusso on Q2 and revamp) and was literally in tears when I drove away.

Mark has the Cup model, I do not see the point paying such a premium for one personally and a V6 Lusso in better nick is a safer proposition in any case, but each to their own. The red also goes pink in the sun like the red LE's. I have the Vela blue metallic with beige leather.

Mate of mine from AlfaOwner has around 140K on his Busso and it goes like stink and is in fine fettle. The Busso V6 is apparently a very robust engine unlike the 2.0 in the GTV. Mine has done 1600miles since last oil change and has not required a top up.

I have a Q2 diff and GTA flywheel and clutch and BMC airbox, polybushed suspension (rear can eat itself) cat back pipe etc, factory spoiler and front lip......

What a car! Better handling than a standard Coupe due to the strengthened floor plan and suspension, it has ooodles of torque and power everywhere and it is brilliant to drive a large capacity 6 cylinder engine. Great looking and like little else on the road like it a la Coupe.

Coupe or GTV V6?......as a recent revisit review of the GTV said you can roll up outside a Michelin starred restaurant in one and not look out of place, oodles of class and panache; I will never be selling mine.

Rust is not a big problem as akin to the Coupe the panels were treated I think what apparently was not was the floor plan!! So make sure there is no rust a favourite place is in line with the door pillar under the car.

Rog has treated mine with Dinitrol and it is like a new car underneath with a lovely browny colour, not that she goes out in the rain.

Only about 600 V6's left in the UK too.