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Just bought a Smart car...
Alan B - 17/12/12 at 08:43 PM

For my wife...obviously.

I know we should have researched first but she's loving it..it's a Brabus convertible model.

So...what should we be looking for to keep it running and driving it's best?

Alan


cosmick - 17/12/12 at 08:52 PM

probably a Hayabusa Engine then it really will run at its best. LOL


computid - 17/12/12 at 08:56 PM

What should you be looking for? Probably another car


I think you'll need an oil suction pump thingy because IIRC they don't have sump plugs. Thats about the best advice I can offer!


Alan B - 17/12/12 at 09:03 PM

I guess that's about as constuctive as I could have expected...


scootz - 17/12/12 at 09:05 PM

Roadster? Coupe? ForTwo?


Alan B - 17/12/12 at 09:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Roadster? Coupe? ForTwo?


Yeah, sorry..it's a fortwo...not sure we have the others available here in the US


froggy - 17/12/12 at 09:20 PM

Main issues I see are are down to poor maintenance but engines and gearboxes aren't known for their reliability . Front springs are a common failure in our climate and you need to remove all the front bodywork to replace them .


skydivepaul - 17/12/12 at 09:31 PM

+1 for the busa engine

R1 engine will be good enough though

let me know if you need help fitting it and i will pop over

how you doin Alan? enjoying the FL winter

Paul


olimarler - 17/12/12 at 09:31 PM

Hi mate,

Welcome to the smart world!

I am the product trainer for Mercedes benz and smart in the UK.

If you need advice please let me know.

Also a good friend of mine is the trainer for smart in the USA.

Please feel free to drop me a u2u.

What year is it?


Oli


ReMan - 17/12/12 at 09:40 PM

"Main issues I see are are down to poor maintenance"
That is what i've been told
Low running costs by younger drivers include not keeping oil topped up = pop!


MikeR - 17/12/12 at 10:16 PM

on the roadsters I believe its a pain changing some of the plugs so some people don't bother which causes problems down the line. not sure if you'll have the problem due to different car but worth checking.


coyoteboy - 17/12/12 at 10:25 PM

I heard, from someone within, that the coupe doobry was terminated due to warranty returns costs. I always wondered if they were being honest.


ettore bugatti - 17/12/12 at 10:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Alan B
...

So...what should we be looking for to keep it running and driving it's best?

Alan


More power!


Alan B - 17/12/12 at 11:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by olimarler
Hi mate,

Welcome to the smart world!

I am the product trainer for Mercedes benz and smart in the UK.

If you need advice please let me know.

Also a good friend of mine is the trainer for smart in the USA.

Please feel free to drop me a u2u.

What year is it?


Oli


That's great to hear...it's an '09, but was only first on the road in May '10...
Any info. is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Alan


britishtrident - 18/12/12 at 01:18 PM

If you buy an oil suction pump to change the oil it is best to get the hand pumped type with built in vacuum bottle -- no need to spend a fortune on one but make sure you the type with the fairly robust spherical vacuum bottle. In the UK they are sold in boxes with various brand names it is usually a lot cheaper to buy from yacht chandlers than tool or motor parts sellers.


See http://www.pelaproducts.com/


dhutch - 18/12/12 at 01:22 PM

Following in the foot steps of Sir Bamford then, he has one to get to the helipad in when its raining.


Alan B - 18/12/12 at 01:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dhutch
Following in the foot steps of Sir Bamford then, he has one to get to the helipad in when its raining.


Indeed, and it can rain rather hard in south Florida. In fact as of now it's a brutal 69 degrees.......


Marcus - 19/12/12 at 06:57 PM

The only problem we had with ours was a cracked exhaust manifold. It was an early 600cc model though and they may have sorted that.


T66 - 19/12/12 at 06:59 PM

http://www.smartuki.com/