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ajac8



Member Since: 04 Oct 2011
Location: Shakespeares County
Posts: 1619

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Baltic Blue
Smart Car

At the risk of being laughed out of town (or perhaps not) anyone here experienced owning a Smart Car?

The fatty stays in the garage all week because I do minimal miles short journeys all day and up 'till now I have been using the family runabout Corsa day to day which we brought for my eldest to learn to drive in. Trouble is the inconsiderate little Censored has gone and past his test first time so the Corsa is no longer 'mine'.

That leaves me in a bit of a pickle and I'm seriously considering a Smart City car. £1500 gets a 55 / 56 plate good nick car with about 50k miles but I don't know anything about ownership. Question

Do I need to get my coat? 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Post #418851 20th Dec 2016 5:05pm
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northernmonkeyjones



Member Since: 24 Mar 2012
Location: derby
Posts: 8479

United Kingdom 2016 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Santorini Black

why? I get the letting the ff sit on the drive and using a small car for city driving, but a fortwo smart car? Really? Never been in one but to my mind its more like a side by side 2 seat motorbike.... Whistle

for that sort of money you can pick up the roadster version, which is still tiny but much more like a proper car. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Post #418863 20th Dec 2016 5:47pm
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ajac8



Member Since: 04 Oct 2011
Location: Shakespeares County
Posts: 1619

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Baltic Blue

I like this type of thing....but would try for a grey one. Its all about small is clever. The roadster is too big for my needs (and even more ugly from the back) Shocked

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv...amp;page=1 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Post #418867 20th Dec 2016 6:03pm
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Haylands



Member Since: 04 Mar 2014
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 7879

England 2014 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

My daughter had a Roadster for a couple of years, we put a turbo, wastegate, intercooler and tic pipe on it as it was a bit leggy, chipped it and she had great fun... she got pi55ed off with the constant leaks that beset them (It was why Mercedes pulled the plug on the Roadster) Massive fun to drive though...





She has just changed it for a 2007 Mitsubishi Colt CZ2 which is basically a Smart ForFour, it's 60% smart, Mercedes engineering, made in the old Volvo factory, it's a 1.3 4 cylinder with a six speed automatic manual box, 66,000 miles FMDSH immaculate condition and cost £1,000... It also does far more MPG than the 0.7turbo Roadster yet is about as fast....!!!





Smarts seem to be well made, pretty reliable and parts are reasonable to... (bit like an FF... Rolling with laughter ) :thumbsup:

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Mr. Green  Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Post #418869 20th Dec 2016 6:13pm
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Dolphinboy



Member Since: 07 Dec 2009
Location: Bristol
Posts: 3035

United Kingdom 2011 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Atacama Sand

My other half has had a new 2seater city smart 2013 for 3 yrs and paid c. £159 per month. Never had a problem with it and even drove bristol to north Norfolk which was interesting. They get 50+ mpg and are brilliant to park as they fit in most spaces too small for a normal car. She's just bought a brand new (massive update in terms of shape and equipment) one on the same deal which is a vast improvement on the previous marque in terms of gearbox and equipment. You can still get enough kit inside if you are frugal

However I would buy a Seat/skoda/vw up/ Citigo which seats 4 and is much cheaper.

Post #418874 20th Dec 2016 6:46pm
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paulmoran2



Member Since: 27 Nov 2013
Location: Leeds
Posts: 1422

England 2013 Range Rover Vogue SDV8 Mariana Black

Had 3 Smart Fortwos 's 1.0 MHD.

2 of them had V-Belt issues as the duel starter/ alternator was misaligned so the belt jumped ( a known common fault) Fortunately the drivers stopped straight away before the engines ate themselves ( as the belt also is the timing belt too).

The suspension is very very hard and the auto box takes 2 seconds to change up/down so not smooth at all.

Cost to buy / rent is very cheap, insurance average and servicing seemed high for such a compact car. No spare wheel ( can of tyre seal not provided either) GONE 2010 Facelifted 3.6 TDV8 - Stornoway Grey + 22" Overfinch Olympus
HAVE 1999 Discovery 2 GS 4.0 V8 - Silver - Off Road Toy
GONE 2013 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue. Black with Silver roofline and 22" s
HAVE 2015 Jaguar XF.

Post #418881 20th Dec 2016 7:07pm
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Alistair



Member Since: 11 Feb 2011
Location: Peterborough / Bordeaux / Andorra
Posts: 7724

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Santorini Black

I had a Brabaus one for about 4 years & loved it.

