Power steering for Smart Fortwo

[spyros]

I am about to order a smart Fortwo and I was wondering if I should include a power steering in the extras. Does anyone have a smart fortwo with power steering? How does it feel (in the open road and in the city)?
Thnx in advance for your answers

[AndyM]

I have PS on my Brab cab.I havent tried a smart with chunkier wheels without PS to make a comparison,but it does make slow speed manoevering a lot easier.

[Sarah]

I dont have power steering on mine (ForTwo passion) but i've driven one that does and if i could choose to have it or not, i'd probably have it, as has been said already it does make a difference when doing slow speed manoevering, but once your driving at normal speed I dont think you can tell if its there or not.

[Bat-Man]

I've gather that the 'directness' (feel) of the power steering version is less good than the un-assisted version at speed.

[smartypartfast]

power steering

I have tried a fortwo with the power steering option and as Ian says the steering is less responsive than the unassisted version altough parking is easier. As it is an electric system there is an initial resistance when the wheel is turned before the assistance cuts in. This makes the steering feel a bit 'dead' around the straight ahead position.
I would suggest you try one before you specify it for your car.

[spyros]

I am afraid local dealership has not available a fortwo fitted with power steering so I have to listen to people who have tried it in order to decide what's the best option for me...
Thank u all for your time

[Smartacus]

I have PS and 175s on the front - feel and weighting at speed are fine

[Sylvester]

I bought my Smart for two coupe last week and on the spec it said power steering. Having driven the car the last week I am not sure that it does have power steering, is there anything visual that I should check that will confirm this either way for me?

[RacingSnake]

The easiest most obvious check for power steering is, turn the wheel full lock and hear for the PS pump 'hissing'.

[Mr T]

You won't here the P.S. Pump hissing, because it hasn't got one.
It is electrically assisted.

[bbawden]

I have driven with and without and there isn't a lot of difference. If it was free I'd go for it but as it isn't I didn't.

[Mr T]

Do you really need power steering in such a small car? :eek:
Are we all turning into girlies?
When I get in our Smart I still can't believe how light the steering is, after driving my Scirocco, now that really does need power steering!! :eek:

[RacingSnake]

You won't here the P.S. Pump hissing, because it hasn't got one.
It is electrically assisted.

Righto... was only a suggestion, I don't have the power steering and would not even contemplate it..... too much extra weight on the car

[Bat-Man]

I remember, back in the late sixties, one of the company cars I had use of was a Ford Cortina 1600E. Big, wide tyres all round, tiny steering wheel and no power assistance. Much to my shame I could not get out of a tight parking space - the muscles in my arms just gave up. Waited five minutes and the car behind went - phew - I made my escape!

[spyros]

Thank u all for your posts!!
However, I am still not 100 per cent sure if I should go for the power steering. It's not a cost issue but a matter of losing responsiveness and road feeling that I am afraid of. Unfortunately there is no way I can test drive a power assisted one so I think I 'll go for the one with the power steering hoping it will be ok...
thnx again for your comments