General Which Barchetta

[bmc]

Hello everyone. This is my first post here.

I have been babysitting a Barchetta for a week and have fallen in love with it. So much so that I put my Smart Forfour up for sale yesterday. I'm going to buy a B with the money I make on the sale.

There are plenty for sale here in Switzerland. Various vintages. Various mileages. I can find 95's with less than 50,000 km and a hard top in my budget. I can also buy a 2003 with 80,000km for the same price. There are several Limited Editions from 1999 with roughly 80,000km

1. Are there some years that are better than others?
2. Would I be better off buying a newer one with high mileage versus an older one with low mileage?
3. Regardless of what I settle on, what should I be looking for interms of maintenance. Should I look for a cambelt done on cars with more than 80,000km?

Thanks everyone.

bmc

 

[MattB2k]

1. Are there some years that are better than others?
The old shape was made by Maggiora so they are supposed to be better.
2. Would I be better off buying a newer one with high mileage versus an older one with low mileage?
Mileage is less significant if the car has been well cared for. See the low mileage rant thread for a range of opinions on this topic.
3. Regardless of what I settle on, what should I be looking for interms of maintenance. Should I look for a cambelt done on cars with more than 80,000km?
You should either find it has been done or plan and budget to get it done yourself when you buy the car. Don't let the fact it has not been done put you off if everything else about the car is good.

 

[docorangepeel]

The best years are 1998-2000 as this was the last years Maggiora made the Barchetta before it closed and all the small issue had been fixed or upgraded by then. The 1999 on model has the newer ECU and intake system as well as an updated fuel system. The bodywork boot thickness issue was fixed but it was before the third brake light. I know some people like the brake light so it's a personal thing.

The older Barchetta ECU is better for mapping and the fuel return system can be played with. The Fiat Coupe 2.0 16v turbo injectors fit and a few older Bs have had turbo units bolted on. :slayer:

I would stay away from the early new face lift shape B as Fiat had a big learning curve on putting the new B together. A few new shape B owners have had problems with water getting inside the car from the front wings and one owner even found his petrol tank was not bolted down in the car! I like the look of the new shape Barchetta myself but a good few think it was not an improvement over the older style.

Just my 10p and not everyone's opinion.

Hope this helps
Doc Orange Peel

 

[bmc]

This is excellent info. Thank you.

Is there any place I can find what each scheduled maintenance entails? If I'm looking at a car with 70,000 km on it, what should have been done on it? Also, is there generally a big maintenance check that happens at a designated mileage?

I have been eyeing the Limited Edition models of 1999.

Keep it coming. :slayer:

 

[bipbip]

agree with doc 101%, and personally I think the 99 limited edition is tops cause it come with all extras, absolutley everything for same price.

enjoy

 

[docorangepeel]

FYI 99% of the new shape never had leather seats.

Well if the Barchetta makes it over the eighty thousand miles and it six or so years old it would have had the variator done at some point as well as a cambelt change or two. The rear swing arm bushes will need doing soon as will the rear bearings. It could have had a new radiator fitted or need one soon. The window rubbers could be letting in water due to age as well as it could need a new hood if not already replaced. The seatbelts could be getting saggy and you might need a new exhaust if it's not been replaced already.


This is an broad overview and each B is slightly different but you get the idea.

 

[bmc]

Doc...you're a piece of work. This is great. Thanks

We're in kilometres here, so 80,000km is about 50,000 miles.

I

 

[silkblack]

Hi BMC - look on p4 of this forum under "another newbie in need of advice" posted by Giorgio for details of my 1999 LE. PM me if you might be interested. Lack of use of left leg/need to fund surgery in Seattle (!) forces sale. R

 

[bmc]

Thanks Silk. Good thread with more good advice.

I'm going to try to buy locally in Switzerland because importing requires additional inspections and paperwork. My budget for this is under GBP 5,800.

 

[silkblack]

No worries! If it helps, your budget is more than I was hoping for...by about £800! If that would cover the cost of your flights & paperwork, you know where I am!

 

[bmc]

Got any pics? Details?

 

[silkblack]

Here are some pics! The yellow one is not for sale! The spec is all set out in the original thread that I mentioned. If someone kind like Doc who understands computers can link you to it I would be ever so grateful.

I'm sorry the pics are so old - I have only driven the car a couple of times since they were taken - and it has done 20 miles since last september (back from the MOT). I will try to get some more pics if you like - it is covered up in a dehumidified garage here at the house, but I can't actually get myself into the garage - or hold a camera for that matter - need both hands on sticks at all times.

I think you can get Jet2 to Leeds from Switzerland and we only live a 20 minute direct bus ride from there!

Regards,

Richard

 

[Shelxs]

Thats my favourite colour b.
Looks great.
Think of the fun you'd have driving it back to switzerland!
xs

 

[bmc]

Thanks again. I just listed my current car in the local classifieds. It has to go before another one comes into the family. I do appreciate it.

 

[silkblack]

No worries - it's not going anywhere!

Shel - I actually did drive it through France, in and out of Germany (very briefly) then over the border into Switzerland, across the Alps and down into Italy past Lake Maggiore and on to Modena and finally to the Marche - then back again, but round Turin (the Tangenziale during morning rush hour ), along the White Autoroute, up through the Mont Blanc tunnel and right across France in glorious 24 degree sunshine with not a cloud in the sky! 3,052 miles
from a Monday breakfast to a Thursday morning at 5am, non-stop apart from 6 hours sleep in the Honeymmon suite of a downtown Turin hotel (alone!). Mostly autoroute miles at 130-150 kph and the car did not miss a beat. The rear wheel bearings did get a bit warm, though

It was the most amazing drive of my life and I would give anything just to be able to get bak in the car again.

So, fellow FF B owners, live every day as if it is your last and do NOT take your bods for granted! Bits fall off them with alarming regularity, too!