Buying a Smart Car

[Brian23]

Hi I am looking to buy a Smart Fortwo Passion Car. I have seen a nice 2010 that I like. It has full service history. Is there anything MECANICAL that I need to look for that often is a fault with these cars? Thank you.

 

[EmilysDad]

https://www.evilution.co.uk/mod/alternative-smart-buyers-guide.htm is a good place to start.
and the mhd version is best avoided .... https://www.evilution.co.uk/mod/should-i-buy-an-mhd.htm

and they (451) don't all have power steering ..... in fact the majority do NOT have it. I know it sounds silly on such a small car, but I test drove one without realising that PAS was an option & broke out in a sweat just parking the blasted thing. I searched out a 451 with PAS

 

[LostKiwi]

Generally they're pretty good especially if you go with the Brabus version.
It uses a 1.0 Mitsubishi engine so usual Japanese reliability. No timing belt to worry about.
Passion spec is the one to go for if not getting a Brabus.

 

[Brian23]

Generally they're pretty good especially if you go with the Brabus version.
It uses a 1.0 Mitsubishi engine so usual Japanese reliability. No timing belt to worry about.
Passion spec is the one to go for if not getting a Brabus.

Thank you

 

[Brian23]

https://www.evilution.co.uk/mod/alternative-smart-buyers-guide.htm is a good place to start.
and the mhd version is best avoided .... https://www.evilution.co.uk/mod/should-i-buy-an-mhd.htm

and they (451) don't all have power steering ..... in fact the majority do NOT have it. I know it sounds silly on such a small car, but I test drove one without realising that PAS was an option & broke out in a sweat just parking the blasted thing. I searched out a 451 with PAS

Thank you, interesting reading.

 

[Blobcat]

https://www.evilution.co.uk/mod/alternative-smart-buyers-guide.htm is a good place to start.
and the mhd version is best avoided .... https://www.evilution.co.uk/mod/should-i-buy-an-mhd.htm

and they (451) don't all have power steering ..... in fact the majority do NOT have it. I know it sounds silly on such a small car, but I test drove one without realising that PAS was an option & broke out in a sweat just parking the blasted thing. I searched out a 451 with PAS

I disagree, I don't have power steering in my 2010 R451. Not having it means it won't go wrong... pump the tyres up and go to the gym - never found not having PAS an issue

Hi I am looking to buy a Smart Fortwo Passion Car. I have seen a nice 2010 that I like. It has full service history. Is there anything MECANICAL that I need to look for that often is a fault with these cars? Thank you.

Petrol or diesel? I have the 54BHP diesel and love it - turbo actuator can rust - not a huge cost to replace - other than that just normal servicing for the >50K miles I've had it. Lots of fun especially with the top down.

One point I've been made aware of is that the hardtops can leak but the convertibles don't... the reasoning is that they didn't always use enough glue to stick the roof on...

 

[EmilysDad]

I disagree, I don't have power steering in my 2010 R451. Not having it means it won't go wrong... pump the tyres up and go to the gym - never found not having PAS an issue

Already having a Roadster that (almost) all had leccy PAS I just assumed that ALL Smarts would have it ... it was something I wasn't prepared to now live without.

.........

One point I've been made aware of is that the hardtops can leak but the convertibles don't... the reasoning is that they didn't always use enough glue to stick the roof on...

The 1st 451 I had suffered from a roof that wasn't glued on properly. It didn't leak but the corner would vibrate annoyingly. I managed to squirt a blob of Sickaflex in there & clamp it down.

 

[LostKiwi]

I disagree, I don't have power steering in my 2010 R451. Not having it means it won't go wrong... pump the tyres up and go to the gym - never found not having PAS an issue


Petrol or diesel? I have the 54BHP diesel and love it - turbo actuator can rust - not a huge cost to replace - other than that just normal servicing for the >50K miles I've had it. Lots of fun especially with the top down.

