Hi people:slayer:....just hit the 1000 mile mark in my new 500! O my God it's soooo much fun. Haven't even had time to take or post pics yet...been 'busy'...

Funny thing; on the 2nd day after delivery I saw 2 other 500s and have been seeing many in Edinburgh over the past couple of weeks now. Never saw ANY on the streets before I picked up my own...guess it was because I wasn't driving

Feel bad about saying anything negative about mini owners as they have been the most positive with flashing lights, waves and general interest. They seem to notice the 500 more than other road users.

I get away with much more cheeky driving now, people seem to completely tolerate it as it zips around the city through tiny gaps in the traffic!

I reset my trip A every time I refuel and have hit 72.2 mpg briefly before it settles at around 62.3 or there abouts.

I have not reset my trip B since I took delivery an it is registering 56. something, which I find more than acceptable for the newness of the engine.

I have had no 'accidental' bumps or knocks on the doors from supermarket or street parking (although I am very careful where I park it)

It gets a huge amount of attention, mainly from girls, but also from - would you believe it - white van drivers - who seem to stare at those white sport stripes.

Miss E, (my other half) loves it to bits but is a bit nervous about driving it about unfamiliar UK roads, although she tells me that it's such a 'friendly car to drive'

Diesel: Yes, it's a premium, yes, diesel itself is expensive and yes it is slightly rattly when cold but O am I sooo glad I went for diesel! It's not wanting at ALL on the motorway and (although I find 1st gear ratio a little 'short') it's really responsive about town. Plenty enough power for today's environmental climate (no pun)...I shan't comment too much on the engine or the handling because there are sooo many professional motor journalists out there who do it much better.

Ivory/red/ interior with black check seats: Am really liking this combo, it gives an airiness to the interior complimented and further enhanced by the skydome roof.

Climate Control: Really nice finish and I like that it has flush buttons rather than the groove buttons of the standard aircon which is the principal reason I went for it, that and I like digital stuff in my car!:slayer:

Ivory leather gear knob and steering wheel: Really like the feel of the steering wheel and the positioning of the gearstick is just right, the leather gator has the diagram of the gears tastefully stitched into it and the leather knob itself is free of markings. Thumb controls are well situated and although a little confusing at first, it soon becomes second nature to control all the various menus in the B&M system. TIP: I don't recommend messing around too much with that stuff whilst driving...it IS a distraction.

Blue & Me: I love this. It's one of those 'essential luxuries' ie you don't actually need it but once you have it, you miss it if it ain't there! (if you see what I mean...no pun lol) The voice recognition kinda sucks, even if you speak like a 1940s BBC radio presenter.
TIP: If you have a Nokia N95 you need to send your contacts to the B&M system manually, to do this go to your phone contacts, select all as marked, then send as business card via bluetooth to blue and me...its simple. TIP: turn your phone's bluetooth on BEFORE you switch the key to ignition, as sometimes doing it the other way (as in Car on then phone) confuses the B&M.

Parktronic: I never thought I would need it but ordered it cos I wanted my car complete...now I have found that it's brilliant. 1st - the C pillars are thick and rear visibility is limited, it's been perfect for squeezing into really tight spaces without scuffing my chrome. 2nd - You wouldn't believe how many people have stepped out behind it on their mobiles when I'm reversing and the acoustic tone flatlines immediately. 3rd - I can't see why people have a problem with parktronic, it's like scoffing at taking a 2nd parachute with you when you jump out of a plane...I mean it makes sense...just in case...

Visibility: I really like the line of the A pillars and the quasi-plastic-rubber covering they have. I find they splay out towards the bonnet in such a way as to maximise my visibility and minimise their presence, for my driving position that is...

Plastics: I thought it looked cheapo on flash photography...it is actually very pleasant and discreet, ie there is not acres of it...

Dash: All I can say....a genius bit of design. Pure and simple and adds huge character to the interior.

Handling: It's already all been said... rolly, yes, fun, yes not as fun as the mini....probably not...but hey I feel solidarity with mini owners now...I certainly no longer scoff at them! Their response has only been positive!

Standard Seats: Yes you do sit on them rather than embedded within them like in a merc but they are comfortable enough and i just think that white piping is such a subtle yet effective touch and really links the modern version to the past.

