General Ordered 2.0 16v Bravo (165) right decision?

[Kop32]

As the title says,I currently drive a Grande Punto S2 1.9MJET Sporting (130) but as a "present" to myself I have ordered a new Bravo,my question is two fold really,

1. Am I doing the right thing?

2. What are the main differences I will find between my current car and the Bravo (ride,handling performance etc etc).

I will appriciate any comments you guys can offer.

ps I know it sounds daft but I have not even test driven the new Bravo

 

[wegi]

Without going into hard figures or anything (cause i'm not great with that stuff) what I can tell you is...

1. Yes, you're doing the right thing, the Bravo is a stunning car considered to be the Daddy (or Mother if you like) of Punto's. It's essentially just a more family orientated version of the Punto but I also reckon it looks a lot meaner and sticks out a LOT. (especially with a few simple mods!)

2. The huge difference is the elegance, style and comfort factor. You'll be driving around feeling much more in control of the road, as you sit wider and more firmly on the ground. There's quite a bit of road noise in the Bravo, but it's only bad if you're driving with the radio off, if you've even just got it on volume 2 or 3 it drowns it out.
Performance-wise... coming from a lightweight Punto to a big b***ard of a Bravo, you WILL notice that your lower end revs have slightly less pulling power, but a brilliant mid to high end. (although, this could be evened out as it's a much more powerful engine than your Punto)

In general, i'd say GO FOR IT!

You seriously won't be disappointed.

Recommended mods:
Most people are satisfied and recommend Eibach lowering kit.
Catback exhaust system.
GSR induction.
Remap (if you want insane amounts of HP)

 

[rambyuk]

I did exactly the change that you're doing, I would say the 2.0 is considerably more powerful, despite the weight factor. Strangely - and I think this is rare - I had zero problems / niggles with the GP, I've had several build quality issues with the Bravo unfortunately.

One big difference: with the GP I didn't really care about it (though it impressed me), I seem to care more about the Bravo. I would say that the Bravo is a lot more refined, but currently I can't see past the rattles grrrrrrr...

P.S. the dealer claimed there weren't any rattles.. idiots.

 

[Kop32]

I did exactly the change that you're doing, I would say the 2.0 is considerably more powerful, despite the weight factor. Strangely - and I think this is rare - I had zero problems / niggles with the GP, I've had several build quality issues with the Bravo unfortunately.

One big difference: with the GP I didn't really care about it (though it impressed me), I seem to care more about the Bravo. I would say that the Bravo is a lot more refined, but currently I can't see past the rattles grrrrrrr...

P.S. the dealer claimed there weren't any rattles.. idiots.

Thanks for your comments,I must say I love driving the Grande but as I now do a lot more miles I just want that extra refinement that comes with the Bravo,and, if as you say the car has "niggles" then my dealer is spot on (bought 5 cars from them in the last few years for myself and family members) and I have no doubts that any problems will be rectified.

 

[rambyuk]

Thanks for your comments,I must say I love driving the Grande but as I now do a lot more miles I just want that extra refinement that comes with the Bravo,and, if as you say the car has "niggles" then my dealer is spot on (bought 5 cars from them in the last few years for myself and family members) and I have no doubts that any problems will be rectified.

..oh, if my dealer was as good...

 

[craig20102010]

iv got the bravo 2.0mjet sport.. nice car looks really nice and i think it drives really nice as well handles very good and feel incontrol gives me confidence when im driving it..

love the build quality as well.. i think its been fairly well built and gives a very solid feel to me. (apart from the boot pop.. makes it sound so cheap when it opens)

im not that keen on the engine it is good but not sure it was right choice for me.. but saying that i think you will love the power that the engine can produce and it will certainly surprise you at times...as you wont be expecting it to be as powerful as it is..

iv got a tuning box on it and its made a big difference to the way the car drives alot more powerful and engine appears to be running smoother... fuel eco isnt great but its not bad concidering the power..although i am a propper clock watcher when it comes to fuel.

i will be lowering mine next and fitting a performance panel filter instead of an induction kit. not sure if i really trust these induction kits they appear to make fuel economy worse where as a decent panel filter seems to make fuel eco better and stil increases performance.. i could be wrong since iv never had a propper induction kit that is built for the car just going off what other people have said but i have had performance panel filters in the past.

good choice dont think you will be disopointed...

