Hi,

Ive currently got an 06 plate Grande 1.3 90bhp. Im going to give this to the missus and trade her kia picanto in towards a 56 plate Grande 1.9JTD Sporting 130bhp.

Just wondering what peoples views on this version of the punto are? Im struggling to find a spec sheet for the 56 model, and was just wondering if it came with the 6 speed gear box?

Anyone thats driven both versions, is the extra power really noticable in the 1.9 and anything I should really pay extra attention to when I go to look at the car on saturday?

Thanks in advance!

Hey i personally dont have a 1.9 130bhp but i have driven quite alot of them (being a mechanic i get too ) lol

The 130 bhp is a great engine and delivers power quite well i think youll notice a diff between the 90 bhp 1.3 for sure i would of thought. The Sporting GP 1.9 does come with a 6 speed as standard through out the sporting range as far as im aware im sure that a few people that have the sportings will help you out alot more than i have here

I think you'll be really happy with a 1.9! Definite improvement in power terms over the its smaller cousin. They all have 6 speed boxes except the TJet.

I'd say things to look for are the usual stuff in Mr T's helpful list. Personally I would pay special attention to the steering and suspension. Having had problems with both, that's my advice!

One more thing. Am sure you'll love the car

Yeah they are good cars. As long as you make sure its been well looked after and had all its services on time, you should be fine. Theres loads of info on the little niggles that the cars have, but the only specific 1.9 problem is the EGR valve

And then theres the remapping :devil:

Hi,

I have recently bought a 56 plate sporting. yes it has 6 gears, the suspension feels slightly firmer than my 1.4 active sport did, but nothing noticable. One thing I would say is when you test drive it, listen for any funny sounds coming from the suspension. I have had to replace one of my top mount's on the front suspension and also now there is a loud humming noise at 40 and 60MPH (possibly a wheel bearing i havent had chance to get it up on a ramp to check yet? could anybody clarify?) But other than that its fine....Mileage is at 52,000 miles so i should look into getting the cambelt changed soon.

You will love it.

I went from a 1.4 Sporting to a 1.9 - it's a totally different car. Feel so much better built, torque is amazing and mpg is also really good!

smifton said:

. I have had to replace one of my top mount's on the front suspension .

Click to expand...

How much did this cost you to do?

I have the clunking noise when turning the wheel at low speeds (i.e turning/reversing into driveway)

Top mounts are £12 from http://shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=2812&sku=7103

Should be fairly cheap to fit, its only a couple of bolts to change.

is that all.

I had a look on eper and seen that, wasnt sure of ll the components i needed though.

I guess im best to replace both?

RD55 DUN said:

How much did this cost you to do?

I have the clunking noise when turning the wheel at low speeds (i.e turning/reversing into driveway)

Click to expand...

Yeah I get the same thing only every now and then, let me know if it remedys the problem if you change them

top mounts are an easy fixe about 30mins to do When i do em i charge £15 a side for fitting garages charge 1 hours labour

Its probably worth changin my top mounts when i put me sportlines on, might aswell theyve gt come off anyway lol

Thanks people. Just spent the last few days trying to sort the finance out. Was looking like a non-goer earlier on, but all sorted now!

I'd say things to look for are the usual stuff in Mr T's helpful list.

Click to expand...

Is that the recall/faults list at the top of the forum?

Never bought a used car other then from Fiat in the past, so want to make sure I dont end up with something falling to bits!

Yeah, this list.

Hi,

Went upto see the car yesterday and was very impressed! Put the deposit down and going to pick it up on Friday!

Still cant get over the sound of the engine when it starts!

Its had all services carried out at Fiat apart from the last service which was at a local service center. Just got a new MOT and had to have a new gear box fitted under Fiat warranty recently.

I forgot to ask whether the cambelt has been changed, so im going on the principle it hasnt! Gave Fiat a call this morning and it should be replaced at 72k or 4 years. This is a 56 plate with 50k on the clock, so might get it done for piece of mind. Waiting for Fiat to call back with a price as their system was down.

Does anyone know if this Fiat is a single cam or twin cam?

Also asked about recalls on the vehicle, one outstanding which is the steering column (5397) so will have to pop it along to them once ive got it.

Overall, very impressed and got it for what I believe is a cracking price!

5397 is the new steering column recall, just the checking and tightening of some bolts.

The 1.9 Mjet in the GP is a single cam 8v engine, and it isnt non interference so a broken cam belt is gonna be painfull. Plenty of time left for yours though.

Not sure what you mean about the sound though when it starts, sounds like a tractor but a loveable tractor.

Ah thats cool. Was looking at Mr Clutch if Fiat are too pricey!
http://www.mrclutch.com/cambelts/2/cambelt-price-list?gclid=CPjFwbiA9J8CFQ1f4wod9V_7Yg

Im guessing the cambelt is something best to get done early then leave it right up to the 77k/4year marker. Suppose like everything you might be lucky but on the other hand you might not!

Ive got a thing for the sound of a diesel engine! This one sounds more "powerful" then my current one!

Would the water pump need changing? Ive read somewhere that it shouldnt need changing until the second cambelt change.

The water pump is recommended but not mandatory. Have you asked your Fiat dealer about prices for cambelt changes? They sometimes do deals, I got a full cambelt change on my last car (1.6 Stilo) for £150 at my dealer.

Phoned them this morning, but their price list system is down, so just awaiting a call back.
Hopefully they might be able to do a deal like that, get both the cars booked in!

If the waterpump goes, is that as bad as the cambelt going?