Panda Newbie. Panda Active Owner.

[Kernow 70]

Hi newbie from Cornwall just now registered. New owner of 2011 Panda Active 1.2 (light blue) 40,000 genuine miles with a F.S.H. Just going to be a runabout to replace my Toyota Yaris Diesel which my youngest son has now taken ownership of after is old Audi A2 failed its m.o.t. and was a bit beyond economical repair. Any how should get some good advice here as and when I might require.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Welcome to the forum.
My main advice is check the cam belt has been done within the required interval and change it if you dont know. This car has no timing marks and needs to be done by someone who knows how. Check and clean mud traps which may be found in each front wheel arch behind the antiroll bar drop links. Keep this clean to avoid rusty chassis rails.
Check all the holes in the cills have the required rubber gommets in place. These are available on eBay for pennies.
Front discs tend to get rusty so check the back faces. The front calipers tend to get sticky so need regualr cleaning and maintenance to keep them efficient.
Rear brake self adjusters tend to stick if the drums are not cleaned out regularly.
Check the water level regularly as they engines dont like getting hot and dry!!
That having been said, they are great cars and if looked after very reliable. The alternator is mounted very low so dont drive through more than 6 inches of water at most or it will get wet and the bearings play up if they get rusty. Lubricating spray in them is a good idea.
Search clutch slave cylinder on here under Panda.
Bleeding the clutchand changing the gearbox oil are both things that pay off.

If you keep the rust at bay the car will be an easy 100,000 mile runner. I just love them.

II hope you get miles of fun from the Panda. They are somehow addictive.

 

[Kernow 70]

Hi Panda Nut thanks for the reply and advice, just submitted a post with pic in the garage section. Cam belt & water pump just been done 2x days ago before I took delivery along with a new m.o.t.......

 

[rmjbn1]

Hi and welcome

Excellent advice by Panda Nut above.

I would also check for rust:
-Rear axle spring pans
-Engine oil sump
-Coolant pipe across front of engine (both ends)

I give these parts a wipe with old oil every oil change, a little bit of treatment can add years to their life.

Main bodies are galvanised so hopefully rust shouldn't be too bad. Tough little things, hope you enjoy it

 

[steveras57]

The roller- coaster of pleasure vs pain starts here! enjoy the ride!

 

[Bipedalmale]

Welcome, It seems I am from a similar part of the world to you...

 

[Kernow 70]

Hi guys thanks for all the comments and likes... And Bipedalmale, west of Devon can really mean one thing and I assume it's not on the I. O. S.

 

[Bipedalmale]

Hi guys thanks for all the comments and likes... And Bipedalmale, west of Devon can really mean one thing and I assume it's not on the I. O. S.

Nope, West Cornwall, but not as far west as that...

 

[Kernow 70]

Yeah just as I assumed, I'm in the Camborne/Redruth area so assume your probably in the, what use to be Penwith area... nice one.....