 

[Paul 165]

Definately right decission.
I've had mine since beginning of Nov, Love it, wash it, wash it some more...
I used to use the "£5 car wash pit stops" to have my old car washed, I feel way too protective over the Bravo, so have to get my hands dirty every weekend!

Only real gripe about my car is that it really doesn't appear to like cold starts.. Splutters along for ~30 secs. This morning it took three key turns cycles to start which was something of a shock for a new car!

It's also quick enough for most of the time, pretty decent mid range turbo surge will make overtaking a regular feature of your drive home from work! It certainly is on mine!

When is it due to be ready for you to pick it up?

 

[bravo jtdM150]

Its a different class to a grande punto, it feels and looks and drives much better and it has more room and way way more comfy.
I have the 1.9 150 and its great i got it on the dyno and it was 161.5bhp as standard so the power is more than enough.

Build quality is good enough, its a fiat so the odd rattle is not uncommon.

Theres niggles with the DPF system with some owners but as long as you give it a good run now and again it should be fine.

Im very confident you will make the right decision.
Happy bravo driving

 

[Kop32]

Definately right decission.
I've had mine since beginning of Nov, Love it, wash it, wash it some more...
I used to use the "£5 car wash pit stops" to have my old car washed, I feel way too protective over the Bravo, so have to get my hands dirty every weekend!

Only real gripe about my car is that it really doesn't appear to like cold starts.. Splutters along for ~30 secs. This morning it took three key turns cycles to start which was something of a shock for a new car!

It's also quick enough for most of the time, pretty decent mid range turbo surge will make overtaking a regular feature of your drive home from work! It certainly is on mine!

When is it due to be ready for you to pick it up?

The build date is second week in january,i'm having the skydome,18inch alloys and duel climate control.

 

[lyubohar]

You'll love the Skydome, what's the color?

 

[flyingscot]

The build date is second week in january,i'm having the skydome,18inch alloys and duel climate control.

Cracking decision, climate control is really useful- I was sick of fiddling with the switches turning them up and down in my last car on hot and cold days to get comfortable! So much easier to set a temperature and just let it do the work!

 

[Kop32]

You'll love the Skydome, what's the color?

Its crossover black with the red sail cloth interior,I also liked the massarati blue but for obvious sporting reasons I couldnt face looking at a blue car.

 

[Kop32]

Cracking decision, climate control is really useful- I was sick of fiddling with the switches turning them up and down in my last car on hot and cold days to get comfortable! So much easier to set a temperature and just let it do the work!

TBH the main reason for the dual climate control was the dash and centre console looks so much better than without (probably not the best reason to have something fitted!!!).

 

[lyubohar]

Its crossover black with the red sail cloth interior,I also liked the massarati blue but for obvious sporting reasons I couldnt face looking at a blue car.

What's wrong with Masserati blue? The black would definitely fit better a brighter color than black. Black's great too, I just like the look of the roof when it stands out

 

[Kop32]

What's wrong with Masserati blue? The black would definitely fit better a brighter color than black. Black's great too, I just like the look of the roof when it stands out

Theres nothing wrong with masarati blue,in fact its lovely,problem is like I said i'm an avid Liverpool supporter and blue would just not sit right,and before you say it yes its a very shallow way to think but as the great Bill Shankley said " footballs not a matter of life and death,its far more important than that"

 

[lyubohar]

It makes more sense now and no, it's not shallow if it makes you happy

 

[wegi]

I used to use the "£5 car wash pit stops"

£3.50 here for wash and wax!
I don't let them do it either. The Bravo's curves and grooves are enough to make an impotent gayboy get a boner!