Just thought I would post to tell you about the upgrage that I have just completed. I bought some Eibach springs from Nuova 500 shop last week and had them fitted yesterday, all I can say is that it has transformed the car in my humble opinion. They have lowered the car by 30mm which to me has made the cars "look" much more cohesive as there is less arch showing without it looking like its been dumped on the floor. Apart from the asthetics the ride is similar to before but is now taughter and less "wallowy" I found the standard setup too underdamped and would continue to undulate a bit on soft bumps. To me this is how the ride should have been in the first place on a "sport model" ( mine is a sport 1.4 with 16in wheels).
I guess that most of these points will be changed on the new Abarth and SS as more sporty and focused models. I suppose what I have been trying to do is make mine closer to these.
If you were thinking of this change all I can say is do it! Fitting is quite simple, the rears dont even require the shocks to be removed. The fronts wernt too bad but did take longer. About 2 hours all in buy a mechanic friend of mine in the Guildford area ( number available if you need anything done and I highly recommend him as he is very reasonable and an old 500 fanatic!)

Sounds great, be interesting to see how the new shocks cope with the new lower springs regarding longevity. Any pics please?

Not sure about the longevity issue as I will probably only have the car for 1-2years. I will post some pics asap once I have taken some.

That looks ecxellent, really much better than standard.

mmmmm, I was definately NOT going to modify my 500, but that does sound so much better in terms of ride/handling. It looks better too.

Cheers

Gormless Cretin

Thanks ibisti, car looks tops, glad to hear the report on the ride/handling also. This has now cemented in my mind the decision to have this mod done, after pondering over it for weeks.

This looks really good, I'm defintely getting this done next week. Does the ride suffer in any way, I want it more controlled but not any harsher?
Mine is a 1.4 with 16's

Just a quick update on the new spring's ride characteristics. As I said before in my opinion the ride over all is much improved. The ride is stiffer and therefore could be described as harsher but only in more challenging situations like pot holes and speed humps. I think that it is a comprimise worth taking for the improvement in poise and handelling. The turn in is much crisper and more composed.
I guess if your goal is total comfort over handelling then stick with the standard if not then the spring upgrade is a relatively inexpensive way to sharpen up the car

Thanks for your review, going to order mine this week & get it fitted by my local (trusted) mechanic. I"m presuming you had it 4 wheel laser aligned after fitting?

That looks crackin mate!

Just had mine fitted this afternnon, looks great (will post pics when I've washed it). It looks the way it should look leaving the factory IMHO.

Fitting took 15 minutes for the rear & about 1 hour for the front for a mechanic & an assistant. Total fitting charge £75. Feels like it bobs up & down less than it did before & doesn't feel too hard.

Going first thing in the morning to have 4 wheel alignment carried out on the excellent Hunter system

Thanks for the information, I have been in turmoil for weeks deciding whether or not to do the same, you have made the decision for me, going to get it done!

Has anybody experience of going to 17's yet?

It does look fantastic, thanks for the photo. ~£200 ain't much in the grand scheme of things for some tastier handling .... my only question is how does this affect warranty?

Damiano said:

It does look fantastic, thanks for the photo. ~£200 ain't much in the grand scheme of things for some tastier handling .... my only question is how does this affect warranty?

Click to expand...

I would like to know that too......

Below you can see IT with H&R springs.
They lower the front by 20mm and back by 35mm.

One kit is for 1.2
and a different one for 1.3 and 1.4

This looks awesome too!

Can I have some advice/views on what I plan to do.

I am going to lower Luigi, the wheels on the photo are very similar to 'Team Dynamics' Equinox. They do them in 17's with a 4x98pcd to fit Fiats.

My car is Bossa Nova white, should I go silver/stainless rim like photo, or black/stainless rim ? Members views would be appreciated !!

Id go silver with polished rim, black rims are just a wee bit chav IMO.