General Thinking of a Tipo

[ProfessorMoriarty]

Hi All,

Totally new to the Forum though I do dip in and out when I need help. I am considering a 2ndhand Tipo, probably the 1.6 diesel. Was hoping to find a guide on here or has anyone any advice on which spec/model etc. and what to look out for?

Regards

 

[Batius finkius]

Hi All,

Totally new to the Forum though I do dip in and out when I need help. I am considering a 2ndhand Tipo, probably the 1.6 diesel. Was hoping to find a guide on here or has anyone any advice on which spec/model etc. and what to look out for?

Regards

for what my opinion is worth, I’d suggest the highest spec you can find for the money you have, top of the tree lounge has a good range of standard kit and shouldn’t have too much of a premium over lower models. Lower down the spec levels there’s still AC, electric windows, DAB and such like so you won’t be too badly served. But I’d recommend looking out for additional radar brake assist if you can, it increases the ncap rating and I believe it became standard equipment on later cars. Common/recurring faults so far to check for seem to be rear dampers which can leak around 3 years old. Front springs can break on older cars due to wear, the DAB antenna can get water in and lose reception. The electrical systems seem sensitive to low battery voltages, even a battery that will fire a car can still drop low enough to produce some random gremlins. After that make sure it’s been serviced on time with correct oil, the diesels need the correct oil to protect the particulate filter and that all the electrical bits and bobs work as well as the usual checks needed for buying a used cars are followed. I’m sure others will be along with more advice.

 

[RichardH13]

We've just finished with a 1.6 Diesel Tipo, now in a 500x.

I grew to like the Tipo, we'd changed from 595 Abarth, so it was a big change!

Its a nice car, easy to drive, its not really a drivers car, but very comfortable and pretty quiet for a diesel. It doesn't turn in like the 595s did (not much does) but you can get some pace out of it if you keep it balanced

The only fault in three years was that the aerial base had to be changed after water ingress. I wore the front tyres out quicker than I thought, 12000 miles, but that could be the way I drive coupled with a heavy-ish diesel engine

Ours was an Easy Plus, with Climate Control, pre-reg dealer stock.

Our one has been sold on, otherwise, I'd point you in that direction

Its the best car no one has heard of, if VW Group made it the press would be all over it

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

We've been looking at the Tipo 1.4 T-jet estate as a replacement for my boy's 2007 Astra 1.6 petrol estate. We were pretty sure the Astra was going to fail it's MOT on several issues this year but it surprised us. It's well into the mid hundreds of thousands of miles now so not worth spending much money on. It's his work car so he is just going to keep running it 'till it "drops".

He likes the idea of the 1.6 diesel but decided against it because he does a lot of local work around the city and doesn't want to run into DPF problems, also Edinburgh is soon to have a low emissions zone and they don't "like" diesels do they. Anyway the "good old" T-jet is such a well proven and relatively simple engine it's likely I'll find it easier to look after for him.

Shop4parts seem to stock a good range of service items: https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=PartFinder&Manufacturer=2&model=816&engineSize=3708 as does our local trade factor but there do seem to be one or two things in short supply, for instance those front springs. Not available at any of our local factors and long wait for the relatively expensive main dealer item. Could be a VOR if one breaks unexpectedly. Also the diesel has a D/M flywheel which isn't cheap to do if it needs one when a clutch becomes due. Mind you I think the T-jet has a D/M flywheel too? S4p's parts are good quality and can be trusted but some parts seem expensive when compared to what similar parts would cost for our Panda or my older boy's Punto. However I've got time to do more research now the Astra is good to go for a while yet.

Both these engines are Turbo'd and the diesel has a timing chain. Regular oil changes with nothing but the very best oil is the way to go for reliability and long life of both these components. Don't even think about extending service intervals.

Are you going to be looking after it yourself? I've discovered that after around 2018 the security gateway then introduced makes it difficult to use diagnostic equipment on the car - and with the important service reset needed on the diesels that's something worth considering. Grant, at Gendan, tells me there is a way round it, but I haven't really looked into what's involved as a T-jet engined Tipo is probably going to be Ok on that count.

We haven't test driven one yet and I am really quite excited at the prospect!

 

[The Panda Nut]

i had a bravo for 100000 miles and grew to really respect and like it. I tried a Tipo and felt it was even better in many ways, but not as good looking. Grab one quick while they are available! Best thing about the 105hp diesel is it did between 60 and 90mpg!

