hi guys

i am thinking of moving on from my Bravo to a Stilo ABARTH and need to know what to look out for and any probs that those cars can give


any help would be appreciated

There's a general Stilo buyer's guide here: https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo-faqs/273562-buyers-guide-fiat-stilo.html with some Abarth specific points.
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Clutch...

This week, I replaced a clutch in another Abarth - Selespeed - this one had already been done a couple of years ago, but a diaphragm spring finger had cracked.

I reckon most Abarths now will be up around 125,000km (~75,000 miles) which seems to be when the clutch needs doing. Symptoms are a generally jerky/grabby gearchange particularly into 2nd and 3rd, high revs when manoeuvring slowly in 1st and reverse, and of course, slipping when it gets really bad.

Connecting with MultiECUScan and an ELM327 cable (I reckon an essential tool for all Stilo owners, the 21st-century equivalent of a points file and timing light) you'll find the clutch degradation index will be up around 12000 (ranges from -4000 for a theoretical better-than-perfect clutch to 14000 for worn-out). You can obviously check this before buying and use as a bargaining point (in England, I expect replacing the clutch will nearly double the value of the car...)

As clutches go, the parts are relatively expensive - release bearing is concentric with an electronic sensor (£150+?) and clutch disc and cover is also on the pricey side (£250+?). Having replaced my dual-mass flywheel (£400-ish), I'm not completely convinced that is necessary to replace. Not being a diesel, I don't think it will rattle badly even if loose. I took one off another engine that had slight play, yet the engine seemed smooth. I replaced that one with the old one off my car. Time will tell.

Working around the gearbox seems rather tight but at least it is easy to drop the subframe. Still, I found it was a ten-hour job to replace the clutch...

The Selespeed itself seems to give little trouble relative to the first-generation Selespeed in the Twinspark Alfa 156 and 147.

The bodyshell is a generation newer than the Bravo/Brava, and feels it. Better rigidity, very low engine noise, low wind noise, reasonably low tyre noise. Some nice modern materials in the interior and some cheaper materials too. The standard Connect Nav+ seems obsolete now but at least you have a double-DIN hole to work with.

I think the Abarth is a pretty safe car by any standards. Wide tyres give lots of grip and there are electronic safety aids (traction control, stability control, brake assist, etc.) Slightly woolly electric steering (not 'lively' but secure-feeling, except on some rough surfaces where the column seems to develop a shudder).

The steering and handling of these cars is not up to Alfa Romeo standards (at least not in standard Abarth form - lower and stiffer suspension is available and reasonably-priced) but if you're looking for more of a comfortable cruiser then you'll probably be impressed, especially compared to a smaller Fiat such as the Punto. 'Abarth' probably wasn't the right name, 'Stilo GT5' would have been more appropriate! It is a great touring car, good economy for the performance, and the five-cylinder engine really makes the car.

Did I mention that it's worth checking the clutch?

-Alex

alexGS said:

The Selespeed itself seems to give little trouble relative to the first-generation Selespeed in the Twinspark Alfa 156 and 147.

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Maybe...but given the choice I would deffo go for a manual. And if you want one that handles, track down the special Schumacher edition which has Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers as standard...

Thanks guys for all your help, will be looking at à couple of them this week

The schumachers are also becoming really affordable at the moment but if you don't fancy the Schumacher edition there are a few manual Abarth versions around. A tell tail sign is to find one made after or around 2004 as from what I've seen, they discontinued the selespeed model at that point and ran it to the end of production with the manual box not that there's anything wrong with the selespeed ones but there's a lot less technology involved in the manual ones so its a simpler life in my opinion

gadge said:

The schumachers are also becoming really affordable at the moment but if you don't fancy the Schumacher edition there are a few manual Abarth versions around. A tell tail sign is to find one made after or around 2004 as from what I've seen, they discontinued the selespeed model at that point and ran it to the end of production with the manual box not that there's anything wrong with the selespeed ones but there's a lot less technology involved in the manual ones so its a simpler life in my opinion

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Anyone know what the insurance is Luke in a Schumacher ????

Well I'm 33 with full protected no claims bonus and I'm paying around £550 and I'm aware that I could get that cheaper but they were really good at sorting out a claim once so I stuck with them. Tax is quite high though - £270 and if you get one registered after march 2006 then it double that!

gadge said:

£270 and if you get one registered after march 2006 then it double that!

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Yeah don't I know it! It's so unfair!

i have the stilo abarth on 02reg its selespeed. 82k in silver. i love it n wouldnt swap it for anythin. nice to drive gear change is smooth in auto. my mates love it n they have type R n golfs n so on. somethin special about it. i had the alfa 156 selespeed n regretted sellin as i loved selespeed box n looks. i pay 360 a yr insurance n im 31. wen ya rag the guts outta it thou make sure ya pass a petrol station as it drinks alot. lol stay away from 1,6stilo had nothing but problems with the gfs n still gettin loads now its a jk.

I've got a 1.6 bravo AMD just looking to upgrade, I know about the thirst on the 20v engine as I drive a marea 20v

Just thinking the insurance will be high, I can pay max £2800 for insurance, my company says that it no prob to insure a normal car but they won't insure a Schumacher ?????? :banghead:

alexGS said:

Clutch...

Connecting with MultiECUScan and an ELM327 cable (I reckon an essential tool for all Stilo owners, the 21st-century equivalent of a points file and timing light) you'll find the clutch degradation index will be up around 12000 (ranges from -4000 for a theoretical better-than-perfect clutch to 14000 for worn-out).

-Alex

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Hi Alex

I have run the clutch degradation index test and came up with 12225 (car has 135000km) Are the kits readily available and cost in NZ? The car shows no symptoms of clutch problems as yet.

Graeme

Maigretnz said:

Hi Alex

I have run the clutch degradation index test and came up with 12225 (car has 135000km) Are the kits readily available and cost in NZ? The car shows no symptoms of clutch problems as yet.

Graeme

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Yes - in stock in Cambridge. Comes to about $1700 if you replace the release bearing, clutch disc and cover, AND dual-mass flywheel, though I reckon you could safely save approx. $750 by not replacing the DMF. And another $370 if you didn't replace the release bearing (mine seemed fine).

My clutch wasn't slipping but was very abrupt/jerky compared to how it is now. When I removed the disc, I found most of the grooves in the friction material had gone (or to put it another way, it was pretty much down to the rivets). So the friction material is definitely still a wear item... and the job is a rather horrible one. I expect this is why a number of Stilo Abarths come onto the market at around this number of kms (mine's up to 130,000 now).

-Alex

I guess I will have to swat up on the procedure.Or call place I deal with in Christchurch for an estimate (they are usually pretty good)

STILO 2.4 in classifieds for 400 quid

gadge said:

The schumachers are also becoming really affordable at the moment but if you don't fancy the Schumacher edition there are a few manual Abarth versions around. A tell tail sign is to find one made after or around 2004 as from what I've seen, they discontinued the selespeed model at that point and ran it to the end of production with the manual box not that there's anything wrong with the selespeed ones but there's a lot less technology involved in the manual ones so its a simpler life in my opinion

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I have a 2006 stilo abarth selespeed it's the only one I have seen on this age, I can only think it's been sat in a dealership unregistered

So a selespeed with 75k will probably need a new entire cclutch system a new selespeed pump, probably a new accumulator too that's if the actuator still works, so adding that up your looking at well over 2k...I'm so glad I brought a car that self destructs at 80k...not! Mines done 83k and its had a new pump under dealer warranty, pretty sure the brakes are shot fly wheel starter motor and alertanor is knackard...wouldn't touch a abarth with a **** stick.

I've just bought an 04 manual after reading and being put off the selespeed and I love it!
To be honest, the car seems to have been well cared for with regular servicing/oil changes etc and relatively low mileage.
As with all cars you need to find the right one with good history, preferably from an enthusiast.


My advice would be to get one, you will not be disappointed

matt28781 said:

So a selespeed with 75k will probably need a new entire cclutch system a new selespeed pump, probably a new accumulator too that's if the actuator still works, so adding that up your looking at well over 2k...I'm so glad I brought a car that self destructs at 80k...not! Mines done 83k and its had a new pump under dealer warranty, pretty sure the brakes are shot fly wheel starter motor and alertanor is knackard...wouldn't touch a abarth with a **** stick.

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Sounds like you've been unlucky and brought a shed then

Over all the Selespeed system isn't too bad if looked after and certainly a lot cheaper than a conventional auto box when it comes to the improved fuel consumption and cheaper road tax bracket due to lower emissions.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Sounds like you've been unlucky and brought a shed then

Over all the Selespeed system isn't too bad if looked after and certainly a lot cheaper than a conventional auto box when it comes to the improved fuel consumption and cheaper road tax bracket due to lower emissions.

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Yep I got a pig panda....but most abarth selespeed end up with massive £££££s unless your cleaver enough to service parts such as the pump, which is guaranteed to go and is a £580 part from fiat. Not sure my 2.4 is cheap on tax at 160 per 6 months, there's a reason that the majority of stilos are in scrap yards.