Fiat Panda 100HP

A replacement wheel bearing, new tyres and a nail-biting heater repair make for a happier HP

- Richard Porter

AFTER PUTTING THINGS OFF FOR months, I decided it was time to start ticking the Panda's to-do list. First up a trip to my local garage for a new wheel bearing so the Panda no longer rumbles down the road. This has also fixed the alarming torque reaction to throttle inputs in straight-line running.

Next job: new shoes. The original fitment for this car is 195/45 but some 100HPists go up to a 50 profile, chasing greater comfort as well as broader choice. Since the Panda's ride doesn't bother me I decided to stick with the factory spec, but if you put the reg into the websites of the usual suspects in high-street tyre sales they universally come up with the wrong measurements. Only Blackcircles.com seem to know the correct size and they had a surprising number of options, starting at 56 quid a corner.