 

[Rocinante]

Are you going to be looking after it yourself? I've discovered that after around 2018 the security gateway then introduced makes it difficult to use diagnostic equipment on the car - and with the important service reset needed on the diesels that's something worth considering. Grant, at Gendan, tells me there is a way round it, but I haven't really looked into what's involved as a T-jet engined Tipo is probably going to be Ok on that count.

Why is the service reset more important on the diesels than the petrol ?

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

i had a bravo for 100000 miles and grew to really respect and like it. I tried a Tipo and felt it was even better in many ways, but not as good looking. Grab one quick while they are available! Best thing about the 105hp diesel is it did between 60 and 90mpg!

Thanks for that Panda Nut. Different car entirely I know, but having owned a 1.0 litre 3 cylinder turbo petrol Ibiza for 6 years now I'm not a convert to these modern small turboed petrol engines. They are Ok(ish) to drive most of the time although they do have annoying little "foibles" which the older larger engines don't have and, driven "sensibly", fuel consumption is not far off what you can get with a diesel, but most of all they are incredibly complex. Two part cooling systems with 2 thermostats controlling them. Because of the turbo and with it being petrol, it has to have an electric vacuum pump for the brake servo. Oh, did I mention, two water pumps, one mechanical and one electric. I could go on with the list! The new Firefly engine looks very interesting technically and I'm reading all I can about it purely from the point of view of automotive interest. Would I buy one? probably not. Ok if you're buying new or nearly new and keeping for just a few years but not, for me, a long term prospect. So It's the T-jet for us which means it's going to be second hand and, as all the T-jets that will be made have been made already we don't particularly feel any great sense of urgency - Don't seem to be lots of them about though!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Why is the service reset more important on the diesels than the petrol ?

I don't own a diesel but there have been posts on here about resetting the diesel service interval and that it must be "properly" done using either MES or the Dealer tool. Maybe someone who knows what he's talking about could chip in? I believe it's because the ECU has to be "told" that there's fresh engine oil in the sump. It's not like the petrol engines.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I don't own a diesel but there have been posts on here about resetting the diesel service interval and that it must be "properly" done using either MES or the Dealer tool. Maybe someone who knows what he's talking about could chip in? I believe it's because the ECU has to be "told" that there's fresh engine oil in the sump. It's not like the petrol engines.

The Bravo did have an oil sensor that contributed to the variable service interval indicator. It was pretty irrelevant really as I service more than the car asked for. The indicator always came on exacly in line with 18000 miles coming round. My work Vectra used to extend the service interval to 30000 miles, Garage said it was the longest they ever saw. Moral of this is drive it as hard as you possibly can and save money on servicing.....

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Just been into the MES on simulate and had a look at that oil change reset. My version of MES is not new enough to include the new Tipo so I'm looking at the Multijet in the Panda/Punto.

The procedure concerns cars with DPF and involves resetting the parameters the ECU has relating to "oil quality". It goes on to say "this procedure is necessary every time the oil is replaced on vehicles with DPF filter and when the Low Oil Pressure LED blinks in the dashboard. Turn the key off after successful execution of this procedure to let the ECU reset it's internal registers. Note: this procedure will also delete error codes P0521 and P0524. So Folks, there's more going on here than just resetting a service interval reminder.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Just been into the MES on simulate and had a look at that oil change reset. My version of MES is not new enough to include the new Tipo so I'm looking at the Multijet in the Panda/Punto.

The procedure concerns cars with DPF and involves resetting the parameters the ECU has relating to "oil quality". It goes on to say "this procedure is necessary every time the oil is replaced on vehicles with DPF filter and when the Low Oil Pressure LED blinks in the dashboard. Turn the key off after successful execution of this procedure to let the ECU reset it's internal registers. Note: this procedure will also delete error codes P0521 and P0524. So Folks, there's more going on here than just resetting a service interval reminder.

Bravo reset the Oil sensor when the service indicator was reset. The garage forgot on one occasion and I did it some while later - no discernable effect.

 

[JTD_Liam]

It's important to ensure its done at each oil change so that once a certain number of DPF (particulate filter) regenerations have occurred, the car knows to trigger the 'Change Engine Oil' message. If its just the service indicator and not the oil degradation counter which is reset then, as some people have discovered, the car can start asking for an oil change only a month after having it.

Some cars have actual oil quality sensors, but with others including the Tipo diesels, i think its just a counter, so the car relies on that to warn you to change the oil. The oil change and servicing can therefore be two separate events.

