Decision made about changes: I'll be selling some time next month my 1.3 diesel 7 seater, 2013 model.
£20 road tax. Top Lounge version. Manual gearbox, 5 gears so NO dual mass version, luckily just ordinary clutch.
Btw clutch works nice and easy.123 461miles. More likely it will be about 128 000 next month as I'm currently going on holidays accross Europe (again).
Regarding condition: very good car,serving me well, I just would like to try Toyota Auris now, so part exchange possible for Auris Estate 1.4 Diesel Excel or Business version and not black color, if you have one.
Why brand change? I'm just partially leaving.
I'll keep driving my Panda 1.3D, however, as a bigger car I like to try Toyota. Fiat is very nice and never let me down, but took a lot of my time. I mean, every repair takes a bit of time, so by having two complicated 1.3 diesels I'm not helping myself in terms of free time. Well...I bought last year another 500L for parts to be even more busy, from one side it was good idea as I could use many parts to improve this current family car. Never mind...back to the advert:
Oil changed every 6000miles, timing chain whole set replaced straight away when bought it (INA) etc etc. Loads of positive things done to the car since I had it after careless previous owner(s). If you stop servicing Multijet engine correctly then you will drop engine in s**t, so you would need to keep going with 6000miles oil changes (only 5W30 DPF friendly) and ignore manufacturer schedule in this case. If manufacturer would be right then timing chain would be lifetime which obviously isn't true to happen.
Body work is scratched all over. I won't say "age related marks" as I never understood it, but I say that some not respectful people done it to the car in the past. Internally clean, but not perfect.
Still many minor things to sort like to improve gear shifting by replacing gear knob cable (gear knob is stiff going left/right - line issue). Bought the cable, more likely I'll sort it at some point, or maybe I'll just pass it, I don't know as my priorities are for more serious things rather than this, for example: a bit corroded and wet sump pan which definitely I'll replace in few weeks time.
Somewhere on glass roof seals is water leak when raining. Side of the gearbox is a bit wet (gear box oil replaced). It was wet when bought it and by observation it stays the same level so untouched it.
UPDATE regarding next bit: sounds like Liquy Moly cleaned injectors and that was the problem, however it's only very few days now so I'll leave it in description for few weeks until I'll clearly see this issue is gone forever: Since I bought the car I found that starting up is not always at the very first attempt, sometimes first/second/third attempt but never ever let me down. Audibly it's like not started up in full, no fan vents aircon kicking in, so by knowing it I just switch off within a second and re-do by key, then engine start up correctly and works for ages until you switch it off. We done several trips across Europe without ANY problems. Left this issue like that as I have no idea, no fault codes etc. I was thinking about timing chain but no difference after replacing. I went through as always hard way (timing chain) but it could be simple as crankshaft sensor or electrics, but I never bothered with it about spending money for guessing because car is working, could be injector? But then it does drive nice when up and running. High pressure fuel pump? Checked. Why air is not blowing out from the vents when first attempt of starting up car? When car started up correctly then all electrics works. Sounds like electrics issue more likely, but where? I just left it as is because car works for me, so focused and spent time on more major things to sort. I'm just enjoying driving as I have no idea what it could be. Previous owner told me that's glow plugs. I never replaced glow plugs as that's obviously not the issue. To make answer more difficult: if I use start&stop feature then at any traffic lights etc everywhere when I stop and engine will switch OFF, will switch ON as soon as I touch clutch straight away, ALWAYS, that's why I cannot understand it at all.
FM radio is working, but not DAB. (aerial gone more likely. Solution: to fit new DAB aerial behind the radio rather than going through roof, but no time for it, but ordered new parts, so probably I'll fit it in June and remove this part of description when sorted, a bit too busy now.
"NAVI" button on radio is not working so to work around I press voice commands button on steering wheel and say "navigation".
Something is banging on front N/S'ish. Several times I tried to locate it, shaking, hanging, can't see anything wrong, don't know, just don't know, it's like sort of spring noise or tool/spanner left somewhere? No, can't believe. I checked wishobones, can't see problem, I found rusty N/S drop link and replaced hoping to sort the issue, but noise is still there.
I don't like unfair car owners who are hiding things just to sell a car, so here we have honest best to my knowledge description. Sold "as seen". I'm not mechanic, I just keep my cars always top best to my knowledge, any inspection welcome before purchase. Sold as seen no any warranty obviously.
