Technical Fiat 500 buying advice - twinair

[system11]

Bolts all done - will definitely need those washers or at least one - found out why it doesn't grip the bumper well - plastic erosion from where it's been loose enough in the past and just moved around all the time.

Radio tuned to some good stations, the lights are probably pointing in the wrong directions, needs a wash & check the tyre pressures, and make sure the scuttle panel goes back on properly with all the new clips I bought when the windscreen goes on tomorrow.

Then it's time to see how it drives!

 

[typecastboy]

Bolts all done - will definitely need those washers or at least one - found out why it doesn't grip the bumper well - plastic erosion from where it's been loose enough in the past and just moved around all the time.

Radio tuned to some good stations, the lights are probably pointing in the wrong directions, needs a wash & check the tyre pressures, and make sure the scuttle panel goes back on properly with all the new clips I bought when the windscreen goes on tomorrow.

Then it's time to see how it drives!

Get the windscreen fitter to put the scuttle on.

Have you actually driven It yet?

 

[system11]

Nope, not further than off the transporter and onto the drive, moved it around a few times and that's it. There are police and cameras everywhere here, I'm going to take it to a local business park before I try taking it up to any kind of speed, see how straight it goes etc. It's booked for wheel and light alignment on Monday regardless at a local specialist I've used for decades, they'll probably give me a free diagnostic code check while I'm there.

 

[typecastboy]

Nope, not further than off the transporter and onto the drive, moved it around a few times and that's it. There are police and cameras everywhere here, I'm going to take it to a local business park before I try taking it up to any kind of speed, see how straight it goes etc. It's booked for wheel and light alignment on Monday regardless at a local specialist I've used for decades, they'll probably give me a free diagnostic code check while I'm there.

Only needs an MoT doesn’t it?

 

[system11]

Only needs an MoT doesn’t it?

A local garage told me you don't need to get a new MOT if it was cat N - not sure if that's true or not. Edit: not a legal requirement according to all the sites I've been checking.

However I have just realised the insurance company didn't even ask if the car had been written off before, there's nothing on the log book about it. Several places said that the insurers can insist on a new MOT or they won't cover it, so I'm going to have to call them first thing tomorrow as the policy was paid for a few days ago and takes effect from Saturday lunchtime.

 

[system11]

I forgot to post pictures of the wings now I'm happy with them - note first picture is catching a bit of rubbing compound from doing the bonnet that I'd not wiped off properly. If you catch it in the right light you can tell the colour match isn't great and the finish isn't quite as good as it was on the third iteration, but the area repaired is much smaller and I'm happy now, it'll do.

 

[typecastboy]

A local garage told me you don't need to get a new MOT if it was cat N - not sure if that's true or not. Edit: not a legal requirement according to all the sites I've been checking.

However I have just realised the insurance company didn't even ask if the car had been written off before, there's nothing on the log book about it. Several places said that the insurers can insist on a new MOT or they won't cover it, so I'm going to have to call them first thing tomorrow as the policy was paid for a few days ago and takes effect from Saturday lunchtime.

It’s a grey area and it does vary. Companies like to know its a write off because they will certainly find out if you claim and if you don’t tell them they will acuse you of non disclosure and refuse to pay out. It doesn’t affect the premium.

I would get it mot’d but it’s not a legal requirement.

 

[typecastboy]

I forgot to post pictures of the wings now I'm happy with them - note first picture is catching a bit of rubbing compound from doing the bonnet that I'd not wiped off properly. If you catch it in the right light you can tell the colour match isn't great and the finish isn't quite as good as it was on the third iteration, but the area repaired is much smaller and I'm happy now, it'll do.

That almost looks like it was when it came out of the factory. Cracking job.

 

[Gina500]

Paint job looks great! Next time I have a dent I'll come over for help

 

[system11]

Called Hastings Direct, told them it was cat N and they made a note and said "ok". Nothing else to pay or demand for new MOT. The guys checking the lights and alignment on Monday are very observant and will let me know if they see anything bad under there.

Windscreen is done, gave it a basic quick wash - definitely needs a rub & polish as someone has sprayed black near it at some point and there are specks here and there which come free with gentle persuasion. Wiper blades are fraying at the ends so I'll grab some today. I think a proper MOT might be a good idea if that was missed in January...

 

[system11]

Forgot to add the post wash pictures.

 

[system11]

Driving report:
No pulling left/right whatsoever at any speed with/without brakes
No vibration

Small exhaust leak somewhere near the front I think
There's a 'thunk' coming from both front corners on certain types of bump, worst on passenger side.
Engine totally runs out of torque around 5k rpm - normal? Turbo definitely working lower down as I can feel the turbo surge.
Aircon possibly has a leak - or the climate control system is just stupid. The compressor isn't clicking on unless I set it to LO then throws out cold air as expected. Is it trying to only use outside air (12 degrees) unless outside temp is above climate control temp?


Strangely turns heads even though they're one of the most common things around here. It's comfortable to drive although it doesn't make the miles seem to vanish like my normal daily does (a 2014 Jaguar XJR...)


Going to get a full MOT test done I think because the old MOT fail in January noted a failure on both rear tyres then a pass. The rears don't match and are part worn, they just threw whatever was spare on there to get a ticket on it. The wiper blades were also totally worn out and flapping at the ends. I think given this evidence I need to know if anything else was skipped / glossed over.

 

[typecastboy]

Try using some Auto Glym Magma. Marvellous stuff.

 

[system11]

Reading around the forum it seems like drop links and strut tops are both common causes for loud clunking noises from the suspension? If I had to put money on it, the noise actually happens on the decompression rather than compression.

 

[typecastboy]

magma in action turning iron deposits into purple mush

 

[system11]

Took it for another drive on a local bad road. Yeah it's klunking quite a lot, since it's cheap I'll go straight for replacing the drop links first - I can't feel them shift when reaching under the car but it's hard to actually put any pressure on them from there. Something on the back of them feels "crinkly" like it's coming out of the back. Also an incredibly annoying rattle from the bottom left corner of the passenger door, are these standard push-on clips for the door cards?


Fun little car to drive, it's actually a bit faster than I expected.

 

[typecastboy]

Took it for another drive on a local bad road. Yeah it's klunking quite a lot, since it's cheap I'll go straight for replacing the drop links first - I can't feel them shift when reaching under the car but it's hard to actually put any pressure on them from there. Something on the back of them feels "crinkly" like it's coming out of the back. Also an incredibly annoying rattle from the bottom left corner of the passenger door, are these standard push-on clips for the door cards?


Fun little car to drive, it's actually a bit faster than I expected.

Rattle is probably one of the window runner nuts coming loose.

 

[TrevC]

I got rid of some stray paint flecks on an MX5 I had using a clay bar - it didn't abrade the bodywork paint but cleaned it up a treat. Of course, the car will need a good polish afterwards.
The engine has a "soft" rev limiter at about 6000rpm. I found it very easy to hit this until I got used to the different engine sound. They do pull very well.
The "eco" button doesn't give a noticeable improvement in economy, but makes it a bit smoother to drive around town as it reduces the severity of the torque pulses.
Enjoy!

 

[system11]

How do the door cards come off? The rattle sounds like it's right at the bottom left corner of the door card - if I lightly tap that area i can reproduce it at rest.

 

[typecastboy]

How do the door cards come off? The rattle sounds like it's right at the bottom left corner of the door card - if I lightly tap that area i can reproduce it at rest.

Take off the little access panel in the pull to shut recess. Two torx bolts, take off the chrome circle round the interior door handle, another torx. Then it’s a matter of prising it off. Get a plastic tool preferably in one corner. Once it’s started it will yank off.