Hi,
I am looking at a 1999 Seicento for my GF that is advertised as a SX with a 1.1 engine.

I thought that the '99 SX only came with a 900cc engine but the model was upgraded to a 1.1 in 2000.

To further confuse things the car has power steering which I thought was only introduced in 2000, might be wrong on this one.

I only really have experience with the 1.1 Cinq Sporting, so I was wondering is there any way to determine which engine is in this car?

I have a feeling that this car is a 900cc as the throttle body has a round black cover on it and the spark plugs enter from the front of the engine rather than the rear (in the 1.1 Cinq).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

That will be the 899 engine. It's possible -- but unlikely -- that it has the optional power steering. If it does, easiest way to tell is a steering wheel symbol which should light up when you turn the key to start.

The car definitely has power steering. I just didn't know it was an option in 1999. I thought it was only introduced in 2000 and was standard from then on. Is it possible that it's a 1108cc with the round TB cover or can I definitely go back to this guy and say it's a 899cc?

engine pics are here https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecento-seicento-faqs/94601-spi-mpi-1108-899-whats-my-car.html
the 899 is quite a bit different to the 1108
however it could be an 1108 with an induction kit ,but not if it just has oe air filter housing

If the plugs enter from the front, it can't be a 1108 and if a 899m the exhausts will be at the back.

Also, if 1108 it will have an ARB.

The 1108 is an overhead cam the 899 overhead valve.

If there ain't a plastic cam belt cover all the way to the top, it ain't an 1108.

Cheers


D

Hmm ... the 899 don't have a inlet manifold , while the 1108 does??

IF u got a cinq sporting, why not just look at both and spot the difference ???

Ming

Possibilty of power steering.

It was standard on sportings from 1999 so the odd SX might have it as well.

It definately has power steering though? And not advertised as having power steering when it hasnt? Check for steering wheel dash light and the steering electric box through the airvent. Dont look for a fluid box it was electronic PAS

If those things are present then PAS is there

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your help. There is definitely power steering as I went to have a look at the car yesterday. The steering was quite light when stationary and there is a steering wheel light on the dash. I just though it would help date the car if I said there was PAS. Though it seems that PAS was an option on the early seis so it doesn't really help.

The cam belt cover tip is very useful, thanks rallycinq. That should provide a positive id.

Thanks for the pics custard. The car in question seems to have a standard airbox and looks like the 899cc engine in your thread.

Didn't do a direct comparison with the cinq sporting because I wasn't sure if Fiat did something different with the engines in the sei. e.g I'd never seen a 1.1 MPI engine until I saw custards' pics.

I will double check everything when I take my GF to see it later today.

If it is a 899cc, what's it like to drive / live with when it only has 39 bhp?

They don't have the fun factor of the 1108, but are otherwise OK.

CinqSporting97 said:

If it is a 899cc, what's it like to drive / live with when it only has 39 bhp?

Click to expand...

Perfectly adequate to drive, although you do learn about the conservation of momentum.

Cheers

D

Thanks all. I took it for a test drive yesterday and you're right. I was surprised that it was perfectly acceptable to drive and went up hill at <10mph in 2nd gear no problems.

It was listed in Autotrader as Seicento SX 1.1i 3 Doors, Petrol, 10,000 miles, Metallic BLUE, MOT-10-2008, 1 Owner. Central locking, Cloth upholstery, Colour coding - Body, Foglights, Metallic paintwork, Radio/CD, Sunroof, Full Service History.

It was an SX but it was definitely a 899cc. It didn't have central locking, foglights, or a CD player. Was listed by an independent dealer, you would think he'd know better.

Doesn't have the red key either, but has 2 Blue keys. The mileage is genuine as I've seen the MOTs and it has been serviced around every 2500 miles or so. Minor scratches and dents, just the usual for a 1999. Immaculate in the engine bay and underneath.

Have you guys any tips or a price guide? I would place more stock in your opinion than Glass's or Parker's. (Is this an acceptable question? I'm buying, not selling)

The sei is a car that not a lot of independents are familiar with or know the different guises and models. This isnt an isolated case of a mis-sold sei. If only they visited forums or did more research.

Anyway you have immediate bargaining on this because it has been misadvertised for a start + keys missing.

However could possibly be a code2 however so it never had a red key in first place

Walk away if more than 1k despite mileage. 1k or under is a decent deal

Being 'across the water' makes it difficult to decide if the price is reasonable or not. If this was on the mainland, then its too expensive. I would have though a dealer over here would be in the region of £995 with the possibility of getting the £95 off fairly easily.

The mileage is very low, which helps, and the regular servicing helps too.

I would try for £900, using the key amd misdescription as tools.

Cheers

D

Thanks AppleSei. It's definitely a 1st generation Immobiliser as I checked the keys for the transponder symbol (there was no 2), so it should have a red key.

I can definitely get it for 1k. He is currently contacting the previous owners to see if they have the red key.

If he can't i'll try to force him to break the 1k mark.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks guys. Got him down to £960, with 9 months Tax and 6 months MOT. Just turned 11,000 miles at the weekend. New battery and looks like fresh antifreeze. No red key unfortunately, but I'm not worrying too much about that.

I'm very impressed by this little car and my GF is delighted.

Had another nice surprise while washing it at the weekend. Found that the Central Locking fuse was missing from the fusebox. Put a new one back in (correct rating) and voila! Instant central locking upgrade.

I'm going to install a remote CL kit soon for convenience, i've just taken one out of the Cinq.

Thanks for the help.