Brabus Smart 4 2 life expectancy. opinion

[graeme73s]

First of all a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to you all.
Kerry's Smart 4 2 is 4 years old and has racked up 48,000 miles. I've ordered a new Fiat 500 for her, due Feb or March time but we are undecided what to do with the Smart.
Should we keep it or part ex it ?. Does anyone have any opinions or actual knowledge of engine/gearbox longevity. All consumption so far is pretty good but is it likely to lunch everything at say 60,000 miles.
Any thoughts on the subject would be greatfully appreciated.
p.s. the 500's a 1.4 petrol 100bhp, white with the green/red stripe over the roof. Why does everyone I know laugh when I tell them. Kerry's view "it's still not a bloody Porsche is it".

 

[grober]

Only comment would be that its a fairly highly stressed little engine and there is anecdotal evidence of 60k being the life expectancy. Exhausts and exhaust manifolds are also on the potential failure list and body damage from water leaks on some cars. Each car will be different of course depending on its servicing and treatment over its lifetime. If you were offered a good price I would trade it as a car that is still saleable. I don't expect you were offered a discount on your new Fiat for a cash sale since they are so in demand so you won't gain that way. Little Smartie might advise you better or even make you an offer?

 

[jeremytaylor]

I had no trouble selling my 4 2 Brabus to a Smart trader. It had only done 30,000 miles, though. The things he looked for were accident damage and the clutch.

But I would think the life of these engines will depend entirely on how sympathetically they have been run, oil change regime, etc. An early failure on a neglected example wouldn't surprise me in the least.

 

[BlackC55]

As a Smart specialist too I can confirm the engines don't last at all.

I have just replaced one at 58k. I have another that has done 70k and is dead too.

They use oil generally and dont get checked. The oil light is useless also.

I do the oill in Emma's every 5k just to be safe. I ONLY use top quality oil such as Mobil 1.

 

[graeme73s]

Doesn't look good then which to a degree was my thoughts anyway. Agreed regularly checking and changing the oil is a must and of course using mobil 1 only. It's her 3rd one so we are wise to this. I guess that although it's oil usage is still fairly minimal that is not a fair reflection of how long it will last. As a mate of mine said, "48,000 miles, it must need a new flint by now".

 

[aka$h]

A few years back we changed 3 of our astra vans for Smart cars. In the space of 2 years one was on 89k, on on 60k, and one of 48k. None of them had any problems, not a penny spent other than on normal servicing. We were more than impressed with them, and they stood the test of 3 white van drivers too.

 

[BlackC55]

A few years back we changed 3 of our astra vans for Smart cars. In the space of 2 years one was on 89k, on on 60k, and one of 48k. None of them had any problems, not a penny spent other than on normal servicing. We were more than impressed with them, and they stood the test of 3 white van drivers too.

Petrol or diesel?

 

[lil.smartie]

I guess it depends on if it will get used! I love fortwos for the parking in Wells situation and if that's the kind of thing it will get used for keep it going and make sure it's serviced every 12 months (plugs MUST be done every 24 months regardless of useage!)

My city-coupe had a rebuild at approx 90,000 miles after a denso plug broke down after only 7,500 miles! (We only use NGK plugs in fortwos) and I wouldn't use Mobil 1 0w40 in a Smart through choice. Even Smart don't use it so why do so many in the UK insist on it?? It's too good for a Smart as it meets specs for a cdi which needs more detergent and can wash the bores on a petrol car. Fully synthetic is the vital thing for a Smart but we use a 5w40 that meets the specs needed for Smarts but doesn't exceed these by a huge amount!

Engine problems are usually easy to spot as they start with oil consumption increasing upto 1 litre per 1000 kms is OK according to Smart though! This happens as oil starts to pass the piston rings and this can lead to burnt out valves as the oil sits on the valve and as it's a fully synthetic it has no burn off inhibitors and can cause hot spots. One way we have managed to save a few engines, at least for a bit, is to run them on GTX High Mileage oil for a few 000 miles which seems to 'un-gum' the piston rings and bring compression back up whilst also not burning out valves whilst it does it!

Techie bit over now!

If it's going to get used keep it as prices are holding well even though the new fortwo is out now but if you want to sell we could sell it for you on a sale or return basis (£600 +vat if sold commission fee)

I waiting to drive a 500 before I make a decision on them but head says it will be too big!

Kate

 

[aka$h]

Petrol or diesel?

Petrol.

