Smart Cars

[BaldGuy]

Can anyone give me a heads up about the early Smart cars.... I'm looking to spend max of 3k all in with insurance etc just for a car for running around in locally.... I don't want to put unnecessary mileage on the ML...
Are the early Smarts troublesome?
Or.... Do I get a classic 190, but doing that will give me higher 2nd insurance bills servicing etc which I don't want....

All I want is a cheap 2nd car which is cheap motoring....

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Get a 190e Cosworth for running about in, the values are starting to rise...

Or buy this W211 E270 CDi of mine, I'll let you have it for a forum discount price.

 

[Will]

Get a nice 190E, stick it on classic insurance (cost you £100-200 a year)

It'll be much nicer to drive than a smart, probably more reliable/cheaper and you'll get your money back once you're done with it

 

[BaldGuy]

Dude.... I want the car to be as cheap as chips, hence the Smart... Seen 51 plates for £1800 cheap tax and insurance... I have read somewhere that they lunch engines when they have higher miles though or it may have been Olly that told me that....

 

[trapperjohn]

Engines become lunch at 60K or thereabouts.

 

[BaldGuy]

Will..... I borrowed a 190 from Olly a few years back and loved it, there's just something about an old Benz... What I don't want is a money put of servicing etc though...

 

[trapperjohn]

I could be wrong but I think early Smarts have no drain plugs on the engine and changing the oil was a PITA - so was not done! Same with one of the plugs being a swine to get at.

Smart Car Specialist - Engine Rebuilds

^ An idle google reveals the above guy there are many like him. Everyone seem to be rebuilding Smart engines. Fiat Panda

 

[Will]

There's nothing on a 190 than can't be fixed for a few hundred quid absolute tops - and that's paying a garage for the work.

Generally very reliable cars and cheap to run, it you buy a good one it should cost nothing more than tyres/brakes and basic servicing

 

[BaldGuy]

Yeah but will 3 bags net me a good one incl insurance tax etc?

 

[Will]

Should get a nice late 2.0 Auto for around £1000, £200 PA for insurance and around the same for tax.

Only downside against the smart would be fuel consumption I guess - depends on how many miles you're going to be doing.

 

[jaymanek]

smarts are horrible to drive though.... why would you want one!?

And yes old ones are becoming unreliable, 54K miles was the last one we saw needing a new engine.

 

[BaldGuy]

So that's 3 Nos from 3 knowledgable people.... A re-think needed... Cheers guys....
Lee's in a class of his own......

 

[haggis2768]

Yeah but will 3 bags net me a good one incl insurance tax etc?

you should be able to get a very nice one at that price! get some quotes for classic insurance ,you may be surprised! the only problem i can see with taking this route is the fuel costs. i ran a new smart roadster for 3 years and the MPG were amazing! great little fun car spoiled by crap MB mechanics who made the infamous roadster leaks worse every time they tried to fix it. there are some good specialist smart service guys up and down the country.have a chat with them and take a test drive,they may or not, be the very thing for you.

 

[jaymanek]

I love the 190, I think its right up there with the best cars MB produced... but remember a lot of people just dont want to be seen dead in an "old merc" nowadays....

If you are interested in a smart car, the Japanese equivalents are worth looking at.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Lee's in a class of his own......

I try my best...

 

[nick mercedes]

Can anyone give me a heads up about the early Smart cars.... I'm looking to spend max of 3k all in with insurance etc just for a car for running around in locally.... I don't want to put unnecessary mileage on the ML...
Are the early Smarts troublesome?
Or.... Do I get a classic 190, but doing that will give me higher 2nd insurance bills servicing etc which I don't want....

All I want is a cheap 2nd car which is cheap motoring....

Buy a Corsa, an old 190 or an early Smart will both be hard work.

 

[st4]

That 211 does look good for a £3k budget....

 

[BlackC55]

Smarts are not cheap. As well as a MB specialist we also do Smarts. Some of the repair bills are horrific.

 

[mika]

Hi Bald Guy
If you have that delightful ML63 i cant see you walking past it too often to take the economical route with the smart car

i'd rather have a berlingo

 

[mika]

I love the 190, I think its right up there with the best cars MB produced... but remember a lot of people just dont want to be seen dead in an "old merc" nowadays....

If you are interested in a smart car, the Japanese equivalents are worth looking at.

Hi Jaymanek
youre right - i really like old mercs but i find a lot of people either "dont like" or "dont get" these wonderful vehicles
i took mine to work last week and was greeted with "whats with the blue car?" and "is there something wrong with your proper car?"