Bertone coupe advice.
Bertone coupe advice.
Author
Discussion

nsmith

Original Poster:

34 posts

193 months

Wednesday 28th October 2009
quotequote all
I'm looking at getting a 1.8 version of the Bertone coupe as a first car, I've driven a couple and liked them a lot, found reasonable enough insurance etc. But was wondering if anyone around here could give me some advice purchasing wise, i.e. how many miles on the clock is too many, any problems with the engine etc. I've heard a few people say things about the cam-belts going around the 60k mark and something to do with a timing chain recall?

I've seen a few for sale on autotrader for around the £2k - £3.5k mark but they range from around 30/40k on the clock to well into the 100s. I'm not put off by a higher mileage car just not too sure with hearing about the belts and a few engine niggles.

Any advice is appreciated.

neiljohnson

11,298 posts

223 months

Thursday 29th October 2009
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No need to worry about the chain that unique to the 2.2 engine but the belt is important buy one thats had it done already or factor in the price of a new cambelt & water pump as soon as you have it. They do have a few common faults such as road springs snapping front & rear but genrally they are not a bad car. The missis has had a convertible (turbo)one for a couple of years now which is also a Bertone built one and bar brakes, tyres and coil springs its been a good reliable car so far.

ThunderSpook

3,826 posts

227 months

Monday 9th November 2009
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I had a convertible 1.8 for a couple of years, brilliant car, one of my favourites so far. Had pretty much no problem with the car whatsoever and ended up putting about 40,000 miles on it over the 2 years.

Oh, and I have a feeling I was told that Vauxhall now recommends having the cambelt done every 40k, but it's not hugely expensive. Shop around and the dealers will usually price drop on each other to get your business smile

Sold mine with 54k on the clock and no problems.

Edited by ThunderSpook on Monday 9th November 23:29

k15tox

1,680 posts

197 months

Monday 16th November 2009
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i used to have a corsa c sri 1.8, not a coupe but same engine.

i put 44k of hard miles in under 2 years and it never missed a beat. ever.

i did take very good care of it servicing wise (every 5k) and aslong as the cambelts done your laughing

i think the z18xe is one of vauxhalls most reliable engines and good for high milage, id even put my money on one doing more faultless miles than one of the new cdti engines.

happy shopping.