Folks,
Some help needed here! I'm thinking about looking at a late ('94) Thema 16 valve which has come up for sale locally to me (not a turbo). Apart from the fact it will need a major service (belts etc) I've been told the central locking is playing up and that there are a couple of 'crunchy' bits - albeit minor ones - on the rear arches.
Apart from that, anyone got some practical suggestions on what I should be looking for on the car before buying? Anything 'peculiar' to the Thema?
Thanks!
Hamish
Thema 2 Litre 16 valve
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Julian
Re: Thema 2 Litre 16 valve
Hamish,
I bought my 93 Phase 3 Thema a couple of years ago as cheap stop gap. The car has since given excellent reliable transport and is current nearing 150k.
When I purchased my car I had to put right the following minor items.
1)The sliding callipers on the brakes tend to seize if the car is not used in anger very often.
2)The fuel filter is often overlooked in servicing, but can give major starvation issues if not changed every 30k.
3)On my car I had to replace all the bushes on the rear suspension which had worn out over time.
Many of the parts used on the car are commonly found amongst other cars in the FIAT group and the doors are interchangeable with early SAAB 9000’s. The only item which appears to be unique to this car is the VIS system (if fitted) so check that it is working correctly. You need to accelerate hard up to about 6000rpm on the test drive and check that the car does not hesitate when the VIS induction changes. All electrics are Bosch and shared with AUDI or BMW so no problem there.
The central locking issue will possibly be due to either the switches in the doors sticking or water in the remote locking sensor (located near the front interior light unit).
Hope this helps.
Good Luck Julian.
I bought my 93 Phase 3 Thema a couple of years ago as cheap stop gap. The car has since given excellent reliable transport and is current nearing 150k.
When I purchased my car I had to put right the following minor items.
1)The sliding callipers on the brakes tend to seize if the car is not used in anger very often.
2)The fuel filter is often overlooked in servicing, but can give major starvation issues if not changed every 30k.
3)On my car I had to replace all the bushes on the rear suspension which had worn out over time.
Many of the parts used on the car are commonly found amongst other cars in the FIAT group and the doors are interchangeable with early SAAB 9000’s. The only item which appears to be unique to this car is the VIS system (if fitted) so check that it is working correctly. You need to accelerate hard up to about 6000rpm on the test drive and check that the car does not hesitate when the VIS induction changes. All electrics are Bosch and shared with AUDI or BMW so no problem there.
The central locking issue will possibly be due to either the switches in the doors sticking or water in the remote locking sensor (located near the front interior light unit).
Hope this helps.
Good Luck Julian.
-
pol
Re: Thema 2 Litre 16 valve
I own a '91 16V for 10 years now, done 210000 kms and had no big problems with it. It is still used as daily car.
There are two things i can come up with that i had to repair several times, i think they are common for each Thema :
1) the handbrake cable and levers on the rear callipers get stuck after a few years (pull handbrake firmly, release it and feel if it doesn't stay behind).
2) the hydraulic piston that commands the clutch needs replace each 3 or 4 years.(you feel if it's worn when you release the clutch pedal)
except from that nothing but normal wear.
If you replace the cambelts (every 50000kms!) replace the guiding rolls' bearings; i had big trouble not having done that on my turbo16V.
Pol
There are two things i can come up with that i had to repair several times, i think they are common for each Thema :
1) the handbrake cable and levers on the rear callipers get stuck after a few years (pull handbrake firmly, release it and feel if it doesn't stay behind).
2) the hydraulic piston that commands the clutch needs replace each 3 or 4 years.(you feel if it's worn when you release the clutch pedal)
except from that nothing but normal wear.
If you replace the cambelts (every 50000kms!) replace the guiding rolls' bearings; i had big trouble not having done that on my turbo16V.
Pol