Cinquecento Seicento buyers guide

Okay so you’re looking at a seicento
The update for the cinquecento it has basically the same mechanicals but with a different bodyshell/interior.
the sei is considered a little more refined thean the cinq.

There’s no Haynes available so buy a cinq one as it covers most spanner jobs.

The sei was introduced in 1998 with the crossover plate with the cinq being an S plate.

on release there were 3 models to choose from:
The S and SX use the 899cc overhead valve engine
The sporting uses the 1108cc overheadcam engine.

prices from new were roughly

• sporting £6,835
• Michael Schumacher Sporting £7,939
• sx £6,809
• sx £6,252 (1.1l engine)
• s £6,510
• s £5,980 (1.1l engine)
• citymatic £7,109
• Mia £5,985
• Mia £5,534 (1.1l engine)
• 2 tone £6,238
• active £6,085
• active sport £6,385
• suite £7,019
• sound £6,484

the 'S' as with the cinq is the basic model however some equipment leves have improved but some have dropped.

standard equipment included:

• Cat 2 immobiliser
• Halogen Headlamps
• Third Brake Light
• Carpeted Boot
• Front Seat Belt Pre-tensioners
• Electronic Headlamp Adjustment
• Energy Absorbing Steering Wheel
• Analog Clock

• however no wheel trims or tinted glass are fitted as there was on the cinq 'S'

• Top speed - 87mph
• BHP - 39
• Acceleration from 0-62mph - 18secs
• Maximum torque - 48lbs per ft
• Combined fuel consumption - 46.3mpg

the 'SX' has slightly more standard trim levels:

• 4 Speed Heater Fan
• Body Coloured Door Mirrors
• wheel trims
• tinted glass

• (performance as 'S')

the sporting has more again:

• Sports Bumpers
• Front Fog Lights
• Decorative Side Strips
• Aluminium Accelerator Pedal
• CD Player

• however the sporting now has no water temperature gauge compared to the cinq

• Top speed - 93mph
• BHP - 54
• Acceleration from 0-62mph - 13.8secs
• Maximum torque - 63lbs per ft
• Combined fuel consumption - 45.6mpg

• optional equiment included ABS and electric(EPAS) power steering

• later the citymatic was introduced:

• this was fitted with the 899cc engine but used a power clutch on a manual gearbox.
• so to change gear you just ease off the power and change with no clutch pedal used(none fitted)

• the citymatic system has proved unreliable and wasnt kept in the range for long.
• repairs can be expensive though its not too much work to convert them to full manual

• the citymatic is equipped as per the 'SX' with the addition of power steering

• in 2001 the sei range was updated:

• all models now use the 1108cc engine.
• this has been updated with multipoint injection.
• power output remains @ 54bhp

• some other updates were:

• larger headlamps
• clear front and side repeaters
• different wheel trims
• new style Fiat badge
• different seat fabrics and headrests
• opening rear quarter-lights
• digital mileometer
• power steering

• the 'S' equipment stays the same bar the above standard updates

• the 'SX' has electric windows,bodycoloured bumpers and central locking

• the 'sporting' whilst fitted with the same engine as the other models is still faster due to its close ratio gears.

• it also has:

• 13" alloy wheels
• aluminium effect dashboard
• sports bumpers
• sports seats
• leather steering wheel and gearknob
• lower suspension

• also available was the Abarth model,over the sporting it had:
• side skirts
• tailgate spoiler
• 14" alloy wheels
• Abarth lettering on the front bumper mesh(MPI engined abarths only)

• later to celebrate formula 1 success a limited edition michael schumacher edition was released.
• this was an abarth in red or yellow with michael schumacher decals(MS) and keyring

• In 2002 a 2-tone limited edition was also released, the colours included light/dark blue, grey/orange, dark/light grey.

• In early 2003 Active, Mia and Sound where released, these effectively where the S and SX re-branded and improved. In late 2003 the Active Sport was added. Late 2003 saw the end of the Schumacher.

• there was also a 'suite' edition fitted with air conditioning

here you can check what a car failed/had advisories on its last MOT
handy to see what should/could have been done and a haggling point



okay things to look out for:

• paint fading/mismatch: some colours fade owrse than others.
• red is probably the worst and polish is only a temporary fix asd it will show again.
• mismatched panel colours are often an indication of accident repair.

• corrosion.the seis are galvanised so rusty wings for example are usually as sign of pattern parts replacing fiat parts through accident.
• thats not to say you wont get rust.
• check inside the boot for corrosion,around the windscreen,wheel aches and chassis.

• leaks:check in the boot as rear lights seals are known to leak.if iftted check the sunroof is not leaking

• red/blue keys: from 1998 to 2000(approx) the sei has the same keys set up as the cinq.
• so if you have this set up your car should have 2 blue keys and one red key(unless its a very early cinq)
• the red key should not be used but kept to code new keys.
• there are ways around this if the red key is missing but it makes a great haggleing tool.also make sure the red keys starts the car and isnt a fake put there to stop haggleing
  
• if you have ther later type of immobiliser keys. No separate red Master key supplied, just 2 ignition keys with built in chip.
• If the key has a transponder sign on it (Triangle with 2 little rings around the top) then it needs a master key. If it has a 2 on it, its a 2nd generation one and doesnt. If it has nothing then you dont need one either.
• locks:check all the locks work with all the keys inc the locking petrol cap.a non locking cap is an MOT fail so check it.
• also if the car has locking wheel bolts check you have a key,it fits and none of the bolts are chewed up!

• electrics:make sure all the electrics work inc rear wiper,front washers,horn,windows etc

• petrol tank:its a known issue that was subject to a recall that tanks leak at the seams.
• so check for leaks especially if the tank is low on petrol as this may be to cover the leak

• overheating: make sure the car warms up and that the cooling fan comes on and goes off.
• check it doesnt over heat in traffic/standing and dont just think because it doesnt overheat on a constant test drive that its fine.
• make sure you get hot air out of the vent in the car(good time to check the heater works on all speeds)
• check the oil for mayo and the coolant for any oil.
• check the radiator for obvious leaks & corrosion.
• same goes for the rest of the cooling system.

• service history:its always good to get a car with service history but the earlier seis are getting long in the tooth so general condition is often a good indicator of the care its received.

• flatspots:from cold the spi seis can have a flatspot in acceleration around 2000rpm

• handbrakes: the cento handbrake isnt great but make sure it holds the car and isnt binding
• rear suspension: listen for any knocks and thumps from worn rear bushes

• washer fluid bottle: check for leaks as the pipes are known to perish and leak

• mileage: now this is a tricky one.on the one hand you get uncared for low mileage 'city' cars that never get to stretch there legs. or you get worn out sky high mileage ones.
• so a little common sense is needed here.