Hi . I had a mk2 1.9turbo Diesel punto. Used to handle really well ..it was firm but comfortable and had great torque she is now parked up as a parts car due to rust unfortunately. My current punto a nice 1.2 8v was bought as a project as she had so many problems the dealer was sending her for scrap...I couldn't resist..so bought it. No major rust but loads of other problems. Now all repaired (apart from speedometer). She handles OK but no where near as good as my tdi. Question is: is the suspension upgraded on the 19tdi ? I know the front brakes are but are the springs and dampers the same? Both cars are my2 the Diesel one 53 plate and my new one is 52. (One owner from new) both are 5doors too. Rear springs on my new one are looking tired though

Diesel lumps weigh a tonne compared to the 8v lump

More weight to force contact with the ground plays a massive part here....

The 8v is nippy but slip.

The diesles had different springs on front to cope with weight change

Other than that - check tyres / pressures and tracking

I do drive hard and would say my little punto handles well

Ziggy

Ziggy122 said:

Diesel lumps weigh a tonne compared to the 8v lump

More weight to force contact with the ground plays a massive part here....

The 8v is nippy but slip.

The diesles had different springs on front to cope with weight change

Other than that - check tyres / pressures and tracking

I do drive hard and would say my little punto handles well

Ziggy

Click to expand...

but didn't you say in another thread ?.......:devil:
"Never changed punto rear springs
But now that i tow with my mk2b - i can tell i defo need them
Arse slams to the ground with just 75KG in boot or when hitched
The ability to resist has obviously faded with age"

Ziggy122 said:

Diesel lumps weigh a tonne compared to the 8v lump

More weight to force contact with the ground plays a massive part here....

The 8v is nippy but slip.

The diesles had different springs on front to cope with weight change

Other than that - check tyres / pressures and tracking

I do drive hard and would say my little punto handles well

Ziggy

Click to expand...

Thanks ZIGGY. Checked my tracking today perfect. My rear springs are looking very corroded and weak. I'm also using crap cheapo 175 tyres . I do have some as new Dunlop sport blue response 185s to fit all round so they will help front suspension is solid so I might fit my jtd punto rear springs and shocks over to my elx. Cheers mate

Ziggy122 said:

Diesel lumps weigh a tonne compared to the 8v lump

More weight to force contact with the ground plays a massive part here....

The 8v is nippy but slip.

The diesles had different springs on front to cope with weight change

Other than that - check tyres / pressures and tracking

I do drive hard and would say my little punto handles well

Ziggy

Click to expand...

As well...I've only done about 3K miles in my "new" punto..so still getting used to her really...I love this car and she's a keeper

The Diesel will have a much stronger anti-roll bar on the front, the heavier engine combined with the stronger antiroll bar will keep the front much more planted. The lighter engine and weaker roll bar will see the front going 'light' into bends as you throw the weight to one side or the other.

In suspect there will be very little difference in the rear springs and dampers from the diesel to the 8v.

Better tyres will help but the punto is only a light little car so there isn't a lot to push the tyres into the tarmac

AndyRKett said:

The Diesel will have a much stronger anti-roll bar on the front, the heavier engine combined with the stronger antiroll bar will keep the front much more planted. The lighter engine and weaker roll bar will see the front going 'light' into bends as you throw the weight to one side or the other.

In suspect there will be very little difference in the rear springs and dampers from the diesel to the 8v.

Better tyres will help but the punto is only a light little car so there isn't a lot to push the tyres into the tarmac

Click to expand...

Thanks mate my jtd is my parts car . So that's why I was going to swap rear springs etc. But new ones are relatively cheap so will just replace and forget as I really want to keep this car for as long as possible my old Cinqucento I had (the car that got me the Fiat addiction) did me 160 K miles before I decided she was not safe to keep welding up. Had her 7years

The jtd used the same suspension, hubs etc as the hgt. Different to the 1.2s. For a cheap mass produced car they handle ok, but nothing more.

chaos said:

The jtd used the same suspension, hubs etc as the hgt. Different to the 1.2s. For a cheap mass produced car they handle ok, but nothing more.

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Thanks mate I'm not a boy racer..but I like to keep moving. I've just done a round trip of 200 miles on twisty A roads . And I can definitely feel the rear is "bouncing" but the shocks feel OK. I know the rear springs are weak as it does not take much weight in the boot to make her look lowed so my plan is to get new rear springs and dampers. Also I'll be fitting my 185 Dunlop tyres from my jtd punto. I'm sure all that will make a difference.