Off Topic Bought myself a Fiat Panda as a first car!

[StevenRB45]

Maybe just trawl the ebay/breakers for a set of the factory trims.

May just be me and my personal hatred of accessory shop wheel trims but they don't seem to suit any car they are fitted to and make a tidy car look less so.

I picked them up from breakers for about a fiver each and gave them a flash over with a silver rattle can and it improved the look no end.

 

[Didge3]

Re: What colour shall I paint the Steelies?

Here is a picture of my car, as the car is silver it is hard to decide the right colour for the steel wheels.

As above best bet is to ditch those nasty (IMO) wheel trims and get some Fiat OEM trims, they'll be a handful of designs to choose, some from other models but they'll all fit so long as its come off the same size wheel!

If you're set on having the 'steelies' look and ditching trims altogether, silver can look good on a silver car

 

[jrkitching]

Maybe just trawl the ebay/breakers for a set of the factory trims.

The good thing about the OEM trims is that they're attached by the wheel bolts, so less chance of them going astray.

and gave them a flash over with a silver rattle can

Unless you buy new (costly), you'll likely not find a perfect set now. The paint on the OEM trims isn't that durable; mine started to flake once they'd been on the car about 8 years.

 

[StevenRB45]

The good thing about the OEM trims is that they're attached by the wheel bolts, so less chance of them going astray.



Unless you buy new (costly), you'll likely not find a perfect set now. The paint on the OEM trims isn't that durable; mine started to flake once they'd been on the car about 8 years.

As long as the breaker hasn't snapped them off to remove them..:bang:

Yeah, I just looked for trims without kerbing damage, didn't care about paint condition as was always going to spray them. If anything if the paint is crap you're likely to get them for less.

 

[rmjbn1]

Re: What colour shall I paint the Steelies?

it’s time that I paint my steelies.
I was thinking about painting them white but since the car is silver it won’t look good.

No, I wouldn't recommend painting them white Right faff to keep clean. And I think you're right, the silver is too light a shade for white to work.

My first thoughts were either black or a contrasting dark grey / graphite? Either would look great I think.

I like the mx5 in Didge3's post, but to work I think the wheels need to be exactly the same shade as the car (tricky with silver) or a darker contrast.

There are a couple of great looking dark grey 100HP Pandas on here with grey / silver steelies (although I think on 15" wheels rather than our dinky 13"):
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/481220-panda-100hp-alfa-teledial-wheels.html?p=4544721
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/478907-centre-cap-trims-steel-wheels.html?p=4520198

I saw some mini bbs wheels on Facebook market place but I don’t think the insurance company will enjoy that

As long as the wheels & tyres are the size specified for the car it shouldn't affect insurance. It's fitting tyres that aren't specified, changing the track or ride height that things get messy.

 

[2010ActiveEc0]

My first thoughts were either black or a contrasting dark grey / graphite?

I think a “gunmetal grey” or really any type of grey will look good and make it stand out from the rest of the cars on the road without grabbing a lot of attention.

I will plan a day where I can begin doing this wonderful transformation and I will show you guys the results soon.

 

[2010ActiveEc0]

Also is there anywhere I could buy some second hand roof bars? I’m not looking to spend a lot.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I rather fancy some roof bars for Becky but I've not had much luck looking, I've not been trying that hard though - low priority. There's lots of transverse "after market" ones about, but not the factory fit front to rear ones.

Regarding wheels and trims, I have to agree with JRK and Didge3 - and ditch those "nasty" aftermarket jobbies.

Quite recently we had a puncture in the O/S/R tyre. This is the most worn tyre on the car and when I looked at it I decided, although it was still legal, it wouldn't be for much longer so a new tyre would be the best option. All Becky's wheels, which are steels, are quite crusty with rust and I was apologising to the fitter for this and saying how I had, rather half heartedly, been keeping my eyes open for a reasonably priced set of alleys. "Why"? said he. "You're much better off with the steels"! On reflection I agree with him.

In fact I rather like Becky's wheel trims:





and I agree with JRK about painting the wheels black because it makes the wheels "disappear" behind the trims which I think enhances the look of the trims.

Of course, for me, another very good reason for going with steelies and trims is that my soul mate and best friend, Mrs J, is absolutely hopeless at judging distance from kerbs:



As you can guess I'm keeping my eyes out for a cheap but undamaged trim right now. Very much cheaper than repairing an Alloy.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Sorry, something "weird" happened and I ended up with a strangely altered second post. So I just deleted it.

 

[rmjbn1]

Also is there anywhere I could buy some second hand roof bars? I’m not looking to spend a lot.

As with original wheel trims, a breaker on eBay might be a good bet. Search "panda breaking" and when you find a panda with rails, message the seller and ask for a price.

There are two types of original bars, longitudinal & transverse; both expensive to buy new, and becoming scarce and pricey second-hand.

Recent thread covering your options here: https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/487308-first-time-car-no-idea-what-im-doing-roof-bars.html

 

[rmjbn1]

@2010ActiveEc0 Here's one showing roof rails (& full set of wheel trims):https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164375911741?hash=item2645915d3d:g:jIEAAOSwZ2FfWO-g

All Becky's wheels, which are steels, are quite crusty with rust and I was apologising to the fitter for this and saying how I had, rather half heartedly, been keeping my eyes open for a reasonably priced set of alleys.

