Well I had one four four years (HT02 TVZ) and it was a great car. I had one issue with the selespeed that took the garage a long time to find. "incorrect disc speed". This is the error you would get if your clutch was slipping. Once the fault was found it was easy to correct. The connector to the once of the box speed sensors was intermittent due to splayed femail contacts. I think this must have been caused when the engine was changed under warranty.
Engine Change!!! ???? Fraid so. Took the car from new and still running in to Italy and back. On return there was an engine rattle at medium revs and only when warm. Fiat Technical expert(s) came down to investigate and were stumped so sanctioned a full engine replace. Suited me fine as the last thing I wanted was my engine being stipped down hunting for an elusive rattle and being left in pieces around the workshop before being assembled again.
Another side effect of the engine change was a blown radiator 3 years later. This is a problem with all Stilo Abarths that you should be aware of.
Problem is caused by an airlock in the top third of the radiator after the system has been drained. The top rad hose is a third of the way down the rad. These is no self bleed back to header tank and the radiator top bleed tap is totally hidden at the top battery side of the raditor and cannot be readily accessed. Net result is a thermal stress boundary 1/3 way down the radiotor that eventually causes leaks at this water level.
Notes from my file (which may be of use
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Radiator drops out from bottom of car. Ramps just give enough clearance.
Battery and battery box have to be totally removed.
Radiator hoze elbow joints are snap fit with internal moulded rubber seals
To release water connections press the diagonally opposite raised clip band steps.
Gently wiggle off connections.
On reassemble I removed the small resonatorbox on the air inlet to air box tube.
This was done as otherwise one cannot access the radiator top bleed screw.
