Abarth 696 Biposto idea goes cold...
Discussion
I've been giving serious consideration to an Abarth 695 Biposto - having seen one in the flesh at the Classic & Sportscar show at Alexandra Palace around eighteen months ago - or rather I was, until I encountered the dealer network/customer services...
The spartan nature of the Biposto wasn't a concern - I've owned a brace of 205 Rallyes, a Smart Brabus Roadster and a Porsche 968 Club Sport... - though I did want to know what I'd be letting myself in for regarding the maintenance of what is a pretty specialized vehicle (I'd read online of regular suspension adjustments required, for example).
Phoning my local dealer, Mangoletsi, I was told by the salesman that he didn't know the servicing specifics, but that he'd find out.
I suggested that a chat with one of the technicians would benefit me, he agreed and said I'd be called back... laughing as he did so (I like a joke but I don't recall cracking one?)... That call never came.
Burrows Motor Company is Sheffield fared poorly too.. still no reply regarding my part-ex enquiry on their Biposto.
I decided to put my maintenance enquiry direct to Fiat UK: emails that I sent to the two official email addresses bounced back (unable to deliver) so I sent it via the 'contact us' page on the Abarth sales website. A couple of days later I received a reply to my detailed information request, it went along the lines of "Please contact your local official dealer for this information...."!
If this is the service you get before spending £25-30k on a nearly-new Biposto, then my gut instinct tells me that I've dodged a bullet when it comes to after sales... I've now gone off the idea.
(Oh, and neither dealer allows Biposto test drives until they're convinced you'll buy...).
The spartan nature of the Biposto wasn't a concern - I've owned a brace of 205 Rallyes, a Smart Brabus Roadster and a Porsche 968 Club Sport... - though I did want to know what I'd be letting myself in for regarding the maintenance of what is a pretty specialized vehicle (I'd read online of regular suspension adjustments required, for example).
Phoning my local dealer, Mangoletsi, I was told by the salesman that he didn't know the servicing specifics, but that he'd find out.
I suggested that a chat with one of the technicians would benefit me, he agreed and said I'd be called back... laughing as he did so (I like a joke but I don't recall cracking one?)... That call never came.
Burrows Motor Company is Sheffield fared poorly too.. still no reply regarding my part-ex enquiry on their Biposto.
I decided to put my maintenance enquiry direct to Fiat UK: emails that I sent to the two official email addresses bounced back (unable to deliver) so I sent it via the 'contact us' page on the Abarth sales website. A couple of days later I received a reply to my detailed information request, it went along the lines of "Please contact your local official dealer for this information...."!
If this is the service you get before spending £25-30k on a nearly-new Biposto, then my gut instinct tells me that I've dodged a bullet when it comes to after sales... I've now gone off the idea.
(Oh, and neither dealer allows Biposto test drives until they're convinced you'll buy...).
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