I have just read that the 500L is now available with sat nav when buying as an option, can anyone advise if it is available to buy after the vehicle has been bought, also would it be as simple as a straight swap of unit plus adapted ariel? My dealer not aware.
Also in my manual it mentions sat nav on the dash top, and shows a picture of the fitting it fits next to the dash ventilation unit, I enquired about it being fitted and was told the sat nav fitting was only available for left hand vehicles. I enquired with Fiat UK and got a rediculous answer 'go to your dealer and they will give you a quote' so either one or the other or both have no idea, very frustrating!

mss1641 said:

I have just read that the 500L is now available with sat nav when buying as an option, can anyone advise if it is available to buy after the vehicle has been bought, also would it be as simple as a straight swap of unit plus adapted ariel? My dealer not aware.
Also in my manual it mentions sat nav on the dash top, and shows a picture of the fitting it fits next to the dash ventilation unit, I enquired about it being fitted and was told the sat nav fitting was only available for left hand vehicles. I enquired with Fiat UK and got a rediculous answer 'go to your dealer and they will give you a quote' so either one or the other or both have no idea, very frustrating!

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I guess in theory yes it would be possible to swap the non Sat Nav Audio unit for one that has Sat Nav, but I an thinking that is a very expensive way to go.

The manual does indeed show a dash top mounting for a 'plug in' portable Sat Nav system (Fig 120 on page 120) - but I cannot seem to locate a matching accessory for the 500L, plus I think if you look at your actual vehicle you will probably find you don't actually have one (we don't) next to the vent as shown. on the 500 a similar fitting had to be specified when ordering the vehicle as the wiring needs to be in place too of course.

Our solution involves a Garmin Sat Nav with a 'Garmin Dash Disc' which allows the mount to fit the dash top rather then be out of reach if fixed to the screen. It also is in the perfect line of site (better in my opinion that the built in system where you have to avert your eyes more to see it).

Apart from the wire being on show I think it looks quite neat. See what you think....

Hi, thanks for reply and taking the trouble to send photo, it's probably the route I'll take. Only niggles I have with my 500l trekking is the view of speedo and short seat base, both mentioned in various reviews, I've had mine a month, have you had any problems?

ms1641 said:

Hi, thanks for reply and taking the trouble to send photo, it's probably the route I'll take. Only niggles I have with my 500l trekking is the view of speedo and short seat base, both mentioned in various reviews, I've had mine a month, have you had any problems?

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Yes the view of the speedo is an issue and it is quite hard to get the seating position correct so that you can see it fully. Of course when using the Sat Nav it's not an issue at all as you have a more accurate speedo on hand and in view, but it's something very basic that FIAT in my opinion should not have got wrong.

My wife who is quite a bit shorter than me does not have the same issue.

Interesting you should mention the 'short' seat base, I only notice this when travelling as a passenger and on a long journey but again yes the squab could be a little longer.

Only really had a couple of other niggles with ours including the steering wheel wasn't properly aligned and is off centre in the straight ahead position but certainly nothing major...

Hi,
yes my steering wheel is also very slightly off, not enough for special trip, ill have it adjusted when in service, other than that no problems so far, i have white 500l trekking with white dash, was hoping to test it out in snow, but its been very mild here this winter in North Yorkshire.

mss1641 said:

Hi,
yes my steering wheel is also very slightly off, not enough for special trip, ill have it adjusted when in service, .

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My advice would be to log it with the dealer, they indicated to me that had I not reported it to them straight away it could deemed we had knocked the tracking out ourselves for which there would be a charge of (from memory) £30.