One point I've been made aware of is that the hardtops can leak but the convertibles don't... the reasoning is that they didn't always use enough glue to stick the roof on...

Same with Roadsters. The hardtops tend to leak more than soft tops and are noisier and prone to rattle.

OP, not tempted by a Roadster instead of a 451? In coupé form arguably more practical than a 451...
We used ours for two 2 week holidays to the South of France with no issues other than limited wine carrying capacity for the trip home

 

[Brian23]

It is for my wife, she thinks that they are cute. Her last 3 cars were SLK 200's. It seems that 90% of the for sale have MDH, which

EmilysDad and a few website say to avoid​

 

[EmilysDad]

It is for my wife, she thinks that they are cute. Her last 3 cars were SLK 200's. It seems that 90% of the for sale have MDH, which

EmilysDad and a few website say to avoid​

go for the 84bhp turbo petrol .... surprisingly quick(ish)

 

[Brian23]

go for the 84bhp turbo petrol .... surprisingly quick(ish)

I have just found one of those, so may take a look.

 

[LostKiwi]

go for the 84bhp turbo petrol .... surprisingly quick(ish)

84hp turbo petrol Passion is probably the sweet spot.

 

[Brian23]

84hp turbo petrol Passion is probably the sweet spot.

Is there a way of seeing the spec of a smart car by only the reg number, as there are a few on the internet and they do not always say what model they are? It just says Smart Fortwo coupe.
It has Full Smart service history . Rare turbo model . Leather heated seats . Cruise control . Paddle shift gears . Power steering . Panoramic roof . Sat Nav . Full multi media package . Bluetooth connectivity . Upgraded sound system . Electric heated mirrors .air condition .

 

[LostKiwi]

Is there a way of seeing the spec of a smart car by only the reg number, as there are a few on the internet and they do not always say what model they are? It just says Smart Fortwo coupe.

The spec will usually give some clues. Passion will have paddles and a full auto mode (called soft tip from memory). It should also have Aircon.

Paddles are well worth having in my view, soft tip less so.

 

[Blobcat]

I have just found one of those, so may take a look.

I wouldn’t discount the cdi as it works well with the gearbox. I tried all 3 options when I bought mine, I really wanted the 84hp petrol but the cdi drove better (also zero road tax) (only issue with the diesel is that it doesn’t meet ULEZ requirements

 

[EmilysDad]

I wouldn’t discount the cdi as it works well with the gearbox. I tried all 3 options when I bought mine, I really wanted the 84hp petrol but the cdi drove better (also zero road tax) (only issue with the diesel is that it doesn’t meet ULEZ requirements

Mine is still only £30 a year

 

[EmilysDad]

Is there a way of seeing the spec of a smart car by only the reg number, as there are a few on the internet and they do not always say what model they are? It just says Smart Fortwo coupe.
It has Full Smart service history . Rare turbo model . Leather heated seats . Cruise control . Paddle shift gears . Power steering . Panoramic roof . Sat Nav . Full multi media package . Bluetooth connectivity . Upgraded sound system . Electric heated mirrors .air condition .

I phoned an Arfur Daley type dealer & asked specifically if the 451 he had for sale had PAS. 'Oh yes!' says he. So of I drove to the back of beyond aka Blackburn/Burnley (arn't they the same place? } Got caught up in traffic due to some kind of Police incident. Got there & the place was like the Marie Celest .... phoned him up from the forecourt .... eventually he appeared. I asked for the keys .... he asked why! He reckoned they all had it. I explained that very few do. He got in the car, started it .... then sheepishly looked at me & then said it didn't have it. I'd to walk away before I regretted my actions.
Pretty sure I mentioned it here ..... I spread the word as far as I could

 

[EmilysDad]

84hp turbo petrol Passion is probably the sweet spot.

I've just had to go outside to look at what model mine is ...

It's a Grandstyle

 

[Blobcat]

Mine is still only £30 a year

No lining their pockets…

 

[Brian23]

No lining their pockets…

I have never had a diesel car.