Back from a week in Italy, and after a disastrous showing from the Alfa Q4 with all-season tyres, I've taken the plunge and acquired a 2005 year 1.2 Panda 4x4.

So far it's hilariously good fun, and I'm prepping it for a road trip back down to Italy later on this month.

A couple of questions I have:

1) It currently comes with the standard Blaupunkt CD head unit. Along with a bunch of upgrades (CD Changer, Parrot hands free kit) I wanted to see if the MP3 version of this headunit is just a straight swap, or is there more too it?

The only posts I can seem to find about it talk about replacing the entry level radio/cassette with the MP3 unit.

2) Any recommendations on good M+S tyres? All season tyres absolutely won't cut it with the roads and conditions it will be used in, but the only experience I have with 'proper' tyres is the BFGoodrich's on my Delica.

Thanks,
TOM

Pirelli:

whoopsie said:

1) It currently comes with the standard Blaupunkt CD head unit. Along with a bunch of upgrades (CD Changer, Parrot hands free kit) I wanted to see if the MP3 version of this headunit is just a straight swap, or is there more too it?

The only posts I can seem to find about it talk about replacing the entry level radio/cassette with the MP3 unit.

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Assuming you have the code it'll probably fit fine, though they're not great. You can probably get an aftermarket Sony/JVC with built-in Bluetooth for £80

I doubt there is a full mud and snow tyre in the van size tyres that the panda uses but I could be wrong.

Can't think of any or remember seeing any

The way I read the original post they are after something like this. Not a generic winter tyre.

Someone did ask the same question within the last year and the answer then was none available in the UK

koalar said:

The way I read the original post they are after something like this. Not a generic winter tyre.

Someone did ask the same question within the last year and the answer then was none available in the UK

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That will cause a real HELL of a noise on a Panda...

Peter Pick-Up said:

That will cause a real HELL of a noise on a Panda...

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Agreed



I did post the most extreme I could find.

But still don't think there a mud and snow that fits within the standard body work.

Maybe in Italy ?

OK, what size are we talking about?

The Pirelli website mentiones several M+S options for the Panda 4X4...

I believe they're 14" on the 4x4 so perfectly fine for getting a selection of winter tyres available for it (unlike the 13" wheels I have on mine which seem to be becoming obsolete for many manufacturers).

I have a non-4x4 Panda, but I have found Continental WinterContacts to be quite good for winter conditions in the past. They weren't the best for wear though, so I changed to Michelin Alpins which were good in winter conditions and for wear, but they have now stopped manufacturing them in 13" (although they are available in 14").

A good few years back, Jim Magill took his classic Panda Sylvia to the top of Norway in pretty bad blizzard conditions (they were closing the roads behind him on the way back) and he had no complaints about the Continental WinterContacts he used.

Thanks everyone. Some proper chunky offroad ones would be great - as mentioned, lots fitted to Pandas across Italy - but with the motorway driving as well, I'm really looking for recommendations for decent winter tyres that are M+S rated (ie. not all season tyres badged as 'winter' ones).

Will have a look at Pirelli's offerings, they look decent.

Thanks!
TOM

Wee Smurf said:

I believe they're 14" on the 4x4 so perfectly fine for getting a selection of winter tyres available for it (unlike the 13" wheels I have on mine which seem to be becoming obsolete for many manufacturers).

I have a non-4x4 Panda, but I have found Continental WinterContacts to be quite good for winter conditions in the past. They weren't the best for wear though, so I changed to Michelin Alpins which were good in winter conditions and for wear, but they have now stopped manufacturing them in 13" (although they are available in 14").

A good few years back, Jim Magill took his classic Panda Sylvia to the top of Norway in pretty bad blizzard conditions (they were closing the roads behind him on the way back) and he had no complaints about the Continental WinterContacts he used.

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It always puzzles me, why someone decides to drive an Italian car, but when it comes to tires, German, or even French tires are first choice...as Pirelli is as good or even better compared to Continental or Michelin in most cases/tests....:shrug:

(We bought a brandnew Alfa Giulietta in 2016, it came with factory fitted Continentals, but they were changed to Pirelli P7 at my request...)

Peter Pick-Up said:

It always puzzles me, why someone decides to drive an Italian car, but when it comes to tires, German, or even French tires are first choice...as Pirelli is as good or even better compared to Continental or Michelin in most cases/tests....:shrug:

(We bought a brandnew Alfa Giulietta in 2016, it came with factory fitted Continentals, but they were changed to Pirelli P7 at my request...)

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There's a really wonderful reason for that in my case. Pirelli don't produce tyres size 155/80 R13, the size my Panda takes, so never an option for me. :nerner: Strangely both Continental and Michelin do, so I choose them!