 

[ProfessorMoriarty]

Hi Lads, thanks very much for the replies. I'm guessing the fact its a chain driven timing is less on maintenance costs? I suppose its just an occasionally tightening or adjustment needed. I see a few comments about the aerial leak but would probably awkward trying to remove the rubber grommet to inspect on a forecourt? I won't be maintaining it myself.
Interesting what @Batius finkius said about electrics, if there is one thing my current Grande Punto Sporting suffers from its the battery, can't leave the radio on more than a few minutes or very cold weather and it dies. Previously had the alternator replaced, when the mech removed it half the metal casing just fell off in his hand so something got in and corroded it.
I'm only going with the diesel as I'll be moving house so will have a longer commute so unfortunately petrol has to go for now. I'm in Ireland so these cars are even thinner on the ground than the UK so trying to find a decent specked one won't be easy but the Lounge spec does seem nice.

 

[JTD_Liam]

Hi Lads, thanks very much for the replies. I'm guessing the fact its a chain driven timing is less on maintenance costs? I suppose its just an occasionally tightening or adjustment needed. I see a few comments about the aerial leak but would probably awkward trying to remove the rubber grommet to inspect on a forecourt? I won't be maintaining it myself.
Interesting what @Batius finkius said about electrics, if there is one thing my current Grande Punto Sporting suffers from its the battery, can't leave the radio on more than a few minutes or very cold weather and it dies. Previously had the alternator replaced, when the mech removed it half the metal casing just fell off in his hand so something got in and corroded it.
I'm only going with the diesel as I'll be moving house so will have a longer commute so unfortunately petrol has to go for now. I'm in Ireland so these cars are even thinner on the ground than the UK so trying to find a decent specked one won't be easy but the Lounge spec does seem nice.

Just a heads-up, it's just the 1.3 diesel which has a cam chain. The 1.6 diesel is belt-driven & will need changing roughly every 5 years maximum (mileage dependant too). However the 1.3 isn't a stranger to chain problems at higher miles in other Fiat's & Alfa's, especially if the oil hasn't been changed regularly. Obviously chains aren't designed to be changed like belts so the belt on the 1.6 (plus waterpump to be on the safe side) is probably a much simpler & cheaper job than if you're unlucky enough to have chain troubles on the 1.3. The 1.6 is a powerhouse of an engine compared to the 1.3 anyway, though more rattly.

My 2018 Tipo did have a new battery under warranty at just over 2 years, but otherwise hasn't had electrical problems, unless you count water ingress into the aerial base, which was sorted under warranty too. They can throw up ghost warnings if the battery is low, but I'd say that unlike some other Italian cars I've owned, the Tipo is no worse in this regard than many cars - my Parents previous Nissan Qashqai and Ford Transit both had battery replacements under warranty, for example.

The Grande Punto issue with the alternator was probably related to an issue with the drain pipes from the scuttle under the windscreen - there was an issue where the pipes directed rain water onto the alternator, which caused corrosion & also led to several alternators freezing with ice. It also affected the Alfa MiTo, which shared its basic design with the Grande Punto. Following contact from owners & the public (including me) Fiat/Alfa informed us that modified drain pipes would be available for dealers to fit. These routed water away from.the alternator, but I don't think it was a recall so some cars slipped through without modification.

 

[ProfessorMoriarty]

The Grande Punto issue with the alternator was probably related to an issue with the drain pipes from the scuttle under the windscreen - there was an issue where the pipes directed rain water onto the alternator, which caused corrosion & also led to several alternators freezing with ice. It also affected the Alfa MiTo, which shared its basic design with the Grande Punto. Following contact from owners & the public (including me) Fiat/Alfa informed us that modified drain pipes would be available for dealers to fit. These routed water away from.the alternator, but I don't think it was a recall so some cars slipped through without modification.

Yes, spot on. On opening the bonnet it became obvious where the leakage stemmed from. Good to know about the chain/belt. Thanks.

 

[boyko23]

I bought a very cheap Tipo 1.3 MJ2 six months ago and can tell you that it's a great beater. My car was 88k km. and well serviced in the official dealer here.
At first, I was shocked how noisy and not very dynamic it can be, but little by little started to like it. Very cheap on maintenance - I serviced it with best quality oil and filters for less than 60 euro. Huge space inside, easy to drive and shockingly low gas mileage - 5,2l/100km city driving in winter.
Only problem up to now - outside temp sensor completely wrong with around 6 degrees below...