Hi guys

Would just like to introduce myself.

My names Carl, live in Rugby Warwickshire and I've recently bought myself a 1998 fiat coupe 20vT in my personal favourite colour sprint blue!!

Waited a good few years before finding a looked after one, heard a lot of horror stories about the coupe!

This one looked the part and drove well also, lots of mots and a full service history also!

Test drive was great, I'd read up on what to look for, I'm no specialist but I felt confident I knew enough to make a purchase.

Picked her up in Royston, Hertfordshire. So if any of you guys know of this car it would be nice to hear from you.

Come across some trouble already, I believe the turbo seals have gone, had a local garage take a look and they suspect it is that, plus looked at a video on YouTube named "blown turbo" which is also a coupe with the exact symptoms as mine.

I've got her booked into motormech in Birmingham for Saturday, so if you guys have been there or had work carried out it would be lovely to have your feedback.

Also any knowledge or general things to look out for would be received with many thanks.

Look forward to hearing from you all.

Carl

Hi and Welcome Carl .

Welcome! You'll find the guys from Motormech on the forum.

Have a look through the How To section of the forum, I spent hours in there when I first joined.

Hi and welcome

Welcome, Carl.

Welcome Carl. Motormech will sort out all your problems.

Hi and welcome to the forum of forums Carl

Hi everyone

Thanks for the warm reception

Just notice on one of the topics that motormech are having a clear out of parts and it's convenient that I'm also booked in that day for the coupe to be looked at


Is it worth paying for a membership, I've briefly spoke with Theresa about it

Just wondering what your views were?

Its a big yes from me! Loads of benifits from being a club member.

I think it's an excellent idea.

But then, I am the membership secretary!

Hi Carl,
Motormech come highly recommended .

Welcome aboard

Hi Carl and welcome. And yes to club membership!

Excellent. I'll do that tomorrow

Thanks for your help. Once I've worked everything out i will post some pictures up of my car

As a new member (I bought my first Coupe last February) I highly recommend joining the club.
As well as the great access to the Workshop manual and other great benefits, you also will be contributing to the upkeep of the forum that is sure to provide you with much needed info and help over the years to come.

I know that last part is free and you would get that as a non-member too, but it feels good to give some back too. Trust me, all the advice and help you get (and will unfortunately need being a Coupe owner) is worth multiples of the measly yearly membership fee.

Hi Carl and welcome to the club

Hi and welcome to the forum.
There's lots to learn on here and help is always just a question away.

Hi Carl welcome! i have just got back from Motormech this morning yesterday morning to sort out my exhaust!
They are all friendly there! Nigel is the one thats doing the clear out and also on the forum
Have a look in Aladdin's Nigels cave, now that's shopping for blokes! lol

How do you pay for the membership? I know it says to use PayPal or bank transfer, but it also says to download the form? Where is that? I'm using my mobile don't know if that makes any difference?

Just follow the STEP 3 link here Carl.

It's in the panel to the left of the posts on PC or tablet,
it may not show there on your phone though.

Ok thanks

Think I've done it now via PayPal

Thanks for the help

Carl

Clear out at Motormech...take you cheque book, even if you don't know what it is buy it

So what is the spec of your car? Exterior mods/interior mods?

Get them to do a health check/Compression test, they'll probably give you a list of things that need doing short/medium/long term and with that info you can start planning the bank robbery

Welcome Carl - good to see new local car and owner - I'm in Coventry.... Paul at MotorMech is a top fella ...but yer Mrs will take revenge in the Bullring

Welcome Carl,

I'm a little south in Northampton. Welcome to the Club MotorMech are a good reliable bunch.

As mentioned above. Always worth a rummage in Aladdin's Nigel's cave

The cars only been modified in the engine, it's got a GTEC2 chip, super sprint exhaust the intercooler has been upgraded, front disks grooved (305mm) but I think it needs new pads, K&N induction kit, boost control, currently on 15 psi? and a Bailey dump valve also the standard alloys have been refurbished and sprayed white. Got some peal on the bonnet so if anyone knows of a good body shop or a sprint blue bonnet for sale let me know.

The guy I got it from thinks it's running at 300bhp, got no proof of this and would like to know.

The interior is standard, needs work. I'd like to have full leather and a general clean up, the centre console has had something on there and they have done a poor job of removing it but for now the cosmetics can wait until I've got some more knowledge of what needs doing mechanically

So I've literally done nothing so far but I only picked her up last Saturday

As it is I love it! I keep going missing at work just to go and look at her haha. Puts a massive smile on my face everytime I do!

On a personal note luckily im single my ex wouldn't let me get a coupe so she had to go Haha and as for the bank job.. Who's with me?

its probably not running 300bhp, without a proper live map, itll never get near 300bhp, it could be around 245-260bhp at most.

the best thing to do, if theres any cash left head over to fcperformance.co.uk and get in contact with leighton.

Yeah I did think this was slightly optimistic, it's quick and makes a lovely noise when the boost kicks in. That's all that matters to me.

I'm still learning what she can and cannot do so once I'm comfortable il maybe look into having more power.

Fcperformance are they in Bristol? I was born there and my family still live in the city so that would be convenient for me, two birds one stone!

Just a quick update

Took the car to motormech today, very helpful the car needs a bit of work nothing major or bank busting left her there and I can collect on Wednesday.

Nigel had a few goodies for me also

Replacement turbo (my seals had gone) , Centre console (mine was tatty and worn) new headlight covers (again mine were faded and they were an advisory on the mot) and then to top it off full leather interior to replace the cloth I have

So once everything has been done she will be driving great and looking fantastic too! Very happy and excited to drive her again

A most fruitful and satisfying day!

Careful, it looks like you are catching the bug
Enjoy!

Ah, so it was the turbo then.

Glad you're getting it sorted and have some extra goodies to sort too