Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd write some of my thoughts on the Barchetta. Well, purchased in 2004 brand new. Great car for looks etc. but this one is a Friday afternoon car. So far I have done 36,000 miles and have had to have the locks replaced, both rear wheel bearings, discs and pads, a new exhaust and now the Camshaft variator. That being said, I have been to three garages, two main dealers and an independent one.
Fish Brothers Swindon. On the first service I was told that the car was filthy and covered in tree sap that's why the locks(the little metal flap cover) were stuck open. Therefore as I had not taken any care they were not covered by the warranty! Spoke to Fiat UK and they said they were. Manager at Fish brothers no help at all, so please avoid.
Pewsham Fiat, Chippenham. Fixed locks with no quibble.(replaced them) Then had a service and a strange noise started coming from the rear. Eventually problem found and wheel bearings replaced, with discs and pads courtesy of the warranty. Front of house excellent, can not help enough.
Optima motors, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. An independent Fiat/ Alfa garage. Friendly, cheaper but stated the camshaft variator that was now very noisy was not covered under the warranty. Also said the exhaust was gone, a bracket had completely rusted away.
Returned to Fiat Pewsham.... yes they were covered and all sundry items. In next week for the work.
So mixed experience so far of the Barchetta.
Awaiting an exhaust for over a week now as TNT have lost it in transit- no help in trying to find it either!
Will keep you updated as to anymore problems but as it's sunny the roof is coming off and off for a blat down the A419!
Bye for now.
Just thought I'd write some of my thoughts on the Barchetta. Well, purchased in 2004 brand new. Great car for looks etc. but this one is a Friday afternoon car. So far I have done 36,000 miles and have had to have the locks replaced, both rear wheel bearings, discs and pads, a new exhaust and now the Camshaft variator. That being said, I have been to three garages, two main dealers and an independent one.
Fish Brothers Swindon. On the first service I was told that the car was filthy and covered in tree sap that's why the locks(the little metal flap cover) were stuck open. Therefore as I had not taken any care they were not covered by the warranty! Spoke to Fiat UK and they said they were. Manager at Fish brothers no help at all, so please avoid.
Pewsham Fiat, Chippenham. Fixed locks with no quibble.(replaced them) Then had a service and a strange noise started coming from the rear. Eventually problem found and wheel bearings replaced, with discs and pads courtesy of the warranty. Front of house excellent, can not help enough.
Optima motors, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. An independent Fiat/ Alfa garage. Friendly, cheaper but stated the camshaft variator that was now very noisy was not covered under the warranty. Also said the exhaust was gone, a bracket had completely rusted away.
Returned to Fiat Pewsham.... yes they were covered and all sundry items. In next week for the work.
So mixed experience so far of the Barchetta.
Awaiting an exhaust for over a week now as TNT have lost it in transit- no help in trying to find it either!
Will keep you updated as to anymore problems but as it's sunny the roof is coming off and off for a blat down the A419!
Bye for now.
