Abarth 595 Competizione as a daily?

[Bungleaio]

geeks said:

Well the log book says it’s mine but we are married, nothing is technically mine

On the plus side she picked up her new car today, new Focus ST-Line X and very nice it is too! Can’t fault it, handles well, goes alright, comfortable and is stuffed to the gills with gadgets! So naturally we went out and took a few photos, this was probably the better one.

I like the matching colour scheme, was that a conscious decision or do you always have red?

micloi said:

Jester86 said:

I'd be tempted to order another specced Abarth in the future, but I must admit they really need to do the following 2 minor things.

1. For the love of everything allow us to spec Cruise! It makes the mundane motorway parts so much easier.
2. Allow the steering wheel to adjust for reach. How is the model a good 10+ years old and you haven't done this. I could improve the driving position so much for myself.

The frustrating thing is I am having my head turned by Hyundai and the i30N. Which is the only other hot hatch apart from the Abarth which really has my attention.

Both fixable. I have extended the steering wheel I am installing cruise control next week. Just over £700 for both including installation.

I'd really like cruise on mine, who is doing the install for you micloi?

Biggles delivers the goods said:

I've had my 17 plate Turismo for over a year now and nearly 20k miles under its belt. It was perfect for when I lived in London but I recently moved to the country and the roads are bloody awful. I have treated it to its own plate though which I think fits rather well, "WH12 POP".

Glad to see it's not just me that puts the miles in, can't say I've suffered from the bad roads though.

Edited by Bungleaio on Thursday 4th October 19:32

[Bungleaio]

I had heating elements fitted to my car today, a local firm did them for me and I'm very pleased. They might not be very good if you've got kids who might kick the cable that goes to the seat back but that's not an issue for me. The leather doesn't look like it's been removed and the wiring it all very neat.

[micloi]

>>I'd really like cruise on mine, who is doing the install for you micloi?

I am having it installed at Angel Tuning in Banbury.
Looking forward to it. I drove close to 5 hours last Sunday and it was quite tiring with the gas pedal placement (I am also quite tall thus the steering wheel extension and the seat lowering brackets...).

[Bungleaio]

Cheers mate, I'll have a look into it soon I think.

[Jester86]

The only issue I have with the steering wheel extender is it leaves the stalks in the original position while moving the steering wheel towards you, I know that sounds picky but ergonomically it bothers me. Or I have stumpy fingers...

The fact that it must be relatively easy for Fiat/Abarth to make this change and it would improve peoples feel and driving experience of the car immensely. I'd love to know why it hasn't been done.

I am going to look into lowering the seat though!

Edited by Jester86 on Friday 5th October 07:04

[Bungleaio]

After 11k miles I'm used to having to reach for the stalks, I know some fit the things off bikes to help but Id rather just reach. Not having the extender on is awful after experiencing it, I did about 200 miles with my turismo without it when the dealer gave me a collection date for the comp.

[Bungleaio]

Just got this through from last weekends Duxford meet. It makes a pleasant change to get sent the image for free. My Mrs moaned like no one's business that I spent all day cleaning it and putting ceramic coating on but it was worth the effort and earache.

[DELTAHPE]

Jester86 said:

The only issue I have with the steering wheel extender is it leaves the stalks in the original position while moving the steering wheel towards you, I know that sounds picky but ergonomically it bothers me. Or I have stumpy fingers...

The fact that it must be relatively easy for Fiat/Abarth to make this change and it would improve peoples feel and driving experience of the car immensely. I'd love to know why it hasn't been done.

I am going to look into lowering the seat though!

Edited by Jester86 on Friday 5th October 07:04

I'm a bit doubtful about seat lowering as I already have the steering wheel set as low as it will go if the seat is lowered I have a feeling that the relative positions of other items might be bad?

[Jester86]

DELTAHPE said:

I'm a bit doubtful about seat lowering as I already have the steering wheel set as low as it will go if the seat is lowered I have a feeling that the relative positions of other items might be bad?

Ah I don't have my steering wheel as low as possible as it bangs my knees. So lowering the seat would probably give me the ability to get slightly more comfortable by lowering the wheel and sitting slightly further back.

But as you say I might lose sight of some of the instruments as the steering wheel would block it. Such Italian issues.

[DELTAHPE]

Jester86 said:

Ah I don't have my steering wheel as low as possible as it bangs my knees. So lowering the seat would probably give me the ability to get slightly more comfortable by lowering the wheel and sitting slightly further back.

But as you say I might lose sight of some of the instruments as the steering wheel would block it. Such Italian issues.

