Bought a Smart ForTwo...

[martyp87]

Purchased as a spur of the moment thing last Sunday as my CL will certainly annoy people with the exhaust as well as getting more work done when its back so needed a new daily driver that would fit on the drive.

Its fully loaded with air con, heated seats, CD changer, electric mirrors and windows.

For a little 0.7ltr turbo it actually shifts pretty well too and with just 61HP you can have some fun without ever breaking the law - think I actually prefer driving it to the AMG on the road in that respect.

Took it to my Merc independent for a service B / diagnostic and its all good so happy I go a good one. First big trip will be 160 miles on Monday to a training course in Leicester.

So far its just been treated to a good clean inside and a wash outside but it looks pretty decent, full detail will come soon.

Keeping an eye out on eBay for heated leather seats and will pick up a set of fabric floor mats to finish it off. Will also get the rear windows tinted to blend in with the glass roof.

Heres some pics of the 'beast'

 

[Ted]

Amazing what 50p buys these days

 

[Ted]

But seriously looks a cracker.

 

[martyp87]

Haha, was actually £1900 - still £1k less than my computer monitor. lol

I think next year it will be traded in for a Fiat 500 but for the time being it is perfect and is Mercedes powered. Feels wrong preferring it to the CL though!

 

[moonloops]

There's nothing funnier than seeing two fat blokes in a smart car

Especially when they have to wind the windows down to make more room for their shoulders. HA!

 

[219]

I take it the key goes into that slot down beside the gear lever ? Haven't seen that since my SAAB 99

In good company though : the W08 S of 1927 had the key inserted into the gearbox and locked into reverse before taking out , so nothing new under the sun .

 

[Giantvanman]

Smart ForTwo, the answer to life, the universe and everything (42).

Apologies; I thought this was the caption competition.

 

[Bellow]

For a little 0.7ltr turbo it actually shifts pretty well too and with just 61HP you can have some fun without ever breaking the law - think I actually prefer driving it to the AMG on the road in that respect.

Motoring journo David Vivian said that 'the smart's best trick is to make you feel you are going faster than you are'. In a world of 155mph cars on 60mph roads - that makes sense.

Some dos and don'ts.
Do check oil regularly - on absolutely level ground and with the engine warm.
Don't overfill with oil. Fill to no higher than just above the half way mark. From min to half way takes approx 0.5litre.
Do keep the interior dry. Damp in the front (carpets) requires that the door seals be refreshed with silicon (aerosol from Halfords) or the SAM will suffer corrosion (£1k replacement). Damp in the rear means leaking three quarter windows - remove and reseal.
Don't lose the spare key.
Do take care when locking it in reverse that if on a slope the car doesn't roll forward while in reverse (turning the engine backward and straining the cam chain tensioner).
Do Google for FQ101 and Evilution sites. Both mines of information re odd repairs, etc, etc.

 

[martyp87]

Derek, still getting used to putting the key in there - another thing is the hand brake, still keep trying to put on the parking brake with my left foot!

Honestly, 70mph on the motorway is scary fast! I have seen the traction control light come on at 50 - 70mph which was a little unnerving at first.

I have read about them burning oil which is normal, so will keep an eye on it every 500 miles and will get it changed every 6 months - read 3000 miles but I will likely never cover that in a year.

Might pop into Halfords for some silicon spray for the door seals just in case but so far so good. Spare key is also locked away safely in the office.

 

[Bellow]

Honestly, 70mph on the motorway is scary fast! I have seen the traction control light come on at 50 - 70mph which was a little unnerving at first.

That's the skinny front tyres - crosswind stability is massively improved with wider tyres.

I have read about them burning oil which is normal, so will keep an eye on it every 500 miles and will get it changed every 6 months - read 3000 miles but I will likely never cover that in a year.

The onset of oil burning is the onset of the dreaded gummed ring issue. Monitor it to get true picture.
If you are to have it serviced try and find an indy in your area. Second to that is a garage you trust, handing them print-offs (from FQ101, Evilution) as to how to tackle the work. Third is MB/smart dealer but they are expensive and we are now 10-15 years on from when these cars were launched and MB understood them.
Things like the twin plugs per cylinder get overlooked - not to mention the need for a plug cap removal tool. These cars need people who know and understand them.

Might pop into Halfords for some silicon spray for the door seals just in case but so far so good. Spare key is also locked away safely in the office.

An occasional feel of the carpets will suffice. For now at least.
Spare key: apart from demonstrating some care from previous owners, is also required if the main key goes out of synch (far from uncommon) and the key needs recoded via STAR. Without the spare, the car needs to be trailered or trucked there...

Edit PS.
Just noticed you are in Edinburgh. Sam at McSmarts is your man for servicing etc. He may well have previously tended your car. He is a top bloke. Shout me if you need his phone number - he is in Cumbernauld.