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Punto 2012+ Road Spring and a loss of love for Fiat

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Punto 2012+ Road Spring and a loss of love for Fiat

J

Jamito

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It's Christmas and there's winter cheer everywhere.. except for Fiat.

I love my Punto Twinair, it doesn't do the MPG they said it would, it's not fast, not the best looking, not the best made but I love it anyway. I would classify myself as a Fiat lover, but my most recent dealings with Fiat has made me question why I bother.

I drove out my driveway at about 3mph two days ago with a slight turn, *ping* goes the road Spring. Fiat have designed a unique Punto spring that no one else makes, so you have no alternative but to buy a genuine Fiat part. On top of this, THEY ONLY SELL THEM IN PAIRS. It's £98 a spring, whereas a run of the mill standard spring would be around £35. So before I've even paid for labour I'm nearly £200 out of pocket. I've tried a few local garages but they all have to buy from Fiat themselves at that price. I feel well and truly shafted.

I'm sick of the expensive Fiat parts and the apparent disinterest Fiat give their customers. A road Spring shouldn't go within 4 years of registration especially considering it's such an expensive and unique design. I'm sure people here will be aware of the 500 boot issue. Yet Fiat continue to ignore it and charge people £600 to fix a problem they know exist.

I love my car, but I'm beginning to hate Fiat.

Please someone restore my love for what is an iconic and historic manufactor.

P.S I have a spring going for sale if anyone is in the same position. Can't believe they get away with only selling a part in pairs :(
 
Jamito said:
It's Christmas and there's winter cheer everywhere.. except for Fiat.

I love my Punto Twinair, it doesn't do the MPG they said it would, it's not fast, not the best looking, not the best made but I love it anyway. I would classify myself as a Fiat lover, but my most recent dealings with Fiat has made me question why I bother.

I drove out my driveway at about 3mph two days ago with a slight turn, *ping* goes the road Spring. Fiat have designed a unique Punto spring that no one else makes, so you have no alternative but to buy a genuine Fiat part. On top of this, THEY ONLY SELL THEM IN PAIRS. It's £98 a spring, whereas a run of the mill standard spring would be around £35. So before I've even paid for labour I'm nearly £200 out of pocket. I've tried a few local garages but they all have to buy from Fiat themselves at that price. I feel well and truly shafted.

I'm sick of the expensive Fiat parts and the apparent disinterest Fiat give their customers. A road Spring shouldn't go within 4 years of registration especially considering it's such an expensive and unique design. I'm sure people here will be aware of the 500 boot issue. Yet Fiat continue to ignore it and charge people £600 to fix a problem they know exist.

I love my car, but I'm beginning to hate Fiat.

Please someone restore my love for what is an iconic and historic manufactor.

P.S I have a spring going for sale if anyone is in the same position. Can't believe they get away with only selling a part in pairs :(
Click to expand...


What "road spring" are we talking about? a front coil spring is £17 on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-COIL-SPRING-FIAT-PUNTO-0-9-L-8V-TWINAIR-85-PS-2012-/181609930625
and a set of 4 uprated ones is £175
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Pro-Kit-Springs-FIAT-PUNTO-EVO-0-9-Twinair-Turbo-/281869601191


Personally I'd only change in pairs.


Robert G8RPI.
 
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varesecrazy said:
Sorry to hear that..is it different to the other GP s..??

Hoping mine doesnt do it soon..

As yours was the ref. Car while I waited for mine..
Charlie
Click to expand...

According to three different dealers it's a specific spring for the chassis, which I imagine would cover all the new Puntos, but I don't know for certain.

Maybe someone on here can clarify?
 
werdna said:
Given that the mechanic across the road always replaces springs in pairs, had you thought about replacing the other one ? You have paid for it so might as well use it ! :)
Click to expand...

I'm going to consider it. The spring that snapped looked in good condition so hard to say if it was faulty and had a weakness when made or if it actually snapped under pressure. I don't recall any speedbumps/potholes.
 
g8rpi said:
What "road spring" are we talking about? a front coil spring is £17 on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-COIL-SPRING-FIAT-PUNTO-0-9-L-8V-TWINAIR-85-PS-2012-/181609930625
and a set of 4 uprated ones is £175
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eibach-Pro-Kit-Springs-FIAT-PUNTO-EVO-0-9-Twinair-Turbo-/281869601191

Personally I'd only change in pairs.

