Styling Twinair Modifications...

[The Twins]

Hi FF Members,

I have just joined the FF.

We have two Fiat 500's in our family. A 1.2 Lounge [Rosa] and a Twinair [Luigi]

My wife runs the 1.2 and I run the Twinair.

I've done a few mods so far..

Magneti Marelli Exhaust
Abarth Steering Wheel
Competitzione Gear Knob and Leather Gaiter
Leather Boot Pull
Hankook Optimo 4S Tyres

Next mod will be a Magneti Marelli ECU Module [launched next week!]

I will try to load some pics.

I did everything myself [except tyres] so if anyone wants any tips please feel free to ask.

Ian : )

 

[RUI]

The exhaust looks good, what did it cost?
The abarth wheel is a gear upgrade, They feel a lot nicer than the standard 500 wheel.

 

[306maxi]

Have to sadly sad that the Hankook's are probably a downgrade if you use them all year round

 

[The Twins]

The Magneti Marelli Exhaust was about £180 including shipping from DotShop Italy. No one else sells them. I contacted MM direct to get the details.

And yes, I know.. the Hankook Optimo 4S tyres are a 'winter' upgrade

Best,

Ian.

 

[306maxi]

But you're so much better off in the winter with proper winter tyres

 

[The Twins]

I did loads of research about the tyres. As it is snowing like crazy right now, I think you might be right

I went for the Hankook 4 season option because its not always snowing in the winter... Mostly, it's wet and cold, or if we are lucky dry and cold.

Rolling resistance and noise was also a consideration.

4 seasons tyres perform a bit better in wet braking than full winter treads but perform slightly less good in snow... that's why I went for the Hankooks. They won Auto Bild [Gemany] tyre test and Auto Express [4 season] tyre test.

Tyres are all about compromises unless you live in a 'constant' climate.

Cheers,

Ian.

 

[306maxi]

yeah, but you don't get stuck in the winter on winter tyres when it doesn't snow. You can just slow down and ask less of a winter tyre if it heats up or is dry.

 

[deeyup]

The Magneti Marelli Exhaust was about £180 including shipping from DotShop Italy. No one else sells them. I contacted MM direct to get the details.

And yes, I know.. the Hankook Optimo 4S tyres are a 'winter' upgrade

Best,

Ian.

The exhausts are listed here too
http://www.tmcmotorsport.com/Fiat_Exhaust.aspx
And they also list a tuning box.http://www.tmcmotorsport.com/TuningBoetails.aspx?s=281350842

I've never used tmc myself so have no idea of their reliability though.

 

[The Twins]

The exhausts are listed here too
http://www.tmcmotorsport.com/Fiat_Exhaust.aspx

I tried TMC but they did not have any stock and told me that they don't deal with MM any more.

They tried to sell me the Raggazon exhaust but I really wanted the MM exhaust as it's much more like having an 'original' part.

That's why I called MM direct. MM told me the best distributor they have in the whole of Europe is DotShop.

I hope this helps.

Ian.

 

[RUI]

The exhausts are listed here too
http://www.tmcmotorsport.com/Fiat_Exhaust.aspx
And they also list a tuning box.http://www.tmcmotorsport.com/TuningBoetails.aspx?s=281350842

I've never used tmc myself so have no idea of their reliability though.

TMC charge £438 for the stainless steel version of the 1.2 exhaust including shipping and VAT that online store charges £235 with shipping and VAT
It looks like I may have to buy some stuff from it.

 

[Spy]

Nice mods

How do mods such as this affect the Fiat warranty ?

 

[The Twins]

yeah, but you don't get stuck in the winter on winter tyres when it doesn't snow. You can just slow down and ask less of a winter tyre if it heats up or is dry.

Slow down? No way! Lol.

 

[306maxi]

Slow down? No way! Lol.

My point still stands

 

[The Twins]

According to 'Auto Bild' Germany and 'Auto Express' UK Hankook Optimo 4S were the best tyres for 95% function of full winter tyre plus hoo handing/braking in the wet and dry.

 

[The Twins]

Have to sadly sad that the Hankook's are probably a downgrade if you use them all year round

Not compared to the Goodyear Efficient Grip the car came with.

The Hankooks actually have a better feel and sharper turn in even in the dry.

Snow performance was amazing too. Was even driving past BMW X5's that were sliding around

 

[306maxi]

efficientgrips are eco tyres though.....

 

[The Twins]

efficientgrips are eco tyres though.....

That's why the whole summer vs winter vs 4 season tyre debate is not as simple as it first appears.
There are great, average and rubbish versions if them all.

 

[306maxi]

of course, but you're comparing good all seasons to crap summers (in terms of performance anyway)

 

[The Twins]

Nice mods

How do mods such as this affect the Fiat warranty ?

I checked with dealer about warranty.
They said that the only thing not covered was the actual part I replaced. Although, they said if they supply and fit any part (from another model like the Abarth wheel for example) they will give full warranty on it. It's their policy. That was Platts in Stafford.
Thanks,
Ian.

 

[The Twins]

I just got some Philips Extreme Vision bulbs for the TA.

H7 for headlights and H1 for DLR's/main beam.
Here are my thoughts...

The headlights do not seem much improved on stock bulbs, maybe a slightly more even pattern and slightly more throw

However... the ones in the DLR's/main beam are a revalation! Well worth the upgrade. Much, much brighter and a longer beam throw for sure

Hope this helps those who are wondering about changing stock bulbs