Panda 2012+ 2018 Panda 4x4 Twin Air

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Panda 2012+ 2018 Panda 4x4 Twin Air

Motorcyclist Colin

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I have just ordered one of the above, so thought I should join the Fiat Forum and learn as much as possible about them I have asked the Dealer a number of questions about the car and still await answers, so I won't ask the same questions again here. I would however appreciate all and any information about these cars. The good, the bad, and the indifferent

Thanks in advance
 
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Not had any response from the Dealer, nor from the Forum. There is obviously nothing to be learned about a 4x4 Panda
 
Pick up the new Panda 4x4 tomorrow. I only hope it is one **** of a lot better than the service from the Dealer and the Insurance co. I will keep you updated. The Dealer did answer my questions and arranged to comply with my request for a small change to delivery...……………………………………….eventually!:bang:
 
I have just ordered one of the above, so thought I should join the Fiat Forum and learn as much as possible about them I have asked the Dealer a number of questions about the car and still await answers, so I won't ask the same questions again here. I would however appreciate all and any information about these cars. The good, the bad, and the indifferent

Thanks in advance
I've got a Cross TA so can tell you that the engine improves at 3000 miles (I believe opinion here is that it is a "running in restriction" by Fiat) and watch out for the low ratio 1st gear as the rev limiter cuts in below the red line so short shift into 2nd ASAP !!
It didn't even seem to notice the snow this winter but not tried in mud yet !!
Fuel consumption is not great but only 4-5mpg worse than our 1.2 500 when used the same so all things considered its ok, ECO mode softens the power delivery and after 3000 miles can be used as the default around town and just turned off for acceleration/power if required.
 
Surely you be shifting gear a fair bit before the redline most of the time anyway?


The gearing on 1st is quite low, someone else on the forum worked out the speeds https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-iii/325912-panda-4x4-trekking-gearing.html

but to save you looking they said...
"This is the speeds in gears at 2000 rpm in a Panda 4x4 TwinAir"

1st 6
2nd 12
3rd 21
4th 29
5th 37
6th 44

so redline is probably 20 ish mph ?(you certainly need to shift quick if trying to join fast traffic)



now I'm used to it I know to select 2nd at approx 10mph (3000rpm) then accelerate and choose bigger gaps in traffic than the 500 would do easily.
 
20mph isn't very low in 1st gear
I'd think most people out out of 1 at well before that normally

Personally I usually change up around 2200-2600
Allthrough I have the 1.3 in my 500
 
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Welcome to the forum.

I bought an ex-demo 4x4 TA five years ago. 65,000 miles, and nine trips to and from our homes in Devon and Umbria, later it's been a great little car. 40-42 mpg - not great - lugs up Alps on way back to Pudding Island in sixth with lots of wine and oil on board - as quick from 25-80 as the predecessor 100HP on a selected stretch of the A30. TA engine needs at least 3,000 miles on it to perform - probably 5,000. Incredible in mud/snow/up the very steep and deeply rutted track to our Italian home - deteriorated to the extent that the 100HP couldn't do it. cruises all day at 80-85 (cameras permitting) with something in reserve if a traffic situation demands. Very goos brakes - the rear discs are definitely an improvement. Very low tyre wear. Make sure the right oil is put in. The only negative is that it looks a bit bulbous and toad-like, especially beside the previous model. Tend to start in first, as second's a bit hard on the clutch unless downhill or just rolling.

Had new battery under warranty after a few months, which got Stop/Start working and I shall put a replacement in shortly as any weakness in the battery stymies S/S.
 
Thanks for all the info everyone. I have just composed a long reply to everything, looked at "preview post" before I sent it, and my computer sent it to outer space where it can no longer be found! So BRIEFLY I am delighted with the car, and really addictive is the engine/exhaust note. It is nearly as great as my Vincents, or airhead BMW's, and that is praise indeed.
I am based in East Kent and would be pleasedto meet up with other Panda and/or motorbike owners. Also I will gird up my typing finger at a later date and try another detailed post of my early impressions
I look forward to getting more involved with Pandas, Forums etc in future:)
 
I should like to properly say thanks again for my welcome to the Forum and the useful information.
I promise a more detailed reply some time
Cheers Panda's People!
 
The reference to BMW twins (I assume) interested me. Years ago BMW built the BMW 700 with essentially the bike engine with fan cooling and cooling shrouds that enabled a heater take-off - a saloon and a little coupé, which looked like a small Triumph Herald coupé. The twin-carb version produced - if I remember correctly - 46 hp - a little jewel that was all roller and ball bearings and (another link to the TA) needed special Shell Selenia oil, as used in diesels. As my Fiat 500 had a full 18 hp avaliable the obvious soultion was to replace the standard Solex carbs with a couple of Monobloc Amals and pop a BMW engine in its place - great little car that ate Mini Coopers for breakfast.
 
I remember those! Early 60s? The coupe looked very good in two-tone paint (a neighbour of ours had a pale green one with a white roof). Didn't realise the engine was a 2 pot. It looked like a Renault Caravelle from the front, and a Herald from the back.
 
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I remember those! Early 60s? The coupe looked very good in two-tone paint (a neighbour of ours had a pale green one with a white roof). Didn't realise the engine was a 2 pot. It looked like a Renault Caravelle from the front, and a Herald from the back.

Yes - much smoother than the parallel twin of the 500 and a much lower centre of gravity - you could rev the nuts off it - 7000rpm. It would have been around 1967 or 68. The 500-based Steyr Puch was very similar and there were one or two Dyna Panhard-engined 500s as well, with even more poke.
 
Hi Folks. The clue is in my "handle". My BMW airheads are all motorbikes. For any bikers out there reading this they are
1979 R100T
1984 R100G/S ( and if you know your bikes you will know BMW never made a 100GstrokeS G/S) (but I know a man who did!)(not to be confused with a R100GS ie no stroke / which BMW made a lot of)
1993 R100R
All are very much modified and very individual
Just done a few more miles in the Panda and I will put down my initial impressions as soon as I stop grinning and find some time
 
Do.. check oil level tegularly

DO NOT.. 'baby it'..

My TA is a 2012..and there were a lot of horror stories regarding oil consumption.


I used the 'hard break in method'

From around 2,000 miles of ownership.. I would drive normally.. getting everything up to temp.

Then would use a fair degree of engine breaking.
Just dropping an extra gear lower for a corner.. would see the tacho needle flick round effortlessly.

Mine has now done 36,000 had plenty of oil changes.. but never any evidence of the level dropping.

10,000 miles from new : you could still tell it was freeing off.
So I had several changes by 15,000.

The guy who used a panda TA To break the Capetown to London record ..did a MINERAL OIL break in.. but I wanted my Warranty intact ;)

Charlie
 
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Thanks Charlie. I have composed long information about my (brief )experience of my new 4x4 and somehow they disappear into outer space. Either me up the creek or my computer!
Just tried checking my oil level, nearly colourless oil on pale grey dipstick, very difficult to see correct level. Also looking at the top of the stick, the Max and Min marks are NOT where they appear to be given the shape of the stick. I will visit my dealer tomorrow buy some top up oil and ask for a lesson it dipstick interpretation.
Sometime I will have another go at posting some info about my first impressions, provided it is not posted to outer space again!
I'm based in East Kent, and look forward to meeting other Panda People!
 
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