Thinking of buying a Abarth 500/595
Discussion
I was hope some more knowledgeable memebers on these car could point me in the right direction. I have around 8.5k to spend on a abarth but I'm abit confused by the models.
I think I want a 595 Competizione this puts me in a low milage 2013 car. Then theres the 595 turismo which again give me lots of choice of low milage 2013 cars. Or I can afford a 2016 standard 595 and just remap it to have the same power as the previous two? Or is ther more too it than that?
The other option is a tracking down a mint esseesse 500, which look to be much cheaper,
Thanks Andy
I think I want a 595 Competizione this puts me in a low milage 2013 car. Then theres the 595 turismo which again give me lots of choice of low milage 2013 cars. Or I can afford a 2016 standard 595 and just remap it to have the same power as the previous two? Or is ther more too it than that?
The other option is a tracking down a mint esseesse 500, which look to be much cheaper,
Thanks Andy
If you search through previous threads a lot of this is already covered in some detail.
In very simple terms:
Basic Abarth 140 BHP
Turismo 160 BHP
These two models have the same turbo, so yes you can chip the basic model to the same level as the Turismo. The chip usually adds onto the 160bhp, with the safe limit that most reputable places go to being 170bhp (you could also do the Turismo the same but obviously are getting less extra bang for your buck.)
At 170bhp the basic model would (IMO) be under braked, so you may find it would have been cheaper to buy a higher spec car with the brakes already upgraded from the factory.
The Competizione has 180 BHP (but has an upgraded turbo.) That can then be chipped on again. You can get over 200bhp from these.
There is also a myriad of spec differences between the models covering seats, brakes, wheels, suspension and exhaust, most of which you could have added as an option.
At your price range you’ll find examples of all the above.
Other than the brand new model Essessee the older one was based on the 140 model and boosted to 160bhp. It then added drilled/vented front discs, drilled rear discs, updated front and rear Koni shocks, a BMC air filter and 17’ titanium finish multi spoke wheels.
If you’re interested I have a mint 500c MTA Essessee (so convertible and semi auto gearbox) going up for sale at the end of the month. It’s going in for a service and MOT on 29 July. PM me if you want any details.
Good luck with the hunt, they are great cars that practically every owner would heartily recommend!
In very simple terms:
Basic Abarth 140 BHP
Turismo 160 BHP
These two models have the same turbo, so yes you can chip the basic model to the same level as the Turismo. The chip usually adds onto the 160bhp, with the safe limit that most reputable places go to being 170bhp (you could also do the Turismo the same but obviously are getting less extra bang for your buck.)
At 170bhp the basic model would (IMO) be under braked, so you may find it would have been cheaper to buy a higher spec car with the brakes already upgraded from the factory.
The Competizione has 180 BHP (but has an upgraded turbo.) That can then be chipped on again. You can get over 200bhp from these.
There is also a myriad of spec differences between the models covering seats, brakes, wheels, suspension and exhaust, most of which you could have added as an option.
At your price range you’ll find examples of all the above.
Other than the brand new model Essessee the older one was based on the 140 model and boosted to 160bhp. It then added drilled/vented front discs, drilled rear discs, updated front and rear Koni shocks, a BMC air filter and 17’ titanium finish multi spoke wheels.
If you’re interested I have a mint 500c MTA Essessee (so convertible and semi auto gearbox) going up for sale at the end of the month. It’s going in for a service and MOT on 29 July. PM me if you want any details.
Good luck with the hunt, they are great cars that practically every owner would heartily recommend!
Sorry didn’t make it clear. It’s the later end of your budget where the comp moves to 180bhp because of the changes to the turbo.
You’ll just about find a crossover at the age and budget you’re looking in where the majority of comps have 160bhp, whilst the newer ones go to 180bhp (albeit the 180bhp ones are thin on the ground around 8.5k and under, but I’ve seen the odd one at that price.)
I think it’s around a 15 plate you get the BHP uplift so you won’t have much choice bar upping the budget if you want one of those.
The crossover also applies to other bits, you’ll also see same age/reg cars with the “old” style and “new “ style dash cluster, I suppose it depends on what dealers had in stock.
The new style ones are easy to spot as the display is multi coloured rather than orange.
You’ll just about find a crossover at the age and budget you’re looking in where the majority of comps have 160bhp, whilst the newer ones go to 180bhp (albeit the 180bhp ones are thin on the ground around 8.5k and under, but I’ve seen the odd one at that price.)
I think it’s around a 15 plate you get the BHP uplift so you won’t have much choice bar upping the budget if you want one of those.
The crossover also applies to other bits, you’ll also see same age/reg cars with the “old” style and “new “ style dash cluster, I suppose it depends on what dealers had in stock.
The new style ones are easy to spot as the display is multi coloured rather than orange.
Edited by Gmlgml on Sunday 14th July 10:56
Check out TMC motorsport.
They do all the bits you would need to go to anything from standard up to 280bhp and in between. I think at that state of tune you are into hybrid turbo, updated injectors, big intercooler etc. And a big bill. I think last time I looked they do a fitted package for 280 for around 6k.
I’m not 100% sure but I think the difference between the 160bhp comp and the 180bhp comp (engine wise) is simply the turbo and map, which of course you could bolt onto an earlier car if you just wanted to upgrade within the factory parameters.
However, doing it to a 140 or 160 BHP non comp car would mean the exhaust and brakes would all need upgrading, so you’d probably be better off buying the comp in the first place.
LSD is an expensive and sought after option so they tend to be a few and far between and don’t hang about on the market for too long. Again, I stand to be corrected but I’m not sure I’ve seen earlier cars (i.e in your price bracket) with the performance pack ( LSD and a few other odds and sods), so it may have been a later option anyhow.
They do all the bits you would need to go to anything from standard up to 280bhp and in between. I think at that state of tune you are into hybrid turbo, updated injectors, big intercooler etc. And a big bill. I think last time I looked they do a fitted package for 280 for around 6k.
I’m not 100% sure but I think the difference between the 160bhp comp and the 180bhp comp (engine wise) is simply the turbo and map, which of course you could bolt onto an earlier car if you just wanted to upgrade within the factory parameters.
However, doing it to a 140 or 160 BHP non comp car would mean the exhaust and brakes would all need upgrading, so you’d probably be better off buying the comp in the first place.
LSD is an expensive and sought after option so they tend to be a few and far between and don’t hang about on the market for too long. Again, I stand to be corrected but I’m not sure I’ve seen earlier cars (i.e in your price bracket) with the performance pack ( LSD and a few other odds and sods), so it may have been a later option anyhow.
Edited by Gmlgml on Sunday 14th July 15:59
What are you considering as low mileage? A quick look of autotrader only showed 4 comps around the 70,000mile mark for your budget.
For me there’s a huge improvement with the newer series4 cars on the interior so it’s worth having a good look at both to see the difference and what you want.
For me there’s a huge improvement with the newer series4 cars on the interior so it’s worth having a good look at both to see the difference and what you want.
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff