Styling Side door plastic Cross Panel

[nvrton]

Can’t see a discussion around this topic but happy to be directed there if I’ve missed it.

Im curious about the ease of changing the plastic side panels on the exterior that say Cross? I like the black on mine but there are some other options I’ve seen on the road that look pretty cool. Has anyone done this? To add, does anyone know of any websites that sell this panel?

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Originally, around 2014 I think, the Panda Cross was introduced as a ‘posher’ version of the 4x4. The Cross had 4x4 but they added Hill Descent Control, auto climate control and a few bits of extra plastic trim - including the silver and black side panels.

Wind forward a bit - 2018 I think? - and Fiat started the slow process of ‘killing off’ the Panda and clearing the parts bin. This started with the Panda ‘City Cross’, which looked like the ‘real’, 4x4 Cross, but was only 2WD. It retained the bigger door protection panels, but painted the colour of the car, not silver. Other ‘special editions’, such as the Panda Waze also came along to use up the bits too. They seemed to run out off the 4x4 and 4x4 Cross alloy wheels pretty quickly as they all got steel wheels with plastic covers from about 2019 too.

The 4x4 Pandas ‘died’ - 2023 perhaps? But still the parts needed using

Now, all the most recent Pandas have a real hotch potch of trim bits — they all have bumpers originally only used on the 4x4 version, for example — and the Cross name now has nothing to do with off-road (ie ‘cross country’) driving any more. The latest ones have a simpler trim panel (more like the original 4x4s, and not painted at all.

So - to the point: the panels you’ve seen were genuine Fiat bits. And only Fiat can supply them. But, there’s probably none left. Except via car dismantlers (breakers yards). I suspect the bigger panels fit the same holes in the doors as the ones you have, plus some glue. Start the search - there’ll be one out there somewhere. Search Panda Cross 4x4

(Sadly the copy of the ePER parts catalogue on this forum is quite old, and pre-dates the Cross being introduced, so we can’t look up the part numbers…)

Edit… this link will point you in the right direction though! Note though that these bigger ‘Cross’ panels also used a different front wheel arch trim piece compared with yours https://augustin-group.com/p/door-trim-strip-at-the-rear-right-7530184oe

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

This photo goes with my post above. Look closely at how the door trim panels meet an extended piece of trim round the wheel arches, compared to yours.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Ebay have these butthey are EXPENSIVE. Expect to pay £400a set. You might get black panels like yours off a waze4x4 model from a breakers. My advice is keep hold of your money. The bumper trims are rare and can cost £75 a corner for rough or broken bits. Its seriously not worth it. Enjoy your now being more exclusive.

 

[nvrton]

Ebay have these butthey are EXPENSIVE. Expect to pay £400a set. You might get black panels like yours off a waze4x4 model from a breakers. My advice is keep hold of your money. The bumper trims are rare and can cost £75 a corner for rough or broken bits. Its seriously not worth it. Enjoy your now being more exclusive.

This is crazy! I thought it would just be a fun cosmetic change but had no idea the market for it. No wonder I’ve struggled to find them in the past

 

[nvrton]

Originally, around 2014 I think, the Panda Cross was introduced as a ‘posher’ version of the 4x4. The Cross had 4x4 but they added Hill Descent Control, auto climate control and a few bits of extra plastic trim - including the silver and black side panels.

Wind forward a bit - 2018 I think? - and Fiat started the slow process of ‘killing off’ the Panda and clearing the parts bin. This started with the Panda ‘City Cross’, which looked like the ‘real’, 4x4 Cross, but was only 2WD. It retained the bigger door protection panels, but painted the colour of the car, not silver. Other ‘special editions’, such as the Panda Waze also came along to use up the bits too. They seemed to run out off the 4x4 and 4x4 Cross alloy wheels pretty quickly as they all got steel wheels with plastic covers from about 2019 too.