Robert G8RPI.
Click to expand...

I can't speak for the second set, but the first is a generic spring sold under the name of multiple makes/models. My local garage bought something similar and it simply doesn't fit. Whether a lowering set would fit, I don't know. I was hoping to avoid changing all 4 due to labour costs.
 
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Jamito said:
I can't speak for the second set, but the first is a generic spring sold under the name of multiple makes/models. My local garage bought something similar and it simply doesn't fit. Whether a lowering set would fit, I don't know. I was hoping to avoid changing all 4 due to labour costs.
Click to expand...

As I only had 12k on mine when the front spring went my dealer did say it was quite a common fault ,i wonder if they have upgraded the part since.
Anyway as Robert gave you a link to the Eibach springs i thought i would say i have Eibach all round on mine and they are great and no issues :)
 
Hi, I had the same problem with a spring going after about 4 years and only 12k miles. Complained bitterly to dealer who negotiated a 50% off deal with Fiat. Springs are no longer made properly ( at least not cheaper cars) . The ends should be champfered. Fiat is the only maker I've ever had trouble with, although my friend had two go on his BM. (cheap parts too)
 
Hi everyone, thought I would give an update.

Had both springs replaced at Fiat, expensive but needed to be done. Due to Fiat holding all the cards, an independent garage couldn't get and fit the part for a few more days and the price difference wasn't worth not having the car for work.

At the time of first posting on here Fiat dealer had stated that it was due to pothole damage or speed bumps. Despite my claims I hadn't done anything and blamed the part as faulty. When it's been replaced it appears both springs have rusted at the bottom and hence ones snapped with the cold weather.

I'm going to ring Fiat and ask about any rust coverage in the extended warranty. Off the top of my head I recall a rust warranty which continues outside of the standard 3 years.. but not sure if that includes parts. Can anyone advise me on that?

I'll post some pictures later of the magical £80 spring.. It's just a spring shock horror. And a thin one at that. Which apparently rusts easily.

Might be worth checking your springs guys as its undoubtly a design issue with water being caught and overpriced springs rusting.
 
i'm intrigued by this special twin-air spring. I mean I can see that it has its own special spring rate compared to the heavier engines, that makes perfect sense but ones from other engined cars not fitting i find very hard to believe - i suspect said garage either ordered the wrong ones in error or were went the wrong ones in error.
Just can't contemplate a scenario where fiat would ok the extra expense of developing a whole different mounting design for a road spring, makes zero sense.
That ebay ad also doesn't list loads of models, its says it fits one model with one engine type only - photo is prob a stock generic photo.

Oh well, its all kinda a bit besides the point now as its fixed, glad you are sorted but really I would take bets that fiat is not the only supplier of springs for a TA Punto although i would not be at all surprised if their parts department told you so. In fiats defense, all marques seem to be the same on this front, got their money from selling the car and really couldn't care less about their customer afterward. Its not really acceptable but its the world we live in.
 
Jamito said:
I can't speak for the second set, but the first is a generic spring sold under the name of multiple makes/models. My local garage bought something similar and it simply doesn't fit. Whether a lowering set would fit, I don't know. I was hoping to avoid changing all 4 due to labour costs.
Click to expand...

Does it drive any different/better..??

Out of interest ..my brakes have always been unpredictably FIERCE..how have you found yours..??

Charlie . 2012 punto TA
 
DavyP said:
Hi, I had the same problem with a spring going after about 4 years and only 12k miles. Complained bitterly to dealer who negotiated a 50% off deal with Fiat. Springs are no longer made properly ( at least not cheaper cars) . The ends should be champfered. Fiat is the only maker I've ever had trouble with, although my friend had two go on his BM. (cheap parts too)
Click to expand...

my TA has started to sound pretty noisy in the front suspension / steering..:eek:

it's also overdue a basic service.. so may resort to the FIAT dealer.
4 years = 28K and NOT pressure washed / speed bumped to death..

I suspect the usual GP failing of top mount damper bearings.. but a spring is also a possibility..,
Charlie
 
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