Hi all,

I'm looking to get back into the world of Panda ownership, but I'm still a bit undecided on which trim grade to go for. I'm tempted to go with another Pop, as the Australian ones are fairly well equipped when compared with the Euro delivered cars (Bluetooth, A/C, etc.).

However, the Trekking model was also sold in Australia with the 1.3 Multijet. You never hear much about these on the forum and I'm a little sceptical on a few different aspects of these.

Firstly, I understand that modern diesel engines in general are fairly complex however should be fine provided you're not just idling around town all the time. Is this the case with the Multijet? I've had a bit of a search and haven't found any horror stories.

Secondly, the Australian Trekkings are fitted with the dreaded climate control. I've seen a fair few threads in the 500 section discussing failures of the blend door and their expensive fixes. Is this an issue that is remedied in later vehicles? (It'd be a 2013 model I'd be looking at).

Modern diesels tend to drive far better than diesels of yesteryear, but they are far more complicated and perhaps less reliable than those as well.

There are a lot of stories and theories about them and their possible future, but before considering one, there are a few things to think about, particularly if you plan on buying used and plan on running it on a budget.

All cars eventually wear out parts, but the fuel system, emission control parts and dual mass flywheels on modern diesels can be trouble and expensive to put right.

It's accepted these days all these will cause issues at some point, even if the cars are driven correctly, DPF's will eventually fill with ash and require replacing or if you are lucky, specialist cleaning.

Dual mass flywheels will generally need replacing when the clutch does and add to that cost, but it can go wonky long before.

There are also certian parts that just don't seem to be able to cope with the enviroment they work in, EGR valves in particular are plague of the modern diesel owner, they just can't cope with the soot, heat and gunk that is meant to pass through them.

Petrol versions tend to be easier and cheaper to put right and most garages are equiped to deal with them, where quite often a diesel will need a specialist, which is the wise choice, as wild goose chases with lots of replacement parts fitted "in hope" can run up a big bill very quickly.

I'm not even going to mention the emission issues!

For a small city car like the Panda, I'd stick with petrol.

MJs also eat front tyres, and, nit surprisingly, the handling has a very nose-heavy feel to it.

The diesel is best on long runs, they take a while to warm up and short runs are death knell for the DPF. The 1.2 is a well proven engine, a bit strangled in Euro 6 form (not sure if this applies in Australia) but keep the revs up and it's fine. The TA is fun but a recent run in a TA 500 makes me think it could be tiring with noise and limited power band.

murphyv310 said:

The diesel is best on long runs, they take a while to warm up and short runs are death knell for the DPF. The 1.2 is a well proven engine, a bit strangled in Euro 6 form (not sure if this applies in Australia) but keep the revs up and it's fine. The TA is fun but a recent run in a TA 500 makes me think it could be tiring with noise and limited power band.

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My wife had a Panda Mk3 MJ, now has a Mk3 euro5 1.2 and I have a 4x4 TA. Not sure I agree with most of what you wrote. The diesel is higher-geared, which should make it better on main roads but it is rather noisy and not as smooth as a petrol engine, also it has a narrower usable rev range than either the TA - which is generally quieter at cruising speeds and very flexible if a bit rough below 2000 rpm - or the 1.2.

babbo_umbro said:

My wife had a Panda Mk3 MJ

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I don't think you can compare a Mk3 MJ with a current Euro6 diesel; IMO the current diesels are a much greater potential liability in terms of potential stuff to go wrong.

Goudrons has summed it up well.

Personally I'd get a 1.2. One of the Panda's greatest selling points is that it's cheap, reliable transport. Choosing a 1.2 helps keep it that way.

babbo_umbro said:

My wife had a Panda Mk3 MJ, now has a Mk3 euro5 1.2 and I have a 4x4 TA. Not sure I agree with most of what you wrote. The diesel is higher-geared, which should make it better on main roads but it is rather noisy and not as smooth as a petrol engine, also it has a narrower usable rev range than either the TA - which is generally quieter at cruising speeds and very flexible if a bit rough below 2000 rpm - or the 1.2.

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Each to their own. I had a 2012 Doblo 1.3 Multijet Van for a couple of years, I hated the turbo lag, the engine actually cooling down on long descents in winter and it's slow warning up time. Great at 70-80mph though.
The 500 TA was considerably noisier at 80 than my Panda 1.2 at the same speed. Granted the TA felt quicker but was far less smooth.