Hi guys,

I'm planning to buy a Croma 1.9 diesel 16V, I found one which I like but I'm a bit confused when it comes about standard functions. From the buyer online description is not sure what model is and also I didn't see yet the papers. So I would like to know if Croma has in standard ESP on all models .. or if I can find a website where, based on VIN I can see full car model description (as an example for Ford saw that is possible).

Any answer sure would be useful, planning to go to see it tomorrow and if everything goes well.. to buy it.

Cheers!

PS: sorry for my English.. :worship:

Hi-- and welcome to the home of all things Croma.

The three types of spec/ finish are Dynamic (Basic), Eleganza,(Middle Range) and Prestigio ( Top of the range)
The list of options on each can lead to confusion as you can get Dynamic with leather!!!and Eleganza with sat nav etc .
The best way to know the model is to look on the hatch at the back .

Hey, thanks!

Well yeah, I believe that some owners take the leather option for Dynamic type. That's why I was looking for some VIN check website. And it seems that ESP is as standard and the rest (ASR, UP Hill Assistance and another one...) are optional for all models, this based on an article on Fiat website.

Another thing, how is possible that on Fiat, after sales website to return VIN code invalid? Got any idea with that?

You can put you VIN number to the ePER on this site and this will tell you a lot bout your car, if you know where and how to look.

You could PM me the VIN number and I will look for you. I also have the original sales/model brochures so this will detail the majority of the stuff loaded onto the Dynamic, Eleganza or Prestigio versions.

Another trick is to examine under the seats, under the dash etc. looking for a white label about 6 inches by 4 inches. This has all the production and option codes for the car. There are numerous of these labels scattered all over the car on the back of trim, behind bumpers, etc. as during manufacturing any given car is allocated the option parts (like door trim material) and these parts get labelled with the cars order DNA and get shipped to the production line 'on demand'.

I always look for one of these labels on a new car, remove it and file it.

I PMed the VIN, I was checking on ePER, maybe I didn't do it well.. returned invalid also..

Raklik said:

Any answer sure would be useful, planning to go to see it tomorrow and if everything goes well.. to buy it.

Click to expand...

Do you have a pic?
To identify the car from a distance or from a pic – check the wheels.
Normally the Dynamic has 16” (9-spoke) wheels, Eleganza 17” (7-spoke) & Prestigio (10-spoke).

This may go some way for guidance on spec …

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/fiat/croma-2005/

>Specification>Details

151835Z

Raklik, most of us are UK based, Fiat UK only sold the early Nuova Croma, and then only 1300 cars.
Keith

I need at least 5 posts to add the url..

Seems that are 17" wheels..
@keith, I think we are talking about same model.. It's just without facelift, otherwise is 2006. But I understand that maybe the models are not the same everywhere..

This may go some way for guidance on spec …

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/fiat/croma-2005/

Click to expand...

On that page still I'm not sure if is all the options which are standard included. As I was saying somewhere on FIAT press release I was reading that ESP should be on standard on all models.. thanks for the link by the way!

so here is the link with the car. There is also VIN .. thanks guys!

http://www.sauto.cz/osobni/detail/fiat/croma/14025799?goFrom=list

LE: and a recommendation, since I found another one pretty interesting but has 2.4 engine, for which one I should go? I guess the 2.4 has much bigger fuel consumption..

http://www.sauto.cz/osobni/detail/fiat/croma/14020278?goFrom=list

sorry for the czech web links.. no other..

The first one looks like the base spec. One way to tell is that the base models only have air con where the rest have climate control.

The black car is top spec Prestigio model. 2.4 is the one to go for, they have less problems.

Hey Radlet, thanks for info. What can you tell me about consumption.. is it that high? Can I put after that an LPG system?

Today I saw the first one, I dropped the deal since the car looked repaired after a frontal impact.. the dealer was obviously hiding that.. too many strange things connected with that car.

LE: forgot to add most important thing.. instantly fell in love.. she is a beauty!!

