131mirafiori forum

There seems to be a good supply of usable classic Fiats on Ebay UK at the moment.

Aside from the almost endless supplies of X1-9s and 126s, there is a series 1 Croma, a Regata, a 127 GT (LHD) and three Strada Abarths (recently 4). Just a few weeks ago Dave's 132 & 131 (both sold).

Is it a sign of the downturn or maybe these things go in cycles. In any event, some good opportunities for Fiat fans out there.  :)

Hey 1 of the Stradas is my old car.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-FIAT-STRADA-ABARTH-MK3-BLACK-/120595708120?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c141078d8 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1986-FIAT-STRADA-ABARTH-MK3-BLACK-/120595708120?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c141078d8)

Glad to see shes still going


This was back when she was mine (yes they were the wrong wheels)....

Would love to own a good 130tc.

Any history on your old car Graham?

Hi Bobby,

She was bought by an old buddy of mine James from a bloke in West Drayton, I bought her from him in/around 1994, I sold her to my friend Ian in 1998 who in turn sold it to our mutual friend Ian in the same year (helps to explain the high number of keepers).
There was nothing wrong with XMV, we just liked her and wanted to own her at different times.

During my ownership the gearbox was totally overhauled inc bearings, syncros, gaskets and seals.
New Sachs clutch and release bearing.
The engine was stripped down, head polished/ported, everything that needed replacing done, uprated head gasket fitted, high lift cams installed (later replaced with standard cams by Ian because it was too peaky for him), larger jets installed in carbs and set up at Barry Waterhouse Engineering (Old Baz much missed).

New lower track control arms fitted, new bushes on front suspension & anti roll bar.
 
The brakes were completley rebuilt and Tarox groved dics fitted with Mintex 171 pads.

Screen surround rusty areas were cut out, remade and welded in, 2 new doors fitted, tailgate replaced, Drivers seat bolster areas re-covered with the last genuine Fiat UK stock cover (so they said) from Thames Fiat in Croydon, the inner logo'd cushions were re-covered with the identical material from an Uno Turbo cushion (neat tweek that you'd never notice).

There were many other bits'n'bobs replaced as per normal ownership and I have tried to list as much as I can remember.

The car drove very well and had great performance.
The Pirelli wheels were replaced with the correct Cromodora units by one of the Ians, the wheels were restored and looked better than new.

This car was in very good allround condition when the 2nd Ian sold her to a chap in Scotland in 2001 (presumably the present eBay seller).

I hope this info is of interest/useful

Here is Ians ad from Auto Italia issue 54 Feb 2001...



     

Thanks for the info Graham.

Got a soft spot for 130tc's!

Took a long shot and now she is mine.  :)

wahooo well done bobby well ware with it ;)

Cheers Mark.  8)

Fancied one for ages. Drove her back 335miles with only a slight splutter around 2500 rpm. Didn't give her any real stick as the oils not been changed for years.

Gave her an forte oil flush and an oil change today. Had a quick look underneath, no serious issues, got some goodies on her too-koni's, goodridge hoses, polybushed etc. Took her out for a blast, not sure weather because it's got twin 45's, but she goes like stink. I never ever thought a 130tc could have so much torque. Gearbox is perfect. Time to have some fun!

Well done Bobby,

I'm so pleased shes gone to a good home :) :) :)... totally pleased  ;D ;D 8) ;D ;D

I always wondered what happened to her over the years since Ian sold her and yet again for someone I know to own her is brill.

Glad to hear the gearbox is functioning as new, that car always covered ground well. The box ratios were dead in line with the engine characteristics.

I have some other pics somewhere of her and perhaps some video from the early days.... but that will be a journey to my Dads loft to retrieve it  :o

Enjoy her mate she was a good old girl who never let us down and always brought a smile to our faces!

As we used to say..... 'Top Banana'  8) 

Well done nice car nice price  8)

Enjoy it Bobby!!

nice buy!

here's another one
http://www.autoscout24.it/Details.aspx?id=178398177#

and another one with hormann bodykit
http://www.autoscout24.it/Details.aspx?id=178325789

Nice car you got there. Hope you will enjoy it!!!

