cartledge_uk said:

Personally I'd go with ScoobyChris, if you buy the tdi chip/kit it will take the panda to about 100hp I think (not sure) but a similar level of the 100hp anyway but with more torque. And the resale of thiose things is quite good not losing much in money, so if you dont like it another 4months down the line, whip it off and sell it seperatly.

As for warenty, just whip it off for servicing etc.

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Hello Tim!

Yeah i've been thinking about the chip thing. Reckon it could be a go-er actually. Just thinking that at £425 its a tad expensive. IIRC Chris mentioned some ebay bargains on getting a chip, any idea how much i could save or what they go for on there?

shortie said:

If you upgrade the engine, will you upgrade the brakes and suspension? If your MJ is anything like mine then you'd be in trouble when cornering with a standard set up.

Have you thought about a used MX5?

Rear wheel drive = powerslides... if pushed
Japanese = Reliable
Engine = economical (maybe)

This is assuming you can get out of your fiance deal

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I had a brand new MX5 courtesy of Mazda back in 04. Great car, but not much good when i have to carry kids in the back for work related stuff!

Actually the brakes aren't too bad, I hate the over-eager ABS though, horrible.

Oh i can handle cornering at speed, don't worry about that. Sure it rolls a lot and seems to suffer terminal understeer for the most part which depresses me. Reckon i'd be tempted to switch for the alloy wheels (the stock ones). Just wish i could get uprated anti-roll bars. Mind you i don't think there is one on the rear is there? This is where it needs it most IMO.

A remap would probably be cheaper, and give more comprehensive results. Red Dot / GSR remaps have been developed for a long time for the 1.3 Diesels. They will limit the torque to save the transmission, but really boost the BHP and drivability. And they have a very good reputation and support when you need it.

Good to see you are considering upgrading your existing car, The 100hp is a quality bit of kit but has high fuel burn which will only get worse with oil prices headed for $150+ per barrell. You'll gain extra mpg with the remap so the upgrade will pay itself off anyway.

Chinky_500 said:

A remap would probably be cheaper, and give more comprehensive results. Red Dot / GSR remaps have been developed for a long time for the 1.3 Diesels. They will limit the torque to save the transmission, but really boost the BHP and drivability. And they have a very good reputation and support when you need it.

Good to see you are considering upgrading your existing car, The 100hp is a quality bit of kit but has high fuel burn which will only get worse with oil prices headed for $150+ per barrell. You'll gain extra mpg with the remap so the upgrade will pay itself off anyway.

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Yep am just wondering if i can get a chip cheaper than £425... it seems a bit steep.

I just wish there was a way to stiffen up the rear end to prevent roll. Uprated springs would help but really a rear anti-roll bar would make more of a difference. Trouble is there is no mounting points for one that i can see and with a torsion bar setup i'm not sure it would work anyway. Think i'm on hiding to nothing with that.

£325 for 105bhp from http://www.angeltuning.co.uk/vehicle-options.asp

or £300 for a smaller increase from http://www.econotune.com/

any good?

HP. said:

£325 for 105bhp from http://www.angeltuning.co.uk/vehicle-options.asp

or £300 for a smaller increase from http://www.econotune.com/

any good?

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There seem to be mixed reviews about the angel chips on teh forum.

gib1970 said:

but trust me the swift is a lot faster.

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Got to disagree there, I had a play with a mate in his sport, and there wasn't a lot in it, granted it is quicker, but he was gutted not to see me dissappear....

i think the only weird thing i found with the swift sport (apart from lack of a 6 speed box, which it needs more than the panda does!) is that its a gorgeous looking car, much better than the 100hp, from almost any angle....... except from behind!

yes, the twin exhausts look very very cool indeed, but the overall shape at the back is a bit bloated and bulgy if that makes sense, partly owing to the light cluster maybe. it wouldnt be a deal breaker by any means, but its strange that they got the rest of it looking bang on the money, but screwed up at the rear in my opinion.

theres too many non sport models with wheel trims around to make it a nice car

I've had mine since January, I still like it, but the quality of the plastics is shocking and the dealer / warranty back up is pathetic. I wouldn't buy another for those reasons it will be back to Mercedes or Skoda for my next car.

