Newbie searching

[Mattr6]

Hi there. I'm currently searching for a fortwo. Not too fussed on engine as it's only really a commuting car. But I'm really looking at 07 models onwards.

Read a lot on this site about the hatred for MHD. I fully understand this about belts snapping etc, but the majority of cars for sale in my budget are MHD models. So are they all ticking timebombs?? Is there any love for MHD models on here?

Anyone knows of any fortwo for sale, roundabout 2k but can stretch slightly, idealy near southwest but will travel, I'm all ears.

Cheers

Matt

[Thrumbleux]

MHD cheap for a reason. Pays your money and takes your chances. On that basis, if the risk is acceptable....

[Mattr6]

Thrumbleux, fully understand that. Just wondering how common faliures are and if it's at certain mileages/age. Does how you use the car affect it. I will only be doing about 10 miles a day commuting.

[dolphinfreindly]

If that's all the miles you are doing, get a petrol, not diesel. Diesels take longer to warm up and given the location of the rad to the engine on a smart it takes even longer. Also you will get dpf issues unless it gets a good blast every couple of weeks or so.

[Thrumbleux]

Thrumbleux, fully understand that. Just wondering how common faliures are and if it's at certain mileages/age. Does how you use the car affect it. I will only be doing about 10 miles a day commuting.

Not an if but a when is how I view it.
Not just a case of broken belt but disintegrating tensioner and that's without the overheating - which is always assumed can happen but may have already. Can of worms.

[Thrumbleux]

If that's all the miles you are doing, get a petrol, not diesel. Diesels take longer to warm up and given the location of the rad to the engine on a smart it takes even longer. Also you will get dpf issues unless it gets a good blast every couple of weeks or so.

MHD is SI.

[Thrumbleux]

There is a possibility this could work for you.
Find a car that hasn't already been boiled and with the tensioner in good order then disable stop/start (it's switchable I think / disable via STAR(?)) such that the belt damaging engine starting is eliminated.

[Mattr6]

May have found diesel. Someone eluded to it earlier but is my small mileage going to cause a diesel any issues.? Round trip is about 14 miles daily. Can increase they to 20 with an a road blast if that's required. Any issues with the diesel engine? This ones done 70k with full smart/ mercedes history.

[Thrumbleux]

Diesel core is pretty robust but the later higher power version (54hp?) has various problems related to the exhaust/emissions kit. Earlier version is near bullet proof but lower powered,
As with any diesel, worth checking its emission level (eg EU6, etc) versus any restrictions applicable in your intended area of travel.

[Mattr6]

Emission restrictions won't be an issue as I'm way down in devon. Interesting you mention exhaust emissions issues on the higher powered one of which this is. Looking in to the MOT history, it failed the last one on emissions. On questioning the seller, he says it was a dirty sensor which was replaced. Is this plausible or could this be the start of some major issues?

[Thrumbleux]

Given I'm fonder of paedophiles than diesels, I'm not best qualified to discuss the foibles of the CDI. There have been threads here and on Smartz detailing difficulties some have had with 54hp CDIs - and at least one where the problem was solvable by one person only (he bought the car in question). There is also a reverse gear selection issue IIRC associated with this model - software I think. Best let others familiar with the model guide you.

[Mattr6]

Quick update on this. Put a deposit down on a 08 non MHD fortwo to pick up on Saturday. Current owner 4 years, 63k, loads of history, white with black roof/ tridion. Bit more than I wanted to spend but it seems almost impossible to get a new shape for £2k or less.

Wont be doing much to it as it is predominantly work transport for me. Quite fancy updating the head unit to a touch screen version but heard those on the newer smarts aren't great. Anyone got any recommendations?

[Mattr6]

Picked up car and to be honest it's not great. Completely my fault for not checking, and had I not travelled 3hrs to get there, I wouldn't have brought it. The FSH isn't that. It's had 2 services at smart up to 15k. The last owner had It 4 years and says her husband changed the oil and filters twice a year although there is no proof of this. I do have receipts for discs, pads, new shocks etc. One plus is it's the 84bhp version not the 71 like she told me. Guessing my first port will be getting a full service at a smart specialist. Any recommendations in my area ? I'm North Devon so Cornwall, Devon or Somerset is doable.

Finally, and this is a big issue for me, it came with one key only. The last owner only had 1 key and she owned it for 4 years. What's my best/ cheapest action for getting a new spare key

Thanks

Matt

[Mr T]

The only Smart specialist down your way that I've ever heard of are Paul & Kate, who have run Smart-sport in Shepton Mallet for probably 15 years ish.

http://www.smart-sport.co.uk/

[Mattr6]

Thanks Mr T, hadn't heard of that one. I've found a place on Newquay which is about 2hrs away. Also a place in Teignmouth which is about 1.5hrs away- I've dropped them an email. I don't want to drop too much money in the car as it's only a shopping/work commute/ runaround car. The prices I've seen for replacement keys are stupid!