General New Abarth Owner

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General New Abarth Owner

mdr10

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Apr 7, 2009
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Hi, I'm new to the forum and just wanted to ask a few questions if anyone has a spare moment to help..

What's the recommended run-in time for the Abarth? I couldn't see anything in the handbook's index so was hoping for the probably unrealistic view that I could thrash the car from day one!

My other question is regarding the Essesse kit. Does anyone have this fitted and what's the view on the upgrade? Is it worthwhile? I note that some journalists suggest the ride is compromised, so as I will sometimes have 2 children in the back seats, I don't want to make it too uncomfortable. On the other hand I am a sucker for more pace.. I guess we should wait and see how we get on with the standard car, but I can't help being impatient about improving our new toy!

Also, what happens to the kit which the dealer replaces with the upgraded components - ie wheels, brakes, tyres? They will have plenty of life left in them so does the dealer return them?

Thanks for any feedback!
 
There is suppoosedly no run in needed but I took it easy for the first 500 miles and then trying to keep it below 5k revs for the next 500 miles, not that that has stopped me having a lot of fun.

Can't comment personally about the kit but those who have it say it is worth it. The NP is all I want from a car I have a bigger beast for more horses. As to the bits they replace they stick em all back in the crate and hand it over to you to do what you want with them.

Congrats on the car btw its great isn't it!
 
Yes my first impressions are very good. I've been pleasantly surprised with how quick it feels so you may be right about it being fast enough already. It's just a temptation to see how much better it could be.. My previous car was a 911 turbo so it's quite a change!

Another question if I may regarding the TTC function. Should this be switched on all the time? My wife spoke to the dealer at the handover and said it should only be switched on when you're driving quickly, but if the function makes as big a difference as the Times article yesterday suggests, surely it may as well be on all the time?
 
I flick mine on if the roads get twisty or there's a lot of roundabouts (near Milton Keynes you see) but I don't bother for ordinary driving. The ESP is more than sufficent to keep you on the road then. Depends really how erm, progressive you are as a driver ;) but it does make a difference. Dang now I just want to make an excuse to leave work and take it for a blast.

By the way, don't be embarressed to turn off the sport mode in town or on the motorway, it really does improve economy and the lighter steering is actually a huge bonus (although some will disagree with me).

You'd be surpised how many Porsche owners have made the switch to the A500, a huge testiment to how good it really is. :worship:
 
Thanks for the tips, much appreciated.

The Abarth is supposed to be a stop-gap until my GTR arrives, but I can see us wanting to hang on to it, especially if my wife gets her way!

Perhaps cars like the abarth make more sense really on UK roads. You can never get near a supercar's potential without threatening your licence these days - assuming you can find an empty road...
 
The Abarth is supposed to be a stop-gap until my GTR arrives, but I can see us wanting to hang on to it, especially if my wife gets her way!

And this was starting to be a great friendship :p hmm GTR looks fantastic but more car than I could ever use, far outside my driving ability as well.

Perhaps cars like the abarth make more sense really on UK roads. You can never get near a supercar's potential without threatening your licence these days - assuming you can find an empty road...

This is exactly why I went for one even my little in town journey to work is made fun by it. Smiles per miles. (y)
 
I drove the essesse on friday, the suspension is not much harder and is bearable in my opinion, the difference in power is hard to tell as I ve not drivin my own car as hard as the essesse I test drove though it is a fast car, I think the best thing to do is road test a demo 135 and a demo essesse straight after one another unless you want to hammer your own car to really see what it can do, but I dont until its got some miles on the clock my dealer has said I can do this when my car is in to have the stickers renewed under warranty.

If I do go for it I will get it when the car is 11 months old and getting its first service as the essesse kit only has a 2 year warranty.
I suppose you d be able to sell the standard 135 kit once removed to recoup some of the expense... keeping the esesse crate as a coffee table;)
 
I would recommend having the Esse esse kit fitted when the car is just under a year old, it makes more sense. That way, you get the most of the warranty and you'll be so used to driving it as standard, when the kit is fitted you'll really feel and appreciate the difference. You can have the kit fitted up to 12,000 miles or a year after purchase i believe. I am still considering it, but i prefer the 10 spoke wheels and the lower ride height would be a bit impractical round here, as would the stiffer suspension set up. Plus the fact that £2500 to £3000 does not justify saving half a second of my time during acceleration from 0-60!
 
Apparently the dealership will check your ecu to see if you ve hit the rev limiter before they agree to fit it .... if you have then no essesse kit:confused:
 
Interesting comment on the porkers, my A500 is a stop gap after 997 TT until the gt3 arrives, but luv the 500 so much it won't be going! Can't justify the SS pack as it will be worth very little extra 2nd hand
 
Apparently the dealership will check your ecu to see if you ve hit the rev limiter before they agree to fit it .... if you have then no essesse kit:confused:

They do check it, but its a combined time of 60 seconds on the limiter not just if you hit it.

To get 1 whole minute on the rev limiter you've got to be caning the car far too hard anyway, specially as it starts to run out of usable power around 5.5k revs so you would tend to change up then anyway.
 
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