I've got used to the driving position TBH, but I'm only 5 9 so it's not so extreme for me. As I've driven Italian cars for about 40 years (my dad had Alfasuds) I'm kind of used to it. In the 595 the relative lack of sensation of speed is my biggest downside with the high seats

[micloi]

Jester86 said:

The only issue I have with the steering wheel extender is it leaves the stalks in the original position while moving the steering wheel towards you, I know that sounds picky but ergonomically it bothers me. Or I have stumpy fingers...

The fact that it must be relatively easy for Fiat/Abarth to make this change and it would improve peoples feel and driving experience of the car immensely. I'd love to know why it hasn't been done.

I am going to look into lowering the seat though!

Edited by Jester86 on Friday 5th October 07:04

Even easier to solve and cost £12
I cut this in half and extended both stalks.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0762LRFHB

Edited by micloi on Friday 5th October 22:28

[geeks]

Bungleaio said:

geeks said:

Well the log book says it’s mine but we are married, nothing is technically mine

On the plus side she picked up her new car today, new Focus ST-Line X and very nice it is too! Can’t fault it, handles well, goes alright, comfortable and is stuffed to the gills with gadgets! So naturally we went out and took a few photos, this was probably the better one.


I like the matching colour scheme, was that a conscious decision or do you always have red?

Its just the way it ended up to be honest, I always have red when I can but she usually has black or blue but fancied a change this time around so went for red!

Have now pumped 250 odd miles onto mine, did a long trip yesterday over to Marlow and back, mix of motorway and country roads, much fun was had, even more Optimax was burned went out with the guys from the office for lunch, many compliments on the car and the way it goes and sounds as well

Next up is the seat lowering kit me thinks but want to make sure I get one that retains the seat sliders!

Edited by geeks on Sunday 7th October 12:20

[Squadrone Rosso]

Just done a 200 mile motorway run in mine. No stopping. Driven Con Gusto so only 31.2mpg indicated & in need of a tank full of Super.

Fast, fun, great seats, great 7” nav & Absolute 80’s sounding brilliant via beats

[Biggles delivers the goods]

Gio G said:

Are you using a sea-sucker for your bike?

G

Hi G,
yeah, it is a Seasucker, I think its a Talon. had it for about a year and zero problems. Much nicer to look at than a roof rack.

[geeks]

Anyone coming to the PH Sunday Service next weekend?

Am now 600 odd miles into ownership and still grinning like an idiot everytime I hop into it.

Bungle, where are you based? I want a go in a car with the steering extension to see if I like it before taking the plunge, if you are anywhere near MK at any point any chance you could oblige?

[Bungleaio]

Where is the SS? Despite being a member on here for years I've never been to one.

I'm Leicester so a meet up and a drive isn't all that tricky to set up.

[geeks]

Bungleaio said:

Where is the SS? Despite being a member on here for years I've never been to one.

I'm Leicester so a meet up and a drive isn't all that tricky to set up.

Silverstone for next weekend, I haven't been one before either, like you say, quite off given how long I have been a member!

Superb on the drive front! Maybe a PH Abarth meet up at some point wouldn't be a bad idea

[ecsrobin]

geeks said:

Bungleaio said:

Where is the SS? Despite being a member on here for years I've never been to one.

I'm Leicester so a meet up and a drive isn't all that tricky to set up.

Silverstone for next weekend, I haven't been one before either, like you say, quite off given how long I have been a member!

Superb on the drive front! Maybe a PH Abarth meet up at some point wouldn't be a bad idea

My plan was to go and get track time. Then my local brewery offered me free food and beer on the same day.....

[geeks]

ecsrobin said:

geeks said:

Bungleaio said:

Where is the SS? Despite being a member on here for years I've never been to one.

I'm Leicester so a meet up and a drive isn't all that tricky to set up.

Silverstone for next weekend, I haven't been one before either, like you say, quite off given how long I have been a member!

Superb on the drive front! Maybe a PH Abarth meet up at some point wouldn't be a bad idea

My plan was to go and get track time. Then my local brewery offered me free food and beer on the same day.....

This stuff never happens to me! Lucky git

[Bungleaio]

I won't be at the sunday service this weekend but I will be MK way in a few weeks hopefully, I'll let you know Geeks.

One of the spec changes I noticed when I picked my car up was that the key now has a plastic loop compared to the metal one, a bit of youtubing later and I found that I could replace the plastic. I guess the plastic is reasonably strong but I trust the metal more.

This is the video I watched https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioj_gGyizAY&t=...

And this is the key I bought https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/253062296294