Oh? I thought you were going to paint your steels black as well Jock

Then you'd just need to dig out the old Jolly Roger and get busy with the rattle can for a black roof and bonnet echelons and the look will be complete
Edit: just remembered you have the skydome, don't you? Job's half done already!

Not a 169 Panda, sadly, but close:

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

@2010ActiveEc0 Here's one showing roof rails (& full set of wheel trims):https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164375911741?hash=item2645915d3d:g:jIEAAOSwZ2FfWO-g


Oh? I thought you were going to paint your steels black as well Jock

Then you'd just need to dig out the old Jolly Roger and get busy with the rattle can for a black roof and bonnet echelons and the look will be complete
Edit: just remembered you have the skydome, don't you? Job's half done already!

Not a 169 Panda, sadly, but close:

You're quite right. I'm staying with the steel wheels. They do need a good buff down and a coat of paint though and it'll be black as you say. I think I'm too old now for "racing stripes"? However if I ever come across that flag, well I could be very tempted! Wonder if it's in the same box of stuff I'd stashed the pictures in?

In fact I'm really very Pro steel wheels for ordinary road cars. Alloys, arguably, look better but as they age - and I normally keep my cars until they are beyond economic repair - they often look really moth eaten what with kerb rash and flaking lacquer etc. The comment I made to the tyre fitter was done due to my embarrassment over the state of my steel wheel more than my desire to replace it with an alloy. Of course steel wheels are a lot easier for them to handle during fitting and balancing too.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

@2010ActiveEc0 Here's one showing roof rails (& full set of wheel trims):https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164375911741?hash=item2645915d3d:g:jIEAAOSwZ2FfWO-g


Oh? I thought you were going to paint your steels black as well Jock

By the way, I meant to say how well I think your white wheels go with the blue paint in your avatar picture!
regards
Jock

 

[rmjbn1]

Thank you They look good from a distance
I bought a spare set of 13" steel wheels off the fleabay last year, and because I still haven't learned the error of my ways, I'm going to do it again
I'm happy with it though. The Panda puts a smile on my face to look at and to drive in a way plenty of cars costing many times more couldn't.

 

[2010ActiveEc0]

Hello again,

Update on my panda: so far I’m loving it, the only problem is the exterior (I just want to make it mine).

I’ve been on the hunt for roof bars but no luck, going to try another breaker tomorrow.

I’ve been thinking about painting my steelies silver as you know, but I still haven’t found the right time to do it.

I was also thinking about buying the “roof spoiler” to make it look a bit nicer but it turns out shipping is £100+ to get it shipped to the UK

I’ve also been on the hunt for a better looking grill but no luck.

If anyone could help me source a rear spoiler I would really appreciate it.

 

[rmjbn1]

I was also thinking about buying the “roof spoiler” to make it look a bit nicer but it turns out shipping is £100+ to get it shipped to the UK

Hmm. That's the same site I ordered mine from, but the UK was still in the EU then. Delivery within the EU is £17. Someone reported they'd stopped shipping to the UK altogether - looks like they've started again but at quite a cost

I couldn't find any stockists in the UK. There's Laudorshop in Holland, but they don't ship to the UK either.

The Heko wind deflectors for the windows seem widely available on eBay, Amazon etc, but not the roof spoiler, strangely.

Maybe check with some local tuning shops to see if they can order for you through their supply chain?

I’ve also been on the hunt for a better looking grill but no luck.

If it's the body-coloured grille with chrome whiskers, fitted to pre-ECO 1.2 cars, then again, finding a breaker on eBay with an early 1.2 in your colour would be your best bet.

I think I prefer the look of the plain black grille like yours! I know a few people have given their whiskers a shave and fitted the plain one. You could post a parts advert on here to see if anyone with a silver Panda wants to swap.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Talking about grills, it's one of the things I particularly like about ours:

 

[rmjbn1]

That does look good, Jock Works better than mine which just has the sides of the grille in body colour.

a breaker on eBay with an early 1.2 in your colour would be your best bet.

I am of course talking rubbish. Any non-ECO or non-Active should (I think) have the grille with chrome whiskers.

I'm beginning to think that maybe black wheels on a silver car is a good look after all. Martini decals optional...

 

[koalar]

I dont comment on styling normally, I dont care as long as the car goes from A to B

However there is a trend at the moment for Black wheels

To me it just looks like two great Black hole from the side

which is what it looks like on the above pictures.

But thats just my opinion. Please just disregard it, styling is a personal thing.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I dont comment on styling normally, I dont care as long as the car goes from A to B

However there is a trend at the moment for Black wheels

To me it just looks like two great Black hole from the side

which is what it looks like on the above pictures.

But thats just my opinion. Please just disregard it, styling is a personal thing.

I'm in agreement there, the only time I think it can sometimes look Ok is on white cars, but even then I personally wouldn't opt for black.

I looked briefly at the 1.5 Jazz sport a wee while back and one of the things that really put me off was the black wheels which I thought really spoilt the look of an otherwise interestingly styled car.