General Some Bravo Questions (T-Jet vs Multiair and more)

[attilab]

LeighPing yeah but yours is a diesel, small wonder you got 52 mpg on the motorway, it will always do better mileage than a T-Jet. My record was 46 mpg @ 60 mph with a full tank only on the motorway.

 

[MoS110]

Almost 120k on my 2007 1.9 Bravo Dynamic. No real issues, other than a clutch change. It's been a good motor. Driving from Birmingham to Bruges, Belgium, I got 52 mpg @ 80 mph most of the way. I don't bother using the cruise control.


Around town, 50 mile round trip to work and back, I get 42 mpg. My lead booted wife, who forgets that it has 6 gears, gets 38.

Hi mate ive got the same car but i was wondering how much did it cost you to change your clutch? Thanks

 

[LeighPing]

Hi mate ive got the same car but i was wondering how much did it cost you to change your clutch? Thanks

£600.

 

[Rcl]

Depending on tour needs, maybe you could also consider the Chrysler Delta (if you need a little bit more space than the bravo), which is basically a slightly lengthened bravo, same technically. Though i do not know anything about prices and availability in the UK (since i am from Holland).
I ended up with one, and appreciate the better materials, larger interior space, extensive standard equipment, and styling of course, for a price that is equal to the bravos (in the netherlands).

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Depending on tour needs, maybe you could also consider the Chrysler Delta (if you need a little bit more space than the bravo), which is basically a slightly lengthened bravo, same technically. Though i do not know anything about prices and availability in the UK (since i am from Holland).
I ended up with one, and appreciate the better materials, larger interior space, extensive standard equipment, and styling of course, for a price that is equal to the bravos (in the netherlands).

Chrysler Delta= Lancia Delta, more or less an upgraded Fiat Bravo, and it shares much with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta as well...

 

[MattH2580]

Oil itself about £30, and about another £30 in labour at any garage? This place does it for £65.

That's a really reassuring price!

there was no evidence that the timing belt was replaced even though it had been due when it got serviced last (due to its age not mileage)

How often should the timing belt be replaced out of interest? and should the water pump be replaced at the same time?

I think it cost us around £850

Ouch, but worth it I guess.

The only thing I don't like is the gearbox as sometimes it struggles to engage in 1st gear. To tackle this I try 2nd gear first then put into 1st immediately after then it works OK. I guess it has crappy bearings as many others have.

Is there any way to fix that without getting a new gearbox? Can't you just have the bearings replaced?

Now it's time for another service but I wager it's going to be the usual oil and filters change only but we'll see.

Do you know what the rough cost of this will be?

Re climate control issues, it only is a problem with Dynamic models, get one with the Sport trim which has manual air con and the problem goes away

Ah perfect, thanks for the heads up, I'll steer clear of the dynamic models!

Almost 120k on my 2007 1.9 Bravo Dynamic. No real issues, other than a clutch change. It's been a good motor. Driving from Birmingham to Bruges, Belgium, I got 52 mpg @ 80 mph most of the way. I don't bother using the cruise control.

That's pretty damn good, but I guess it is a diesel after all!

Depending on tour needs, maybe you could also consider the Chrysler Delta

I've not seen any available in my price range in the UK, I'll definitely have a look for them though.

 

[attilab]

How often should the timing belt be replaced out of interest? and should the water pump be replaced at the same time?

According to the manual it should be replaced every 120k kms (75k miles) or every 5 years. I was told it is recommended to replace the water pump with it as well.

Is there any way to fix that without getting a new gearbox? Can't you just have the bearings replaced?

No idea. I might ask about it next time I take it to the garage. I saw a "reconditioned" M32 gearbox on eBay here, not sure how longer this would last though. Anyways, it's not an urgent issue to me, I can live with it.

Do you know what the rough cost of this will be?

Nope. Will update once I got it back.

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

With so many questions, I wonder if the Bravo is the right choice for you at all.....

 

[MattH2580]

According to the manual it should be replaced every 120k kms (75k miles) or every 5 years. I was told it is recommended to replace the water pump with it as well.

Perfect, cheers!

No idea. I might ask about it next time I take it to the garage. I saw a "reconditioned" M32 gearbox on eBay here, not sure how longer this would last though. Anyways, it's not an urgent issue to me, I can live with it.

Ok cool, good to know!

Nope. Will update once I got it back.

Great, thanks!

With so many questions, I wonder if the Bravo is the right choice for you at all.....

Why so? I don't like going into things blind... not sure why that means the car isn't for me. Should I not ask questions before I buy something?

 

[aurick86]

You can get the m32 bearings replaced, some places in UK do it in one day (with previous appointment, diagnostics etc) takes from 4 to 8 hours (as long as nothing causes problems.. stuck/snapped bolts..etc)

As far as i know it's around 6-800 GBP, ( add to that the price of the clutch if you need/want that as well)

 

[MattH2580]

You can get the m32 bearings replaced, some places in UK do it in one day (with previous appointment, diagnostics etc) takes from 4 to 8 hours (as long as nothing causes problems.. stuck/snapped bolts..etc)

As far as i know it's around 6-800 GBP, ( add to that the price of the clutch if you need/want that as well)

Ouch, expensive but expected.

 

[attilab]

FYI I got the car back from annual service and MOT and it cost me £290. Included in this were filters and fluids, spark plugs, full checks according to schedule and MOT. From this bill £130 was the cost of labour. I am sure this could have been carried out for a lower price elsewhere but I trust this garage and that's the most important to me.

The engine consumed about half a litre of oil over 13 months and 12k miles, that's not bad at all. It passed MOT without advisories.

I didn't ask about the gearbox as the issue hadn't been prevalent (or I might have just got used to it LOL)