The 4x4 Pandas ‘died’ - 2023 perhaps? But still the parts needed using

Now, all the most recent Pandas have a real hotch potch of trim bits — they all have bumpers originally only used on the 4x4 version, for example — and the Cross name now has nothing to do with off-road (ie ‘cross country’) driving any more. The latest ones have a simpler trim panel (more like the original 4x4s, and not painted at all.

So - to the point: the panels you’ve seen were genuine Fiat bits. And only Fiat can supply them. But, there’s probably none left. Except via car dismantlers (breakers yards). I suspect the bigger panels fit the same holes in the doors as the ones you have, plus some glue. Start the search - there’ll be one out there somewhere. Search Panda Cross 4x4

(Sadly the copy of the ePER parts catalogue on this forum is quite old, and pre-dates the Cross being introduced, so we can’t look up the part numbers…)

Edit… this link will point you in the right direction though! Note though that these bigger ‘Cross’ panels also used a different front wheel arch trim piece compared with yours https://augustin-group.com/p/door-trim-strip-at-the-rear-right-7530184oe

I see what you mean by the extended piece, €270 is crazy though! This is a valuable history lesson. Whenever listing my car there’s always so many different options for Fiat Panda Cross which has confused me.

From what I can tell I’m a Cross 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Hatchback but it changes so much site-to-site.
I’ve got HDC and on the same dial can change to “off road mode”. What exactly this does I’m still not 100% sure but assume it shifts more power to the other wheels or puts it from 2wd to 4wd.

I’ve seen online too that some have exchanged their plastic wheel covers for a smaller black one that mainly takes up the centre and I’m a bit of a fan of these too but haven’t yet removed my own covers to see what lies beneath. Probably something I wouldn’t want on show

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I see what you mean by the extended piece, €270 is crazy though! This is a valuable history lesson. Whenever listing my car there’s always so many different options for Fiat Panda Cross which has confused me.

From what I can tell I’m a Cross 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Hatchback but it changes so much site-to-site.
I’ve got HDC and on the same dial can change to “off road mode”. What exactly this does I’m still not 100% sure but assume it shifts more power to the other wheels or puts it from 2wd to 4wd.

I’ve seen online too that some have exchanged their plastic wheel covers for a smaller black one that mainly takes up the centre and I’m a bit of a fan of these too but haven’t yet removed my own covers to see what lies beneath. Probably something I wouldn’t want on show

To stray briefly from the original subject -
Ok, so yours is four wheel drive. The dial by the gear-lever is ‘mis labelled’ by Fiat in an attempt to simplify things.

In the ‘on road’ setting, the car is normally driving just the front wheels but can - and will - automatically engage 4 wheel drive all by itself. You don’t get any lights or messages when this happens, but you do realise you didn’t get stuck

The next setting - ‘off road’ - does two things: it forces 4 wheel drive, and it allows the car to use the ABS system to lock a wheel that’s spinning (the so-called Electronic Locking Diff or ELD). It doesn’t really lock any diffs, but achieves the same result. You must never select this setting on tarmac or other grippy surfaces or you’ll break something!

The final setting (Hill Descent Control) is only for use on downward slopes that are too steep or slippery to drive down normally. Think 45 slope on wet mud or snow. You will never need that on tarmac either. (It’s mostly there because the small 2-cylinder TwinAir engine can’t offer much engine braking. The diesel 4x4 - like mine - copes well without this as the engine braking from 4 cylinders of a diesel is very effective)

The cars handbook is really bad at explaining all this! But have a read here:
Thread 'How the Panda 4x4 system works'
https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/how-the-panda-4x4-system-works.514145/

Also see here for how ELD works and when it might be needed (rarely, if ever, is the summary)
Post in thread 'Panda 2013 4x4 transmission judder'
https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/panda-2013-4x4-transmission-judder.513842/post-4790020

 

[nvrton]

To stray briefly from the original subject -
Ok, so yours is four wheel drive. The dial by the gear-lever is ‘mis labelled’ by Fiat in an attempt to simplify things.

In the ‘on road’ setting, the car is normally driving just the front wheels but can - and will - automatically engage 4 wheel drive all by itself. You don’t get any lights or messages when this happens, but you do realise you didn’t get stuck

The next setting - ‘off road’ - does two things: it forces 4 wheel drive, and it allows the car to use the ABS system to lock a wheel that’s spinning (the so-called Electronic Locking Diff or ELD). It doesn’t really lock any diffs, but achieves the same result. You must never select this setting on tarmac or other grippy surfaces or you’ll break something!

The final setting (Hill Descent Control) is only for use on downward slopes that are too steep or slippery to drive down normally. Think 45 slope on wet mud or snow. You will never need that on tarmac either. (It’s mostly there because the small 2-cylinder TwinAir engine can’t offer much engine braking. The diesel 4x4 - like mine - copes well without this as the engine braking from 4 cylinders of a diesel is very effective)

The cars handbook is really bad at explaining all this! But have a read here:
Thread 'How the Panda 4x4 system works'
https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/how-the-panda-4x4-system-works.514145/

Also see here for how ELD works and when it might be needed (rarely, if ever, is the summary)
Post in thread 'Panda 2013 4x4 transmission judder'
https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/panda-2013-4x4-transmission-judder.513842/post-4790020

This is an amazing explanation. The handbook has never been super helpful in my experience and often just generalises so getting vehicle specific information is tough.
This is good to know and helps with my understanding. I’m eager to take it off-roading at some point, and am always on the lookout for unrestricted bridleways when out and about. I mostly just use the off road mode for when I’m on fields and haven’t yet needed HDC.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

That was probably a typo, but so we don’t wind up the rights of way officers, you mean Byway, not Bridleway (the latter only allows horses and bicycles). Public Byways Open to All Traffic - sometimes shortened to BOAT allow all motor vehicles and are often marked by red arrows. But beware: many have Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), that ban motor vehicles from them. Where a TRO has been made permanent, the signs then say ‘Restricted Byway’ and the arrows are purple. (Spot the volunteer with the local County Council’s rights of way service - which is why mine ends ups in places like this...

 

[nvrton]

That was probably a typo, but so we don’t wind up the rights of way officers, you mean Byway, not Bridleway (the latter only allows horses and bicycles). Public Byways Open to All Traffic - sometimes shortened to BOAT allow all motor vehicles and are often marked by red arrows. But beware: many have Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), that ban motor vehicles from them. Where a TRO has been made permanent, the signs then say ‘Restricted Byway’ and the arrows are purple. (Spot the volunteer with the local County Council’s rights of way service

Ah I meant to say bridleway but incorrectly Public Byway is what I was trying to say. I remain on the hunt!

 

[nvrton]

Ah I meant to say bridleway but incorrectly Public Byway is what I was trying to say. I remain on the hunt!

That was probably a typo, but so we don’t wind up the rights of way officers, you mean Byway, not Bridleway (the latter only allows horses and bicycles). Public Byways Open to All Traffic - sometimes shortened to BOAT allow all motor vehicles and are often marked by red arrows. But beware: many have Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), that ban motor vehicles from them. Where a TRO has been made permanent, the signs then say ‘Restricted Byway’ and the arrows are purple. (Spot the volunteer with the local County Council’s rights of way service - which is why mine ends ups in places like this...

View attachment 478492

Awesome photo

 

[The Panda Nut]

I see what you mean by the extended piece, €270 is crazy though! This is a valuable history lesson. Whenever listing my car there’s always so many different options for Fiat Panda Cross which has confused me.

From what I can tell I’m a Cross 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Hatchback but it changes so much site-to-site.
I’ve got HDC and on the same dial can change to “off road mode”. What exactly this does I’m still not 100% sure but assume it shifts more power to the other wheels or puts it from 2wd to 4wd.

