Smart Roadster Brabus Xclusive

[Bobby Dazzler]

I know you've been flirting with the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart as well....

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Very common for the aircon pipe to break so if it needs a re-gas i would say the pipe has cracked. There's a moddified part to fit that cures it.

My experience now is that Merc delerships have no idea about servicing the Roadster so your specialist stamp is more important. I know why youu would want a merc stamp but anyone who would be interested in buying later wouldnt care about it.

I did hear about the pipe. The specialist was all over it when I mentioned it on the phone so hopefully a part he keeps in stock.

 

[MeanRedSpider]

Sorry that I have not read the entire thread but I had one of the very first Smart Roadster Coupes in the UK. I thought it was a fab little car but it was also a piece of utter rubbish. I don’t recall all of the faults that it had in the 2 years I owned it though it did depreciate to half its value in that time (ironically they all then stayed at about that value).

The first failure was the optional boost gauge which failed on day 2. The seat split, the roof leaked constantly and developed some sort of ripple, the CD changer broke, the brake pads delaminated, various bits of trim fell to bits and so on. I also recall that it was exceptionally sensitive to which tyres were fitted: fit the wrong brand and it gave the sensation that you were about to be thrown into unprovoked oversteer when you were just changing lanes on the motorway.

Ironically, given that I had it remapped to 105bhp, the only thing I had no issues with was the drive train.

The final painful issue was the rear hatch hinges: they started corroding. Main dealer got seven sets sent from Smart before a pair finally arrived undamaged. That kinda summed up my Smart experience.

Fab little car - exceptionally poorly executed.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

it was also a piece of utter rubbish. I don’t recall all of the faults that it had in the 2 years I owned it though it did depreciate to half its value in that time (ironically they all then stayed at about that value).

The first failure was the optional boost gauge which failed on day 2. The seat split, the roof leaked constantly and developed some sort of ripple, the CD changer broke, the brake pads delaminated, various bits of trim fell to bits and so on. I also recall that it was exceptionally sensitive to which tyres were fitted: fit the wrong brand and it gave the sensation that you were about to be thrown into unprovoked oversteer when you were just changing lanes on the motorway.

But other than that, it was a great?

I suspect when you buy it new you have much higher expectations that buying one close to 20 years old. The frustrating faults and issues when new, become character when old!

 

[MeanRedSpider]

But other than that, it was a great?

I suspect when you buy it new you have much higher expectations that buying one close to 20 years old. The frustrating faults and issues when new, become character when old!

Totally. I finally got rid of it when I moved to the Highlands - a light flurry of snow and the thing was completely useless: too wide tyres, no weight, RWD and turbo power delivery - the slightest incline completely defeated it. Still have fond memories of the car though.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

More than 2 months later the service still hasn’t been done. What’s irritating is that it’s only because I phone to check whether parts have arrived the night before that I find out that they haven’t and that i/t’s cancelled. My Mercedes dealer is as bad.

It’s the fuel filter that they’re waiting for, and could be NLA. Smart’s alternative suggestion is to fit a new tank including the fuel filter, as the dealer won’t fit non-original parts. It’s scheduled for replacement every 4 years!

So today I have booked it in with a Smart specialist for the same full monty service, plus even more (as the Smart main dealer don’t service the transmission, but the specialist does:

• C-service
• Air filter
• Fuel filter
• Spark plug
• Brake fluid
• Coolant
• Transmission fluid
• Aircon re-gas
• Poly V belt

Once that’s done I’ll take it to the Smart main dealer for a basic A service with no additional items, so I maintain the fully stamped Mercedes/Smart main dealer history.

I’m making it even more perfect so I can charge @MikeInWimbledon even more when he buys it from me

Serviced today with a long list of requests to perform every service operation (including additional mileage and time related items). Clear brief to sort anything and everything not 100%

C-Service completed
Air filter replaced
Combi filter replaced
Fuel filter replaced
Spark plugs replaced
Transmission fluid replaced
Coolant replaced
Brake fluid tested (fresh, not replaced)
Poly V-belt replaced
Fan belt replaced
Air-conditioning gas replaced
Windscreen wipers replaced
Original CTEK connector removed
New CTEK Comfort connected fitted
Cigarette lighter fixed (fuse)
Brake lightbulb replaced (failed today!)

I was told it was the cleanest most original car they’ve ever seen and a joy to work on because it was like it had just rolled out of the factory.

They went so far as to say it was possibly better than new! A high compliment considering I had to drive through a monsoon and flooding to get there!