Been absent from here for a while, sadly computer troubles. Just thought I'd say hello to all you Panda owners again!

My 1.2 has now clocked up 101,000 km and it's still going strong. Nothing major to report yet.

Good result! Mine is currently on 91k miles, so not far off the 100K mark myself

LeanMeanRacing said:

Good result! Mine is currently on 91k miles, so not far off the 100K mark myself

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Wow. :worship:

Of course, in miles, mine is only 63K. Dontcha just love Kms.

How are your wipers? Have either started to flake off? I've spotted many Pandas here that have this. I'm suspecting the high-dose, premade screen washes that they sell.

The driver's side is starting to bubble although I would say thay they deteriorate on time/exposure to the elements, rather than mileage covered.

LeanMeanRacing said:

The driver's side is starting to bubble although I would say thay they deteriorate on time/exposure to the elements, rather than mileage covered.

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I'm not so sure, my Panda was garaged, out of the elements and they started flaking after a year.

I've seen many Pandas around here with the same problem, but just yesterday I saw a newish van with the same problem.

Perhaps the manufacturers are cutting costs on the paint finish for wipers. Why not make the front plastic, like the rear?

miura74 said:

I'm not so sure, my Panda was garaged, out of the elements and they started flaking after a year.

I've seen many Pandas around here with the same problem, but just yesterday I saw a newish van with the same problem.

Perhaps the manufacturers are cutting costs on the paint finish for wipers. Why not make the front plastic, like the rear?

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The fronts are subject to a lot more force therefore need to be stronger. To be fair the wiper arms both front and back are still metal anyway.

Good news, my local Fiat dealer took in a 1.1 with 160K on it - was dealer serviced from new and apparently still run well. The future is looking good for the tough little engines.

Derv drinker said:

Good news, my local Fiat dealer took in a 1.1 with 160K on it - was dealer serviced from new and apparently still run well. The future is looking good for the tough little engines.

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Tbh if well maintained the FIRE engines will easily see 300k+

306maxi said:

The fronts are subject to a lot more force therefore need to be stronger. To be fair the wiper arms both front and back are still metal anyway.

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Yes, I didn't mean plastic in whole, I meant plastic covers, like the rear, which are still metal under them.

Would help with the dodgey paint finish they give metal arms, but I do suppose would introduce the sun bleaching of plastic.

miura74 said:

Yes, I didn't mean plastic in whole, I meant plastic covers, like the rear, which are still metal under them.

Would help with the dodgey paint finish they give metal arms, but I do suppose would introduce the sun bleaching of plastic.

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Get it sandblasted and then powdercoated Won't come off then.

Mine's now at 105 000KM and heading in to service here in Malaysia. Welcome to the ... century mark?

My only major problem is the EPS, which I've totally ignored and continued driving for over the past 1 year without it.

As for wipers, hmmm... never really noticed. Will take a look later.

Else, 5 years on, and it's still putting a smile on me face.

Well, I think I spoke a little too soon actually. Famous last words, isn't it?

I've been hearing a metalic kinda noise from the back, only when going over bumps and not every time.

So I had a quick look under... oh dear...



I'm no expert but this is TOO rusty, yes? The outer casing has rusted off and the top part flaps about. The pipe is fairly rusty too, but thankfully the rest under the panda looks fine. No odd noise from it when the car is running, except it can rattle a little, but only a little.

Looks like a trip to the garage then...

Yet again though, I've only done 3000km (1 month) since my last service (103000km total, 3.5 years), why on EARTH did the garage not say anything about the state of this?

Meh. Replace it when it starts to blow.

It's only the outer skin so is fine. Garage didn't mention it because tbh there isn't an issue.

If they had mentioned it and you said they had on here everyone would then be slagging them off saying they trying to rip you off

Most Easterly Pandas said:

It's only the outer skin so is fine. Garage didn't mention it because tbh there isn't an issue.

If they had mentioned it and you said they had on here everyone would then be slagging them off saying they trying to rip you off

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Thanks. I seem to have lose the "thanks" button?!

I'm no expert on how much rust is okay,

It certainly isn't making any noises yet, runs fine. But obviously it'll now rust through, esp. seeing as winter is coming again. The Danes do like to put lots of salt on the roads!

As I said, replace it when it blows

The thanks button is now the smiley face next to the thumbs up button

Most Easterly Pandas said:

The thanks button is now the smiley face next to the thumbs up button

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D'oh.

Thankyou.

115,000 kms now and it's that time again to change the wheels (again). Seem to last around the 60K mark, not sure if that's good or bad really. I know I really shouldn't take roundabouts the way I do.... lol

This time however, I want to change the alloys too. I'm no expert on wheels.

Still happy to keep the 155/80R13s size though. The handling (to me) is fine and they are cheap tyres.

I've narrowed my choice down to 4 alloys from a Danish online retailer, however they each have slightly different PCD/ET.

So, I'm wondering which is the best fit on a 1.2 Panda with standard 155/80R13?

4x98 ET32
4x100/98 ET35
4x98 ET35
4x98 ET38

Or are these choices so similar that it won't cause alignment problems?

My Panda has done 23km on an 07 Plate, had a look at the initial MOT for the mileage, it hasn't done 1k miles in the past year even lol! 100km seems very far away...

Looking to sell in the summer though...Wish I could afford an 100HP.