Almost one-in-six cars sold by BMW is now a Mini.

[Flash]

From what you guys say about the big Mercs I wonder what %age they sell Smart:Merc!

Kate

ERM... they have now ceased production of the SMART brand... So no chance of Smart outselling the big Mercs now

Smart For Four is quiet rare.

 

[lil.smartie]

Err nope they haven't! They aren't making roadsters (leaksters) or Forfours any more but they are still producing Fortwo's and are infact re-tooling half of the factory to produce the new fortwo for next year which will be US friendly & meet the new pedestrian friendly rules for the EU.

Kate

 

[Flash]

Err nope they haven't! They aren't making roadsters (leaksters) or Forfours any more but they are still producing Fortwo's and are infact re-tooling half of the factory to produce the new fortwo for next year which will be US friendly & meet the new pedestrian friendly rules for the EU.

Kate

Err OK - but they have ceased production of the For Four then which is in the same league as the Mini...

 

[lil.smartie]

But a lot cheaper! Forfour Brabi are about £12k now, what kind of MINI could you get for that money? Smart/merc dealers just don't know how to sell cars in the UK especially, they had it too easy for too long when the little ones sold themselves!

Back on topic, how great are the MINI's going to be when they are going to be mainly UK product?? Do we still have the knowledge to build good cars in mass production??

Kate

 

[Shude]

But a lot cheaper! Forfour Brabi are about £12k now, what kind of MINI could you get for that money?

Base spec "cheapest car in the showroom please" model. I think they start at about £12k.

 

[Rose Chap]

Err nope they haven't! They aren't making roadsters (leaksters) or Forfours any more but they are still producing Fortwo's and are infact re-tooling half of the factory to produce the new fortwo for next year which will be US friendly & meet the new pedestrian friendly rules for the EU.

This 'leakster' thing is a bit concerning. I may have a requirement in the next 6 months to have to do a 70 mile commute each day across A and B roads. Rather than the obvious and incredibly dull diesel choice, I quite fancy something a bit unusual and a Smart Roadster fits the bill.

Do you know if this leaking thing is a major issue Kate, or if there are any other ownership issues around Smart Roadsters?

Thanks in advance!

RC

 

[BTB 500]

Top Gear mag had a long-term Smart roadster, and IIRC there were quite a few problems with it ... including a couple of actual breakdowns (electronics I think). Shame because it's quite a neat-looking little thing, I was surprised it didn't sell better. Didn't someone buy the production rights??

 

[Rose Chap]

Hmmm, I've not broken down in a car since my Renault 19 spluttered to a halt in 1996, and I'd be less than impressed if anything broke down on me now.

Thanks for the info BTB.

 

[Flash]

But a lot cheaper! Forfour Brabi are about £12k now, what kind of MINI could you get for that money? Smart/merc dealers just don't know how to sell cars in the UK especially, they had it too easy for too long when the little ones sold themselves!

Prices have now been slashed on For Four Brabus because the car has ceased production.

I agree that Merc Stealers do not know how to sell cars either - its the brand image that sells most Mercs... i.e. off road the M Class is useless.

 

[Flash]

Didn't someone buy the production rights??

Welsh company have bought the rights BUT who would want to buy a car manufactured by someone/a brand that has never been heard of before?

 

[Dieselman]

Isn't it the old car company AC that have bought the production of the Smart?

 

[lil.smartie]

The roadster is going to be made by the Project Kimber guys who tried to but MG Rover. It's going to be badged as an AC (Ace??) by all reports but could have a redesign, manual box & Mitsi engine.

The roadie is a great car, neither mine or Paul's have ever leaked but as ever you only hear the bad stories on forums. They are fab for commuting too 50 mpg can't be sniffed at, Paul got his for commuting & I have used my city-coupe for commuting in the past too.

My Forfour CDi was about £15k new, but it has comand, auto-lights/wipers, headlight washers, semi-auto box, multi-function steering wheel & paddle gear shift and with over 60 mpg well worth every penny!

If anyone wants a Smart drop me a line, we run an indie dealership in Somerset!

Kate

 

[niva441]

Is that other than the car being pedestrian, not just the noise. Gimme a Skoda VRs anytime.

I tried a Cooper at the same time I had a Puma, the Puma was a much better car all round. The only was the MINI bettered it was its steering, but the Puma superior ride/handling balance nullified that.

 

[Dieselman]

It's going to be badged as an AC (Ace??)

For info the Ace and Cobra were models of car produced by AC.