Concentric Speedo: Yes I know...not to everyone's taste but I like how this minimises the presence of separate dials and kinda looks futuristic in a retro way like that crap film Sky captain or something with Jude law. Anyway I digress...nice and effective and once you grow accustomed to it actually reduces the time you need to garner the necessary speed and rev info before returning your eyes to the road.

Sound System: Unfortunately I couldn't wait for the Interscope. The sound system is good but not more than that. I think Mark Elvin's excellent guide to a DIY upgrade might be the way to go for me but I so would have like interscope, as I really don't want to be unclipping panels and messing with bolts and electrics on my brand spanking new car.

Bootspace: Perfectly adequate and even more so for the size of the car! Especially with the seats down.

ESP+Hill holder: The ESP hasn't needed to intervene yet but Hill holder! WOW! I love it, it always comes on at the right time it lets you away with ease and grace and I under-use the handbrake. I find it a really useful little driver aid and Miss E is absolutely delighted with it.

1st tank: 342 miles
2nd tank: a little more
3rd tank: well I just crossed the 1000 miles mark.

Needless to say I've been experimenting with how far I can push the economy with some seriously careful driving!

Dealer: Actually a really good service overall despite the negativity towards Arnold Clark from so many I seem to have fluked through without much trouble. Went to buy an Ivory coathanger and Fragrance dispencser (I know, I know...but it actually looks quite cool at night with it's little lights on) and asked them about the A-bar and Bonnet strip. They said they'd get back to me with a quote and they haven't yet but I guess it's because of a dearth of these accessories. Overall the dealership was very pleasant and they even gave me a full tank of fuel...had to buy the carpets mats though! (no problem, the ivory edged ones look great)TIP: Try not to chop and change your order too much, if at all, as this seems to delay things
and does increase the chances of things going wrong...

Flashing Mileage: It happened once at 400 miles and then never again! Maybe it'll start again...who knows...I'll take it for a 'proxy aligning' at some point I guess...

Foglights: They look nice on the car but they are pretty ineffectual I think. Cosmetically I feel they enhance the looks and they are cute. Generally I'm not bothered by people who leave their foglights on when they don't necessarily need to, I am more offended by people who fit 100watt bulbs to their high beams which are the real blinders then pretend it was 'accidental'...:tosser:

Overall: We are really pleased with the car so far and I am especially pleased with the economy and the change in other road user's attitude to my cheeky driving...not one instance of road rage and a really solid, safe feeling little car with a huge character and sweet innocent looks. A real winner.
Pics soon

PS. I feel that the 500 section has become bitchy and as a result I haven't been posting as much...but I do think it's down really to one person. This used to be a nice place to spend time before he came in and started subtly insulting everyone. A difference of opinion is one thing, insidious nastiness just makes people go away....o and smiley faces at the end of insults doesn't work.

I have just passed the 1000 mile mark today! when it was on 999 my fuel gauge went to zero and the petrol light came on, this was after the range gauge said 125 miles left and at least 3/4 bars on the dial! stopped turned off engine ,restarted and the range slowly went back up2 125 and the fule went back to normal?? weird!! think maybe a proxy thingy for me too
BTW enjoyed reading your review baerius! thankyou

Oh and I also agree with the amount of bitching on here! Dont like it

Too much for me to read

My blue and me has stopped working plus i don't get much mileage out of it because i drive too fast it goes down within about 2days

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Great review and Im glad you like the diesel so much, it certainly has me getting more excited about my cars arrival I totally agree about the short forst gear btw, something a lot of small Fiats have though.
Dont let one person spoil your enjoyment, this is a great site and those people arent around forever you know.

Great post Baerius I am so pleased you like the car. You are right about the bitching. There is a person on here who is just unpleasant and if it's the same person you mention and I think it is he has just bugged me so much I couldn't help responding to him. But no more as I have just come to realise that this type of person is probably loving every minute of it, so from now on I will ignore him and maybe we should all do the same if we come across him in our posts. Anyway back to your car I think the red with ivory is just stunning what a combo and like you I love the check seats with the fab piping. I haven't driven it lately but I will take it to go and play football tonight I want to try to get it to a hill where the hillholder comes on as I don't know if it works yet I hope it does. Agree with your last comment Nuovapanda I love this little forum and the people on it a nice bunch, I can't wait for you to get yours.

when mine arrives I hope to be the happy bunny on here!

