So I bought myself a very cheap Qubo! She is a 2008 1.4 Dynamic in a very bright orange, naturally I'm calling her Tango. 76K on the clock.

The few issues I've found so far:

Flakey paintwork - not much I can do about that, for what I paid I'm not too fussed. I might try to get my hands on a buffer and go over the entire car just to get any loose flakes off.

No service history - the owner couldn't confirm if she has had a new cambelt so I've booked it in for Wednesday, £200 for cambelt and water pump. While it's in the garage I'm also going to get them to investigate a minor oil leak and also have a look at the gearbox as she's a little stiff, could be because it's been parked for a while or possibly needs gearbox oil?

Tailgate not staying open - gas struts are knackered, easy to change so I'll do that myself.

Missing a rear headrest - need to have a hunt on eBay, are Qubo headrests the same as other Fiats I wonder?

Flaky steering wheel - I could get a cover or alternatively just rub all the flakes off!

Radio reception is terrible - Not sure if it's a dodgy aerial or possibly has come loose from the back of the headunit (it's the fancy MP3/Bluetooth one)

Rear seat fold mechanism being a PIA - messed about with it for two hours, basically the cable part of the mechanism is buggered. Need to do a bit of research into this. I can still fold it using a pair of pliers to pull the cable but not ideal.


So that's day one of being a Qubo owner! I'm also planning to hunt eBay for a load liner, some front mats, and some roof cross bars would be nice.

Here’s a few pics. Firstly of the car then the other two or the offending problem areas! You can see the buggered seat fold pull cable and the aerial which I’m not sure isn’t missing a part!

SamuelBombero said:

Here’s a few pics. Firstly of the car then the other two or the offending problem areas! You can see the buggered seat fold pull cable and the aerial which I’m not sure isn’t missing a part!

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Missing it’s rear cover...

Something else to look out for on eBay then!

Spent the morning fixing the seat so it's now working. Then had a little spend on eBay, new boot struts and number plates on their way.

I like the orange a lot. I tinted the rear windows myself with some film from ebay, the windows can be unscrewed easily, if that's something you'd consider.

Thanks Phi, I had thought about tinting the windows but I feel it looks okay without, and I don't mind that people can see in when it's parked as they will be able to see there is nothing worth breaking into it for!

Cam belt and boot struts are now done, radio seems to be working okay now. Seat is folding properly and number plates arrived today so I'll be putting them on over the weekend.

I fancy losing the roof bars and installing a full 'rhino' style roof rack so keeping an eye out for a second hand one.

SamuelBombero said:

Thanks Phi, I had thought about tinting the windows but I feel it looks okay without, and I don't mind that people can see in when it's parked as they will be able to see there is nothing worth breaking into it for!

Cam belt and boot struts are now done, radio seems to be working okay now. Seat is folding properly and number plates arrived today so I'll be putting them on over the weekend.

I fancy losing the roof bars and installing a full 'rhino' style roof rack so keeping an eye out for a second hand one.

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Just watch what weight you put on the roof, not the strongest set up in current guise, and if you put a rhino one on, you aren’t going to believe the noise it makes as it’s not exactly aerodynamic! ( been there, done that, REMOVED that ....very quickly ... note...wasn’t a Qubo, however lesson learnt ! [emoji28]

Not to mention how it saps your mpg!

R-V-M

Mad one said:

Just watch what weight you put on the roof, not the strongest set up in current guise, and if you put a rhino one on, you aren’t going to believe the noise it makes as it’s not exactly aerodynamic! (Been there, done that, REMOVED that ....very quickly ... note...wasn’t a Qubo, however lesson learnt!) [emoji28]

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Thinking about it I bet the factory roof rails aren't light so could well be costing me in MPG. Perhaps I'll remove the factory roof rails and fit a three bar system instead.

The rails you have look like tubular aluminium so they'll be really light plus they are 'in-line' so hardly affect air-flow thus shouldn't cost you a bean. It's the cross-rails that will start to cost you as they will induce drag on the airflow over the roof (as does a roof load) so I'd leave them be and just buy the appropriate cross-rails if you need them for carrying something that won't fit in the car.

I needed to transport a large ladder recently and got a set from ebay for £99 complete with cross-members (lockable too). Made to fit the holes in the roof and they're perfect.

R-V-M

SamuelBombero said:

Thinking about it I bet the factory roof rails aren't light so could well be costing me in MPG. Perhaps I'll remove the factory roof rails and fit a three bar system instead.

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Thanks RVM, they are indeed the aluminium ones but if I'm honest I just don't like the look of them, but like you say perhaps better to keep those and pick up some secondhand Thule cross-rails.

New number plates fitted today, I'm going to try to clean up the cloudy headlights later using some Brasso.

SamuelBombero said:

Thanks RVM, they are indeed the aluminium ones but if I'm honest I just don't like the look of them, but like you say perhaps better to keep those and pick up some secondhand Thule cross-rails.

New number plates fitted today, I'm going to try to clean up the cloudy headlights later using some Brasso.

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Wil you sell your roof rails?
I have a set of genuine Qubo ones fitted to my fiorino but they are different to yours
Luigi

2668GRIFFIN said:

Wil you sell your roof rails?

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I must say, I prefer the style of your ones!

If I do pick up a cheap rack or set of triple cross bars I'll probably either stick them on here or stick them on eBay for sale, I'll let you know!

Turns out that Brasso on the headlights doesn't do a lot, think I need to use something more abrasive.

Does anyone know how to remove the interior plastic panel on the rear tailgate? Something is rattling around in there and I'd like to get it out.

SamuelBombero said:

Turns out that Brasso on the headlights doesn't do a lot, think I need to use something more abrasive.

Does anyone know how to remove the interior plastic panel on the rear tailgate? Something is rattling around in there and I'd like to get it out.

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I did my headlights last year
If look through my posts i think its on here somewhere
Start off with 1500 grit wet and dry paper and finish off with 3000 grit then use T-cut and then polish, mine came up like new
Takes about an hour to do each lamp
But on the other side there are some good pattern lights on eBay for around £30 each
Luigi

Listening to people with headlamp lens fogging issues, I hear toothpaste is the best for cleaning lenses.

I can't think wet and dry would do anymore than scratch it even more and leave grooves to attract more dirt and grime etc. but anyway...if it works...


R-V-M

This wet and dry is used to colour sand paint work and the final 3000 grit is slightly less abrasive than T-Cut
The final finish is perfectly smooth and as new condition
Toothpaste is only good for slight blemishes but if the headlights are that badly discoloured then my approach is the only way unless you buy new ones
Luigi

Thanks for your headlight cleaning advice guys, I might give it a go but an hour per headlight sounds like I'm going to end up with numb fingers!

SamuelBombero said:

Thanks for your headlight cleaning advice guys, I might give it a go but an hour per headlight sounds like I'm going to end up with numb fingers!

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Yep sore and numb!
I did the wife's Corsa using the power of electricity and it was a Dame site quicker, just had to be carful not to generate to much heat
Just to add use loads of water DO NOT DO THIS DRY

So a little update, I got one of the guys at work who was previously a valeter to clean one of my seats, I can’t believe the difference! We are going to do the rest Thursday. I cleaned the headlining myself today and when I removed the interior light found a random unplugged plug, does anyone know what it’s for?

I also took the rear tailgate panel off as there was some detritus rattling around, it was pretty easy to take off by simply pulling it by hand - no clips broke! I thought it a good idea to take a photo so others can see where the clips are should they need to remove the panel themselves.