I like top specs cars, so this one is "Lounge" which means:
- Cruise control
- Panoramic roof (leaking somewhere, if parked facing down the hill)
- ABS+ESP
- Electrochromatic rear view mirror (brilliant for night-auto dimming)
- Bluetooth handsfree
- Voice commands feature
- built in TomTom SatNav (outdated but works)
- aircon, electronic (dual so can work separately for both sides)
- air conditioned top small glow box
- Rain sensor
- Lights ON/OFF sensor
- Front windscreen defroster (press button button --> it works with aircon system, nice one)
- Start&Stop
- Follow Me feature
- all 4 electric windows
- electric mirrors (electric adjustment - folding by hand)
- steering wheel buttons (stiff, need to press hard)
- front fog lights
- cornering lights feature
- Hill assistant
Just one key, no remote fob.
I'll book for fresh MOT for serious buyer so it could be week after ready for sale or two depending what/if anything would be picked at the test which I would be unaware of.
Service history:
Some paper work from previous owner.
Things done under my car possession:
116 817miles (21.08.2023): Full timing chain set, quality INA, 9pieces full set incl chain grease. Air filter, engine oil (Orlen XD 5W30), oil filter (Filtron), gearbox oil changed (Mannol 75W85), coolant replaced (K2 Kuler G12), aux belt tensioner wheel/bearing replaced as wheel surface was looking really worn and I could "feel" bearing worn (quality Caffaro made in Poland with Japanese bearing)
117 811miles (01.09.2023): from this date I started to use Mannol Ester Diesel additive.
118 576miles (04.09.2023): wheel/tyres set, down from 225 size to 205 size for better fuel economy. 4seasons tyres, second hand.
118 931miles (27.09.2023): tie rod end (n/s) due to MOT failure (GSP brand)
123 461miles (02.05.2024): Replaced N/S drop link as it was looking worn(GSP brand). Engine flush for cleaning purposes (K2 brand). Replaced oil (Quality Orlen 5W30 XD), oil filter(Magnetti Marelli), air filter(stock Fiat). Fuel filter (stock UFI), Liqui Moly 2666 500ML injectors treatment cleaner, new aux belt (MEYLE). Installed MANN "catch can" without doing ANY modification to current OEM pipes (car will be sold without catch can, I'll remove catch can shortly before sale).
123 468miles (08.05.2024): Strong smell of burned Diesel/oil in car noticed, checked, found little breather pipe behind the engine with crack - replaced.
£20 road tax. Top Lounge version. Manual gearbox, 5 gears so NO dual mass version, luckily just ordinary clutch.
Btw clutch works nice and easy.123 461miles. More likely it will be about 128 000 next month as I'm currently going on holidays accross Europe (again).
Regarding condition: very good car,serving me well, I just would like to try Toyota Auris now, so part exchange possible for Auris Estate 1.4 Diesel Excel or Business version and not black color, if you have one.
Why brand change? I'm just partially leaving.
I'll keep driving my Panda 1.3D, however, as a bigger car I like to try Toyota. Fiat is very nice and never let me down, but took a lot of my time. I mean, every repair takes a bit of time, so by having two complicated 1.3 diesels I'm not helping myself in terms of free time. Well...I bought last year another 500L for parts to be even more busy, from one side it was good idea as I could use many parts to improve this current family car. Never mind...back to the advert:
Oil changed every 6000miles, timing chain whole set replaced straight away when bought it (INA) etc etc. Loads of positive things done to the car since I had it after careless previous owner(s). If you stop servicing Multijet engine correctly then you will drop engine in s**t, so you would need to keep going with 6000miles oil changes (only 5W30 DPF friendly) and ignore manufacturer schedule in this case. If manufacturer would be right then timing chain would be lifetime which obviously isn't true to happen.
Body work is scratched all over. I won't say "age related marks" as I never understood it, but I say that some not respectful people done it to the car in the past. Internally clean, but not perfect.
Still many minor things to sort like to improve gear shifting by replacing gear knob cable (gear knob is stiff going left/right - line issue). Bought the cable, more likely I'll sort it at some point, or maybe I'll just pass it, I don't know as my priorities are for more serious things rather than this, for example: a bit corroded and wet sump pan which definitely I'll replace in few weeks time.
Somewhere on glass roof seals is water leak when raining. Side of the gearbox is a bit wet (gear box oil replaced). It was wet when bought it and by observation it stays the same level so untouched it.
