What alternative to a Smart coupe/cabrio
Discussion
Well I've decided that I need a commuting car - however it should look good, be fun and return 50mpg, under 100k and all for £3k max. At this point a Smart coupe/cabrio (ie not the 'fortwo' shape) seems to tick all the boxes with the added benefit of open top motoring.
I actually prefer auto, especially for commuting, so although the smart 'box has a reputation of not being very smart the package seems to be perfect.
Any other suggestions out there?
I actually prefer auto, especially for commuting, so although the smart 'box has a reputation of not being very smart the package seems to be perfect.
Any other suggestions out there?
Read up on the Smart Roadster it has numerous leaking issues, I'd go for a Smart Fortwo it's the better option in Passion form with the Panoramic Roof.
I had a diesel fortwo with the Brabus Map & couldn't fault it as a commuter car.
Passion Cabrio
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Passion MHD
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
CDI
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
I had a diesel fortwo with the Brabus Map & couldn't fault it as a commuter car.
Passion Cabrio
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Passion MHD
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
CDI
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Lol, I've just bought a brabus roadster xclusive and pick it up in a weeks time. It hasn't seen rain for 3 years and won't see it during my ownership either. Seller did say it's had all the remedial sealing done by mercedes. Not sure I could live with it as a daily although it was pretty comfortable on the test drive and a lot out there have covered big mileage so they can't be all bad.
Edited by kuro on Monday 29th May 23:15
kuro said:
Lol, I've just bought a brabus roadster xclusive and pick it up in a weeks time. It hasn't seen rain for 3 years and won't see it during my ownership either. Seller did say it's had all the remedial sealing done by mercedes. Not sure I could live with it as a daily although it was pretty comfortable on the test drive and a lot out there have covered big mileage so they can't be all bad.
Do tell me more Edited by kuro on Monday 29th May 23:15
As much as I love driving my SLK55 I'm paranoid about parking everyday in the public car park and the fuel economy isn't the best lol
This was me, have a read: https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-carpool/ph...
Leaks are a b
h and servicing needs a specialist Indy. Merc are too expensive and high-street garages don't know their way around them - for instance to fit 3 of the 6 spark plugs you need to remove the rear bodywork.
That said I did 20k miles in my first year of ownership, it was great for long and short distances and it's one of the cars I really miss.
Leaks are a b
h and servicing needs a specialist Indy. Merc are too expensive and high-street garages don't know their way around them - for instance to fit 3 of the 6 spark plugs you need to remove the rear bodywork.That said I did 20k miles in my first year of ownership, it was great for long and short distances and it's one of the cars I really miss.
irocfan said:
Do tell me more
As much as I love driving my SLK55 I'm paranoid about parking everyday in the public car park and the fuel economy isn't the best lol
I'll let you know after the 220 mile trip home after picking it up. I'm quite looking forward to it as comfort wise it shouldn't be much different to my mx5 mk3. Parking in public could be an issue as the seller says it gets quite a bit of attention. It's also a bit tricky to get in or out in a tight space.As much as I love driving my SLK55 I'm paranoid about parking everyday in the public car park and the fuel economy isn't the best lol
I had a Roadster RCR Coupe and it was perfectly fine in the wet, except in ice and snow when it's useless. The gearbox is pretty naff but you get used to it if you drive sedately.
If you don't mind something bigger, then get the older Smart 44 Brabus. Not a convertible, but it's cheap to run and a proper rocket, 177 bhp
Something different might be a soft top Suzuki Jimny.
If you don't mind something bigger, then get the older Smart 44 Brabus. Not a convertible, but it's cheap to run and a proper rocket, 177 bhp
Something different might be a soft top Suzuki Jimny.
Edited by seadragon on Wednesday 31st May 11:28
AH33 said:
ZX10R NIN said:
Read up on the Smart Roadster it has numerous leaking issues.
Mine didnt just leak, it FILLED UP with water. A good couple of inches!
They do seem to have disappeared rather quickly and there was a good reason MB stopped selling them.
OP, I'd choose something less economical and cheaper to repair if and when it does ever go wrong. You'd get 40ish to the gallon from a MK3 MR2 and a very nice one for 3k.
giveitfish said:
This was me, have a read: https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-carpool/ph...
Leaks are a bh and servicing needs a specialist Indy. Merc are too expensive and high-street garages don't know their way around them - for instance to fit 3 of the 6 spark plugs you need to remove the rear bodywork.
That said I did 20k miles in my first year of ownership, it was great for long and short distances and it's one of the cars I really miss.
