My Coupe may have reached the end of its life, very sadly. Yesterday it started making very ominous noises from the engine and lost oil pressure so almost certainly terminal for the engine. At least it died in a heroic way, on a practice run at Harewood Hillclimb - you can hear it start to make noises at about 1:05 into this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oOx3_3eXVQ - and can just see the oil pressure gauge is at zero as I turn into the paddock.

I was really hoping to get to 200k miles in the car without changing anything major but it only got to 198631!

Decision time is here though, do I spend more than the car is possibly worth on getting a replacement engine which will commit me to ensuring I keep on top of any rust issues as I can see the beginnings of problems on that front which will mean more money and time in the future or do I face the sad loss of a very loved car. After 12 years and 164k miles with me I really want to fix it but lack of time, too many other cars and lack of space for them all I know what the logical decision should be. But it is a car, and I'm not logical with them (I own a Fiat Coupe so that is pretty obvious, added to the rest of my "fleet").

So forum collective, what should I do?

That looked fun
Quite impressed by your turn of speed
Whats been done chassis wise? I track a coupe myself and wouldnt think they'd be much use as a hill climber.
definitely fix it!!!

It has Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs with front camber bolts and that is all. Yokohama AD08s help too but they are well past their best now. Hillclimbing is great fun, we were discussing at the weekend how much more it gets the adrenaline going than track days - the clock and competitors make a big difference! It depends on the hill how competitive it would be, Harewood this year separated the 4wd cars (Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru Impreza mainly) to a different class so I stood more chance. Had it run OK yesterday I was likely to get third in class over the season beaten by a V8 M3 E92 version (driven by my brother) and a 350Z. I lost third place to a turbo 1.8 Mazda MX5 which has about 240bhp but just beat an MR2 Turbo so really pleased with the performance of a relatively standard 20VT.

I really want to fix it but am trying to be slightly rational - it isn't easy though.

depends how much you love it in relation to your fleet ! Could you live without it or will it leave a big gaping hole in your life ! If so, keep it

I could live without it but it would leave a gaping hole in my life! I think my wife would like a gaping hole on the drive but even if I get rid of the Coupe I can still fill it - at least the neighbours wouldn't have to see my car on the road all the time though.

I've just heard about an engine at a reasonable price so it may live for a little longer yet. Will see....

Of course, I realised that asking in Fiat Coupe forums is probably only going to lead to one answer.

The cost of an engine rebuild is high, but whilst you're at it, it's a no-brainer to install forged rods and steel pistons, giving scope for more power in future, since they're cheaper than OE parts. New replacement engines are rare to the point of being non-existent now and used, low mileage engines come up extremely rarely, but you may be prepared to wait...

Ball park costs for info:
£1,000 Pistons/rods
£ 530 Machine shop
£ 400 Bearings etc.
£ 70 Fluids
£1,500 Labour
£4,000 TOTAL

If it helps Andy, you're welcome to the engine on my old dearly loved Coupe.

It's done 163K miles and can't guarantee how much longer it will last, but yours if you want it, if it helps keep your Coupe alive.

You'll have to come and take it out yourself though

Whip the sump off and check it might have just damaged the bearings and the crank good be fine.

If is all fine use a magnetic sump plug and change Oli frequently the till no metal attached to sump plug

Thanks Theresa, that is a great offer which is tempting. I've heard about an engine today which is a good price and comes recommended, just waiting for more details. I guess taking the engine out of yours would be practice for taking mine out, or the other way round I'll get back to you!

I would love to go down that route but even struggle to justify that to myself, not sure how I could explain it to my wife even if I can find that many pennies behind sofa cushions!

I did manage to switch it off pretty quickly but with the mileage it has, and recent fairly hard use I suspect it would be a bit of a false economy to just replace the bearings. Might be worth a look if engine replacement options come to nothing.

Sounds like your heart has won and you are fixing her

My head was winning when I went to bed last night, but when it switched off my heart seems to have taken over. Particularly with the engine offers I've had today. It would hurt to kill a Coupe.

Yes, yes! New engine. Don't give up on her.

For me it's a no brainier, fix the coupe. I'm new here but long term Alfa driver. I paid top dollar for a GT 3.2 and then had to top end rebuild. Along with a long list of upgrades including cat less manifolds I spent 7k, more than the car itself.

I've just bought a £480 20vt for a project, will be rebuilding engine head work injectors, hybrid turbo, custom exhaust etc.