Hi all. After months of searching I took the plunge and put a deposit down on a lovely red 20vt. Excited! Only done 63k and had a new clutch at 55k. Belts at 42k but that was 2007... probably best get them done. It'll need a respray one day, when I can face it, but for now will have to put up with the slight pink tone and some lacquer peel on the back bumper.

I'm in Norwich. Does anybody here know of any good Coupe specialists around here? I've contacted Nick Harper, but he's not particularly a Coupe enthusiast. Looked for PowerFiat on the internet as everyone's talking about them, but can't find anything except a broken link - do they still exist?

Anyway. As I may have mentioned, I am excited.

Welcome to the fold

Roger at Poweritalia would be able to sort any work needed on your new purchase.

http://www.poweritalia.com/

Hi and welcome

Awesome, thanks countrycruising. Why was I looking for powerfiat? That'd be why the link was broken then.

Does anybody have suggestions for "must do" gentle mods? I'm not planning on uprating the power via the turbo, but perhaps lowering / stiffening up the suspension a touch and an air filter? Exhaust? I'm going to leave it as stock as possible, but am just looking for the little touches that make a difference without turning it into a completely different car.

I've used nick before on my old 16vt

I found him quite expensive for work on my old 20vt so I travelled to a specialist for the major jobs

Alfa Shop in Norwich are well versed in looking after the Coupe. They looked after mine very well and also undertook some pretty major surgery on a friends after we cooked it (whoops).

The owner, Jeremy, has a soft spot for Coupes so they'll do you right.

Hi Adam, thanks for that, I'll bear that in mind. Just got a quote from Alfashop in Norwich, who also "change the cam tensioners the water pump and top up with paraflu two to three liters as required we also change the auxiliary belt and tensioners/idlers". And therefore charge an absolute fortune. [edit] Crossed posts there! They seem to do a very thorough job, even if it is pricey.

What colour is your Coupe (if you still have it)? I'll keep my eye open for you in The Fine City.

You need to get the belts done anyway and it makes sense to do the water pump and tensioners at the same time.

If you don't mind me asking what's their quote for this part of the work? Up here the best rate is around £700, engine in.

Engine out, well over four figures.

Don't have mine anymore, haven't had one in a year

You might see me in my 200sx s13 or my tt, if I see a coupe I'll flash

When I was getting quotes for a cambelt it was upwards of £600 and in the end I went to midland car servicing and got a clutch and cambelt done for around £800

200sx! Awesome cars. Looked at TTs too, I think they're very much a future classic in the making, and they're currently dirt cheap. Won't be long before their prices start to rise.

Yeah, Alfashop quoted me £850 for all that stuff. Looks like Roger at PowerItalia is charging £650 for the belts AND a full service, so that could be well worth doing. But yes, Midland looked cheap when I checked their site.

I'd always recommend Roger at poweritalia. It's great just to see the line up of coops nearby, as well as knowing you get excellent service.

Hi and welcome , another vote for Rog @ poweritalia .

When Roger started out working mostly on Fiat Coupes, he called himself PowerFiat. He then branched out into Alfas as well and became PowerItalia, and has since diversified further into German stuff too... clicky

Hi and welcome,don't forget to get the cam phase sensor changed.

I went to Poweritalia 2 years ago for a timing belt job,i was pleased with what has been done.

Hi and welcome

I'm going to hijack my own thread and see if anyone has recommendations for insurers - use the fccuk membership discount (which incidentally I paid this morning!) or shop around? Happy to shop about, just wondering if there was a "go to" insurer.

[Edit] by the way JarOfJam, thanks for the tip off re cam phase sensor.

Try the Insurance section

Adrian Flux, Admiral, Glynwood are amongst several people have used.... some do Classic Car policies, some do "agreed value" - limited annual mileage helps to bring cost down as does the security of your main parking place, but you'll already know that.

Ah yes, the insurance section. I see it now. Embarrassing. I am *that* forum guy, gah

Thanks

Dinnae worry we've all been there

I'd still shop around. I always get far cheaper deals online than through the companies recommended on here. Think this time I went through performance direct, got it for £160.

Yes, if there's deals like that out there then I'll definitely shop around. Thanks Robcal.

Or around £500 West of Glasgow.

Welcome to the forum and club. Enjoy your Coupe

Welcome

Well. I picked the car up from the seller in Grantham today, and drove it all the way to Norwich. And it worked! And it was great! And nothing exploded! So I'm pretty stoked. Trying to find an excuse to go to the 24hr garage to buy some (more) shopping

Yep - its that type of car!

So... I'm a first time coupe owner, and I've realised this is the first petrol turbo I've ever owned. Are there any warm up / warm down rituals I should be following religiously? I had a search of the forum, and checked the FAQs, but couldn't see anything.

Ignition on and give it a couple of seconds to wake up,then fire it up and drive it.
Stopping is just give it a few seconds to settle on idle and turn off. Don't rev it before turn off.

If you are a thrasher then give the engine time to cool,then turn off.

Excellent. Thanks for that. I'm not a thrasher. Well, not much of a thrasher. It wasn't my fault, the car made me do it!

That's another one in the snare