Thanks guys. BTW I forgot to mention I have 16" Multis and on Edinburgh cobble stones the cabin roars and I mean roars! It really doesn't like cobbles at all. On normal tarmac it's quite a solid if somewhat jittery ride, but that is actually to my taste.

Armitage, yes, I know who you mean the guy is a f**ktard, he even insulted our senior resident John R Smith and now John doesn't post so much, I was looking forward to his next installment of his experience with his 1.4 but I guess its not to be...come back John, ignore the village idiot!

Excellent write-up, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us fellow 500-ers.

I agree about the bitching, totally unnecessary but forum rules won't allow us to name the person.

Thanks exotic...BTW also forgot another TIP about Climate control and those with aircon. I find that turning off the compressor (as in the aircon compressor the button with the little snow-flake) noticeably reduces fuel consumption and negligibly increases response. SO....if your external temperature gague reads 12 degrees centigrade, and you want a comfortable 17 or so, set your climate control to the desired number, press AUTO (this switches on auto cc but it also engages your aircon) This is a design feature which is to do with keeping the air moisture dry, so that your windows don't steam up if it's wet outside.

Then, press the snowflake so that you switch off the compressor. The CC will automatically keep your desired temperature by mixing cold fresh air with warm air from the engine without the need for aircon thus resulting in higher mpg and less strain on the electrics.

NOTE:
The Fiat manual says to give your aircon compressor a 'work out' for at least 10 mins a week. So remember to do that if, like me, you have the compressor switched off most of the time.

WOW what a great write up and I didn't think I could get more excited!

I previously had a panda multijet and it had a very short 1st gear but I found I adapted ok with it.

Hi Baerius . . wondered where you had gone since saying your car was on its way.
Nice report and another happy 500 owner! Please post some pics... and don't forget to include your underseat storage (you haven't mentioned it yet)!!

As Barry says it should all settle down a bit when we get more established as a section by it's self.....

Seeing this thread made me wonder how the 500 was doing so I nipped out to check!



We've really slowed down on using the 500 in case it gets damaged cause I'd hate to try and find a body shop that can sort it at 2 weeks notice before the boat....

That and I got this fitted to the panda....



Meaning in this good weather Fred and I are getting plenty of sun!



Jim

nuovapanda said:

when mine arrives I hope to be the happy bunny on here!

Click to expand...

Like Binki???

We are ALL waiting for yours to arrive!!!

Not like Binki, Im not living with Dave

that was a brill write-up!

you've got me so excited about mine now!

was at the garage again today, and it's left poland & on the ship!!!

I'm really pleased you love your car - I feel the same about mine too.

I also agree with you all about the bitching - this individual is spoiling our site. I felt really uncomfortable about some of the remarks under the 'Cha Cha Azure or Jive Blue' thread. I personally feel if you have a life you don't need to be like this.

Excellent write up Baerius. You sound like you're really enjoying your new
500. Looking forward to the pics.

great write up sounds like ur having a great time with your car i just hit 1850 miles in just over a month and am loving every min of it

i too agree that there is far to much hostility starting to appear why cant the mods do anythign about this i have been on other sites and when you break the harmony people are warned if it carrys on they are banned

Baerius said:

Thanks exotic...BTW also forgot another TIP about Climate control and those with aircon. I find that turning off the compressor (as in the aircon compressor the button with the little snow-flake) noticeably reduces fuel consumption and negligibly increases response. SO....if your external temperature gague reads 12 degrees centigrade, and you want a comfortable 17 or so, set your climate control to the desired number, press AUTO (this switches on auto cc but it also engages your aircon) This is a design feature which is to do with keeping the air moisture dry, so that your windows don't steam up if it's wet outside.

Then, press the snowflake so that you switch off the compressor. The CC will automatically keep your desired temperature by mixing cold fresh air with warm air from the engine without the need for aircon thus resulting in higher mpg and less strain on the electrics.

NOTE:
The Fiat manual says to give your aircon compressor a 'work out' for at least 10 mins a week. So remember to do that if, like me, you have the compressor switched off most of the time.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, I'll remember that in my 500 Sport due Friday.