General Which normally aspirated coupe engine?

[mbarratt2]

I am looking at getting a Coupe, but cannot really justify the additional expenses of running a Turbo in terms of insurance, maintenance etc for what will be a "weekend car".

Having looked on this forum and FCCUK forums opinion seems very divided over which engine makes the more sensible ownership prospect. I appreciate that insurance wise the 20v is a little more expensive than the 16v but wondered if this was offset to an extent by better reliability and/or lower servicing costs?

From initial indications, it would appear that mileage is largely irrelevant when choosing a car, rather one should focus on getting a car with FFSH-however, I am struggling to find many cars with full service history-I take it you would all agree that this is imperative?

Basically, I would be grateful if anyone could give a list of pros and cons for both engines and give a reasonable estimate of likely servicing costs for both engines.

Many thanks.

 

[Venters]

well timing belt on 20V is a pain but on the plus side it's the best sounding engine by quite some margin!

 

[mountainmachine]

Really depends, powerfiat have prob the best service for them and have prices on there website. Dunno what the 16v is like. But the 20v is certainly a nice drive in the Bravo... to be honest if i was going for a coupe i'd want a turbo, or i'd just end up with the same car and a different bodyshell.. but that again wouldnt be for now because of insurance, turbo specificc running costs.

http://www.powerfiat.co.uk/services.htm

There are other coupe, 20v specialists, but they are few and far between and pricing for any job seems double that of anything else due to the limited space. And dont expect your local garage to cope.. they might try but i've heard horror stories.

 

[pinin__prestatyn]

By FAR the 20V engine. This has been confirmed by the biggest breaker of coupe's on fccuk.

 

[G Spag]

I can't compare with a 16v because never been in it but my dad owns the 20v N/A and it's very rapid. It has 115k on the clock and it's mechanically sound. I think it has a full service history, but if it doesnt we got lucky because the car has given us no problems what so ever. Since July, only thing he's had to pay on it minus fuel is a new exhaust, because it's pretty much totally rusted. He hasn't sorted it yet but on 2 of my previous 3 Fiats the exhaust has rusted right off on the motorway, it's not happening a 3rd time!

 

[bridges]

Really depends, powerfiat have prob the best service for them and have prices on there website. Dunno what the 16v is like. But the 20v is certainly a nice drive in the Bravo... to be honest if i was going for a coupe i'd want a turbo, or i'd just end up with the same car and a different bodyshell.. but that again wouldnt be for now because of insurance, turbo specificc running costs.

http://www.powerfiat.co.uk/services.htm

There are other coupe, 20v specialists, but they are few and far between and pricing for any job seems double that of anything else due to the limited space. And dont expect your local garage to cope.. they might try but i've heard horror stories.

I highly reccomend the 20v N/A It feels nothing like the Bravo HGT to drive the only similarity is engine noise and engine performance. Handling and actual feel of the car is totally different. I bought mine as a stepping stone before getting a Turbo. What tends to get over looked is that the N/A is a quick car, it gets overshadowed by the Turbo because the turbo's are seriously fast cars.

The thing to remember is that the 20v is a more modern engine design and was Fiat's own replacement for the 16v.

 

[sumplug]

The 20v engine originally started life as a Lancia engine!!
One thing you will notice about the 20v N/A over the 20vT is the turning circle. Acceptable on N/A, but woeful on the turbo.
20v N/a does not have the Brembos and in honesty, i prefer the N/a brakes. I find the Brembos a bit wooden in everyday driving.
Against the 16v, there is not a lot between them in driving and performance. But the 20v makes a glorious noise. A little bit exotic really against the growl of the 16v.
I would tend to find a car that has been maintained by a specialist rather then a Fiat dealer as dealers are a bit hit and miss, and try to get a car with recent cambelt change. Make sure the tensioners and water pump was done also at same time. Basically buy the 20v N/A and pick your colour!!

Andy.