UPDATE regarding next bit: sounds like Liquy Moly cleaned injectors and that was the problem, however it's only very few days now so I'll leave it in description for few weeks until I'll clearly see this issue is gone forever: Since I bought the car I found that starting up is not always at the very first attempt, sometimes first/second/third attempt but never ever let me down. Audibly it's like not started up in full, no fan vents aircon kicking in, so by knowing it I just switch off within a second and re-do by key, then engine start up correctly and works for ages until you switch it off. We done several trips across Europe without ANY problems. Left this issue like that as I have no idea, no fault codes etc. I was thinking about timing chain but no difference after replacing. I went through as always hard way (timing chain) but it could be simple as crankshaft sensor or electrics, but I never bothered with it about spending money for guessing because car is working, could be injector? But then it does drive nice when up and running. High pressure fuel pump? Checked. Why air is not blowing out from the vents when first attempt of starting up car? When car started up correctly then all electrics works. Sounds like electrics issue more likely, but where? I just left it as is because car works for me, so focused and spent time on more major things to sort. I'm just enjoying driving as I have no idea what it could be. Previous owner told me that's glow plugs. I never replaced glow plugs as that's obviously not the issue. To make answer more difficult: if I use start&stop feature then at any traffic lights etc everywhere when I stop and engine will switch OFF, will switch ON as soon as I touch clutch straight away, ALWAYS, that's why I cannot understand it at all.
FM radio is working, but not DAB. (aerial gone more likely. Solution: to fit new DAB aerial behind the radio rather than going through roof, but no time for it, but ordered new parts, so probably I'll fit it in June and remove this part of description when sorted, a bit too busy now.
"NAVI" button on radio is not working so to work around I press voice commands button on steering wheel and say "navigation".
Something is banging on front N/S'ish. Several times I tried to locate it, shaking, hanging, can't see anything wrong, don't know, just don't know, it's like sort of spring noise or tool/spanner left somewhere? No, can't believe. I checked wishobones, can't see problem, I found rusty N/S drop link and replaced hoping to sort the issue, but noise is still there.
I don't like unfair car owners who are hiding things just to sell a car, so here we have honest best to my knowledge description. Sold "as seen". I'm not mechanic, I just keep my cars always top best to my knowledge, any inspection welcome before purchase. Sold as seen no any warranty obviously.
I like top specs cars, so this one is "Lounge" which means:
- Cruise control
- Panoramic roof (leaking somewhere, if parked facing down the hill)
- ABS+ESP
- Electrochromatic rear view mirror (brilliant for night-auto dimming)
- Bluetooth handsfree
- Voice commands feature
- built in TomTom SatNav (outdated but works)
- aircon, electronic (dual so can work separately for both sides)
- air conditioned top small glow box
- Rain sensor
- Lights ON/OFF sensor
- Front windscreen defroster (press button button --> it works with aircon system, nice one)
- Start&Stop
- Follow Me feature
- all 4 electric windows
- electric mirrors (electric adjustment - folding by hand)
- steering wheel buttons (stiff, need to press hard)
- front fog lights
- cornering lights feature
- Hill assistant
Just one key, no remote fob.
I'll book for fresh MOT for serious buyer so it could be week after ready for sale or two depending what/if anything would be picked at the test which I would be unaware of.
Service history:
Some paper work from previous owner.
Things done under my car possession:
116 817miles (21.08.2023): Full timing chain set, quality INA, 9pieces full set incl chain grease. Air filter, engine oil (Orlen XD 5W30), oil filter (Filtron), gearbox oil changed (Mannol 75W85), coolant replaced (K2 Kuler G12), aux belt tensioner wheel/bearing replaced as wheel surface was looking really worn and I could "feel" bearing worn (quality Caffaro made in Poland with Japanese bearing)
117 811miles (01.09.2023): from this date I started to use Mannol Ester Diesel additive.
118 576miles (04.09.2023): wheel/tyres set, down from 225 size to 205 size for better fuel economy. 4seasons tyres, second hand.
118 931miles (27.09.2023): tie rod end (n/s) due to MOT failure (GSP brand)
123 461miles (02.05.2024): Replaced N/S drop link as it was looking worn(GSP brand). Engine flush for cleaning purposes (K2 brand). Replaced oil (Quality Orlen 5W30 XD), oil filter(Magnetti Marelli), air filter(stock Fiat). Fuel filter (stock UFI), Liqui Moly 2666 500ML injectors treatment cleaner, new aux belt (MEYLE). Installed MANN "catch can" without doing ANY modification to current OEM pipes (car will be sold without catch can, I'll remove catch can shortly before sale).
123 468miles (08.05.2024): Strong smell of burned Diesel/oil in car noticed, checked, found little breather pipe behind the engine with crack - replaced.