JON

Don't quite get what you mean about the shocking quality of the plastics. I think they are pretty much on par with similarly priced cars , be it Vauxhall, Renault, Peugeot or Citroen. The "BMW" Mini is not that great in the plastic department. Lack of consistency I have always found to be a problem with Fiat though, you are lucky and get a good one or you are not .It always seems to be a bit of a lottery.

trackdayqueen said:

Oh i can handle cornering at speed, don't worry about that. Sure it rolls a lot and seems to suffer terminal understeer for the most part which depresses me. Reckon i'd be tempted to switch for the alloy wheels (the stock ones). Just wish i could get uprated anti-roll bars. Mind you i don't think there is one on the rear is there? This is where it needs it most IMO.

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I've got stock alloys on my MJ and it still corners like a cruise liner. Mind you i've only covered 950miles. Been told on here that the set up stiffens up. I've got my finger crossed tight. I wouldn't bother with the alloys!

If your Panda doesn't put a smile on your face as you look at it anymore then i'm not sure upgrading it will either... especially after the honeymoon period.

I suppose a 500 1.4 sport doesn't get your juices flow??? Too expensive at the mo I suppose.

Have you found out if you can come out of your fiancial contract yet?

shortie said:

I've got stock alloys on my MJ and it still corners like a cruise liner. Mind you i've only covered 950miles. Been told on here that the set up stiffens up. I've got my finger crossed tight. I wouldn't bother with the alloys!

If your Panda doesn't put a smile on your face as you look at it anymore then i'm not sure upgrading it will either... especially after the honeymoon period.

I suppose a 500 1.4 sport doesn't get your juices flow??? Too expensive at the mo I suppose.

Have you found out if you can come out of your fiancial contract yet?

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The suspension will only get softer with age, it won't tighten up. You will always get the dreadful body roll and nauseating understeer i'm afraid. Putting the alloys on won't help that i know.

A 500 sport does not really appeal, due to the high price. I'd rather wait a bit and a get MINI in all honesty. QWhilst i initially liked the 500, that it has the same suspension setup as the panda does lessen the appeal. Don't forget a Mini has an independent rear end and BMW know how to make cars handle.

If i'm honest its never put a smile on my face when i look at it. I just think it looks awkward, boring and ungainly.

Haven't looked into anything about the contract, my partner won't entertain the idea of it. He says drive the Teg more, speaking of which i've just booked up a trackday for the bank holiday at Croft. Maybe that'll help?

got to agree with your other half there, any excuse to drive the teg, a friend of mine had both the 96 spec and the 98 spec, unfortunately he ran into the back of someone with the later, gutted

What I mean is that the plastics are rockhard brittle squeaky rubbish they may well be no worse that those found in a Peugeot, but that is hardly an excuse!!! The leather graining of the plastic surfaces is also really unpleasent. VW group really are streets ahead in this area of design even the old shape Fabia has a soft touch facia and dimpled / matt finish plastics. The Grande Punto is miles better in this respect which makes the Panda's effort even more dissapointing.

JON

Gingosporting said:

VW group really are streets ahead in this area of design even the old shape Fabia has a soft touch facia and dimpled / matt finish plastics.

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Don't remember them being soft touch in the Fabia. In fact, I removed and refitted all the plastic trim (long story!) and would go so far as to say they were as hard, brittle and flimsy as any other manufacturer. The one housing the passenger airbag certainly wasn't soft!

Personally, I blame this obsession with "plastic quality and feel" on the motoring journalists who have encouraged manufacturers to ditch nice smooth easily cleanable/durable surfaces for acres of elephant hide plastics

Now, who wants the soap box next?

Chris

Oh well I must be mental then I only drove it for four years and 125,000 miles!!

Gingosporting said:

Oh well I must be mental then I only drove it for four years and 125,000 miles!!

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Yep - you do sound mental I only managed to keep mine for a year and 30k miles before I saw sense

Chris

I guess the mistake was expecting an 8k car to be as competent as a 12k one you get what you pay for.

JON

Gingosporting said:

I guess the mistake was expecting an 8k car to be as competent as a 12k one you get what you pay for.

JON

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Hard plastics = Incompetant ?