Hi all fiat fans, I am collecting my first 20vt tomorrow, thank god for holidays lol, my 2 sons & I are thinking of taking it to our nearest race track for some fun days out, we're going to do the usual stuff, (oil, filters, brakes, etc) before we go, but has anyone got specific advice on known "inherent" probs with these beasties, it is chipped to 250bhp 17" Momo wheels, so slightly modified, any advice greatly appreciated on what to check prior to parting with wads of cash, cheers, The Oggbogg

Hi and Welcome to the forum , check your wheel bolts each time you head out on track .

Hi and welcome!

Just a quick thought before you thrash it on track, maybe run it as an everyday car for a while and then check the plugs to gauge if your fuelling is correct? Hopefully avoid any meltdowns then.

Welcome Oggbogg

You're only 20 minutes away from FCSS so if you're passing one day pop in for coffee as I've always got time to talk Coupe

With checking prior to purchase make sure you get yourself underneath to check it's general condition.
Rust is the biggest issues with these cars now so look at the rear springs, sub frame mounts as these will give an idea whether the car has been garaged or not.
Also check inside the boot area where the rear arches meet the floor. You'll need to lift the boot carpet up along with the side panels but you'll see the seam where the two meet and any corrosion will be very obvious.

Also print off the buyers guide if you can as it'll run through all the checks needed prior to making a sound purchase.

I hope it all goes well and if you do make it out on track make sure you check the wheel bolts cold, never after you've just rolled back in the pits otherwise you'll stretch the threads.

Hi and welcome

Hi all,
Thanks for replies, mucho appreciated & great to know your a real helpful crowd, I looked over the car checked out loads of service history & receipts, it's not low miles (140,000) but is 15 years old & cam belt done 20,000 ago, new discs, pads, front brembo calipers, so had some love & money shown to it, & as it has mot & tax I totally agree with using as local runabout first, will let you lovely people know how it behaves,
Wishing all the forum a terrific new year in 2014
The Oggbogg

Welcome. Joe will see you right.

Rain stops play!!!!!! 1st Jan & its Pi--ing it down in Gloucester, Havn't even got the car unloaded, Still theres always tomorrow, Has anybody got a detailed workshop manual for sale or know of a quality download available for XP or Windows 7,
Many thanks
The Oggbogg

There's the Fiat workshop manual available to club members, and a new book which you can find in the group buy section.

That's really all there is at the level of detail you want.

However, don't get too concerned as there's nothing too out of the ordinary on these cars if you're familiar with the spanners.

Edit: And the how to guides on the forum obviously contain good info. Nearly forgot about the forum

Welcome Oggbogg.
I too can confim it is p...ing down in this neck of the woods . Nice to know there is another Coupe nearby (I have not seen another for ages around Glos).

I could wholeheartedly recommend a health check by Joe at FCSS, as Upton on Severn is not to far from you.
That should give you the peace of mind nothing catastrophic should happen first time out on a track.

Lots of helpful info otherwise on the forum, plus access to spares.

Gets some pics up so we can have a look at your new toy!