I always had a bit of an itch for one & then was bored between Christmas & New Year, bid for one on eBay and won it Shocked It turned out to be a great little thing

Because they don't even attempt a rear seat, they are surprisingly roomy inside

This was my collection a few years ago Thumbs Up

Post #418930 20th Dec 2016 11:36pm
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V8Noise



Member Since: 25 Apr 2015
Location: Dereham
Posts: 423

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography 5.0 SC V8 Carpathian Grey

You're looking at a 450 in your budget. If you do go that route then budget and engine rebuild at around 50k miles. It's not if it's when. If you can stretch your budget a bit then get a 451 which was available from 2007. They have a 1.0 Mitsubishi engine which is much more reliable and has longevity. Brabus 450's are OK.

Do not buy an MHD as mentioned earlier. They will throw the belt and lunch the engine. Once it overheats, it dies and there is no temp gauge, just a warning light by which time it's too late.

The 451 includes normally aspirated, 71bhp, turbo charged, 84bhp and a diesel, eff all bhp. There is also a Brabus version which can be pushed to about 120bhp. Considering the car weighs about as much as a basket of soup, the Brabus can move.

Driving them is a bit of a challenge to start with. You need to match revs to gear change for a smooth operation. It's not a normal slush box, like the fatty but a manual box with clutch that also includes some wizardry that changes gear automatically. That can be full auto, manually moving the stick or flappy paddles. When I drive ours I use flappy paddles, SWMBO uses "soft touch auto"

Our Smart (2008 Limited 2) has been in our ownership for nearly 4 years now and has cost nothing except regular servicing. We imported it to Greece as you can buy a UK car for about 1/2 what it would cost in Greece. Drove it across Europe to get it to Greece which was a great fun, 4 day road trip. Being a Limited Edition, it even has Ferrari Leather.

I would thoroughly recommend a Smart. It's as close to driving an original Mini as you can get.





Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Mr. Green  2017 5.0 Autobiography Supercharged
2005 Merc SL350
2005 Disco HSE 2.7 oil burner

Post #418934 21st Dec 2016 4:24am
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Scottyav



Member Since: 11 Feb 2013
Location: Cannock Staffordshire
Posts: 1194

United Kingdom 2007 Range Rover Autobiography TDV8 Zambezi Silver

wouldn't want a bump in a smart car ive seen my neighbours and he was lucky to be alive at low speed Shocked _____________________________________________________
Zambezi silver Vogue Se unique Smile

Post #418986 21st Dec 2016 12:00pm
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Haylands



Member Since: 04 Mar 2014
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 7879

England 2014 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

They are, in fact, very safe, the tridion safety cell works well... Thumbs Up

 Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Post #418988 21st Dec 2016 12:11pm
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ajac8



Member Since: 04 Oct 2011
Location: Shakespeares County
Posts: 1619

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Baltic Blue

Many thanks Gents - much food for though.

Found this great resource too:
http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php

Cheers

Thumbs Up 405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Post #419000 21st Dec 2016 12:55pm
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KurtVerbose



Member Since: 08 Aug 2010
Location: Les Arses
Posts: 5848

Switzerland 2007 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Stornoway Grey

I had one as a rental. I quite liked it.

Post #419016 21st Dec 2016 2:00pm
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V8Noise



Member Since: 25 Apr 2015
Location: Dereham
Posts: 423

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography 5.0 SC V8 Carpathian Grey

ajac8 wrote:
Many thanks Gents - much food for though.

Found this great resource too:
http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php

Cheers

Thumbs Up


Evolution is the best Smart site around. FQ101 is also good,........And free. 2017 5.0 Autobiography Supercharged
2005 Merc SL350
2005 Disco HSE 2.7 oil burner

Post #419026 21st Dec 2016 3:05pm
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Alistair



Member Since: 11 Feb 2011
Location: Peterborough / Bordeaux / Andorra
Posts: 7724

United Kingdom 2013 Range Rover Vogue SE SDV8 Santorini Black

+1 I'd forgotten about that site, but I got loads of information from it at the time Thumbs Up

Post #419027 21st Dec 2016 3:07pm
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Rich86



Member Since: 10 Mar 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 509

United Kingdom 2009 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Nara Bronze



I've owned one for a few years and would advise new or nearly new as they're so cheap and covered by warranty although mine hasn't caused issues so far.

Yes they're bumpy, the gearbox is jolty but you get used to it and drive accordingly. I use mine in London for obvious reasons. I own several cars and the Smart is easily the most fun as mine is the fastest version and I bought new with all the extras as I didn't want to slum it. Better sound system, extra side airbags, heated seats, cruise and satnav.

It's nippy and practical for me and fulfills its purpose although I've driven it on a motorway I would advise against it.

Have considered the rest of the smaller cars but size is everything when you're parking in narrow roads and it's always such a challenge to park in the space that most other cars can't fit into. Minis aren't so mini these days, in fact the Smart is more like the original Mini.

If you can find a good one you will not look back. 2009 Vogue TDV8 Nara Bronze
2002 Vogue V8 Zambezi Silver
1986 90 Pick up Deep Bronze Green
1978 Series III SWB Deep Bronze Green

Post #419047 21st Dec 2016 5:51pm
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