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Jan 25, 2010 17:04:23 GMT
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Well it is not retro, but needs to be a new daily for Nicola, she had one before, and loved it. I hope the moderators let the thread die as it drops off the front page, but hopefully someone here knows Smart cars and can respond and advise me. What sort of engine life expectancy can one have with them before they self destruct ? General info will be good. Oh, and hearsay is OK too. I was in a used Smart dealership over the weekend, and they claim to sell a lot of reconditioned Smarts, with rebuilt engines. The lady in the shop said they saw an average of 60k miles, or 100k km out of engines, now we know the most of these are 600 or 700cc engines (Brabus 1000cc ) , so power to mass etc should mean the little engines tend to have a hard life. And I have never seen one driven slowly or sympathetically. Any info or advice, including PM's so that we can take this off line will be appreciated.Have a few "Smart Retro Cars" from Google. AND.... Found this on page 2 of the search. Our own Bodieanddoyle's Beemer.
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,784
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Smart car buying pitfalls ??Dez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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Jan 25, 2010 17:17:48 GMT
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don't buy one without fsh from either a main stealer or a specialist. it WILL blow up. my landlords son in law didnt need this advice, bought an 02 plate (this was over 2 years ago too, so it was essentially only 5 years old) and i changed the engine twice in a 6 month period. they always burn out the rings on the end cyl, both the other engines he bought were goosed too, its the only reason they ever get broken for parts. loads of bits of the intake and exhaust sytems are plastic or clip together, and are very easily damaged when working on them. plus, they're unbelievably, horribly cheaply made. everything on them is one use, clipped together, on non-removable without damaging it. theres an awful lot of bits made of plastic that really shouldnt be as they're just not up to the job, especially in/around the engine bay. tbh, they're disposable cars. they're supposed to last as long as one, maybe two engines, and thats it. and as you say, you have to rag them to get them to move along at any speed, so most have had a hard life. 60-75k is average life expectancy for the motor in one, even when religiously serviced. can you tell I'm not a fan? you be far, far better off buying just about any other 'small' car and running that instead.
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mrj
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,662
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Jan 25, 2010 17:18:07 GMT
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i sent you a PM; it sums up with : don't buy a smart .... ;D there's only one pitfall; it's between the front and the rear bumper ;D
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- 1971 VW 1600 TL Fastback - 1978 Passat GLS Variant - 1980 Audi 100 5E - 1981 VW aircooled panel van (sold) - 1983 VW Jetta Mk.I - 1984 VW Polo Coupé - 1984 VW Passat hatchback - 1987 VW Passat Variant - 1987 VW Passat hatchback - 1988 VW T25
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Jan 25, 2010 17:29:13 GMT
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Jürgen, and Dez, thanks for your responses.
I am going to her place now, and will see what she has to say about the responses so far.
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Jan 25, 2010 17:33:52 GMT
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I've got a 54 reg Pure, which is the base model, and love it. Not the fastest car around but easilly keeps up with traffic and it's only on motorway you notice lack of cc's. Comfy, masses of leg room, boot is bigger then you'd think. I get around 50 mpg, £35pa road tax, cheap insurance. The gearchange is great. Even other petrol heads are inpressed when they have been given lifts. For me it's a run around and alternative to a scooter as I have other cars but I can see people having them as their only car as long as mainly local / city driving. Avoid Brabus. Nothing seriously wrong with them but road tax same as other small cars and parts far dearer then the other Smarts which defeats buying such a car in the first place. Convertible nice but roof can have problems, cost more to buy even secondhand and you loose the rear tailgate hatch. Access seems poor for engine - until you realise it's designed to be lowered for maintenance by simply swopping the subframe mounting bolts for longer items. Parts are no worse then any other car - check out eBay and GSF. Early / 600cc engines don't have oil drain plus- it's sucked out and I think those tend to be the ones that have shorter lifes. Mine is 3 cylinder 700cc turbo intercooled with dual plugs. Later are 4 cylinder 1000cc lumps. They are like Marmite - you either love or hate them with no inbetween Paul H
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Jan 25, 2010 17:45:10 GMT
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www.thesmart.co.uki think they crack manifolds the gearbox can have electronic headaches bit diffcult to service easy to park noone points and larfs anymore cheap tax - diesel does 75+mpg buy a lupo ;D
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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Jan 25, 2010 17:55:17 GMT
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If anyone has any further please PM Grizz. Smarts are definately not "Retro" enough
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Jan 25, 2010 17:56:14 GMT
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Anything else,.. take it to PM PS .. I love my Smart, but its a forFour so doesn't count in your search
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