post 1996 model

[al02052]

What is the real difference between the pre and post 1996 Chimarea models ?
Thanks
Alberto

[M@H]

Ok for starters its not exactly 1996 if you mean the "Facelift".

The evolution sort of goes (apologies for missing entries):

1993.

Early cars with Pre-serpentine engine, early gearbox, door "button" on wing, internal door opening handle in gear gaiter, smaller battery located above the fuse board, aluminium "struts" bolted to the underside of the bonnet.

1994-1996

Gearbox change to later T5 (1994-5), re-location of internal door opening handle(1994 iirc), battery location changed, and Serpentine engines replacing the pre-serp.

1996-7

Facelift Front: centre bar across the front grille area (mesh removed), larget bonnet vents, removal of aluminium struts under bonnet. Also door button removal and buttons under the wingmirrors instead.

1997-8

Facelift Rear: Longer boot lid with more overhang, recessed numberplate rather than backlit.

1999

Hidden hinges for rear bootlid

Cheers
Matt.

Edited by M@H on Thursday 12th October 17:32

[Whiplash]

Mine is a Sept 1998 model and the rear number plate is back lit??????

[al02052]

Thanks Matt
If I well understood is better to buy a car post-95 (because there are the main tech improvement as the T5 gearbox and serpentine).
TIt seems that the 1996 facelift does not involve mechanichal/chassic improvement. Is correct ?

[M@H]

aaah.. you're right.. sorry.. Pre 1996ish you also have smaller front discs 240's instead of 260's.

[M@H]

Whiplash said:

Mine is a Sept 1998 model and the rear number plate is back lit??????

Yep.. same as my 1997. It all happened around late 1997-98 so don't worry. I haven't yet seen a 99 plate backlit but there is bound to be one somewhere.

[Whiplash]

Thanks for the reassurance. I thought the worst for a moment

[saxmund]

Forgive my ignorance, but what does "serpentine" mean? (Other than "like a snake", obviously)

[Nicholas Blair]

No one's mentioned revised rear light cluster yet from fiesta unit to whatever it became.

[Whiplash]

Or that RED ones are faster.

[al02052]

The prices of the car pre 1996 seems to be low around 7-8000. What do you suggest me, to buy a good 1995 for 8000 or a 1997-98 but paying an extra price (11000+/-) (with same maintenance/mileage car) ?

[tonto]

al02052 said:

Thanks Matt
If I well understood is better to buy a car post-95 (because there are the main tech improvement as the T5 gearbox and serpentine).
TIt seems that the 1996 facelift does not involve mechanichal/chassic improvement. Is correct ?

I thought the 1996 cars had a new chassis design (same as the Griff 500 IIRC)?

[M@H]

saxmund said:

Forgive my ignorance, but what does "serpentine" mean? (Other than "like a snake", obviously)

Its a reference to the Rover engine belt layout. A serpentine engine has the alternator/waterpump belt "snaking" around the front of the engine... I'll find a picture or two.

[M@H]

tonto said:

al02052 said:

Thanks Matt
If I well understood is better to buy a car post-95 (because there are the main tech improvement as the T5 gearbox and serpentine).
TIt seems that the 1996 facelift does not involve mechanichal/chassic improvement. Is correct ?

I thought the 1996 cars had a new chassis design (same as the Griff 500 IIRC)?

Well they were aligned thats true, but I'm not sure exactly what the changes were.. and I think the Chim 500 may have had that chassis spec before then.. not sure

[Podie]

Bonnet vents became larger, mesh around the front indicators went, Cerb style "mouth" adopted... door mirror opening buttons, revised dash, boot lid changed, rear "bumpers" became body coloured... number plate changed... in '99 the boot hinges changed...

Lots of small things which evolved over time, dependent on the parts in the bin at the time...

[the dodger]

Serpentine belt is a "Poly-V" grooved belt with pre-tentioner. Prior to that it was just a "fan belt".

General rule: buy as late a model as you can afford but always buy on condition, not age.

[groomvroom]

al02052 said:

What is the real difference between the pre and post 1996 Chimarea models ?
Thanks
Alberto

Having collected a few of these for my business lately, its fun playing spot the difference. I have a December 96 500 with the original grill but with the bigger brakes and central air vents ect, so that’s another in between model, also the extra fan switch near the boot opener which is present on my 95 500 is deleted on the 96, I guess instead of central air vents, my 93 4.3 doesn’t have either the fan or the vents. The expansion bottle is in a different place on all three cars too. The 4.3 also has black rimmed dials and heater controls rather than silver and has a fuel light unlike either of my later cars. Face lifted cars rear hoods are fixed differently too as I found out recently

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Whiplash said:

Mine is a Sept 1998 model and the rear number plate is back lit??????

That would be too weird.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Whiplash said:

Mine is a Sept 1998 model and the rear number plate is back lit??????

That would be too weird.

...although I've since read the post above...


I went to the factory in January 98. On the line were the first tutti fruity rear light models, and a few of the Fiesta rear light models...weren't the back lights even phased out on some of the Fiesta light variants?

[al02052]

My aim is to understand if is better to buy a Chiamara pre or past 1996/96 facelift.
The facelift upgraded the grille with the one fron Cerbera, but from the technical and driving point of view the facelift is significant ?
And do it whort to spend a bit more for the model ? (considering that I love much the old grille that the Cerbera one...)


PS
sorry for my English...