Optigear Actuator - any good?

[OrangeDave]

I've considered having one of these fitted. I understand they improve the gear changes no end. Does anybody here have any experience of them?

Dave

[jace]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

I had a optigear actuator fitted about 2 years ago, did a wee write up at the time in the Roadster.net guides http://www.theroadster.net/trc/modul...cle.php?id=134


I've had to have the actuator reset a total of 6 times in the first 16 - 18 months, only did about 9,000 miles, after that it seemed to be ok.

I still don't think it's a quicker gear change like some people claim, but possibly a wee bit smoother.

Over the two years and 14,000 (ish) miles of use I'd personally say on balance it's not worth paying the extra, my opinion only, other people will probably disagree.

JC

[davros7760]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

I had a brand new actuator modified by Optigear and incorporated into a rebuild.

I replaced the clutch and clutch bearing at the same time - none of it necessary but
there was little sense in a complete rebuild to refit a new clutch within 2 years at most.

The gearchanges seem a little more consistant and the obvious lags have been moderated,
but I readily concede that it could be purely subjective.

I also concede that the new clutch, unmodified actuator and bearing might well have performed as well
as the optigear set-up which is why I mentioned it.

If the 'new' actuator ever needs replacing I will probably revert to 'standard' unless I am reasonably flush.

[matty10]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

speaking of actuators were have you all found the cheapest place to buy one from ??

[davros7760]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

I went MB - I wasn't aware of any independents stocking them and I wouldn't risk a generic one
even if they were to be had.

[krassegrand]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

Isn't Optigear cheaper than the standard one?
I have had a qoute from the local MB dealer at more than 4000SEK (around €400)
And I found it at

http://www.smart-stuff.co.uk/451-smart-fortwo-clutch-actuator-4094-p.asp

for £564.96
And finaly at

http://www.optigear.de/product_info.php?info=p16_optigear--perfomance-actuator-mod.html

for just over €200

Optigear sound cheapest to me!
If it is also better I know what to choose.

Jörgen

[Big Performance]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

Try like for like.

451 actuator is VERY different to a 450 version

http://www.smart-stuff.co.uk/smart-fortwo--roadster-clutch-actuator-773-p.asp

[madDan]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

451 actuator not a lot of use on a Roady! I

[krassegrand]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

Try like for like.

451 actuator is VERY different to a 450 version


http://www.smart-stuff.co.uk/smart-f...ator-773-p.asp

Oh dear the price was rather different to! I didn't expect that!
Still the Optigear is still cheaper! Is it also better?

Jörgen

[krassegrand]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

451 actuator not a lot of use on a Roady! I

I ment it as an example!
If I was to buy I would have checked first!

Jörgen

[Big Performance]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

Dont you have to SUPPLY an actuator AND 200euro?

[Kapt. Q]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

I suspect that they are just changing the spring, a part that costs them a lot less than €10.
They certainly will not discuss what they do to it with potential customers.

Cheers!

[smartsparky]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

A standard clutch actuator (fortwo 450 and Roadster) from smart retails at about £245 + VAT. I've just picked one up for my fortwo. The invoice is at home so this is off the top of my head!

[krassegrand]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

Don't you have to SUPPLY an actuator AND 200euro?

OK I guess You are right!
But I would just be playing around with the old one anyway and I think I have heard that You can send in the old one after You have changed it. But maybe £245 + VAT is an option James. Where did You find that?

Jörgen

[T4P]

Re: Optigear Actuator - any good?

From our own test of the actuators we did not experience any noticeable difference from either a brand new modified actuator or a modified refurbished one, the trick seems to be in the spring tension, so the spring pushes the actuator out quicker....but then more force is required to pull it back in!!!!

Original MB costs £291 inc vat.