Leaks can be a problem, but they certainly don't need a specialist Indy for servicing, any reasonably competent DIYer can work on these cars. Removing the rear bodywork is a bit of a PITA on the coupe (the rear windows have to come out), but doesn't take that long. It's also possible to cut three holes under the number plate which permits spark plug changes without removing the bodywork, though I'd rather spend the 15 minutes taking the bodywork off personally.Leaks are a b
h and servicing needs a specialist Indy. Merc are too expensive and high-street garages don't know their way around them - for instance to fit 3 of the 6 spark plugs you need to remove the rear bodywork.That said I did 20k miles in my first year of ownership, it was great for long and short distances and it's one of the cars I really miss.
If the clutch actuator is in good condition, it;'s preload is properly set and the bite point is properly calibrated in the ECU (requires either Mercedes Star diagnostic system, or the cheaper Delphi 150E, Chinese clones of both easily available) then the gear change is reasonably good most of the time. Fully automatic mode is fairly useless though.
However it's actually quite difficult to get 50mpg out of them unless you are a very restrained driver.
Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 31st May 11:52
seadragon said:
I had a Roadster RCR Coupe and it was perfectly fine in the wet, except in ice and snow when it's useless. The gearbox is pretty naff but you get used to it if you drive sedately.
If you don't mind something bigger, then get the older Smart 44 Brabus. Not a convertible, but it's cheap to run and a proper rocket, 177 bhp
Something different might be a soft top Suzuki Jimny.
The gearchange in the car I have bought was quite impressive. It's had a remap by anton digital so maybe that helps. Having owned an early fourtwo I wasn't expecting much but it almost felt like a normal auto. In manual it was even better, especially when using the paddle shiftersIf you don't mind something bigger, then get the older Smart 44 Brabus. Not a convertible, but it's cheap to run and a proper rocket, 177 bhp
Something different might be a soft top Suzuki Jimny.
Edited by seadragon on Wednesday 31st May 11:28
kuro said:
irocfan said:
Do tell me more
As much as I love driving my SLK55 I'm paranoid about parking everyday in the public car park and the fuel economy isn't the best lol
I'll let you know after the 220 mile trip home after picking it up. I'm quite looking forward to it as comfort wise it shouldn't be much different to my mx5 mk3. Parking in public could be an issue as the seller says it gets quite a bit of attention. It's also a bit tricky to get in or out in a tight space.As much as I love driving my SLK55 I'm paranoid about parking everyday in the public car park and the fuel economy isn't the best lol
kuro said:
Well I picked it up today and I've got to say I'm surprised by this little cars ability. A faultless drive back home and more than able to hold it's own on the motorway. The auto mode is not that good but using paddle shift or lever it was fine. Quite comfortable but a bit noisy and when you are in it you forget how small it is. It's not quick off the line but in gear performance is addictive. Could do with a quicker steering rack but it's acceptable and the speed it can carry through bends is pretty amazing. This is a weekend car for me but I reckon it's usable as a daily on a shorter commute.
I've got one, it's bog standard, it doesn't leak, it's reasonably comfortable and once you get used to the foibles of the gearbox you can enjoy it. Mine gets used 3 or 4 days a week and returns 45+ mpg, it had a new turbo just before I got it.Make sure the battery in the key fob is not about to run out, if it does you'll need the car and key reset at a dealer, you'll know when the battery gets low you'll get intermittent starting, door locking and alarm issues! Think it cost around £200 to have mine sorted by MB, ( included a mini service).
Hope you enjoy it, as much as I do!
CypSIdders said:
I've got one, it's bog standard, it doesn't leak
You must have the only one ever made that doesn't leak!Batteries getting low in the keyfob does not cause the loss of synchronisation, this is a popular misconception. If this was the case you wouldn't ever be able to change the battery as the fob would lose sync as soon as the old battery was removed. In fact you can remove the battery and leave the fob for years in a drawer somewhere and it will still work.
The problem is that the SAM (body control computer) has a bug in the software that can cause a key to spontaneously lose sync, irrespective of battery status. I put a second, coded, fob on my wife's keyring just in case this ever happens. Rumour has it that this was fixed in a later software update, but there doesn't seem to be any definite evidence for this. This does mean that if you have only one key you could find yourself in a very difficult situation. If you need another key then any three button Smart keyfob of the era (ForTwo or Roadster) can be coded to the car (or rather the SAM must be coded to the key).
Kuro: Make sure you sign up to TheRoadster forums, a mine of useful information on there. A subscription to Evilution is also well worth the £10 per year it costs if you plan to work on the car yourself.
Edited by Mr2Mike on Thursday 8th June 10:14
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