Cheers chaps for the comments. ;D

Will post some pics of her soon. In the process of collecting some bits and pieces.

Nice pictures Graham, think it looks better on the early wheels.

i saw you on thurs evening about say between 4 or 5 o'clock,i was on the ,,,i think M6 or maybe the M25,heading towards london,as i was spending a weekend in london with the kids,,looks really sweet,i passed you in my x5, reg plate f1lmm,,,hope i'm right chers

Bobby, nice buy, well done. 

A 130TC would have been my next choice if I wouldn't have been able to find a 131. Enjoy  8) 

Hi mate, you might of passed me on the m6 up to junction 15 as that's where I turned off to Stoke on Trent. I was on the m6 till 4pm.

I could not find the correct wheels in decent condition when I got her and she had the earlier Pirelli rims on already. I painted the centres a dark silver to make them look a bit different.

The next owner Ian bought a crashed 130TC for its parts to use in his other 130TC (E reg, last 3 letters ELM).
The wrecked car (D reg, last 3 letters ALU) came with the later correct wheels which he had restored/diamond cut and then fitted on XMV.

I liked both wheel types but I preferred the later rims on XMV ;)

it looked a nice car,,as you say,you were taking it easy ;D

Leaving the wheels and the car as it is.

F1lmm- you should of horned mate :)

Was taking it easy as wanted to get the car home in one piece. It had done approx 30 miles to and from the mot station after being stored in a garage since 2003. I had to drive 330miles on the same oil, cambelt etc, took a risk really.

I wouldn't worry about 'only' 330 miles on old oil, cambelt, etc. Bobby! I drove my Abarth 1,250 miles home after it had been stored for 10 years - after what I now know to be 'zero' recommissioning!!  :o Still, it made for an interesting journey home - with the smell of boiling battery acid being an everlasting memory! ::) ;D ;D ;D

Thing is though, if an 'old' Fiat TC stops on the way home from anywhere it can usually be fixed with a few basic tools and a length of wet string! ;D :D

Simon

My 131 never let me down and like you said the 130TC would be easy to fix.

However my 2009 525i (German Reliability) has just left me immobile for the second time in 18 Months with electronic problems.......Enough said really.

A few pics of as she arrived. Cleaning commences next week!

took my lad for a quick spin too!

......

Sweet Bobby, I hope your son enjoyed his first trip in her  ;D

It all seems like yesterday, the Abarth script & badge on the glovebox, the familiar seat covers, the same Meta alarm fob on the keys, the poxy LED clock that has a mind of its own...... pure nostalgia for me  :D ;D ;) :) 8) 

Nice one Gra!

My lad loves it, even calls it the "abarth"

Believe it or not, i even found a British ?10 note in the n/s door pocket! Got the old MOT's and road taxes and some other invoices fom the London area.

LED is funny- need to do some research on how it works.

Need to spend a day valeting t see how she come up!

Cheers Paul.  ;)

Completly different car to the 131 Sport, but still in it's own league! I now know why my dad bought a brand new B reg 131 Super from First County Garages instead of a 130tc as I insisted on!

Looking good Bobby! 8) ;D I just love how the Kiddie Seat sits so 'snuggly' into the Recaro!  ;) :D My kids love my old cars - especially the Abarth as they have all grown up with it. Both of my girls want it as their wedding car even though they are aged only 10 and 12, and they and my 14 year old son all want it 'when I die'! ::) Hopefully that won't be any time soon!!! ;) :D ;D ;D

I know what you mean about (lack of) German reliability Rob131!! My 2007 E60 525d LCI Sport has had a series of electrical faults in the last six months, which were eventually traced to an very "unintelligent" intelligent battery sensor!! It was reading 6 volts instead of 14 volts and kept shutting various systems down.  ::) My 2004 E60 530i never missed a beat though in the 4 years and 45k miles I had it.

I love the BMW 5-Series (as most people on here know 8) and I've had 6 of them now, over the last 10 years - still have two) and it would take a lot to turn me off it, but believe me, it came close recently! It's not so much the car itself but the dealer's inability to find and rectify the fault.  >:( Their attitude is 'if it's not giving a fault code on the computer then there can't be a fault' - which I've proved time and time again is utter rubbish! Still - I only use the dealers when the cars are still under warranty then I use an independant guy who I trust.

