Styling Punto Grande/Dynamic styling, your thoughts appreciated

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Styling Punto Grande/Dynamic styling, your thoughts appreciated

PuntoKiwi

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Hi All

I have got the Punto 1.2 2006/2007. It's being looked over by a Garage.

Looks a little plain to me, 2 springs are broken and exhaust gone totally, so I need some springs, exhaust being done. My boyfriend says as it's my first car, not to go too mad, but the modding bug has already bitten me... lol.

So, all i want to do now is give it a nice stance, wheels and stripes to break up the plain colour of the car and the basic 15" wheels I do not like.

So I'm supplying some pics, first one is the original car as it is right now, then the other pics are a mock up, nothing brilliant but how I want it to look, so springs all round advice is needed. I'm looking at Eibach Pro Springs 30mm lowering. I don't think the images will translate to a 30mm drop, this is where I need your advice and input to what that drop looks like? I can't have it too low, as these London roads are crap, pothole city!

The last 3 pics can anyone tell me the name of the wheels in the pic please?
Also, I'm sure the ET for my car is 42 or 43.
What would be a safe ET to use, that does not veer off from that to work on my car?
Also if i do go up to 16" or 17" wheels, with 17's, is a 205/50/17 okay to use as I will need some ride comfort and hitting pot holes in London is an everyday occurrence.
Also, not too low a profile tyre, what would you guys advise if i go 16"? 195 or 205?
I'm sure the wheel would be 6 or 6.5 x 16 or 17, 4 x 100......

Given the car a lowered look, without stripes.
Also, mocked up a stripe to go on the lower sides of car, not sure to go white or grey (looking maybe a more metallic grey/silver really to go with but grey gives an idea) we found it hard to show the silvery/grey metallic in the images.

I know the wheels mocked up may come across bigger than 17's but that's the general look I am after.

The car interior is mint and has low mileage, 1 previous owner, who didn't care for it too much the in sense of, last serviced in 2012.
I've serviced it now, Fuel filter, Oil Filter, Air Filter, Pollen Filter, all Mann parts, Spark plugs changed and Engine Oil changed.

Timing belt/chain and water pump will be next.
Also, headlights, I need better lights, any advice to get better headlight lighting without blinding other drivers?

Your thoughts and advice would be welcome for this little lovely 1.2. :)

Thanks
Emma

p.s before you think i'm knowledgeable on cars, this info I've gotten help from the other half. :)
But I am learning, as the idea's and look were mine, he just showed me what they could look like!


Punto Original Pic 1.jpg

Punto modified Pic 1.jpg

Punto modified Pic 2.jpg

Punto modified Pic 3.jpg
 
Can't say I know much about modding, lower springs and stuff like that but my GP has 195/55/R16 tyres and I think it looks good :D


Your 1.2 8v didn't have the option for anything other than 15" by the looks of it (see attached original equipment specs) but you should be able to find some rims from a scrapped 1.4 16v/t-jet or multijet and upgrade to 195/55/R16 or 205/45/R17
 

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Hi Old

That is very useful info, I could not find and certainly will deffo be using that.

Thank you :)
 
As your first car, I'd advise against any mods. Keep it standard.

Every mod must be advised to your iinsurance company, even same size wheel but of a different design. Each mod will be assessed by the insurer, as it changes risk, and may increase premiums.

Also, any mods will attract attention. Being stopped by the police every journey will get tedious.
 
Hey Guys,

That is all info I will take on board and I do appreciate the replies. :)

With the Springs, they do need changing as it's failed that on the MOT, 1 front and 1 rear I've now been informed. So, what make are the standard Springs? I see Sachs are advised from Euro Car Parts as like for like replacement?

Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks
 
Thanks Guys for all the advice.

Would like to report my findings and search for springs.

Wanted to get Xmas out the way and with UK now out of the EU, tried to get Springs from UK firms, were out of stock or didn't supply what I needed, before I tried EU companies, either on eBay or directly.

After 3 refunds from companies I tried in Europe to get Springs in, against Euro Car Parts £180 for Sachs standard replacement springs all round. Had to get 3 refunds, even though two were ordered before the 1 Jan 2021 deadline for parts not needing the new paperwork to get in to the UK. We then found the companies we did try, they then refused to post to the UK due to all the new red tape, however were good and offered refunds, though my pain in getting the coil springs.

My boyfriend then found Bilstein B3 standard direct replacement springs all round from Devon (https://www.spring-loaded.co.uk/). He's test driven it before on old springs and now on the B3's, as well as the Garage who's done the work and they all agree, seems to handle very well for a 1.2 Grande.

Oh and very decent price too. £110 all in delivered, next day delivery! Great communications from these guys too!

These are standard fit replacement and not lowering springs.

Part numbers:
Bilstein B3 Spring 36-234042 - Fronts
Bilstein B3 Spring 36-209644 - Rears

Appreciate the advice again.
 
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