Ok, So I think we can all agree that the 500 is a great nippy car to get around in right? But there are just a few things that I think could be improved.


For example the stock suspension seems a little soft, uprated exhaust, and I think I might like to see some new seats in there for better support...


After doing my research and hearing good feedback about the points above I started to get a bit more serious about it to consider going about improving some of these "faults", however I was stopped in my tracks when I tried to get multiple insurance quotes, the prices are just ridiculous! With the majority saying that they wont ensure cars unless completely stock!! :O


I just wanted to ask if any of you out there who have modified your car, how on earth did you get around this? are their specialist modified car insurers? can you get away without notifying them about the smaller changes?


Thanks


Cam

Have you tried the Forum insurers...?

I'd be careful about 'trying to get away' with anything when it comes to insurers. If you do have a smash, your non- standard car may give them an excuse to not pay up or reduce payments. Try to find a sympathetic 'enthusiasts' insurer... Premiums might be higher but they might accept the mods.

The suspension isn't too soft, just underdamped. But whatever, go and fit some silly hard springs and enjoy being thrown all over the road

Cameroooonk said:

I just wanted to ask if any of you out there who have modified your car, how on earth did you get around this? are their specialist modified car insurers? can you get away without notifying them about the smaller changes?

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Don't look at the cheapest insurers from experience.

And depends what modifications you're looking at, some will accept certain mods, but not all.

Sounds like the op is young. Why not get some experience of what a good car is before modifying your car and ending up wasting your money.


I've driven a very nice 500 but 99.99% of people don't do the same modifications that this car had.....

306maxi said:

Why not get some experience of what a good car is before modifying your car and ending up wasting your money.

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I'm definitely not saying that the 500 isn't a good car, I think it's great! I just disagree with the current view insurance companies have on modified cars...

And for some it's more of a hobby, personaly, being passionate about cars I enjoy working on my cars to improve them and customize them to suit me!

Cam

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Don't look at the cheapest insurers from experience.

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Agreed, especially sites like GoCompare. You're far better digging deeper and finding some of the less "well known" companies.

Thanks for the advice,
Appreciated

Cameroooonk said:

I'm definitely not saying that the 500 isn't a good car, I think it's great! I just disagree with the current view insurance companies have on modified cars...

And for some it's more of a hobby, personaly, being passionate about cars I enjoy working on my cars to improve them and customize them to suit me!

Cam

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I disagree with the unwillingness of supermodels to sleep with me.

If you reeeeally want to make your car better then get a set of Bilstein B14's.

306maxi said:

The suspension isn't too soft, just underdamped. But whatever, go and fit some silly hard springs and enjoy being thrown all over the road

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This, absolutely this, 100% this.

can you get away without notifying them about the smaller changes?

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This will end in tears, I guarantee it.

And this gem, from the Swift forum, shows why you don't go arsing around with suspension settings unless you understand (or pay a premium for something designed and built by people that do) suspension dynamics:

I had a set of 40mm springs fitted to my SSS [Suzuki Swift Sport] about a month ago and will be removing them very soon.

The good bits - the car looks great and on a very smooth road the ride is fine. The car also corners faster.

And the bad - the ride on any other road is appalling. The car crashes and bangs over any imperfection to such an extent I don't like driving it.

As an aside I had a scary moment yesterday when I applied the brakes (gently) while cornering at speed, the ABS kicked in and I had almost no braking whatsoever. All I can think is I lifted the rear inside wheel or it had very little load and when I braked the wheel locked up.

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That on a car that has been universally praised for its suspension setup

Cameroooonk said:

I just disagree with the current view insurance companies have on modified cars...

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But then again you're not to one indemnifying a customer for upto £20million for 3rd party property damage and an unlimited sum for a 3rd partys personal injury claim

All insurance companies have different Underwriting criteria for various different reasons, and this is why some are better for modified cars than others and why some are better for younger drivers than others and so on and so forth.

I am aware that hardening the suspension or increasing the dampening will also have some negative effects on the car, but from what I've heard, most customers who invest in uprated suspension seem to enjoy what it adds to the car.


But after seeing the insurance prices and taking you advice it is best to not mess with the factory set up!


However, would something small like decals (interior) or perhaps changing the dash colour be fine?


cheers zanes for the info too!

I'm sorry, but the way you talk about things seems to suggest you don't really understand what you're doing. I've stated above and Zanes agreed, the suspension is underdamped. Stiffer dampers wouldn't be a bad thing.

Most people who modify their cars wouldn't know their bum from their elbow. B14's will make the 500 handle 10x better and have a negligible effect on harshness. But they're not as cheap as a set of crappy springs so few invest in them.