131s are simple and easy to fix - but I don't think I'd want to drive one every day. It would take away the nostalgia I think, and the feeling of it being 'special'. ;D

Simon

Interesting to see that I am not alone in having faults with BMW. This is my seventh one and probably my last, due to the continuing problems over the last 8 years with the recent ones:

Working Backwards

07 520D - New Gear Box at 15k

05 320i (First of the New Shape) - Numerous, Steering, G/Box and Engine Faults

02 330i Sport - Electrical Faults

However and there is a definite link between 131's (The Sport Models) and BMW in that they are both great to drive, with taut and enjoyable RWD handling. Maybe that is why I keep buying them. Driving the Wife's Audi A4 for the last 2 days only reinforces the point about BMW driver enjoyment.

If Alfa could come up with a RWD 5 Series alternative, well built with good serive back up, I think it would be a real winner.

Sev - Love the 130TC to add to your collection. Where do you find the space to keep them all, or can we see one coming on to the market to be snapped up by eager buyers?

Cheers Simon.  ;) I was bought up to love Fiats and especially 131's by my dad. I'm so happy for it too. My lad plays around with a 131 model car just like i use to! ;D

Totally agree about the using a 131 everyday.

My other favourite car at the moment is Carbon black E60 520D and the 530D M Sport with the 19" 172 Spyder wheels. I did have a look at a few at the auction, but am gonna hold out for a bit. Heard nightmare storys on the swirl flaps going in to the engine, but their is a remedy for this i've read.

For now i've just bought a E46 325ci M-Sport at the right price. Not holding on to it for to long tho!

Hi Rob,

Fiats are everywhere at the moment. All the 131's apart from 2 doner cars are garaged between my house and at my mum and dads who lives 10 doors away. The Coupe Le has been at my aunties garage since dec 09.

Im using the Punto GT and the 130TC now, but am thinking of parting with a 131 Sport very soon.  

I did managed to squeeze 3 131's last year into my garage.

Well you should have no trouble selling a 131 Sport Bobby.  ;)

Congrats on what looks like a fine addition to the fleet - I do like the Strada Abarths in black, especially with those wheels and the later grill.

You'll need to update your signature...! :)

Funny peculiar not funny ha-ha

They were always unreliable, just about every 130TC I ever went in, looked at or saw at a show had a problem with the damn Veglia Borletti led clock.... bars missing, unable to hold time, buttons fallen out (probably where the owner had mashed it in frustration).

Even when my friend broke ALU the clock was a duffer  ::)

But it was a minor bug that you soon forgot about when you drove the car..... as you are now experiencing Bobby...... there is much Abarth in the 130's spirit  8) 

Hi Bobby,

My 2007 E60 LCI 525d Sport (which is actually a 3.0 litre Turbo diesel) is carbon black with 172 19"alloys ;D ;D ;D. It also has sat nav, xenons, head lamp wash, top-tint screen, full leather, heated seats, etc, etc.

The swirl flap problem concerned me too but it only applies to the earlier diesel engines i.e. before about 2003/4. The engine numbers are well documented on the net and it doesn't/shouldn't afftect mine. I can't believe that the flap shafts weren't made of metal from the start! :o (they were made of some sort of plastic IIRC). ::)

Yeah, BMWs are very much like the 131 Sport/Abarth - just a bit more refined IMHO. 8) :D Yeah, I've had my fair share of electrical issues with my 'Fives' but their good points, especially driveability ;D, out weigh the bad points - for me at least. Rear wheel drive does it for me every time!! (but I'd like another TC Strada at some point... ;D).