 

[sick smart]

Ahhh help me!!! I bought a smart About 6 weeks ago and 2 weeks ago on the way to have it serviced it started to die!!!! Had the service which cost £100 then the service guy said that he will get a mb specialist to look at it to see why there is lack of power! Then I had a diognostic test (another £100) and have been told that it needs a new engine!! melted plugs and belowing smoke etc.!! Should I auction it, cut my losses and buy a different car OR pay £2000 to have a re-con engine fitted? Wish i saw this forum before i bought the thing!!
From the now broke student!!

 

[hawk20]

Ahhh help me!!! I bought a smart About 6 weeks ago and 2 weeks ago on the way to have it serviced it started to die!!!! Had the service which cost £100 then the service guy said that he will get a mb specialist to look at it to see why there is lack of power! Then I had a diognostic test (another £100) and have been told that it needs a new engine!! melted plugs and belowing smoke etc.!! Should I auction it, cut my losses and buy a different car OR pay £2000 to have a re-con engine fitted? Wish i saw this forum before i bought the thing!!
From the now broke student!!

Did it not have a guarantee when you bought it?

 

[grober]

This guy rebuilt his own for £650 in his drive! http://www.onsmart.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2009
this is a very useful site and a trawl thro the forums may help with some useful contacts. http://www.evilution.co.uk/
You should contact BlackC55 on this forum about the cost of a recon. £2k seems a bit steep to me? I reckon you could get it done cheaper.

 

[lil.smartie]

Agreed, give Ollie a shout, he's in Horndean, North of Portsmouth. We (wellsmart Ltd) charge £1660 fitted to re-con YOUR engine, be cautious of those on ebay offered on 'exchange' basis, I've heard stories of surcharges due to apparent 'un-serviceable' engines more often than I'd expect to! Very rare for an engine to be that bad!

You may also need to factor in £400 ish for a replacement turbo/exhaust manifold unit (but no more labour or other parts as should be removed & re-fitted when re-coning an engine anyway!)

Full list of parts on our online shop http://shop.wellsmart.co.uk fortwo/parts/599cc engine re-con parts
Assuming it's a pre 03 599cc car not a later 698cc one??

Any questions drop us an email on [email protected] or give us a call, number on our website www.wellsmart.co.uk, we are back in on tues.

Kate

 

[hawk20]

All questions about how many miles will an engine do face the old problem, it depends what kind of useage it has. If 80% of engine wear takes place in the first ten minutes after starting from cold, then cars that do short runs and lots of local trips -as many Smarts do- will wear out at quite low mileages. While others will last longer if used for longer journeys (like the one I met in Christchurch, which had come from Switzerland, a man and wife touring Europe, who had racked up 90,000 miles with no problems).

 

[sick smart]

Thanks guys! I will do some more shopping around! the engines cost about £700, but its the labour cost that is the killer!! Are there any repitable companies that will fix the whole thing and wont break the bank? Im in south london so i can't go too far!
I bought the car from a private seller on autotrader, I am going to speak to the citezens advice beauro to see whether the seller has to contribute to the repair costs.

 

[Will]

Thanks guys! I will do some more shopping around! the engines cost about £700, but its the labour cost that is the killer!! Are there any repitable companies that will fix the whole thing and wont break the bank? Im in south london so i can't go too far!
I bought the car from a private seller on autotrader, I am going to speak to the citezens advice beauro to see whether the seller has to contribute to the repair costs.

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

I think that it's pretty much 'buyer beware' with private sales, so you'll struggle to get anything out of them.

Regarding the £700 engine, what exactly is that - a secondhand unit?

If so, consider the implications - these engines seem to wear quickly and not last that long, it might be worth it in the long run to go for a warranted rebuild of your existing unit.

It will probably add to the resale value if you have receipts to show that the engine is effectively new, especially amongst those in the know

Good luck,

Will

 

[Will]

In fact, looking on eBay it appears that you can get these engines rebuilt for £695? I take it that's the one you've seen?

If so, check their references out - but it does sound like a good price otherwise?

Will

 

[lil.smartie]

big performance in Egham, Tell Ian Kate from WellSmart sent you!

Kate

 

[hawk20]

Thanks guys! I will do some more shopping around! the engines cost about £700, but its the labour cost that is the killer!! Are there any repitable companies that will fix the whole thing and wont break the bank? Im in south london so i can't go too far!
I bought the car from a private seller on autotrader, I am going to speak to the citezens advice beauro to see whether the seller has to contribute to the repair costs.

Why not contact Kate at lil.smartie as in posting 13? Or Black C55 posting number 4 and others.

 

[bolide]

I bought the car from a private seller on autotrader, I am going to speak to the citezens advice beauro to see whether the seller has to contribute to the repair costs.

Caveat Emptor with private seller purchases. You have no comeback

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk