Morning all,
Not posted for a while on here, but last week finally got my hands on a yellow cross multijet, and said goodbye to the excellent 4x4. Got a good deal so had to do it. First impressions are that the engine seems a little quieter and the small increase in BHP is noticable. Also the suspension does seem better, as I have travelled over the various speed humps etc and it seems to feel better over these than the 4x4. Overall it feels very well built and solid, but the ultimate test an off road day with the classic Panda's in September, I am sure it will perform as good if not better than the 4x4 at a previous event where the 4x4 was excellent. They are great little cars

Yellows! Yellows!

Nice choice

I totally agree, I always wanted an orange Mk 3 Cross, but could only get the black over cream, so have waited for the yellow to come along, it also has the tinted rear glass which I would recommend if anyone is thinking about that option

crossman said:

I totally agree, I always wanted an orange Mk 3 Cross, but could only get the black over cream, so have waited for the yellow to come along, it also has the tinted rear glass which I would recommend if anyone is thinking about that option

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Do you have any pictures of the rear glass is it the rear window and the passenger ones.

Just google search Panda Cross images - you'll find loads of pics of Crosses both with & without the rear tints

(And yes, it's the rear doors, the small 3/4 panes and the rear hatch that are tinted. On the Cross it works really well because of the black surrounds to the rear lights - makes it look all of a piece)

Good upgrade!
I too found the cross a better riding car than the 4x4. The damping is better.

Totally agree, the ride is good in the 4x4, but the suspension is one of the first things that really stood out as being improved on the Cross. Although the engine power is noticeably better and seems quieter, I think 85-90 bhp from the Diesel engine would have been better.

What are the suspension changes on the Cross? Is it raised? I was under the impression that the extra clearance was achieved by the taller-than-stock tyre sidewalls, which might explain why there is a little extra 'give'/ compliance? After a number of years on ultra-low-profile run-flats, the more conventional tyre sidewalls on the 4x4 was a big draw for me! I'll forgive a bit of on-the-limit woolieness for a bit more comfort and poor-weather grip! :0)

I'm pretty sure the extra lift is achieved by the bigger tyres.
I reckon they've made the dampers more closely matched to the springs.
The standard 4x4 is under damped imo.

I'm not sure that there is any difference in the dampers - but I suspect the Goodyear All Season tyres of the Cross are offering a more comfortable ride. The 'useful Russian website' that includes ePER catalogue for the new Panda doesn't cover the Cross (yet) so can't check the part numbers.

What mileage did you do in the 'old' 4x4? Is some of the perceived change owing to shiny new suspension?

And yes - there is no change in the suspension leading to increased ride height - that is owing to the fact that a 185/65r15 tyre is 12mm bigger in diamter (so 6mm more ride height) than a 175/65r15 tyre is.

deeyup said:

I'm pretty sure the extra lift is achieved by the bigger tyres.
I reckon they've made the dampers more closely matched to the springs.
The standard 4x4 is under damped imo.

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I very much doubt that the Cross has different dampers from the base 4x4 - wouldn't make economic sense, but it would be interesting to know for certain. I agree that the 4x4 is under-damped but only marginally - it can be caught out on a washboard surface, which sets up a pronounced bounce at the back - whereas it's usually very marked on small Fiats.

I did about 16,000 miles in the 4x4, and yes I agree the tyres will make a difference, but the suspension seems firmer, but more comfortable. Would be surprised if suspension was the same.