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rswift
Original Poster
661 posts
44 months
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Ok, not sure this is the correct place, but I can't see a SMART specific area on here. I have just acquired a dead SMART Roadster. It will need a new engine as it's done 80k !! (This seems quite good for a SMART).
Has anyone here got experience of this, either DIY or PSE (Pay Someone Else) ?
I'm looking for either a good recommendation of a SMART indie to replace it, or someone who can tell us how to drop the engine out of the car without breaking the many plastic bits that seem to make a SMART roadster !
And much as the bike engined swap is tempting the £7k conversion price is not !
Thank you
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Defcon5
4,056 posts
60 months
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rswift
Original Poster
661 posts
44 months
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Apparently .... they reckon 60k is about average !
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300bhp/ton
26,483 posts
59 months
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Defcon5
4,056 posts
60 months
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Makes an RX7 seem positively reliable!
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The Crack Fox
8,085 posts
61 months
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Brabus Jord
1,401 posts
76 months
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rswift
Original Poster
661 posts
44 months
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300bhp/ton said: Thank you, I've looked at most of those, although didn't know of the Watford one. There is a lot of info re the SMART, but as yet no guide that I can find for pulling an engine out !
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rswift
Original Poster
661 posts
44 months
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Brabus Jord said: is it a brabus? No just the 80 BHP version ... which as it needs rebuilding might be a blessing !
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wolf1
2,355 posts
119 months
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Once you've sorted the engine out make sure you waterproof the body control unit (just above the throttle pedal) The roadster is renown for taking on water in that area and shorting out the unit which can be expensive to replace as all the ones in the breakers have been snapped up or water damaged.
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NiceCupOfTea
21,946 posts
120 months
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rswift said: Apparently .... they reckon 60k is about average ! Who is "they"? A friend of mine has run a succession of them to well over 100k miles...
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Riley Blue
5,216 posts
95 months
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rswift said: Apparently .... they reckon 60k is about average ! Not really so 'smart' then. Any modern engine should be able to achieve much more than that without a rebuild.
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Toltec
1,810 posts
92 months
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NiceCupOfTea said: Who is "they"? A friend of mine has run a succession of them to well over 100k miles... The indie I had mine serviced at recently told me 60k ish for a 4-2, but the roadster seems to last much longer. They buy Smarts with blown engines, fit reconditioned engines and sell then on so should have a reasonable idea on this.
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rswift
Original Poster
661 posts
44 months
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NiceCupOfTea said: rswift said: Apparently .... they reckon 60k is about average ! Who is "they"? A friend of mine has run a succession of them to well over 100k miles... As any car, no hard and fast rules, but looking through a lot of forums 60k is not unusual at all, see how many cars are for sale with recon engines. One of the issues on early cars is a poorly designed manifold, which cracks, leading to the wrong mixture readings, overfuel-ing and ultimately burnt out valves. The other is the oils control rings seem to be an issue, hence quite a few smoky ones around. I think a well maintained one, by a garage who knows them .... which would appear not to be the Mercedes/SMART franchise, and early signs of the above spotted and rectified, then you could be fine. However, the target market of these cars was supposed to be a cheap & cheerful runabout ... and a dare say quite a few have not been enthusiastically maintained. I had an original 1998 LHD car, ran a treat, correct oil & frequently changed etc etc. Dropped a valve without any warning on the outskirts of Cannes .... must have been the trying to do Calais to Nice in one go that it didn't like ! (was doing about 70MPG until it died) !
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Vince70
1,186 posts
63 months
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I bought one a few years ago, I loved the car but they are a bit fragile,
Your best bet is to join the roadster net and someone who will put you in the right direction.
There is a guy known in smart circles who has a fantastic name and he takes your car and brings it back with a fully rebuilt engine for £800 but I can't remember his name but if you ask about on the roadster net some one will point you in the right direction.
If you have aircon on your roadster I bet it doesnt work also check the clutch as they are known to go and of course check for leaks more leaks and did I say leaks.
And make sure your Sam unit is ok.
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rswift
Original Poster
661 posts
44 months
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Toltec said: NiceCupOfTea said: Who is "they"? A friend of mine has run a succession of them to well over 100k miles... The indie I had mine serviced at recently told me 60k ish for a 4-2, but the roadster seems to last much longer. They buy Smarts with blown engines, fit reconditioned engines and sell then on so should have a reasonable idea on this. Maybe the average ROADSTER owner has more mechanical sympathy ? Just a thought. Which Indie BTW, just ringing around for quotes. Thanks
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rallycross
4,660 posts
106 months
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Riley Blue said: rswift said: Apparently .... they reckon 60k is about average ! Not really so 'smart' then. Any modern engine should be able to achieve much more than that without a rebuild. I've had to do a few of these its usually between 50k and 70k miles. Its always cylinder number 3 that is worst, the problem with these cars is they have a very small sump and once the engine start to burn oil it will run out of oil quite quickly - and the owners fail to keep them topped up with enough oil. Not surprising as even just topping a smart up with oil is a pain to do thanks to the stupid design. The cheapest people I've found can do it without removing the engine (ie if your engine is salvagable and can be rebuilt easily with new rings/hone block etc) call Mark on 0771 122 4567. They come and collect and return once job done, never had any problems with their work. http://www.fudgesmart.co.uk/If your engine has blown its self apart you will need to find a replacment there are a few people on ebay try chequered flag, there is also a volvo specialist on ebay who rebuilds them with a warranty; http://www.chequeredflaguk.co.uk/40-services.htm
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rswift
Original Poster
661 posts
44 months
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Vince70 said: I bought one a few years ago, I loved the car but they are a bit fragile,
Your best bet is to join the roadster net and someone who will put you in the right direction.
There is a guy known in smart circles who has a fantastic name and he takes your car and brings it back with a fully rebuilt engine for £800 but I can't remember his name but if you ask about on the roadster net some one will point you in the right direction.
If you have aircon on your roadster I bet it doesnt work also check the clutch as they are known to go and of course check for leaks more leaks and did I say leaks.
And make sure your Sam unit is ok. Thank you, that might be FUDGESMART (!) someone just sent me a PM with his info.... I just read the leak list !. No wet carpets, phew .... but I know this car has lived outside most of it's life, so this is good advice, thank you.
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Basil Brush
3,858 posts
132 months
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Toltec said: NiceCupOfTea said: Who is "they"? A friend of mine has run a succession of them to well over 100k miles... The indie I had mine serviced at recently told me 60k ish for a 4-2, but the roadster seems to last much longer. They buy Smarts with blown engines, fit reconditioned engines and sell then on so should have a reasonable idea on this. The Roadster and later 4-2s have an oil cooler which makes a difference. Early 4-2s and 60k sounds about right.
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ilovevolvo
1,618 posts
93 months
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