Panda My new ride.

Well.. i'm almost a thousand miles in to 100hp ownership and i'm properly hooked on this pocket supercar, the handling is so addictive that I've actually found myself planning new ways to go round corners on my drive to and from work and been constantly surprised at how much fun driving is again without going all that fast.
The only things I don't like are the lack of variable intermittent wipe and the noisy goodyear tyres which will be changed for something else before winter, probably toyo's or Uniroyal rainsports if I can get a good deal on them.
It'll be getting a service before Christmas too although i'm in two minds as to whether to do it myself of let it go to the main dealer for the stamp, I know i'd do a more thorough job but i'd like to keep the service history complete.
So its onwards and looking forward to many more exciting miles in my little whitey...

Lovely little car this, i sooooooooo miss our one.

Fiats seam to lose enough in value in this country so i would take it to a garage if it's a big service.
I never take any of our cars back to main dealers though, don't trust them at all, i prefer to use small garages that i trust.

When i buy a used car i would choose a car that's been maintained by a normal garage as opposed to the main dealer for then same reason i mentioned above.

That's just my opinion though.

Yeah I agree so I think i'm going to try and find a decent Italian specialist and see how it goes.

De-tangoed the headlights today with some silverline bulbs, also waiting for some 'led' replacement sidelight bulbs and some silicon pipe to do the intake mod..

Fitted my 'led' sidelight bulbs but the dash is now showing a 'sidelight check' warning ...:bang:

Gavv8 said:

Fitted my 'led' sidelight bulbs but the dash is now showing a 'sidelight check' warning ...:bang:

Click to expand...

read this, if it doesnt help then just buy error free led indicator bulbs

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1581171-LED-Error-Free-on-the-cheap-DIY

Demi said:

read this, if it doesnt help then just buy error free led indicator bulbs

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1581171-LED-Error-Free-on-the-cheap-DIY

Click to expand...

Cheers for that, i think i'm going to have to try some different ones as it would be a pain to try fitting resistors.

Full service today including all filters and plugs, fresh Fuchs titan transmission fluid and new discs and pads all round and what a really easy car to work on the panda is, apart from the undertray which is a bit of a faff it was all very straightforward... all ready for winter now

I just picked mine up from my local Desira garage. 3rd Gold service and still no advisory's. Mechanic rang me to say it was ready for pick up wouldn't get off the phone was blabbering mess. Asked me to bring Auto Italia magazine with me

Took me over half an hour to get my keys as I was swarmed with questions
Some mods like engine cover they refused to believe that I made it myself till I showed the pictures on my iPhone.

Already have a buyer if I wish to sell my Panda too

I had that when I took mine for new tyres and the fitter had never seen a 100HP before, he loves his Italians so he put mine in the next bay to a Ferrari 412 he was servicing and took a photo..

I will have to remove my Red Bull can and Stella bottle top before it goes in to fiat or I am guessing I will get a few looks! Not looking forward to explaining to them how to get the wheels of also!!

I just don't trust anyone else when it comes to servicing and I've been looking after my own cars for over twenty years now, I always use oem parts and top quality fluids and I save all the receipts for future owners plus I use the right tools for the job so nothing is bodged or damaged.

I've just had my 100HP serviced by fiat in Wakefield and they don't even change the air filter or plugs!!i rang them up after the service to ask and the response I got was "oh, they get replaced next time". So I took the air box off to look at the filter and it was ready for a replacement! I was in two minds to do it my self , wish I had now as it cost £150 for basically an oil and filter change! The only reason I had it done there is to keep up with the full main dealer service! But you don't get any thing extra when you come to sell it really! £100 if your lucky!

Pinnch said:

I've just had my 100HP serviced by fiat in Wakefield and they don't even change the air filter or plugs!!i rang them up after the service to ask and the response I got was "oh, they get replaced next time". So I took the air box off to look at the filter and it was ready for a replacement! I was in two minds to do it my self , wish I had now as it cost £150 for basically an oil and filter change! The only reason I had it done there is to keep up with the full main dealer service! But you don't get any thing extra when you come to sell it really! £100 if your lucky!

Click to expand...

your lucky they changed the filter, My suzuki grand vitara was £140 for interim service ( oil change only ) £380 for full service.
where did you get done in wakefield ( i work in wakefield ) ??

Piccadilly fiat main dealer
Piccadilly Motors
Bradford Road
Wakefield
WF1 2AH

Pinnch said:

Piccadilly fiat main dealer
Piccadilly Motors
Bradford Road
Wakefield
WF1 2AH

Click to expand...

thanks will remember that if i need any parts, not far from where i work i think (same wf1 postcode)

I can understand that not having a full book of service stamps can put some people off buying a car but once I've explained to a potential purchaser what a service history actually involves and what the car they might buy off me has enjoyed they soon change their mind.

Washed'n'waxed...

They do look ace in white! There's a white one around where I live and always looks immaculate like yours.

Looking good ?