Abarth 124 Spider
Discussion
Of the many wonderful vehicles I've owned, I've never had a convertible.
With summer coming, I've decided to jump in and try one. Not wanting to spend ridiculous money (I have £20k budget for this project) means I've looked at a lot of very respectable used Mercedes, some BMWs, even some Astons (would need to up the budget there, which I ain't gonna do) and a few other buggies too.
I've even test driven a couple of MX-5s. I really liked them, except to look at from the outside... 🤨
The Spider has jumped out at me as a very sexy fun little blast-around which won't break the bank (I have £20k for this particular project). I've done some research and while they have their bugs, they don't seem to be serious, most are well-know, and none of them bankruptcy territory.
Paperwork is important to verify either high milers or (why) low milers.
I am looking at one now which is a 2019 example with just under 10k on it. The dealer says he would prefer to change the cambelt before selling because despite the mileage it should be done every 5 years at the minimum.
Just wanted to ask if there would be any other reason you might change the cambelt on a < 10k example? And should I get him to do the water pump at the same time before I close the deal?
Any guidance very welcome, thanks!
Good thread below which I'll use as an inspection checklist when I'm viewing it at the weekend.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
With summer coming, I've decided to jump in and try one. Not wanting to spend ridiculous money (I have £20k budget for this project) means I've looked at a lot of very respectable used Mercedes, some BMWs, even some Astons (would need to up the budget there, which I ain't gonna do) and a few other buggies too.
I've even test driven a couple of MX-5s. I really liked them, except to look at from the outside... 🤨
The Spider has jumped out at me as a very sexy fun little blast-around which won't break the bank (I have £20k for this particular project). I've done some research and while they have their bugs, they don't seem to be serious, most are well-know, and none of them bankruptcy territory.
Paperwork is important to verify either high milers or (why) low milers.
I am looking at one now which is a 2019 example with just under 10k on it. The dealer says he would prefer to change the cambelt before selling because despite the mileage it should be done every 5 years at the minimum.
Just wanted to ask if there would be any other reason you might change the cambelt on a < 10k example? And should I get him to do the water pump at the same time before I close the deal?
Any guidance very welcome, thanks!
Good thread below which I'll use as an inspection checklist when I'm viewing it at the weekend.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It's Italian so my advice is change the belts (and all tensioners) bang on the periodicity suggested, think the 124 Spider has the same engine as my 595 Comp so 5 years is right regardless of miles. Mine is in next month for belts (Mar 2020 on 16K miles), Abarth specialist warned not to push it too far past that as they do occasionally go.
That said I did the belts on my Twin Spark 916 Spider at the weekend and had extended the life by nearly 50% (should be every 3 years) and everything bar the Balance Belt looked fine. I've only done circa 8K since last time I changed them but I wouldn't push those much past that. I didn't change the Water Pump as I'd done it last time and they don't fail as much as the bad old Alfa days, if it goes then it's just my time to swap it (and the belts) out.
If however the garage or yourself are paying for it then yes I'd change it as it'll be another £450 to put a new one in (belts come off), I'm personally getting mine swapped out in the Abarth with the belts.
That said I did the belts on my Twin Spark 916 Spider at the weekend and had extended the life by nearly 50% (should be every 3 years) and everything bar the Balance Belt looked fine. I've only done circa 8K since last time I changed them but I wouldn't push those much past that. I didn't change the Water Pump as I'd done it last time and they don't fail as much as the bad old Alfa days, if it goes then it's just my time to swap it (and the belts) out.
If however the garage or yourself are paying for it then yes I'd change it as it'll be another £450 to put a new one in (belts come off), I'm personally getting mine swapped out in the Abarth with the belts.
Yup, completely standard to replace the cam belt based on age and five years is about normal. As above, if the cam belt drives the water pump, get that replaced at the same time, along with all the tensioners, idlers, etc., since they cost peanuts and can take the whole engine out if they fail.
I’d get the water pump and aux belt done too at the same time. A bit of preventative maintenance never hurt. Cambelts can crack with age on low mileage examples so the dealer is right on getting it done. I’d also carefully check the tyres too as they might be past their best even if they’ve still got plenty of meat on them.
