Hi David,
Welcome - I have the slightly older 1.9 Mjet engine in my Sport, so I can't provide much help, but here's some info that maybe of use:
1. I average 43 in-town, 51 on my mostly motorway commute (traffic heavy) and 48 combined - this on 17's.
2. Again, a 165 owner will confirm but I think you need 225/40/18, with a 92v rating. I'm 225/45/17 91V and my last set were a 94Y, the extra load rating doesn't add anything significant to the cost.
3. I think my last service was about £160 - typically my local Unc. Arnie branch are pretty competitive on servicing.
4. Please see bottom of this post.
5. Yes, it does, and I have heard people reporting issues but again someone with a 165 will be able to correct my ramblings and give you the skinny on that.
======Common Issues======
These are not all issues I've experienced personally, but rather a summation of my observations over two years browsing this forum:
* If it has white dials be prepared to never know how fast you are going (they are difficult to read under most light conditions, but do look bad-ass).
* Check the lights behind the air conn (if air conn and not climate) panel are lit up at both sides - these lights are on regardless of whether the lights are on or not and hence the bulbs fail - doesnt bother most and they will probably fail anyway - mine have - but FYI anyway.
* The clips on some of the wheel nut centre caps can snap and hence the covers come loose - give each one a few taps and make sure none are loose/about to fall off.
* Front badge - casing can crack from stone chips - check.
* Rear badge - boot button and will leak in water - check for pinky colour/discoloration.
* Look under the front of the car and see if the heat shield is loose - on my (diesel) they are very loose and close to the ground and can come apart if grounded out on speed bumps.
* Play a few CD's in the CD player - these can be temperamental - mine only plays some CD's, so take a collection of 80's ballads to any viewing. Remember your car has the B&M Media Player, so this is of little consequence personally.
* The washer fluid hose can leak on the join by the fuse box - open the bonnet and spray the rear (not the front jets or you'll make a mess) and check under the front left of the car for a puddle.
* Lift the carpet out of the boot and check under it to see if you have a toolkit/spare wheel/jack - sometimes these can be missing.
* Check for any peeling on the leather steering wheel/handbrake lever - this is a common issue that I think Fiat will just about accept and fix.
* Listen for any rattles immediately behind the instrument binnacle - a small but common issue is stuff coming loose behind there and flapping about.
* Misting up behind the rear light clusters - this is normal.
* The Bravo has cornering lights - the front fogs come on and off if under 40mph and you turn the wheel/indicate - it mystifies some people, particularly white van men.
* Clunky suspension noises - not an issue I've ever experienced, but believe there to be a common suspension issue.
* If on the test drive the steering feels too light there is a button to the left of the CD Player that adjusts it.
* Under the front of the passenger seat is a cubby hole opened by a lever - many passengers think this lever moves the seat and tug it too hard, breaking it.
Only other thing is the only problems I've ever had have been drivetrain related (flywheel and driveshaft bearing) - I dont think the problems are as common in the petrol variants but listen as you accelerate for any nasty noises.
I will be honest I had a few issues with mine when first purchased - mostly were just due to horrendous luck (fault Bosch plugs, 2x replacement windscreens after stone chips and a mechanics wrench through my radiator by accident). Aside from the drivetrain stuff though its been pretty OK - I've put 30k miles on it in around eighteen months and it's never let me down. Still love the look and feel of the car, although currently toying with a Brera. :yum:
