Hello All,

I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for some advice. I'm planning to buy a 1.2 Panda (2009/10/11ish), probably the ECO model to get the £30 tax but I would also like to avoid the interference engine (if this makes sense and if there is one!).

I read somewhere that the EU4 60hp version is the best but I'm not sure which years this applies to. Are the ECO models simply the previous engine with narrower tyres and synthetic oil or is there more to it?

The 1.2 with the 69hp engine is interference.
These have 6 small bolts that hold the air filter cover on.
https://www.fiatforum.com/gallery/data/3198/IMAG1239.jpg


1.2 60hp are non interference.
These just have two clips holding the air filter cover on.
https://www.247spares.co.uk/res/images/engines/ref/276435/11574.jpg

I think all the 1.2 Eco's were 60hp.

124Special said:

I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for some advice. I'm planning to buy a 1.2 Panda (2009/10/11ish), probably the ECO model to get the £30 tax but I would also like to avoid the interference engine (if this makes sense and if there is one!).

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Hello and welcome.

I'd agree with your thinking; the 60HP 1.2 with £30 tax is the one to look for. Personally I'd avoid the 1.1; the 1.2 has a lot more torque and both drives better in traffic and is more economical.

Goudrons said:

I think all the 1.2 Eco's were 60hp.

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The change from Euro4 (60HP non-interference) to Euro5 (69HP interference) took place sometime in 2010. '09 > '10 plate cars should all be Eu4 (before that, they weren't in the lower tax bracket); '60 could be either, '11 plate and later most likely Eu5. All these are Eco models with £30 tax.

Easiest way to tell the difference is that the Eu5 engines have a VVT actuator and associated wiring in the cam cover.

General consensus is that the 60HP version is more driveable; the 60HP engine produces more torque & power than the 69HP below about 3500 rpm. David Bliss did a rolling road comparison; the results are here.

I'd agree with getting a 60HP Eu4 version if you can; IMO that's the best ever of the Pandas (but I'm biased as I've got one).

Another small point is that all the Eu4 engined eco pandas left the factory with 13" steel wheels; one side effect of changing to the Eu5 engine is that the slightly different emissions figures permitted alloys to be fitted whilst still keeping in the £30 tax band, something that wasn't possible with the Eu4 engine.

The last of the 1.2 Eleganzas got the Eu4 engine, but never made it into the lower tax bracket because of those wheels. I don't think the Eleganza ever got the Eu5 engine, but someone might correct me on this.

Many thanks for all the replies ... just what I needed ... I do have one further question ... ignoring the 69hp engines ... did the move for the 60hp from EU4 to EU5 introduce any change in the throttle response ... due do change in engine management or gubbins (sensors/linkage) around the throttle?

The reason I ask is that my oldest son's Polo has diabolical throttle response when driving away from stationary (it doesn't have a fault) ... life endangering when you have to pull out into busy traffic ... I want to avoid the same for son no.2!

124Special said:

I do have one further question ... ignoring the 69hp engines ... did the move for the 60hp from EU4 to EU5 introduce any change in the throttle response ... due do change in engine management or gubbins (sensors/linkage) around the throttle?

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In a word, yes - though nothing like as severe as the issues experienced by some owners when the Eu6 1.2 was introduced into the 500 and new Panda.

Read this thread to find out more about the Eu6 issues (though the Mk3 Panda never got the Eu6 engine and isn't similarly affflicted).

Blimey, this is proving more difficult than I thought. People must get really attached to their 1.2 Pandas. I've looked at the used car websites pretty much every day and there are only a few about. Some of these have been up for a while as well which always puts me off. I use the governments MOT history website to check mileage and also see what repeat unattended advisories are recorded which is usually a sign of poor maintenance. I missed a good one in Newcastle that sold to someone else while I was on the phone to the dealer ... shame! Still looking ...

124Special said:

Blimey, this is proving more difficult than I thought. People must get really attached to their 1.2 Pandas. I've looked at the used car websites pretty much every day and there are only a few about. Some of these have been up for a while as well which always puts me off. I use the governments MOT history website to check mileage and also see what repeat unattended advisories are recorded which is usually a sign of poor maintenance. I missed a good one in Newcastle that sold to someone else while I was on the phone to the dealer ... shame! Still looking ...

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There are a few decent looking ones on Autotrader - restrict the search to pre-2010 and 1.2, maybe limit the maximum mileage too.

My 2010 Eleganza is one of the last 60 hps, I think, and it's great. Very torquey when setting off.