My 2.4 does 40 miles per gallon, it is a 5 cylinder diesel with 6 speed Aisin auto, which is very good. The same engine was used in the early 159 and Brera.

thanks Keithglos, I almost can't believe it.. is this out of the city? I would mainly use it in mixed conditions.. city + roads out of city..

I rarely drive in traffic. and it uses a lot of fuel in city driving. my mileage is very small.
It takes 3 or 4 miles to warm up, so for the first 3 miles it is doing about 30 miles per gallon.
Most of my driving is about 10 miles, on easy roads, very little motorway.
I could probably average 45 mpg on longer journeys. Hilly area will make it much worse.
Keith

Raklik said:

thanks Keithglos, I almost can't believe it.. ...

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What car are you driving now - & how does your true fuel consumption compare with the figure given in your Owner’s Handbook?

My OH (XI/2006 3rd ed) for a 1.9/16v150 based on the 37:63% split gives a combined 6.1L/100km (46.3mpg). I’ve only ever achieved that once on a full tank - when I first had the car, & tried to match the OH figure. But I don’t recommend chasing that – as I’m not sure if it didn’t cost me a new EGR valve. Maybe best to keep things lively over a good rev envelope & accept the knock-back in fuel costs.

The temp gauge needle takes an awful long time to get vertical. One night a traffic cop pulled-me “concerned” I was doing <40 on a 70 mph class highway. I’d only done about 5 mile from a cold start & showing him the temp gauge explained it wasn’t advisable to do >40 until temp was up.

I notice there is some variation in the fuel figures for the 2.4 in the XI/2006 3rd ed. & II/2008 1st ed. OH.

2.4 (Directive 1999/100/EC)
urban 11.5L/100km (24.6mpg); extra-urban 6.0 (47.1); combined 8.0 (35.3)

2.4 (Directive 2004/3/EC)
urban 10.3L/100km (27.3mpg); extra-urban 5.4 (52.3); combined 7.2 (39.2)

171502Z

I've had 50mpg out of my 1.9 16v once - ever, on a long journey to Scotland on motorways at 60-70mph.

It'll do 45 on a long journey normally.

It'll do 40 around town.

All driven light-footed with minimal braking - e.g. rolling down to speed, not racing up to junctions then stopping.

I don't think there's any need to keep the speed down while the engine's cold - keep the revs down, the speed doesn't matter IMO. The thermostat won't allow water through the radiator while it's cold anyway, and any cooling due to the draught on the engine would be minimal.

Doing 40 on a 70 road could be dangerous.

I think EGR valves are just a regular expense, however you drive. Ours is on its third, at 90-odd thousand miles.

What car are you driving now - & how does your true fuel consumption compare with the figure given in your Owner’s Handbook?

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Right now I still have a pretty old Opel Vectra 1.6i 16v eats pretty much, way over Handbook. So the switch to Croma 2.4 wouldn't affect me that much, from the consumption point of view...I hope

@keithglos Now I understand how you reached that level, I live in a small city, I could call it easily village, not many traffic lights and after, I'm jumping directly on the road.. so therefore I am thinking more at the mixed consumption.

Still no thought about LPG guys? I'm wondering if can be recommended or not. In general I accept more the original fuel but in this case really makes me to think at alternative as is LPG.

I called today the seller of the blue one, 2.4 which seems to be the Prestigio as Radlet said.. I hope I will see it tomorrow.. if they still have it..

Isn't LPG only an option for petrol engines?

Cooking oil for diesels (new or used), but that's only sensible with a rough old Peugeot rather than a modern, complex diesel. Even processed biodiesel can be a bit dodgy. Standard diesel in the UK now contains a small percentage of bio, but not enough to cause any issues.

Not any more Doofer, there is a solution in injecting LPG in the same time with diesel fuel.. Seems that nobody from here has it so far.. as I said, just in case I would be forced due to high consumption, I would do it.. otherwise.. no