General Those of you with the diesel...

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General Those of you with the diesel...

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...did you test drive the 1.2 and/or 1.4 ?

Do you think the ride is any smoother on the diesel as has been suggested?


(sorry :eek: clutching at straws, soooo want one :cry:)
 
I have a 1.3 and got a 1.2 petrol as a courtesy car.
Thought the 1.2 felt smoother (both had similar miles) but I much prefer the fuel economy of the diesel :).
 
...did you test drive the 1.2 and/or 1.4 ?

Do you think the ride is any smoother on the diesel as has been suggested?


(sorry :eek: clutching at straws, soooo want one :cry:)

Suzey, the ride quality of the diesel version IMO is better than either of the petrol variants. I think that Fiat have done a better job in matching the springs to the car when compensating for the additional weight of the engine.

As always you will have as many differing opinions as there are owners.

:rumour: If you really want the 1.2 and you are unhappy with the ride quality and if you are not desperate for the car straight away there is supposed to be a suspension upgrade for the 500 in 2010.
 
I didn't try the diesel but perhaps a good test would be to see how Grim fares on a certain road in bournemouth compared to me ..... Grim, when you come up from the lights at Glenferness Avenue, up the hill, there are lots of 'bumps' on the road and I almost come out of my seat due to the springiness of the car (doing less than 30mph). Do you drive that way at all, if so you could say how 'springy' your car is .... mine is very springy!

Suzey - sorry to hear that you felt the ride was bumpy ... to be honest it's never bothered me but then again I've had a panda and a seicento previously so I'm used to 'small bumpy cars' lol. Hope you find something you like so you can buy a 500!
 
Hi Suzi - I have a 1.2 but have driven a 1.3 quite a lot, and i can confirm the ride is a lot better -however the handling isn't - swings and roundabouts really - if you like a spirited drive - get the 1.2 if you want a nicer ride get the 1.3. Alternatively as mentioned above wait a year and see what the new engines and suspension have to offer:D
 
I didn't try the diesel but perhaps a good test would be to see how Grim fares on a certain road in bournemouth compared to me ..... Grim, when you come up from the lights at Glenferness Avenue, up the hill, there are lots of 'bumps' on the road and I almost come out of my seat due to the springiness of the car (doing less than 30mph). Do you drive that way at all, if so you could say how 'springy' your car is .... mine is very springy!

Heidi, even with the 16" wheels I don't find that section of the road too bad, a little bouncy but not any worse than my Honda to be honest.

As Hellcat says, the additional weight of the diesel seems to help absorb the bumps and cushion the ride. I would certainly check the tyre pressures (cold) if a car seemed very harsh on an average road surface.
 
Also - don't forget - the ride in any new 500 is 'bumpier' and twitchier than one that has a couple of thousand miles on.

My 1.3 mjt has 11,000 on the clock and now rides very smoothly. Even the mid corner rear end high speed twitch has all but gone (unfortunately - as I loved it doing that).

So.. if you are road testing 500s from the showroom they will not give you a good indication of the ride on one that has settled down.
 
Also - don't forget - the ride in any new 500 is 'bumpier' and twitchier than one that has a couple of thousand miles on.

My 1.3 mjt has 11,000 on the clock and now rides very smoothly. Even the mid corner rear end high speed twitch has all but gone (unfortunately - as I loved it doing that).

So.. if you are road testing 500s from the showroom they will not give you a good indication of the ride on one that has settled down.

This is a really good point. Perhaps you could test a used model, if the dealer has one?
 
OK guys you have convinced me to test drive the diesel (y) ...keep your fingers crossed for me ...am sure I am mean't to have one ;)

You must be sick of my questions ...thanks for your help and support x
 
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