For Bobby - and me!! :D ;) ;D

This was when I first saw and drove my current daily 'ride' - love at first sight I'm afraid - but oh, how I wish I could afford to buy AND run an E60 M5 5.0 litre V10 ::) 8) ;D One day perhaps.......one day 8)

It's registered on my personalised plate now 8) which makes it look a few years older ;) Goes really well too, for a diesel ::) - has more torque than my 'old' 530i, doing more than 35mpg on my lead footed, 'mixed' driving! ;) ;D

 :) Nice addition Bobby, here is pic of my old 5 series, fond memories now. Hope can meet up sometime soon, cheers, Ian
ps keep both 131's seems your lad will want one and the Strada too ??
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r376/italianxrays1/bmwm535.jpg (http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r376/italianxrays1/bmwm535.jpg)

Cheers Kev and Ian.  ;)

Look at that......just can't get any better!!!!! ;D

172's on it too! :)

Simon that car is my dream. What beauty! Looks stunning!

That is a seriously nice machine mate, bare us in mind and give us first refusal please.

I did find that 07 reg cars subject to engine number had a revised Inlet manifold. Scary problem on the old ones.

M5 looks to scary Si, saw a Tourer at the auction.....monster brakes and 200mph clocks. :o

Hi Ian, bet that M5 was a beast. Will meet up sometime soon.

Have you started on the Super yet?

Simon

The 525D looks lovely. Not wishing to sound like an old man at age 37 what is the ride comfort like? I always vowed after my 02 330i Sport following a 500mile jaunt and a days business that I would never have the Sport model again. It is probably better in the 5 series then the 3 with a longer wheel base. I also love the colour. My 525i is white with light beige leather and had lots of showroom appeal. The reality is that they look so much better in the darker hues; like my sapphire black 520D that my Dad bought off me. It is a shame they have stopped doing the dark green metallic on the new range.

I'll try and post some pictures of the current white one. I will (when I have time) post some pictures of my old Sport JLA71V.


Ian

It was cars like your M5 that had massive appeal and were from an era when owning a BMW (except the 4 cylinder cars) actually meant something. A true great.

Sev

Interesting to see you manage to garage / park your wonderful collection of Fiats and note that you may be looking to sell one of your Sports. Am I correct in saying that the Silver Sport was shown at the 2005 Birmingham Classic Car Show?

A must on my next house would be a double garage.

Rob- Yes my silver sport was on show at the Nec that year.

Sev

How long have you owned that Sport and is this the one that is earmarked for selling.

I've owned it 5 years and am afraid it's staying.

I suspected that might be the case. You have a 78 Super, what colour and any details as the S2 Supers are in my opinion just behind the Sports in desirability. 

S2 super is my dad's. Requires refitting of trim and bit and pieces to finish off. It was originally yellow, now blue. Having a 2 litre fitted with may be the Sport arch kit. Will be getting my hands dirty on it soon! :)

Rob,

I find the ride of the standard SE 5-series too soft for my taste - won't go round corners the way I like to ;D ;). The E60 I had before the current 525d M Sport had factory fitted Sports Suspension and all of my E39s have been Sport models, so I like the harder ride. My 5-Series history is

1995/M E34 520i SE Auto saloon (soft, ride and under powered - only owned for 6 months)
2000/V E39 528i Sport Auto saloon (wonderful car that I purchased in 2004 and sold to my brother in 2009)
2003/03 E39 530i Sport Aegean Blue Ltd Ed (Lovely to look at but electricals reliability was extremely poor - got rid of after 7 months!)
2004/04 E60 530i SE Auto with upgraded alloys, Sports Suspension, Sports interior (brilliant car, PX'd after 4 years for my current Sport)
2002/02 E39 525i Sport Auto Touring (purchased in Sept 2007 and has proven to be a tremendous work horse ever since. 118k on the clock now and still drives beautifully - will be with us for a while longer yet 8))
2007/07 E60 525d M Sport LCI Auto (after a few initial teething troubles has proven a hoot to drive as well as giving great mpg - but it has taken me a while to get used to the 'diesel drive').

I love the 5-Series and the Sport set up looks and rides the best - IMHO ;D

Simon

I might try a Sport 5 next time as they certainly look better. The recent SE Mine is Jan 09 has really quite low profile tyres on 17 inch rims and is a sharp handler. The A4 is much firmer and not quite as good on the twisties. We also had one of the original A4's R Plate SE and that was a very firm ride with the handling been nothing special.

I always remember my Mirafiori Sport having great handling and a reasonable ride. Cabin noise was high but theat was the nature of the car.