whats the most mechanically reliable bravo out there. coz ive been looking into 2.0 20v bravo with average millage 70-80 k. would there be anything to look out for when looking at 20vs at that millage?
I have it on good authority (FIAT mechanic, Turin qualified, 30+ years experience) that the 1.8 is the least troublesome of the lot, followed by the 20v and oil burners, then the 1.2 & 1.6 and the 1.4 bringing up the rear.
Rob Mk.2 Marea Weekend 1.8 16v 115 ELX - Bigger IS better !
I would def second roberto's point about the 1.8 being least troublesome! i had no majoor mecanical faults, only faults that i created... i.e. drilling through a wiring loom and short circuiting the whole car
My 1.8 engine ran sweet as a nut, but the car did need new wishbones every year, which may have been down to the eibach springs and 16" alloys...
When i got it at 55k, it required a new thermostat because it didn't heat up fully, and I also had a gearbox failure at 58k or thereabouts. It had a pinhole in the cv joint gaiter, which i repaired myself, and had a random tendency to blow the left number plate bulb! lol. Other than that...
My 1.4 on the other hand, required me to reconnect the rear washer pipe once and replace the clutch slave cylinder. Um, that was all really.
Given a choice, i'd get a 1.8 again though as the 1.4 would be too slow for me now. But on the plus side, it was a dream to work on because there was sooo much room under the bonnet, everything was easily accessible, and simple to replace.
Buzz
The champion of the Bravo 1.4
& now ex owner of a Bravo 1.8
The 1.4 engine always daunted me, i do not know why, i wouldnt hesitate getting under teh 1.8 and playing with it but when it came to the 1.4 i wouldnt touch it, dunno why, it just seemed so fragile... lol did replace the oil sump, that was due to extremem rusting as i bought it from the salty seaside , the gear box was sh*te!
lol, its so bloody basic! I'd never try and work on a hgt, just because its such a hassle...
Thinking about it, mine did sweat a little oil from the rocker gasket, but i gave it a good clean with a dishbrush and autoglym degreaser once or twice a year, and didn't worry about it. Its hardly a pretty engine bay anyway, lol. Actually, what i love about my skoda is that everything is covered in plastic shrouds. so it takes maybe an hour every 6 months to get the engine bay looking pristine! just take out the plastics, clean with wet wipes, then wipe over with silicon coated dash shine wipes and its gleaming for months! lol
Buzz
The champion of the Bravo 1.4
& now ex owner of a Bravo 1.8
However, as Tom says the car will only be as good as the care and attention it receives.
Look after any car and it will look after you.
General concensus has usually been 1.8 and HGT are both reliable, but the HGT costs considerably more to run and makes the 1.8 more favourable for the penny watchers.
Brava: Mar 99 1.9TD / 48,500 miles
Coupe: Feb 97 20V N/A / 131,000 miles
Yep i`ll agre with most the 1.8 is reliable imo, not as quick as the 2.0 but not bad and if you look after them well they tend to last a long time, i had mine for well over a year, i did have a 1.2 but i didn`t like the power it had or rather didn`t have, so the 1.8 would be my choice if i was to have another one
Just to add, I've had my Marea 1.8 now for almost 2 years and in that time clocked up approx. 35,000 miles (it will hit 90,000 tomorrow on my way to "sunny" Newcastle) and, touch wood, it hasn't had a single fault.
Completely solid and reliable service with good economy (for a petrol), comfort and nice turn of speed
Regular servicing and occasional extra regular oil changes are all I need to do, other than top up the washers, fill it with fuel and clean the bloody thing
Rob Mk.2 Marea Weekend 1.8 16v 115 ELX - Bigger IS better !