Just be aware that some parts are getting in sort supply and are ridiculously expensive (credit where credit isn’t due to Stellantis). It does share a lot of parts with the ND MX5, they can often be sourced easier and cheaper than the Fiat parts. The engine is used in lots of stuff, Alfas, Fiats etc so no issues there. It’s the body and trim parts specific to the 124 that will cause you issues. Lights, bumpers, wings etc are all in short suppply and will cost the earth should you be unlucky enough to need them. Even a cracked windscreen will cause issues as the trims are often on back order and are specific to the Spider. I guess it’s the price of exclusivity but it’s not ideal on what is still a relatively young car.
Mines done 65k and is a bit of a 10yd car cosmetically but mechanically it still feels tight and strong and everything still works as it should.
Buy one, enjoy it but don’t prang it!
Just be aware that some parts are getting in sort supply and are ridiculously expensive (credit where credit isn’t due to Stellantis). It does share a lot of parts with the ND MX5, they can often be sourced easier and cheaper than the Fiat parts. The engine is used in lots of stuff, Alfas, Fiats etc so no issues there. It’s the body and trim parts specific to the 124 that will cause you issues. Lights, bumpers, wings etc are all in short suppply and will cost the earth should you be unlucky enough to need them. Even a cracked windscreen will cause issues as the trims are often on back order and are specific to the Spider. I guess it’s the price of exclusivity but it’s not ideal on what is still a relatively young car.
Mines done 65k and is a bit of a 10yd car cosmetically but mechanically it still feels tight and strong and everything still works as it should.
Buy one, enjoy it but don’t prang it!
demic said:
Just be aware that some parts are getting in sort supply and are ridiculously expensive (credit where credit isn’t due to Stellantis). It does share a lot of parts with the ND MX5, they can often be sourced easier and cheaper than the Fiat parts. It’s the body and trim parts specific to the 124 that will cause you issues. Lights, bumpers, wings etc are all in short suppply and will cost the earth should you be unlucky enough to need them
Buy one, enjoy it but don’t prang it!
Great cars but having bought one with front end damage I can confirm the above is very much true.Buy one, enjoy it but don’t prang it!
Thanks for the replies all, much appreciated!
I'll be all over the maintenance, so if she is a good example then I hope she'll be going strong in 5 years' time.
I noticed a comment from @Trevor555 on the other thread that "If left for more than a couple of weeks unused they can fail to start, the oil drains away from the multiair thingys".
I'm guessing that refers to the hydraulic lifters in the VVT system - anyone experience of having troubled start-ups after they've sat for a while?
I will probably garage her for most of the winter (UK weather) so would be good to know if there's some trick to get round this. ...Kind of like the full throttle pedal on the DB9 to cause a dead crank and get all the pots lubed up before firing, which I've used.
I'll be all over the maintenance, so if she is a good example then I hope she'll be going strong in 5 years' time.
I noticed a comment from @Trevor555 on the other thread that "If left for more than a couple of weeks unused they can fail to start, the oil drains away from the multiair thingys".
I'm guessing that refers to the hydraulic lifters in the VVT system - anyone experience of having troubled start-ups after they've sat for a while?
I will probably garage her for most of the winter (UK weather) so would be good to know if there's some trick to get round this. ...Kind of like the full throttle pedal on the DB9 to cause a dead crank and get all the pots lubed up before firing, which I've used.
demic said:
Mines done 65k and is a bit of a 10yd car cosmetically but mechanically it still feels tight and strong and everything still works as it should.
Nice to hear she is still going strong after 65k. Always wondered if they are as reliable as the MX5 platform they are on. If I pay £20k and get 5 years good motoring out of her, I'm not expecting £20k back. Mind you, they are getting rarer!BigJock2005 said:
Thanks for the replies all, much appreciated!
I'll be all over the maintenance, so if she is a good example then I hope she'll be going strong in 5 years' time.
I noticed a comment from @Trevor555 on the other thread that "If left for more than a couple of weeks unused they can fail to start, the oil drains away from the multiair thingys".
I'm guessing that refers to the hydraulic lifters in the VVT system - anyone experience of having troubled start-ups after they've sat for a while?
I will probably garage her for most of the winter (UK weather) so would be good to know if there's some trick to get round this. ...Kind of like the full throttle pedal on the DB9 to cause a dead crank and get all the pots lubed up before firing, which I've used.
Yes the MultiAir system needs oil pressure, so after extended periods of inactivity the oil drains away out of the MultiAir “brick” and you won’t get pressure to start. There is a work round similar to what you’ve used on a DB9, basically cranking the engine without fuel to get the oil pressure up. I’ve never had to do it but it’s a well known issue and there’s plenty of advice about it.I'll be all over the maintenance, so if she is a good example then I hope she'll be going strong in 5 years' time.
