General I've just bought a low mileage Stilo JTD...

[legrandefromage]

...estate 115bhp

What should I look out for?

2003 Dynamic Estate, 77,000 miles

Boot window doesnt open, switch hanging down

Dealer is a friend so cambelt is being done before purchase.

New rear calipers

12 months MOT.

So, after retiring our beloved Doblo JTD, what excitement should I look for with around 700 miles a week driving around East Anglia?

 

[paullawton2007]

Good bus the Estate, i used to love mine! things i done with mine what you may have to do possibly?

Drop links
Wishbones
Rear Axle bushes (usally knock/bang like hell!)
Boost valve might need resitting>>https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo-guides/224083-stilo-jtd-boost-solenoid-valve-resite.html
Check all the Earth Points

Just stuff i done on mine, there loads of memebers with estates on here who will have there own list!.

do we get good discount with your "dealer friend"?? Fiat main dealer??

Paul

 

[legrandefromage]

do we get good discount with your "dealer friend"?? Fiat main dealer??

Nah, hes just a local rent a wreck

thanks for the tips

 

[paullawton2007]

there the best places! get what you want done and cheap and beer normally acts like money!

 

[legrandefromage]

Picked the Stilo aka Fat Tony up this morning - not bad, a few rattles to chase up but at least its quiet.

The Old Doblo being a tupperware box on wheels amplified every sound.

 

[roy lovelock]

nice one, at 77k the engine isnt even run in!!
Rattles to look out for on the stilo are as mentioned the rear bushes, look on this forum at the pig of a job it used to be.
Droplinks - these cars eat them im sure - will cause a rattle when driving over rough roads.
wishbones - these also seem to wear You may not even notice them worn until mot. i think i get around 40-60k out of mine now on average.
Engine mounts, the gearbox mount had a habit of failing on the diesels, ive had one changed - the effect is a clunk when pulling away - feels like the whole engine moving - not a too bad job.
All the rest are just annoyances that are optional extras on the car lol.
I just had wonderful side effect from waxoyl on the car, i coated it and the car is now silent (its never been quiet).

Overall the diesel mw is a solid performer for the class of car its also massive.

I would also put some fuel cleaner and good quality diesel though and take it for a good long run to clear it all out (you can also use a mineral 2 stroke oil 200:1 ratio which is a lot cheaper and makes the car run very nicely). That is usually a problem with lower mileage cars - they never have been run for long periods and are gunked up.

 

[mhowse]

Welcome..can not add much to the good advice already given from other fiat members.just two things spring to mind..well three now that I just read what I written ...though as you have now picked up the car a little late..you should be fine though when did my waterpump at roughly 108k it was the original I replaced and still looked pretty sound., but if you get cambelt done again in your ownership I would certainly put the waterpump on the list.

If you are getting the cambelt done, would be worth getting the water pump done at the same time as should have a problom with this item it is a new belt and tensioner again as these have to be removed anyway to do the waterpump,, so better to get done at same time even if you have to pay for the price of the water pump..and if you like put a new auxillary belt on as that is coming off to do the cambelt and not too expensive to add to the list. all saves messing about for these little things later

You will find the egr valve will need cleaning shortly , you can install a blanking plate if you choose , for that and much more you will find great information from others on the forum here and also in the guides section and search function.

Tutherwise service the wheels well and hope like any other car it serves you well just remember it is not any other but a Fiat .

 

[legrandefromage]

Did 200 miles yesterday, car must have been lonely for the other cars back at the garage as the engine light came on about 2 miles away.

I bet the mechanic £10 it was the EGR

It was the EGR (I also run two Doblos), I did fill it with some sexy BP diesel.

After a brake test by a BMW Z4 STOPPING on a busy A1 slip road, the ABS was complaining of a loose connection but soon settled down again - it had had new calipers and pads for the MOT the previous day.

MPG was not a too bad 50 overall but I am going to see if I can do better.

Suspension rattles on bumpy roads but the MOT never mentioned it so thats a job for another day. Will do the waxoil thing.

Speaking of Doblos and Stilo estates - the Stilo is slightly longer in the boot which is nice, can sling a few bikes in just not the height of a Doblo.

Thanks all! :slayer:

 

[legrandefromage]

So. Bought it a week ago and 1500 miles later...

at 77,0077 miles and standing on a forecourt for months unloved, it was understandably a bit poo to drive at first.

I do a lot of mileage and it soon loosened up. The first day was 52mpg which wasnt as good as our outgoing Doblo JTD but not bad. Then after a few more long trips, it sits happily at 60mpg with 65mpg if I'm careful

Lots of 'ghost' messages - first day it was engine failure and ABS - these were cleared at the dealer that afternoon and havent appeared since.

Its not a bad drive, aircon works and has been useful, the stereo has something called 'bass' which I never heard from a Doblo and the boot swallows up all my tools and gear without fuss.

So it gets a thumbs up from me