General Anti-roll bar as standard?

[crabman]

Hi guys,

After reading the honest john review of the 500C I noticed that the ride has been improved in the convertable.

I absolutely do not want the convertable but the better ride seems to be the icing on the cake as far as the 500 is concerned.

So, I had a look around and found on the channel 4 review (http://www.channel4.com/4car/rt/fiat/500c/31161/5) this interesting quote: 'Fiat claims no alterations to the car's specification beyond the fitment of a rear anti-roll bar, which is soon to be standard on all 500s'.

Holy hell! Did I read that right?! They are going to make the anti-roll bar standard across the range?!

When?!

Does anyone know about this or have any additional information?!

I haven't ordered yet. Should I hold off? If it comes in as standard whilst mine is on order will it be included? Can I ask for it as a no cost option?

Answers people! Answers!!!

crabman

 

[Murano16v]

Read the same in this weeks Autocar, but no dates given. They also reckon that the steering feel had been improved.
I wonder if the ARB can be retro fitted.

 

[mattpolley]

It would be cool if they can retro fit them, I feel mine is a little skittish on less than smooth roads.

 

[percymon]

Not sure just the ARB is the answer - its not going to get away from the bouncy rear end, only fitting the much softer dampers from the Ka will rectify that one.

Be interesting to see the parts listings -whether there are new part numbers for the dampers ?

 

[baxwalker]

Not sure just the ARB is the answer - its not going to get away from the bouncy rear end, only fitting the much softer dampers from the Ka will rectify that one.

Be interesting to see the parts listings -whether there are new part numbers for the dampers ?

I will seriously consider fitting improved springs/dampers and ARB if a proven kit becomes available. Would image it will be easy to fit for the average practical owner.

 

[crabman]

I don't know if I should postpone my purchase now

Do you think Fiat customer services would have a clue what is going on?

crabman

 

[nottsfiat07]

If its springs/dampers and ARB that can be swapped out/added on existing 500s I think this would be well worth doing! The fiat website has a good online chat facility if you don't want to ring, but I would be quite prepared for them saying " I know nuhthink"!

So if it was just a swap with these components, how much garage time would we be talking? Couple of hours? I'd have to pay someone see as I have no thumbs when it comes to cars.

 

[306maxi]

Hi guys,

After reading the honest john review of the 500C I noticed that the ride has been improved in the convertable.

I absolutely do not want the convertable but the better ride seems to be the icing on the cake as far as the 500 is concerned.

So, I had a look around and found on the channel 4 review (http://www.channel4.com/4car/rt/fiat/500c/31161/5) this interesting quote: 'Fiat claims no alterations to the car's specification beyond the fitment of a rear anti-roll bar, which is soon to be standard on all 500s'.

Holy hell! Did I read that right?! They are going to make the anti-roll bar standard across the range?!

When?!

Does anyone know about this or have any additional information?!

I haven't ordered yet. Should I hold off? If it comes in as standard whilst mine is on order will it be included? Can I ask for it as a no cost option?

Answers people! Answers!!!

crabman

I would keep an eye on this thread if you're interested in retrofitting an ARB to your 500

If you are going to do it you'd certainly benefit from putting different dampers and springs in the rear as adding an ARB effectively increases the spring rate on the individual wheels. If it's possible I think I'd probably leave it a few years till the dampers on the 500 are knackered which won't be too long if you look at the issues some of the Panda owners are having.

 

[Alfatwo]

If you are going to do it you'd certainly benefit from putting different dampers and springs in the rear as adding an ARB effectively increases the spring rate on the individual wheels. If it's possible I think I'd probably leave it a few years till the dampers on the 500 are knackered which won't be too long if you look at the issues some of the Panda owners are having.[/quote]

Had my 500 on the ramp yesterday.....to change the springs and dampers is a very easy job, no more than an hour and you can see where the rear roll bar fixes to.

 

[306maxi]

Just noticed I didn't actually link to the thread.....

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-new/198856-100hp-rear-anti-roll-bar.html

 

[grimwau]

Just noticed I didn't actually link to the thread.....

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-new/198856-100hp-rear-anti-roll-bar.html

We noticed but let you off as it is your birthday coming up.

 

[Lloyd71]

I actually love the way the rear end bounces. It makes driving more fun, especially when you really chuck it into a rough bend at high speed.

 

[306maxi]

Was just reading through someone's post and noticed this thread

I've updated a few other threads but the torsion beam on the 500c is totally different to that ion the 500 hatchback so they ARB won't be a retrofit option sadly.

 

[MissR]

I don't know if I should postpone my purchase now

Do you think Fiat customer services would have a clue what is going on?

crabman

Nope they won't, a few of us had this a few months back being told major changes were going to be made soon. They never happened. If you're happy with the test drive then I would just go ahead with your current order.

 

[RobW]

Was just reading through someone's post and noticed this thread

I've updated a few other threads but the torsion beam on the 500c is totally different to that ion the 500 hatchback so they ARB won't be a retrofit option sadly.

would have to swap the complete rearbeam assembly
so better off spending the money on bilstein or spax coilopvers

 

[D4nny8oy]

would have to swap the complete rearbeam assembly
so better off spending the money on bilstein or spax coilopvers

When the ARB-equipped rear beam comes out it'll be matched to softer springs/dampers as, like a few have already said, sticking just the bar on would make the ride harsher-still.

Swapping the complete assembly wouldn't be a tricky job- anyone who's done many Stilo rear axles would find it child's-play.

 

[306maxi]

When the ARB-equipped rear beam comes out it'll be matched to softer springs/dampers as, like a few have already said, sticking just the bar on would make the ride harsher-still.

Swapping the complete assembly wouldn't be a tricky job- anyone who's done many Stilo rear axles would find it child's-play.

Definitely. I personally think that while having an rear ARB allows the rear suspension to be tuned a bit better for ride and handling that a proper set of dampers with good valving and some decent progressive rate springs will be much better ARB or not. What Fiat did with not puting an ARB was cut costs a bit and substitute for the lack of ARB with firming up the springs.

the rear beam is actually an anti-rollbar but it's too flimsy to Fiat chose to stiffen up the springs rather than doa proper job of it.

 

[Alfatwo]

would have to swap the complete rearbeam assembly
so better off spending the money on bilstein or spax coilopvers

You could always weld up the rear beam and make it stiffer that way, like with used to on the racing Uno Turbos

 

[Nickmitbm]

From what I've read the ARB will be standard soon for the normal 500 as it is on the Abarth and the C.Ford Ka has it and thus they could put a softer suspension resulting to the Ka being both more sporty and stable at corners and comfortable at the straights.The reason they didn't do it from the beginning is -as presaid- limiting the production cost.So i'd say wait for a while and if nothing changes , get the car.Besides , you can always do some aftermarket changes to it (but you'll have to change the suspension and springs with softer ones too otherwise it'll be too stiff-as presaid).hope that helps
I've got a question , though.I suppose you all know that in order for the 500 to be exported to the US it will be changed at a lot of spots(major difference is that it'll be more solid and safe , especially on rear-end crashes).(I don't know if the anti-roll bar will be standard in the American 500)Will they be making two different types of 500??I guess that the cheapest choise will be to sell the safer American version in Europe too.Do you know anything??
About asking the dealer ,it won't get you anywhere as it's their policy to not know anything in order to sell their stock.

 

[cjc156]

Has anyone driven the two suspension versions back to back? Pre and post the ARB becoming standard? If so how do they compare, is it noticeable the difference?