Esseesse kit video - Page 2 - 500fans.com the first US & Worldwide FIAT 500 & Abarth 500 Independent Forums

.Lefteris. · #11 25th January 2009, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by minime911

I have 17" wheels with my car which look as good as the SS kit ones.
3cm lower might look good but the suspension is already more than stiff in original setup and it won't become softer with the modifications.
What's left are the drilled vented disks where you might take profit if you drive it on a track.
Thinking that you remove the original brakes and that you probably will never again put them back on is also a shame for such new parts.

If there was an option just to re flash the ECU with the SS software and an air filter change, I think I would go for that one.
Well noted that it must be the original SS software and not something fiddled by some aftermarket tuners.

Greetings:

minime911

One more set of wheels and tires it is good to have IMO!
The SS it is not 3cm lower, only the corsa is, so there is no changes on the suspension !
The drilled vented disks not only works better, but looks better also!

FIAT will never give the option to re flash the ECU with the SS software with out the rest of the package... with out the wheels, maybe, but then again, you will never have a SS with out the badges, the wheels, and the papers from FIAT that your car it is an SS and this and this only will add on your car value, anything else will be just a mod!
BTW, the SS kit here cost 2.500euros plus installation (in any case I don't thing that it will cost more then 3.000euros in total)

minime911 · #12 26th January 2009, 11:11

Hi,

Will see when the kit is out.
Over here they said that there were shorter springs in the kit.
But most of the dealers have no clue what's going on over here.
One of them even stated that they would install a limited slip diff and that there mods. made on the turbo charger. This for sure is totally wrong.

There is a tire pressure kit included.
There are new wheels, brake disks all around and new front brake pads.
There is also a new air filter and some badges.
The suspension, I don't know now but I can ask them.

The ready installed kit might be cheaper at your place as man hours are quite expensive over here.

I also heard that the kit itself costs around 2500 Euro.
I could use my original wheels for witer tires and keep the original tires as second set.

I'm not sure if this is increasing the value of the car as if you want to sell it in a few years time it will probably not be worth a lot anymore with or without kit.
I think that Fiat in this case is building on the myth of the SS kit that made the original 500 to become a real racer.

The 500 Abarth is not a limited edition car so they can build as much as they want and that is reducing the chance that it will become a real collector unless we keep it for the coming 40 years.

Greetings:

minime911

carolos · #13 26th January 2009, 16:15

Minime911,
You are absolutely right!!!, however i believe in the near future we will be able to remap our ecu with only few euros therefore paying 2500 euros in my opinion is wasted money.
I have ordered an abarth as well from the uk but eventhough my friend has ordered the ss kit i wouldnt go for it as i believe the standard one looks nicer with the 17'' rather than the white alloys.In addition to that with 2500 i can do anything on my car.Furthmore 0-60 the abarth is 7.9 whereas ss is 7.4 not much for the extra 25hp.It will definetly delivery better torque but i thing the overall cost is not worth it.

Dont take it wrong its just my point of view.

minime911 · #14 26th January 2009, 19:37

Hi Carolos:

I think if someone really wants it then he will pay for it. What I don't like on this, is that they want to put people under some kind of pressure by only fitting the kit during the first year after purchase.
I could well imagine buying the kit if my brakes are already used a lot and in need of new pads and in the same time a set of new tires might be needed and a service with a new air filter, things that might be needed after 2 years of usage.

In this case the spending would be well justified.

Of course I want to have that kit but at an objective view it is 15% of the purchasing price of the car.
If they would offer it as an option at purchase it would be more reasonable.

What do you want to do with a set of used brake disks and pads.
Stuff that is too good to scrap but nobody will ever reinstall it, so it will take dust in a corner of the garage.

Stays only the fact that you might have the feeling that you missed the occasion to buy the "real stuff" once it is too late for it.

On a German internet site someone got the power of his standard Abarth tested and it was well above 140HP, so the difference to the SS kit is not that high.

As already said, I will test the demo car and decide later.

First I want to have it (Friday is the big day!!!) and then I will see what's next.

Greetings:

minime911

.Lefteris. · #15 26th January 2009, 20:51

IMO you have to enjoy life in general right here right now, you never know what tomorrow brings, so if you've got the money, go for it, if not, you don't really need it!

.Lefteris. · #16 27th January 2009, 09:12

Quote:

The SS kit does have a marketing aura around it; I am sure that a dedicated Abarth dealer parts manager will in the future be able to procure legitimately individual parts.

Yes, but when I ask for the 17'' wheels price (wheels only - without the tires) the price was 500euros each , so again this kit is a gift!

carolos · #17 27th January 2009, 16:40

Minime911,
We want pictures of your abarth when you get it on friday, lots

minime911 · #18 28th January 2009, 07:56

Hi,

Since 3 days I already have the camera in my car, in case if they call to tell me that it arrived.

It should come this morning and delivery should be Friday afternoon.
I will go over there tonight after work, so maybe I can see it....

Bad enough that I have a meeting at work on Friday afternoon, so I have to wait till 18:00 before I can leave.
Otherwise I would be on vacation...

Greetings:

minime911

Cadbury · #19 28th January 2009, 18:12

Isn't it ashame when meetings have to be cancelled, due to unforeseen circumstances...... in this case taking delivery of a car !

Bet you are like a cat on a hot tin roof !!!!

minime911 · #20 28th January 2009, 20:20

Hi,

I have been to the dealership today after work as my car arrived this morning.

Camera in my hand I have been disappointed as it was already too late and the sales person didn't know where it is parked.

That place is so big and it contains a few hundred cars that they park at different places but it just drives me crazy to know that it is there but I couldn't take a picture of it.

Well, latest on Friday afternoon is the great event....

Greetings:

minime911