Hoping to get my 1st SMART car

[Simbo]

Hi,

I will be starting a new job soon which involves a daily 25 min drive on an A road. I would really like to buy a SMART car for the commute so have been trying to read as much info as possible.

I have a budget of around £2500 and have seen one for sale that I'm quite keen on. It is an '03 Pulse softip convertible with 38000 on the clock (which can be backed up with service history). It has Brabus alloys and a few other Brabus additions. It has been advertised as simply a 'SMART Auto Black' but a basic reg check has shown it to be a Pulse softip semi auto (rather than an actual Brabus.....unless I am getting confused of course?!).

I've read about engine rebuilds being needed at some point which is slightly off putting. What are these like to run? Anything to look out for specifically when going to have a look at some?

Any help would be great.

[jonneyflame]

Re: Hoping to get my 1st SMART car

i would have thought that for £2500 your could get a newer one, check the obvious stuff like smoking exhaust, oil level and oil leaks, the reluctor rings and obviously how it drives, convertibles can have issues with the power hood and check the aircon if it has it, if its not ice cold it will cost you to get it sorted, 38000 miles is low but check that the service schedule has been carried out yearly rather than on the mileage. also if the receipts are there see what kinds of service has been carried out and by whom as these are a pretty specific kind of car to work on and if you dont know what your doing things can be missed (clutch re-teach and key fob battery change for example)

[Thrumbleux]

Re: Hoping to get my 1st SMART car

Main concern is if it's burning oil - and there is nothing in the way of symptoms other than monitoring the oil level over mileage to ascertain if it is. By the time smoke shows, misfires occur - it's way too late. An honest response from the vendor is your only hope. Drill him/her. If they've owned it less than a year walk away - unless you get something in writing that guarantees minimal oil consumption, and can enforce. Good luck!
Dry interior (esp carpets in front of seats) or SAM units corrode - expensive to rectify. And insist on both keys - or a price deduction to cover the cost of a second one plus coding. (When the main key goes out of synch without a spare functioning key the car is grounded needing recovery to the dealer - more expense).
Most other stuff is minor and not expensive to put right and when done sweetens the drive.

A 450 is a hoot to drive though. If you enjoy small cars and get a good 450 you will love it.

[andyo15car]

Re: Hoping to get my 1st SMART car

General opinion is that the engines can be iffy from around 50k upwards,but some go on way over 100,service history is good,abuse isn't! Depends how it's been driven.Misfires spell trouble,of the expensive type.Sumps can rust through,springs break and that's a front off job,low oil level could prove oncoming problems too. Be aware that some models ,which I believe have bigger tyres take them to the next Ved ie tax level so instead of £30 a year they are £120ish - I think the co2 is just 1 over the limit ie 121 gram! I'm sure if car was a Brabus owner would be making it very clear! Sounds perfect for your requirements,always good if engine has had rebuild for extra peace of mind.

[Simbo]

Re: Hoping to get my 1st SMART car

He sent over pics of the engine bay. It's got brabus sb1 on it.

I spoke to him on the phone earlier and he said that he contacted Mercedes direct as the reg certificate says its a pulse softip but everything on it is brabus. He reckons Mercedes said that was common with early brabus models? Does that sound right or not?

[ManM]

Re: Hoping to get my 1st SMART car

Be aware that some models ,which I believe have bigger tyres take them to the next Ved ie tax level so instead of £30 a year they are £120ish -

This depends entirely as to what the car was first registered as. After market purchases do not affect the tax level. If I had known 12 years ago, I would not have had wider wheels and would have replaced after purchase!

Brabus wheels look good but they are made of bottletops - honest. Wouldn't touch them with a bargepole as they will be dented within a couple of trips out especially on A/B roads.

Hope this little input helps

Jenny

[Simbo]

Re: Hoping to get my 1st SMART car

Well....I've joined the gang!

Went to have a look this morning and I absolutely love the car. Bodywork is in amazing condition considering it is 10 years old and everything else seemed fine to my dad and I. Obviously did a full HPI check too which was clear.

Now does anyone know of a decent SMART specialist in my area? I'm from Southend in Essex. I would quite like to get off on the right foot by giving it a full service once I pick it up this week.

[137699]

Re: Hoping to get my 1st SMART car

Sb1 is an upgrade for non-Brabus 600cc cars. It means it still has the standard 600cc engine.

You don't have any specialists in your area I'm afraid.

For general services & mechanical maintenance there is Mark Rogers (Essex-based mobile mechanic & smart savvy) who you can reach on 07768 305590.
Otherwise you need to go round the m25 to s2smarts in Watford or Smart Car Specioaist in Guildford. Or up the M11 to fudgesmart in Newmarket.

[S700TRB]

Re: Hoping to get my 1st SMART car

Take a little drive and see Mark at Fudgesmart ask him to give it a service and check over. Welcome to the world of smarts

Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk 2

[mikejduk]

Re: Hoping to get my 1st SMART car

General opinion is that the engines can be iffy from around 50k upwards,but some go on way over 100,service history is good,abuse isn't! Depends how it's been driven.Misfires spell trouble,of the expensive type.Sumps can rust through,springs break and that's a front off job,low oil level could prove oncoming problems too. Be aware that some models ,which I believe have bigger tyres take them to the next Ved ie tax level so instead of £30 a year they are £120ish - I think the co2 is just 1 over the limit ie 121 gram! I'm sure if car was a Brabus owner would be making it very clear! Sounds perfect for your requirements,always good if engine has had rebuild for extra peace of mind.

Yep, I have the 2002 Smart Pure 599 cc which is taxable at £110 per year. Mine also has different size wheels front and back. I did think this was curious, especially if I was to carry a spare for either one after all there isn't that much spare room behind the seats or in the boot. So, I have this aerosol that apparently I blow in to the Tyre if I get a flat. Hmmm I'm only on 45k up to now but I sure hope I get much more than the 50k suggested when troubles can start. Mine has only had three owners so I'm hoping it hasn't been abused. It rund fine and apart from the occasional scare on roundabouts when it takes a micro second to think about picking up it's fine. Enjoy the ride SIMBO