Technical Ordered a Tipo & Have a Question or Two

[RichardH13]

Hi Folks

On the 14th I swap my Red 2018 Abarth 595 Custom for a Volcano Black Tipo Easy + 1.6 MJet 2, its a long story but we need the space and 5 doors, it will be a big change after hooning around in Abarths for the last six year (I've had 4!)

Its a pre-reg 18 plate with delivery mileage, ticket price £11,000, but pretty much a straight swap for the Abarth, given the negative equity on the PCP. I think its a good deal.

I think the Tipo, with the more powerful engines is far better than the rather pro German marque bias reviews suggest.

The biggest question is its a diesel , the last Alfa we had was a 147 M-Jet and that was pre-DPF, I am a little concerned about the DPF regeneration, my commute is only 10 miles each way.

What do I need to do to protect the engine and DPF to make sure they stay healthy?

Use V-Power Diesel, or just additives every 6 months?

An Italian Tune-up never does any harm!

Your experience and advise is appreciated

 

[s130]

OK with 10 miles each way you should be OK regarding DPF regen. What you can check for though is that at the end of your to/from work journey before shutting the engine off just check to see if you can feel a slightly lumpy/throbbing idle and also (weather permitting) open the car door. If blast of obviously very hot air come from under the car and you have the throbbing idle then the regen is still in progress. If so the either let the car idle and or rev to 1500-2000 rpm or do a loop round the block. It is always best (if you can) to let the regen cycle complete.

Another option is to get MultiECUScan. You will be able to see when the last regen was done, how long it took, average temperature, …., clogging levels …… and on the Tipo also: "number of regenerations interrupted by ignition off".

IF your Tipo does not have Fiat's Security Gateway Module then you will be able to initiate a regen at will.

I ALSO NOTE - the Tipo has a "DPF Warning Light". I assume this is to tell the driver that a DPF regen IS REQUIRED and you should go for decent drive.

All in all I don't think with your 10 mile each way trips you will have a problem. I was doing very similar, possibly less in my Croma 2005, intermixed with occasional weekend longer trips and in 10 years had no issues.

As for fuel just use EN590 diesel from a major supplier. Shell, Texaco, Gulf, …… and there is nothing wrong with Sainsburys, Tesco fuel despite what people say. If the fuel is EN590 and the supplier and outlet are major concerns (not your back street dodgy dealer) then all will be OK.

If you want to occasionally use the super premium grades, like V-Power/other, or use them all the time then this is fine as well. Will just cost you more.

Lastly ENJOY YOUR NEW CAR!

 

[RichardH13]

Thanks

I think I'll stick with Sainsbury's City Diesel, never had a problem with the Alfa with it.

I can't find anything on line saying this engine gives problems, which is reassuring and never gets mentioned in the press!

Apart from the commute, there will be other journeys, so it looks like it will be fine.

We will enjoy it, its a massive change, but needs to be done and we have a good deal, I love not following the Herd down to the usual suspects

 

[Wol]

Glad to hear another member has joined with a new Tipo .

There are a few of us on here who have bought either new or pre-registered ones in recent months and I think everyone has been surprised at how good and how much car you get for not a great amount of money considering. Granted, it will probably never be as much fun to drive as your Abarth is, but then that would be like trying to compare an Apple with an Orange. However, I think you may well be surprised at how good the 1.6 diesel is.

Personally, I've just got out of an ageing higher mileage diesel (not a Fiat) and bought a new 1.4 petrol Tipo. I've had it nearly 3 weeks now and I'm genuinely impressed with it.

As my Tipo is petrol, I can't really give any advice on the whole DPF regeneration process on the Tipo, but s130 makes some very good suggestions. I think 2 other members on here, stromonoff and Norfolkbilly have recently bought diesel Tipo's, so hopefully they may be able to give you some first hand experience of living with one and what to look out for with the whole DPF regeneration process.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it once you get it, but do check back and let us know how your getting on with it.

 

[s130]

Were the new Tipo around when I bought my 500X it would be a tough call.

Had and old Tipo Brio (1.6 SPI) and loved it. Replaced with a Stilo Abarth (2.4L 24V) and then a Croma 2005 MJet 16V. I tow(ed) with all of these cars to Italy and they were great. When the Croma got to 10 years old towing 2K miles each year around Europe (3K miles when you include unhitched trips) then at 10 years and getting European breakdown cover for a 10 year old vehicle becomes a little bit more of a challenge so the Croma had to be replaced.

I love my 500X but the new Tipo is also a cracking good car and as you have found out the prices are brilliant.

 

[Ralf S.]

It's a pity Fiat don't seem to be pligging the beast much any more.. then they decide the car must be rubbish/people aren't interested and don't bother to replace it..

I'm still waiting for a saloon... but doesn't look like Fiat are going to give in to my badgering them..


Ralf S.

 

[RichardH13]

Picked it up on Saturday in the awful weather, 1 mile on the clock!

We were out last night and I gave a couple of mates a lift, so 4 up, they were impressed so am I I really don't understand the complaints in reviews about steering and gearbox, maybe they have been improved since...

I've even read some of the manual

I ALSO NOTE - the Tipo has a "DPF Warning Light". I assume this is to tell the driver that a DPF regen IS REQUIRED and you should go for decent drive.

There is a regen warning light, it doesn't come on at every regen, only when "driving conditions mean the driver needs to be informed"

Don't quite know what that means, it could be if its regening (is that even a word) in stop, start or slow traffic and the system assumes that you may switch off to warn not to?

Maybe someone knows.

When we were out one of our friends said, "You like Italian cars, what do you think of the Tipo? I'm thinking of getting the estate"

My partner was laughing her head off, we told him that three hours before we'd picked up a Tipo

I gave him a lift home, he's over 6 feet tall and sat in the back with no problem, he's definitely thinking about getting one and may go for the M-Jet instead of the T-Jet he was thinking of because of all the scaremongering about diesels.

I think he'll be round for a look in daylight, mind you, I haven't seen it in daylight yet!

We have some visiting to do, so will start another thread about early impressions, my first impression is really good