Abarth 124 Spider - one year review

[bmbardo]

I’ve not posted for a long while, well not since my E86 went. I had a beautiful E92 M3 for a short period, but not much fun for real world driving. I needed to fill the second car gap and decided on the Abarth on a ridiculously low cost lease from Mangoletsi. As there are not many about I thought I’d let you know what it’s like, for those with the E85.

I’ve only done 3k in the year, but every mile has been a joy. It gets so many admirers, out driving, at the petrol station, supermarket and just sat on the driveway when being cleaned. I’m constantly asked about the car when out & about.

I love the body design and the interior is just a great place to be. The roof mechanism is manual, 5 seconds done from seated position. Build quality is excellent and the navigation is better and more informative than my X5. I don’t have Bose, it was extra and not worth it on a short lease, but the standard headrest speakers are fine, even at speed with the top down. With the top up at motorway speeds it’s a nice quiet place to be.

So, what’s it like to drive? Well, superb, perfect power for the size with a great sports mode. No turbo lag and a great sounding exhaust, without any fake enhancement. Handling is just what you want from a car like this, precise and fun. The LSD really makes a difference to the experience, say in comparison to my E86. The M3 obviously had LSD, but because of the power I never really got to notice it. Suspension is firm but not as crashy as my E86.

I’ll leave it there, but if you want something different for not much money, I’d highly recommend on a lease or PCP. There are even lower cost lease deals for the auto version (that costs more) and the deal includes Bose.

[Angie4m]

Nice wee write up. I’ve been eyeing these up to go with the 595 as a summer roof down hoon car that I don’t want to baby (like the E89) so glad to hear you’ve very much enjoyed it. Nice looking combo you’ve got there.

[bmbardo]

It would fit nicely into that lovely collection of cars. The interior combo is red & black leather, looks great with the top down.

How’s the M4 to drive? Love that colour!

[buzyg]

Enjoyed, that write up. We have a couple of Mx5s in the family along with the ///MR and I do enjoy driving them when the mood is right. Interesting on the roof mechanism. Do you get out to move it? On my son"s old MK2, the roof is too much for me to raise seated. Though he, being built like Arnie, does it with one arm. MrsG prefers her folding hardtop though.

[Angie4m]

It would fit nicely into that lovely collection of cars. The interior combo is red & black leather, looks great with the top down.

How’s the M4 to drive? Love that colour!

The interior sounds good, got the black with red stitching and inserts in the 595. Gotta have leather in a convertible in my opinion

The M4 is great. It can be a cruiser when you’re on a long run on the motorway and just fantastic on a blast round some twisty roads especially when you ensure you’ve set everything to sport plus. The noise too is just fantastic. It’s quite tame when it’s in efficacy mode but in sport, the car sounds like it should.

I love driving the M4, I’ve driven it more than I had driven the E89 in the last 2-3 years. I took it out today and it was well very wet but driving to the conditions and it was fine. I’ve heard a lot of people say they can’t be driven in the wet but it’s bull. I’ve got MPS4s all round and as good a tyre as they are I wouldn’t push it in the rain today.

As for the colour, it’s just fantastic. Wasn’t a colour I had ever considered until recently. Looks good no matter the weather.

[arl10]

I looked at one of these before buying my E89 3.0si but it was a basic spec , wish I had gone for it though as the Z4 was a lot of problems from a main dealer , now got a Boxster which is everything the Z4 should have been . Looking forward to the new Z4 !

[bmbardo]

Enjoyed, that write up. We have a couple of Mx5s in the family along with the ///MR and I do enjoy driving them when the mood is right. Interesting on the roof mechanism. Do you get out to move it? On my son"s old MK2, the roof is too much for me to raise seated. Though he, being built like Arnie, does it with one arm. MrsG prefers her folding hardtop though.

The roof mechanism is very easy and light, no need to get out or stand up. Push a button, release the catch and push back. I can do it with my weaker left arm. Putting it back up is even easier.

[bmbardo]

It would fit nicely into that lovely collection of cars. The interior combo is red & black leather, looks great with the top down.

How’s the M4 to drive? Love that colour!

