Evening All,

I'm a recently new member whose now custodian of a little black Panda 100hp (only owned now for 2 weeks), don't really post much, but do read lots of the informative post.

Main reason for picking the 100hp was that I wanted something small, engaging and fun to get to work each day. The roads are mainly back country lanes and b roads.

The Panda is great fun on these roads, but the skittish rear end is a little unsettling, especially when your mid way around a bend. Seems like at times I think I've purchased Tigger the Tiger (bouncing around). Not a problem when the roads are smooth, but when these roads are undulated, uneven, and damaged, it takes away a bit of your confidence.

Seems like the Koni rear shocks are the go-to-choice for the majority of users on here. Couldn't find much information with anyone whose fitted Bilstein B6's to their 100hp, so I took the plunge and ordered the full set of B6 shocks to give them a go

Part numbers:-
Front L: 22-235626
Front R: 22-235633
Rears: 19-235646

The original shocks had 62k miles on them, so thought it would be good to change all 4 at once.

Decided not to lower the ride height due to the roads that I generally drive on, and decided that I wanted practical and usable.

At the same time changed the front top mounts (when removed the bearings were knackered), the front anti roll bars and rear bump stops (for shorter fiat coupe versions).

The acid test was to take the car our for a drive with my other half.
She was pleasantly surprised with the improved ride quality, and no more crashing about from the rear end.

I've now have restored confidence with zipping about on the back country lanes/roads. What I was after was that the rear end to stop skipping about, and that is now gone
I have faith that the car is now more planted, isn't going to unsettle while in midst bend/corner.

Overall, it's more compliant, less jiggy, and feels how it should have left the factory like in the first place.

Had everything fitted yesterday at TGM's in Fleet, Hampshire. Where our ITR, EK9, FD2 and other Honda's have been looked after.

Whilst it was on the ramps gave me a good chance to have a gander underneath.
Next jobs on the list are new tyres all around, as the previous owner had Continentals at the front, and an Eagle F1 and an unknown brand at the rear.
Would like all 4 tyres matching, and just deciding on what to get fitted at present. Suggestions for tyres welcome?

Also a new back box, but the final skin is still holding up ok and not blowing, but looks a but rubbish with the rusty outer skin.

Bring on the warmer months and I'll be digging out the detailing gear to shine that paintwork up

Apart from cosmetics there is no need to have the same brand of tyre at both ends. Keep the same brand and model on each axle and of course the correct tyre dimensions.

I use different brands on the motorbike (which is far more sensitive to tyre types) with zero problems.

I suppose if I can find a single Goodyear Eagle F1 in 195 45 15, then I'll be able to get the rear tyres matching.

Ideally, I would like to go up a 50 series profile all around.

The same aspect ratio all around is good. 50 to 60 isn't huge but cant be a good for stability and likely to confuse the ABS.

I had Eagle F1s on an Audi A4 and hated them. A previously quiet car was spoiled by road noise. The OEM Bridgestone Potenzas were great but hard to source at the time.

I got a 100hp a few months ago as a runaround which came with 4 completely mismatched ditch finders, swapped them for Uniroyal Rainsports and have to say I can't fault them, they're excellent in the wet and for 40 odd quid a corner great value for money.

I've got Eagle F1's on my Impreza and haven't noticed any increased road noise...although they are the Assymetric 2's maybe this makes a difference..

I got an Ulter back box with oval tip for the Panda, again great value and fits well, not too noisy but has a nice little raspiness to it.

reef67 said:

I got an Ulter back box with oval tip for the Panda, again great value and fits well, not too noisy but has a nice little raspiness to it.

Click to expand...

I've got the same Ulter back box on my HP ...looks good and nice deep sound when accelerating hard. Highly recommended.

More noise than the standard factory rear box?

I should have added it was quite a few years ago when I had the noisy Eagles F1s.

My bog standard Panda Dynamic has Firestones (cant remember the model name). For little skinny wheels they do grip and handle very well.

Dervdrain said:

More noise than the standard factory rear box?

Click to expand...

Not sure, certainly a lot more subdued than the cracked Cherry Bomb that it had when I bought it

Not unpleasant or boomy at all, just a little fruity when "pressing on" :slayer:

i also have an ulter rear box and i find it less of a sporty note than the standard box

Thanks for everyones recommendations.
Real good prices for the Uniroyal Rainsports, which I'll be getting next.

The ulter back box looks quite nice in the 80mm model, while retaining the oem look

Simone,

Do you know if your garage (TGM) had to mess about changing bushes on the rear shocks or was it a straight fit?

mikelawrencenz said:

Simone,

Do you know if your garage (TGM) had to mess about changing bushes on the rear shocks or was it a straight fit?

Click to expand...

Straight fit. No messing about like you get with the Koni's, where you need to insert the stainless steel tubing.

I cant state for sure but have posted re an offer currently on on Bilsteins. Personally I think they are a very good quality maker and am waiting for mine to arrive. These are G4's though as these are the recommended ones for the 100HP. Once I have them I will post my views on how they feel. They will n ot reach me until 2nd week in Jan however.

High spec shocks will "go off" much sooner than the ordinary OEM quality shocks. Internal clearances are tighter so were and tear is more immediately noticeable.

Expect to have them serviced every 15000 miles. The chances are the warranty requires at least a 15K service interval.

If they go off quicker than Fiats parts I better order some more now as the life of the Fiat parts was worse than pathetic! I really hope your profecy is not too true. On the other hand at £58 a pair for bilsteins I suppose replacement at 3 monthly intervals won't be too bad!

petercresswell said:

If they go off quicker than Fiats parts I better order some more now as the life of the Fiat parts was worse than pathetic! I really hope your profecy is not too true. On the other hand at £58 a pair for bilsteins I suppose replacement at 3 monthly intervals won't be too bad!

Click to expand...

My comment isn't meant as a criticism.

High spec shocks have narrow internal clearances and fine components (compared to ordinary kit). The damping oil is expected to work consistently through narrow gaps and maintain its fluidity and lubrication ability. We change the engine oil regularly so it's reasonable to expect that shocks will also need to be serviced.

High spec shocks are rebuildable. Standard stuff is throw away when its used up.

Covered over 4,000 miles since fitting the Bilstein shocks, so their nicely bedded in now.

I'm totally satisfied with my choice, and delighted with how they deal with our poorly maintained roads.

Think I would have sold the little 100hp, if I hadn't made this little upgrade

Was debating to myself between 45 or 50 profile summer tyres.
In the end, I came to a conclusion with the state of the roads that I use, and the way that my 50 profile winter tyres absorb the holes/ruts/etc. Having 45 profile tyres may be more prone to buckling/flat spot/cracking the 100hp alloys.

Glad I've got 50 profile on the steel winter wheels, as they have taken some right abuse with hitting some nasty pot holes.

Thought I would try a new range of tyre on the market and purchased a set of Yokohama Advan Fleva v701, in 195 50 15.

While the winter steel wheels are currently on the 100hp. I dropped of my alloys off at Inspraytion in Rochester, to get them freshened up and ready for the when I swop back over to my summer tyres.




Powder coated in silver to retain the oem colour...


Added a new set of centre caps, and the alloys now look like they just rolled off the production line.

For my personal preferences, the uprated shocks and 50 profile tyres suit me just right.
Can't wait to whip off the winter tyres and test these new tyres out

Simone,

Wheels look great, are they legit centre caps or sourced off ebay or the like?