306maxi said:

I'm sorry, but the way you talk about things seems to suggest you don't really understand what you're doing.

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You'd be correct, I never said I was an expert in setting up cars! If I was I wouldn't be asking on the forum! Just here looking for advice.

306maxi said:

Most people who modify their cars wouldn't know their bum from their elbow.

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And why say that about people who modify!?


The whole point in the fiat 500 is that it is a fun and customisable car! take a look at their website ( http://www.fiat-accessories.com/fiat-500-accessories ) and all of the different decals, accessories and paints you can get, not everyone want to be driving around in exactly the same car as everyone else! that's why people modify; to make the car your own.

Cameroooonk said:

You'd be correct, I never said I was an expert in setting up cars! If I was I wouldn't be asking on the forum! Just here looking for advice.





And why say that about people who modify!?


The whole point in the fiat 500 is that it is a fun and customisable car! take a look at their website ( http://www.fiat-accessories.com/fiat-500-accessories ) and all of the different decals, accessories and paints you can get, not everyone want to be driving around in exactly the same car as everyone else! that's why people modify; to make the car your own.

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The "point" of the 500 is whatever sells the most cars.


The reason I say that is that most people who modify cars make them worse than standard.

306maxi said:

The "point" of the 500 is whatever sells the most cars.


The reason I say that is that most people who modify cars make them worse than standard.

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Haha, well that too of course!


But I guess if you look where others went wrong; take their advice on what works and do your research you might just end up with something better than standard!


But, anyway, thanks for the help

You've already been given advice though. Bilstein B14's. Best suspension kit you're going to find for the 500.

Standard for the 500 isn't that fantastic, but it's still easy to make it worse.....

I'll say it again.... B14's.....

306maxi said:

You've already been given advice though. Bilstein B14's. Best suspension kit you're going to find for the 500.

Standard for the 500 isn't that fantastic, but it's still easy to make it worse.....

I'll say it again.... B14's.....

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OK! I think I've been convinced! haha


Cheers

If you really want to be original buy something else! For me personally I don't give a hoot what people think about my car (what people anyway ) but if my car makes me feel some pleasure in driving it - that is something I'll go for... So, non-stickered Punto Abarth for me... and for you, anything that floats your boat really

306maxi said:

The suspension isn't too soft, just underdamped. But whatever, go and fit some silly hard springs and enjoy being thrown all over the road

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I’ve just signed up to this forum basically to read some user opinions, as I’m about to purchase a 500 Twin Air. So, I can’t comment on the 500, but I’ve done lots of mods to my cars over the years, which have all been ‘city car’ to ‘supermini’ size. Some of the things I tried years back were indeed a waste of time - usually the ‘more power’ ones. So I don't do as much these days.

But moderate lowering springs up to 30mm I would recommend for spirited drivers. That is about 10% of the spring length. It’s not about springs being ‘hard’. They are progressive and have as much give as normal springs at first, only becoming ‘harder’ further into the suspensions travel. It’s mainly about lowering the centre of gravity: with that being closer to the axle height, then the moment of the centrifugal force is reduced, so the tendency for the body roll is less. This regardless of damping.

It has not made any of my cars crashy or left them bouncing all over the road. Far from it. It has improved body control when cornering, stability, feel and susceptibility to cross winds. I have never grounded one in 20 years.

Some manufacturers endorse the option of lowering for keener drivers. For example, Toyota’s own tuning arm (TTE) offer their own suspension lowering kits. Ford sell Eibach lowering springs as official Ford accessories! Skoda have lowered some Fabia’s simply for the improvement in economy.

RE someone’s bad experience lowering a Suzuki Swift Sport. I’m not altogether surprised. A reputable company like Eibach’s main offerings are usually 30mm, but less for the warm and hot hatches as their springs are usually already lowered (by the manufacturer - it’s one of the first things they do to improve handling!) Typically a hot hatch will be 10-15mm lower than standard cars. To fit 40mm lowering springs to an already lowered Sport version is rather extreme.

On the main thread title, yes insurance will cost you more. Some companies won’t touch a modified vehicle, others not those with increase power, some have limits to how much you can do - 1 mod, 2 mods or 3 mods, after which they won’t offer insurance. The latter approach seems sensible as a large number of vehicles have in fact been modified in some way - non-standard alloys, tow bars, or a dealer fit accessory. They don’t want to lose those customers.

I’m currently with Aviva - they’ve been good. It put my premium up, and by more than a couple of insurance groups worth, but not extortionately.