Fiat Panda 4x4 diesel, any known issues?

[Mikebentley]

Looking for collective knowledge.
I previously owned a Fiat Panda Trekking Multijet diesel from new in 2013 for two years. It was absolutely epic. Go anywhere, felt fast enough and returned an average of 70mpg with mixed enthusiastic driving.

I always wanted the 4x4 for no other reason than it was just one of those cars I fancied. Fast forward to today, I am looking at 2013/14/15 4x4 Multijets with a view to run one for 6/12 months whilst the CV19 dust settles as I am about to hand back my leased van. I have no interest in the Twin Air cars as fuel economy on my usage would be shocking.

I have looked at lots of MOT histories and springs/shocks and general suspension issues crop up a lot.

My questions to the PH collective are
A) Are there any known issues to look out for?
B) I believe they are timing chain engines? What is the service interval for this?

Thank you, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year All.

[Mikebentley]

Anybody?

[bearman68]

I don't think they are known for being particularly troublesome. The engine seems to work well in Fiat form, less well in Vauxhall format. We've had a few 500's with windows that don't work, and other miscellaneous problems (door handles that fall off for example)
Chain or belt - Autodata is showing the 1.3 diesel as a chain. Bad luck. But change the oil every 5k and it should be OK.

Build quality is usually pretty shocking, though the drive train is usually OK.

[Mikebentley]

Thanks Bearman. Why would chain be bad luck? I enjoyed the 1.3 Multijet previously. Any ideas on maintenance schedule. Chain issues and service schedule for them?

[A500leroy]

google fiatforum.com and go to the panda section. you may have to register

[Mikebentley]

A500leroy said:

google fiatforum.com and go to the panda section. you may have to register

I did but it is the most tedious site in the world to find what you want.

[bearman68]

Mikebentley said:

Thanks Bearman. Why would chain be bad luck? I enjoyed the 1.3 Multijet previously. Any ideas on maintenance schedule. Chain issues and service schedule for them?

I'm not personally keen on chains. It used to be, back in the days of knights and round tables, that chain drives were maintenance free 'never think about' items, but the last decade or so seems to have sprouted chain drive concerns right left and centre. So you might as well have a belt drive that's designed to be changed every 100k or so, and have done with it.
Having said that, I'm of the firm opinion that oil changes are cheaper than engine component changes, so my flett of 50 odd cars gets an oil change every 5k whether it needs it or not. Every time it clicks over a 5k interval (ie 95, 100, 105 etc), it gets an oil change. So far so good, with no cam belt failure, or any other type of major engine explosions.

[Mikebentley]

bearman68 said:

Mikebentley said:

Thanks Bearman. Why would chain be bad luck? I enjoyed the 1.3 Multijet previously. Any ideas on maintenance schedule. Chain issues and service schedule for them?

I'm not personally keen on chains. It used to be, back in the days of knights and round tables, that chain drives were maintenance free 'never think about' items, but the last decade or so seems to have sprouted chain drive concerns right left and centre. So you might as well have a belt drive that's designed to be changed every 100k or so, and have done with it.
Having said that, I'm of the firm opinion that oil changes are cheaper than engine component changes, so my flett of 50 odd cars gets an oil change every 5k whether it needs it or not. Every time it clicks over a 5k interval (ie 95, 100, 105 etc), it gets an oil change. So far so good, with no cam belt failure, or any other type of major engine explosions.

Fair enough, I was always of the opinion that chains were better too. Other than my old Dolomite Sprint 35 years ago! I’m looking at a 64 plate 4x4 with less than 10k miles on it so was enquiring to know what to look for.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Topic resurrection... keen on one of these. It was a Dacia Duster or this.

[Mikebentley]

Hugo you will see I ended up with a 1.0Tce LPG Duster and a Range Rover Sport from the Duster thread. I couldn’t bring myself to buy a 13 plate Panda 4x4 at the prices that were wanted ie about £7k and upwards. My Duster was £11k pre reg.