I noticed a comment from @Trevor555 on the other thread that "If left for more than a couple of weeks unused they can fail to start, the oil drains away from the multiair thingys".
I'm guessing that refers to the hydraulic lifters in the VVT system - anyone experience of having troubled start-ups after they've sat for a while?
I will probably garage her for most of the winter (UK weather) so would be good to know if there's some trick to get round this. ...Kind of like the full throttle pedal on the DB9 to cause a dead crank and get all the pots lubed up before firing, which I've used.
Simplest would be to fire it up every couple of weeks if practical and possible. Longest I’ve left mine is four weeks and it started fine.
As an aside the MultiAir brick has its own oil little filter than needs changing, every 40k springs to mind but I’m not 100% on that.
BigJock2005 said:
Nice to hear she is still going strong after 65k. Always wondered if they are as reliable as the MX5 platform they are on. If I pay £20k and get 5 years good motoring out of her, I'm not expecting £20k back. Mind you, they are getting rarer!
They're great little cars. Had one for a couple of years. No other car I've had, had so much attention. Peppered with Mazda logos, so don't let the Fiat thing put you off. Only issue I had was sticking exhaust valves.We just had the timing belt and water pump done on our 2018, which had low miles.
Specialist said it didnt look great and wondered how the US manual can state a ten year interval.
When buying, I was told that they are no 2019 cars, they stopped importing in 2018 and they just lay in stock in the UK, I think this is the reason most of the 2019 cars are automatics, they were the last to sell.
Ours occasionally gulps oil for no reason, then stays stable for months, so they’re worth frequent checking.
Specialist said it didnt look great and wondered how the US manual can state a ten year interval.
When buying, I was told that they are no 2019 cars, they stopped importing in 2018 and they just lay in stock in the UK, I think this is the reason most of the 2019 cars are automatics, they were the last to sell.
Ours occasionally gulps oil for no reason, then stays stable for months, so they’re worth frequent checking.
Nickp82 said:
Great cars but having bought one with front end damage I can confirm the above is very much true.
Sold mine, primarily, because keeping it in London (and ensuing patina) was becoming prohibitive. Even parking it at the far end of the Waitrose car park gave me anxiety. Didn't want to have it off the road for 6 months for some part sat at a German warehouse.leggerito said:
Sold mine, primarily, because keeping it in London (and ensuing patina) was becoming prohibitive. Even parking it at the far end of the Waitrose car park gave me anxiety. Didn't want to have it off the road for 6 months for some part sat at a German warehouse.
London is simply a nightmare for nice cars. If you ain't got a garage then it's a constant battle. I don't know anyone in London that has to street park that doesn't have dings in their car. Apparently in South Ken it's just unbelievable, as there's around 50,000 French people live there LOLRough101 said:
When buying, I was told that they are no 2019 cars, they stopped importing in 2018
It was first registered in December 2018 which makes it a 68 plate so the dealer's made a mistake there (discount!).The first owner (maybe the importer?) seems to have stored her for a few months and then the next owner has had it for 5 years and that owner has done all the miles.There's only 3 MOTs of course, but they all have no defects and the mileage is consistent except for the last year which is only 300 miles.
ZX10R NIN said:
There's no reason not to buy one they're a good car, the cambelt has to be done every 6 years so no need for suspicion.
Cheers pal. I guess you ride a Ninja. Bikes are great too. I’ve done a load but being a fat old guy now I cruise around on a Triumph 1200 Bonny Speeder. Nothing better. Ride safe. leggerito said:
Nickp82 said:
Great cars but having bought one with front end damage I can confirm the above is very much true.
Sold mine, primarily, because keeping it in London (and ensuing patina) was becoming prohibitive. Even parking it at the far end of the Waitrose car park gave me anxiety. Didn't want to have it off the road for 6 months for some part sat at a German warehouse.It's ReDriven, an Aussie channel that look at what can go wrong with specific vehicles, and the section about the non availability and prohibitive cost of certain parts really put me off.
BigJock2005 said:
ZX10R NIN said:
There's no reason not to buy one they're a good car, the cambelt has to be done every 6 years so no need for suspicion.
Cheers pal. I guess you ride a Ninja. Bikes are great too. I’ve done a load but being a fat old guy now I cruise around on a Triumph 1200 Bonny Speeder. Nothing better. Ride safe. Keep it sunny side up I'm not long back from an early morning runout.
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