(G) Are Stilo's prone to going through a lot of parts?

Hello,

Had an 02 Stilo 1.6 Dynamic for just over 3 years now just only on 55,000 miles, in the first 2.5 years these have had to be replaced, the car is driven carefully:

2 Radiators
4 Coil Packs (all went seperately in the first 12 months)
2 Front brake Disks
1 Car Stereo
2 Front coil Springs
6 Diagnostics because of multiple false warnings of engine doom
corroded terminals causing false warnings of lights not working

Oh & some bastard nicked all 4 Orig Fiat wheel trims

Some other stuff has been replaced but my memeory is a bit jaded trying to remember any more.

Have I just been unlucky here, or do bits drop off stilo's more than others, never had a car like it for broken stuff, am I alone?

Do remember that some of the bits you've mentioned are consumables.

Jon.

I've had my JTD for just under 3 years and:

2 x Glowplugs
1 x Brake light bulb
Full pad set
4 x New tyres
Front & Rear wipers
Full spring set replaced twice (that's down to me - not the car)
Simple fix to overboost tubing (not the car's fault)


I've also had to pay for 3 routine services and quite a bit of diesel

Obviously I did not include Tyres & brake pads etc (consumables), but I have had many cars & non of these bits failed on them.

you listed brake disks? surely they will wear out depending how and when you brake, it doesnt sound too bad to me, what did you do to your radiator to go twice? radiators usually last 8 years plus.

Hello,

I was actually just pointing out that I didn't put the brake pads on the orig listing as they do wear & tear, but that the other parts failing so often was unusual.

I didn't do anything unusual to the radiators they just started leaking & failed, having to replace two of these in 2 years is very unusual, I have never had to change any of the parts mentioned in other cars that I have owned for longer periods, the stilo parts seem to have an unusually short lifespan compared to other cars I have owned.

With the lowish Mileage & careful driving it is quite a concern, however I do like the car, my wife thinks that it is quirky & also likes it, we now also have an Audi A4 but she won't part with the Stilo at present.

When I bought my stilo at 3 years old there were two reciepts in the folder for rad replacment.. and according to the bill that acompanied them they just leaked and were replaced..

i believe most radiators have a 2 year warrenty, so id check it out...

Did, 12 months only on most parts.

Although I've had my fair share of Stilo problems it's fair to say that, other than routine wear & tear (and my run down modification alley to 'tweak' the cars performance), it's been remarkable how little I've had to do to it.

Springs - 2 front replaced after breakages (then all 4 with Eibach Pro-Kit).

Other than that - fingers crossed - bug*er all has had to be done to it - which is nice

The only consumable that irritates me on a reasonable regular basis is tyres.... although they wear out evenly now they do wear out a tad quicker than I might like 'em to

So, IMHO and in my experience, the Stilo isn't any more prone in going through a lot of parts than any other car I've owned - and that is.....errrrr... severalcars.

2 Radiators
4 Coil Packs (all went seperately in the first 12 months)
2 Front brake Disks
1 Car Stereo
2 Front coil Springs
6 Diagnostics because of multiple false warnings of engine doom
corroded terminals causing false warnings of lights not working

It doesn't sound awful to me, the false warnings are common on Stilos and can often be caused by a battery which is wearing out, leading to slightly iffy voltage on start up, which stops the computer from doing it's pre flight checks. Similarly if you put the key in and start straight away, it can get itself into a pickle. Stilos like to be allowed to show the 'checking' message & for it to finish checking before you start.

Coil packs are a pain in the arse in my opinion, but its certainly not unique to the Stilo, or Fiat. Coils are a nightmare for going on Renaults, Citroens & im sure many other makes too. Theyre not especially difficult to change i don't think, but just a nuisance.

The brake disks can go, its just one of those things. Id say anytime from 30,000 miles upwards you cud expect to have them changed, it could be much longer, i had my Punto ones done at 50k, but the rear drums died at 34k, different driving affects it too much to judge fairly.

Front coil springs are abit of Stilo speciality, there was a recall issued to add a 'spring catcher' to stop the springs going into the tyres if they snapped, but the springs can still snap. Alot of people buy new springs when they get the car to minimise this problem. It's not really acceptable, but its probably why the Stilo is quite alot cheaper to buy used than its rivals. And some other manufacturers have just the same trouble with springs snapping.

The only things id say are unfortunate are the radio and radiator. Not alot i can say about the radio, but for 2 radiators to go already seems a bit odd. Do you use Fiats recommended 'Paraflu' coolant? If not, next time the car has a service, it might be worth insisting on Paraflu being used. Even so, most anti-freeze (unless its real cheap ****e) should stop corrosion from within the cooling system, you cud just have been unlucky (had a stone hit the radiator at a weak point & damage the fins for example).

Hope that helps abit. I really wouldnt be too disapointed with the Stilo, coz that doesnt sound horrific. It's not like it's needed 2 new clutches, a new gearbox, complete new suspension etc. Several of those issues are relatively minor & shouldnt have cost an awful lot to put right.

Do other owners also get the constant false warnings of doom on the diagnostic system?

However mine seems to have stopped doing it in the last 6 months for no particular reason.

Oh and I have had to change a dead battery also, I'm sure that there are other things also, Must just be unlucky.

I have had other cars for 8 years & changed nothing but Tyres, Brake pads & usual service stuff.

So since youv'e put the new battery on, have you had any false warnings?

Yes they continued after this.

Oh damn, alot of the warnings seemed to be caused by a worn out battery/voltage problems or not allowing the car to run the 'checking' function before starting the engine. The guys on here that are techinicians wud be better to respond about specific warnings, as some can happen and be genuine faults. Maybe post which warnings you get eg 'Engine Failure', 'Airbag Failure' etc, and people can respond to with info about the ones they know most about. That would be my guess.