The interior sounds good, got the black with red stitching and inserts in the 595. Gotta have leather in a convertible in my opinion

The M4 is great. It can be a cruiser when you’re on a long run on the motorway and just fantastic on a blast round some twisty roads especially when you ensure you’ve set everything to sport plus. The noise too is just fantastic. It’s quite tame when it’s in efficacy mode but in sport, the car sounds like it should.

I love driving the M4, I’ve driven it more than I had driven the E89 in the last 2-3 years. I took it out today and it was well very wet but driving to the conditions and it was fine. I’ve heard a lot of people say they can’t be driven in the wet but it’s bull. I’ve got MPS4s all round and as good a tyre as they are I wouldn’t push it in the rain today.

As for the colour, it’s just fantastic. Wasn’t a colour I had ever considered until recently. Looks good no matter the weather.

My M3 was very much the same, very docile at normal driving speeds, but really lacking in torque. I just felt that I’d never enjoy the full power often enough, without tracking it. I think I’d enjoy the M4 with the turbo and extra torque in real world driving.

[bmbardo]

I looked at one of these before buying my E89 3.0si but it was a basic spec , wish I had gone for it though as the Z4 was a lot of problems from a main dealer , now got a Boxster which is everything the Z4 should have been . Looking forward to the new Z4 !

I am focussed on a Boxster S next time, looking for a keeper, so most likely a 986. I have my eye on a rare limited edition at present. I thought I’d go for a Cayman, but I’ve really enjoyed the top down experience.

[Marlon]

Nice review. I liked the look of these roadsters when they first arrived on our roads and I still like them. How does the 1.4 litre 168bhp Abarth feel under acceleration compared to the 3.0si E86 with its extra 100bhp?

[Smartbear]

Nice review. I liked the look of these roadsters when they first arrived on our roads and I still like them. How does the 1.4 litre 168bhp Abarth feel under acceleration compared to the 3.0si E86 with its extra 100bhp?

Hi, it’s probably closer than you’d imagine as the spider only weighs a little over 1000kg https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abarth_124_Spider
They also make a rally special version with a 1.8 engine & 296bhp
Rob

[bmbardo]

Nice review. I liked the look of these roadsters when they first arrived on our roads and I still like them. How does the 1.4 litre 168bhp Abarth feel under acceleration compared to the 3.0si E86 with its extra 100bhp?

Hi, it’s probably closer than you’d imagine as the spider only weighs a little over 1000kg https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abarth_124_Spider
They also make a rally special version with a 1.8 engine & 296bhp
Rob

The difference in weight does equal things out. The 0-60 time is not quite up with the E86, but it feels quick and the turbo helps 0-40. I’d say the engine is about right for the chassis. Seriously fun throwing it around on twisty roads and I feel safe letting the back slide a bit. The run-flats are much more acceptable than on the E86.

[Marlon]

Nice review. I liked the look of these roadsters when they first arrived on our roads and I still like them. How does the 1.4 litre 168bhp Abarth feel under acceleration compared to the 3.0si E86 with its extra 100bhp?

Hi, it’s probably closer than you’d imagine as the spider only weighs a little over 1000kg https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abarth_124_Spider
They also make a rally special version with a 1.8 engine & 296bhp
Rob

[TitanTim]

Another fan here and I like that you don't see too many on the road, if I was looking for another roadster it would be on my radar, although I like the latest MX5 I feel Mazda have made slightly it too small so looks a tad toy car like on the road compared to the FIAT.

Tim.

[Marlon]

Another fan here and I like that you don't see too many on the road, if I was looking for another roadster it would be on my radar, although I like the latest MX5 I feel Mazda have made slightly it too small so looks a tad toy car like on the road compared to the FIAT.

Tim.

I totally agree regarding the new MX5. I liked the look in pics and videos but when I saw one in the flesh it just didn't work, as you say there's something toy-like/light-weight about it. Whereas the Fiat certainly has a road presence that jumps out when you see one in the flesh.
Perhaps a lesson here for me regarding the new Z4, which I've been non-plussed by online but not yet seen on the road.