Fiat 500 US Market

This is excellent info, thanks. I liked the feel of single clutch as it feels a bit more sporty. I would hope the US Abarth also gets this as it will be an excellent daily commuter particularly in traffic.

 

Got an oil change today on my Sport with 17K miles and the new reminder sticker shows the next one at 25K.

 

Hmmm. 30259 start.
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The Stateline guys also gave me a 3,000 mile reminder sticker like that, I can only guess it's a Chrysler thing.

I will be going with the Fiat manual and the dashboard oil change indicator.

And for as much as they charge, will do it myself.

 

For the Abarth, it's every 8k miles or when the indicator comes on. My service rep told me miles matter less than the indicator. His recommendation was to just go by the indicator.


Mark

 

That's what it is supposed to be, all by the indicator. But when I had my engine replaced at 13k, they said to come every 4k, indicator or not. I've yet to pay a dime for any service, so I don't mind I guess. I can't help but wonder if my first engine issues were an oiling problem.

 

To change the topic for a second. With my birthday coming up, I'm thinking to ask my Santa slash sugar daddy for something for the Abarth. It's my daily commuter so preferably without much impact on reliability or gas mileage. Ideas?

 

This looks like fun...

FIAT 500 ABARTH (ECU) Engine Control Module by Magneti Marelli (with Radio Remote Controller) - FIAT 500 Parts and Accessories

 

I'd ask for the combo pack, engine module and power pedal.

FIAT 500 ABARTH Power Pack - Magneti Marelli Engine Controller and Power Pedal w/ Remote Combo - FIAT 500 Parts and Accessories

I'm seriously considering ordering for myself too.


Mark

 

????
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Mark - LMAO!

I've been thinking about the MM unit, that looks like a good option. Interestingly - and you'll appreciate it - the dealer offered it to me last year, but when I inquired about its effect on warranty, I got the "I don't know, let me check and get back to you". Of course I never heard back.

Has the Venom kit ever made it to the US?

 

My dealer kind of pulled me aside and said just call our service dept. and ask them to order the MM unit. They would buy it from 500 Madness and then install for me at the dealer "that way if anything goes wrong, that might help out with the warranty." I may pick up the ecu and pp this spring or summer, we'll see. I'm still weary of the warranty issue.

The Venom package has not made it here yet, but I keep hearing about it being offered as a dealer installed package "soon." The Venom package would be the MM box, Bombardone exhaust, and I think an intake. My understanding is the MM box gets you 99% of the package by itself. The boxes are adjustable in their output, though. If you keep the standard tune from MM, you'll be near 200hp and at or above 200ft-lbs of torque. I want it bad.



Mark

 

Yep, it's official. This is a proper Italian car, with room in the trunk for the bodies.
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If you take off the divider and headrests, you could fit two properly chopped up ones. Strictly theoretically speaking..

 

There have been quite a bit of issues with the MM ECM reported lately. How about the 500Madness CAI? i've enjoyed my MM Power Pedal but think I will go 500 Madness or TCM for a ECM piggyback rather than MM

 

Thanks for good info. Do you have any details on MM box issues?

 

Fiat 500 commercial expanded into 'Sexy People' music video

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk9PfN2Hphw]Arianna - Sexy People (The FIAT Song) ft. Pitbull - YouTube[/ame]

 

32,000 miles.

Headlamp out, second time now. Wouldn't be a huge deal if the didn't cost $70.

 

I've seen this on quite a few 500s....

 

Tip:

9021LL bulb - Same exact bulb is used on Chrysler 200 and 300 - was able to pick up at Chrysler dealer for $44.

 

That is a good tip!

 

Another example that everything is more expensive on Italian cars...A landscaper shattered my driver's side quarter window with a rock...$456 eek total repair...thankfully the company paid direct so I just had the aggravation of dealing with it and not the dollar impact.
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Yikes! I suppose better the glass than a paint chip and dent you didn't notice right away.

 

If the bulbs are popping early, it probably isn't the bulb but the harness. I learned this only through my Saab 9-3 experience. After replacing the bulbs several times, I told my mechanic to replace the harnesses (I supplied the parts) and that was the end of the problem. Told my friend with the same issue on his 9-3 and it worked like a charm once again.

Following the 500 news on here, getting tired of sourcing parts....

 

FWIW, 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo Review

I don't recall anyone posting they have a Turbo; did I miss it?

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Yeah, I had the same thought...the impact point appears to be in the lower left corner about an inch or two from the body..."this close" to being a dent...that said, I'm sure there is a dent and/or scratch under the grass clippings stuck to Brownie that I haven't noticed yet.