I’ve seen online too that some have exchanged their plastic wheel covers for a smaller black one that mainly takes up the centre and I’m a bit of a fan of these too but haven’t yet removed my own covers to see what lies beneath. Probably something I wouldn’t want on show

Those wheel centres are originally from mainland EUvia. They are now on some models here, (Panda Wild). They are a push fit and not really held on by much. I was going to get some for my Waze, and bought one from the dealer for about £10. As the steel wheels rust while you watch I decided to stick with the full plastic covers and sold it for a vast profit in an eBay auction. They are now an insane dealer price. The plain plastic door side mouldings are available for around £60 a set via eBay. Im considering them for Daughters car (Pandabird3). The Cross marked ones are another insane priced item. Wheel arch trims are probably about the same cost as Gold £ for lb. There are so many variations of trim I dont see any value in upgrading as what once marked out a more expensive model may now be fitted to the cheaper ones. White paint on a small Fiat is now £600 wheras in 2019 it was the cheap standard colour. LOL I think they all look good and enjoy spotting differences. All this stuff is c**p dreamed up by marketing morons. Best not to be suckered into paying for any of it. It doesnt increase a cars value by a penny.
I have used HDC twice in 7 years. On one hill, a 1 in 5 on sheet ice (going down) which was really scary, it did prove its self, and in really tough conditions it would get some use. In any vaguely normal driving its a gimmick. Ill bet 99.999% of cars never use it other than trying it out once. Even the ELD is something most will never use as the car does all this for you. That Ive used twice. Towing a caravan out of a badly flooded field, even then Im not sure it was required. And once on that same hill going up with a foot of snow and a blizzard. If you are going into mud or sand its going to be worth having but anywhere else the system is so good its not really needed. My four wheel drive gets most use driving up steep kerbs onto the path by my daughters house than anywhere else. It makes a big difference for that! OK its also nice to have pulling away on wet muddy roads too, giving real security, but its a big cost for a nice to have I think. Having said that Im totally sold on the Panda 4x4. If it snows I KNOW I will get home.

 

[Steveetee55]

Those wheel centres are originally from mainland EUvia. They are now on some models here, (Panda Wild). They are a push fit and not really held on by much. I was going to get some for my Waze, and bought one from the dealer for about £10. As the steel wheels rust while you watch I decided to stick with the full plastic covers and sold it for a vast profit in an eBay auction. They are now an insane dealer price. The plain plastic door side mouldings are available for around £60 a set via eBay. Im considering them for Daughters car (Pandabird3). The Cross marked ones are another insane priced item. Wheel arch trims are probably about the same cost as Gold £ for lb. There are so many variations of trim I dont see any value in upgrading as what once marked out a more expensive model may now be fitted to the cheaper ones. White paint on a small Fiat is now £600 wheras in 2019 it was the cheap standard colour. LOL I think they all look good and enjoy spotting differences. All this stuff is c**p dreamed up by marketing morons. Best not to be suckered into paying for any of it. It doesnt increase a cars value by a penny.
I have used HDC twice in 7 years. On one hill, a 1 in 5 on sheet ice (going down) which was really scary, it did prove its self, and in really tough conditions it would get some use. In any vaguely normal driving its a gimmick. Ill bet 99.999% of cars never use it other than trying it out once. Even the ELD is something most will never use as the car does all this for you. That Ive used twice. Towing a caravan out of a badly flooded field, even then Im not sure it was required. And once on that same hill going up with a foot of snow and a blizzard. If you are going into mud or sand its going to be worth having but anywhere else the system is so good its not really needed. My four wheel drive gets most use driving up steep kerbs onto the path by my daughters house than anywhere else. It makes a big difference for that! OK its also nice to have pulling away on wet muddy roads too, giving real security, but its a big cost for a nice to have I think. Having said that Im totally sold on the Panda 4x4. If it snows I KNOW I will get home.

Mine seems to love the snow it just takes it in its stride, i dont even bother with eld switch hasnt needed it yet, we're expecting snow on friday apparently and where i live theres always more snow because im up high here 1200 feet asl, i actually look forward to a bit of the white stuff, my only problem is so many people can't drive in snow i've never got stuck even in a 2wd vans included you drive accordingly to the conditions..

