Hi, I'm thinking of buying a Fiat Bravo but one thing is putting me off....the gearbox.

After looking on this forum I have found thread after thread about gearbox bearings. Basically I want to know which models use which gearbox (M32 etc) and are some models/engines are more prone to issues than others.

Many thanks

Take the 2.0 120HP diesel 8V with 5 speed gearbox, no problems there.PS: I think that gearbox claims regarding 6 speed gearbox are exaggerated, it all depands of the driver. And you can get it checked prior to buying one. Since you can take it to a good Fiat garage, who knows what to look for, they lift the car and with a device they can check the bearings without opening the gearbox.

Depends what you're wanting, tractor or car? I've never had any type of problem with my gearbox, changes are so smooth and easy, I love it.

Mine's slowly getting worse although the dealer insists they can't hear anything. I'm sure they'll discover it next year when the warranty has run out.

Thanks for the replies so far. I want a petrol not a 'tractor' and have my mind set on a T-Jet 150 sport.

Apart from the noise what other clues should I look for that the gearbox is chewing itself?

Has anyone suffered major problems or repair costs?

Thanks

Marcos999 said:

Mine's slowly getting worse although the dealer insists they can't hear anything. I'm sure they'll discover it next year when the warranty has run out.

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Take it to another dealer and have it checked out. How does it feel when you are changing gears? Is it smooth? They can also change oil in the gearbox, or it could be the clutch... What does it do when you are shifting gears? Is your car reflashed?

My clutch was replaced on 120k but that was due to previous owner, I replaced it with a performance clutch, I had to replace the turbo which was the most expensive job. The stock manifold isn't the greatest since its cast iron, so always warm the car up 100% before any kind of serious boosting. I also had a headgasket blown but that was nothing major, just new gasket kit and sorted. Then just the coils which can go anytime.

The 2.0 Multijet 165 doesn't have the M32 gearbox I don't believe. Mine is problem free anyway and hopefully will be for many miles to come.

Probably the best model anyway - certainly the best performer if a diesel is suited to you.

carlorff said:

Take the 2.0 120HP diesel 8V with 5 speed gearbox, no problems there.PS: I think that gearbox claims regarding 6 speed gearbox are exaggerated, it all depands of the driver. And you can get it checked prior to buying one. Since you can take it to a good Fiat garage, who knows what to look for, they lift the car and with a device they can check the bearings without opening the gearbox.

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Do you mean 1.9?

austenw90 said:

Do you mean 1.9?

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Yes it is 1.9

carlorff said:

Take it to another dealer and have it checked out. How does it feel when you are changing gears? Is it smooth? They can also change oil in the gearbox, or it could be the clutch... What does it do when you are shifting gears? Is your car reflashed?

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The gearchange is really smooth and the gearstick doesn't judder when pulling away in first which apparently is another sign. The noise is very faint but as I'm living with the car every day I can hear it so maybe it's very early on but in the nine months I've owned it, it's definitely starting to get noisier. It's completely standard with a complete Fiat service history, it's just coming up to 40k miles.

Below is the 2007 Nuova Bravo eLearn official gearbox usage by model.

1.4 16v = C514.6 (6 speed
1.4 16v T-Jet 150BHP = M32 (6 speed
1.9 Multijet 8v 120BHP = C530.5 (5 speed
1.9 Multijet 8v 90BHP = C530.5 (5 speed
1.9 Multijet 8v 115BHP = C530.5 (5 speed
1.9 Multijet 16v = C530.6 (6 speed

Note! The current 2012/2013, 1.4, 1.4 Multiair and 1.6 MJet all have 6 speed boxes so could be using either an M32 or C530.6 or another gearbox.

Marcos999 said:

The gearchange is really smooth and the gearstick doesn't judder when pulling away in first which apparently is another sign. The noise is very faint but as I'm living with the car every day I can hear it so maybe it's very early on but in the nine months I've owned it, it's definitely starting to get noisier. It's completely standard with a complete Fiat service history, it's just coming up to 40k miles.

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That's bad for only 40k miles yet some seems to go on forever. What engine you got?

T-Jet 150.

Generally, what are the gearboxes like in the bog standard 1.4 16v petrol and the 1.6 105 Multijet?

Some interesting thoughts here:

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/tuning-and-upgrades/267708-m32-6speed-gearbox-max-torque.html

Found this on a Vauxhall forum. Someone suggested that maybe the gearbox oil wasn't up to the job.http://www.astraownersnetwork.co.uk/archive/index.php/t-141423.html

Still got my heart set on a T-Jet Sport though.I will have around £4000 to spend and have been looking at 57/08 models with no more than 60k miles on the clock

hitherematey said:

Found this on a Vauxhall forum. Someone suggested that maybe the gearbox oil wasn't up to the job.http://www.astraownersnetwork.co.uk/archive/index.php/t-141423.html

Still got my heart set on a T-Jet Sport though.I will have around £4000 to spend and have been looking at 57/08 models with no more than 60k miles on the clock

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Might be worth looking into. A good gearbox oil is going to be a lot cheaper than the bearings!

hitherematey said:

Still got my heart set on a T-Jet Sport though.I will have around £4000 to spend and have been looking at 57/08 models with no more than 60k miles on the clock

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Are you talking budget of 4k or got 4k cash?

When I was looking at diesels I found there wasn't much difference between private and dealer prices - plus the dealers were falling over backwards to give me finance. The deal I was offered even undercut my high street bank.

Just a thought if it helps you get the right car.

Yes, when mine was in for the sunroof I noticed the dealer were offering 0% finance even on used cars.