 

[The Panda Nut]

If you get stuck in snow, your have left the road and parked in the bottom of a pond which has frozen over... Dont open the door. LOL

 

[nvrton]

Those wheel centres are originally from mainland EUvia. They are now on some models here, (Panda Wild). They are a push fit and not really held on by much. I was going to get some for my Waze, and bought one from the dealer for about £10. As the steel wheels rust while you watch I decided to stick with the full plastic covers and sold it for a vast profit in an eBay auction. They are now an insane dealer price. The plain plastic door side mouldings are available for around £60 a set via eBay. Im considering them for Daughters car (Pandabird3). The Cross marked ones are another insane priced item. Wheel arch trims are probably about the same cost as Gold £ for lb. There are so many variations of trim I dont see any value in upgrading as what once marked out a more expensive model may now be fitted to the cheaper ones. White paint on a small Fiat is now £600 wheras in 2019 it was the cheap standard colour. LOL I think they all look good and enjoy spotting differences. All this stuff is c**p dreamed up by marketing morons. Best not to be suckered into paying for any of it. It doesnt increase a cars value by a penny.
I have used HDC twice in 7 years. On one hill, a 1 in 5 on sheet ice (going down) which was really scary, it did prove its self, and in really tough conditions it would get some use. In any vaguely normal driving its a gimmick. Ill bet 99.999% of cars never use it other than trying it out once. Even the ELD is something most will never use as the car does all this for you. That Ive used twice. Towing a caravan out of a badly flooded field, even then Im not sure it was required. And once on that same hill going up with a foot of snow and a blizzard. If you are going into mud or sand its going to be worth having but anywhere else the system is so good its not really needed. My four wheel drive gets most use driving up steep kerbs onto the path by my daughters house than anywhere else. It makes a big difference for that! OK its also nice to have pulling away on wet muddy roads too, giving real security, but its a big cost for a nice to have I think. Having said that Im totally sold on the Panda 4x4. If it snows I KNOW I will get home.

I’m glad I asked the question. I won’t bother and will just appreciate what I have for all the panelling.
I wish I had more snow! Good to know HDC does its thing when it’s needed, am eager to have a reason for it

 

[The Panda Nut]

I’m glad I asked the question. I won’t bother and will just appreciate what I have for all the panelling.
I wish I had more snow! Good to know HDC does its thing when it’s needed, am eager to have a reason for it

Great post. You are getting the Panda 4x4 thing nicely. Its a virus. Known on The dutch Fiat Club site as the Panda virus. They give quite serious warnings of how bad it can be!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Great post. You are getting the Panda 4x4 thing nicely. Its a virus. Known on The dutch Fiat Cub site as the Panda virus. They give quite serious warnings of how bad it can be!

That’ll explain why I’ve had four in succession… (but only one at a time though)

 

[TTR]

Eh up OP

They are a git to change - take it from me.

They are held on by both 3m tape all the way around the edges then push fit clips running at regular spacing around the moulding

Same applies to front and back

If you manage to find them, I’d try European sites, then might be worth trying

Personally I would not try it unless I had access to a warm garage and then I’d heat up the trims to take off first as t warm plastic will help

Hope this helps

 

[nvrton]

Great post. You are getting the Panda 4x4 thing nicely. Its a virus. Known on The dutch Fiat Cub site as the Panda virus. They give quite serious warnings of how bad it can be!

Oh yes indeed hahaha

 

[nvrton]

Eh up OP

They are a git to change - take it from me.

They are held on by both 3m tape all the way around the edges then push fit clips running at regular spacing around the moulding

Same applies to front and back

If you manage to find them, I’d try European sites, then might be worth trying

Personally I would not try it unless I had access to a warm garage and then I’d heat up the trims to take off first as t warm plastic will help

Hope this helps

Learning they’re annoying to remove doesn’t shock me at all! nothing on my car comes off nicely so this is useful to know. I have a heat gun which I can use but the rest sounds like patience and brute force