Smart Brabus Forfour

[GregK2]

Just a random sunny day pic

Edited by GregK2 on Wednesday 9th August 16:53

[GregK2]

I am now! Right on my doorstep pretty much so I'll be trying to make it to that

[GregK2]

At the recent PH Dove House meet surrounded by some nice cars:

Edited by GregK2 on Wednesday 9th August 16:53

[GregK2]

New alloys fitted! Unfortunately as much as i love the Brabus alloys, they are too soft and for the miles i do would need refurbing far too often to keep. They bend far too easily and cause the tyres to not hold air when the bead rim stops sealing correctly which is a pain.

So, Rota Torque, 17x8 ET35

Edited by GregK2 on Wednesday 9th August 16:53

[GregK2]

Thanks guys

[GregK2]

Went to Donnington at the weekend with paddock entry for the CSCC series to support S2smarts race Forfour.

Just a couple pics from the day.

Edited by GregK2 on Wednesday 9th August 16:54

[GregK2]

Update time.

Nothing much has changed, but i have some small mods on the horizon.
Nearly 95k miles now on the clock and the extra torque from the remap seems to have finished the standard clutch off as it's started slipping in higher gears.

Not going anything extreme clutch wise as i intend to keep it driveable at low speed as it is still my daily.
So Sachs SRE Performance Clutch Kit will be fitted


I'm also looking to have an uprated intercooler fitted, the standard unit is pretty tiny and not the most effective, But space is tight behind the bumper so fitting anything bigger presents a challenge.

So replacing this:


With this:


Also fitting a new fuel pump, just as a precautionary measure, standard is a 80LPH so looking to fit a Walbro 190LPH And relocating the air filter to a better position.

With a map tweak should be running approx 220-230bhp

[GregK2]

Intercooler now fitted, clutch up next.







Boost gauge also fitted.

Edited by GregK2 on Wednesday 9th August 16:54

[GregK2]

New Clutch Fitted







New intake, will be relocated to the foglight area

Edited by GregK2 on Wednesday 9th August 16:55

[GregK2]

Relocated air filter today to where the old SMIC used to sit.


Forge Coolant hoses fitted too:




Pic before fogs were refitted:




Forge wastegate actuator fitted too.

Edited by GregK2 on Wednesday 17th December 17:17

Edited by GregK2 on Wednesday 9th August 16:55

[GregK2]

Further tuning today. 223.8bhp 231ft.lb now a smoother power delivery. More fine tuning to come in the new year to try to maintain boost levels at the upper end of the rev range.

Edited by GregK2 on Wednesday 9th August 16:56

[GregK2]

Thanks!

[GregK2]

On the standard turbo not much more than 230bhp is possible as far as i'm aware. Hybrid turbo using TD04-L compressor side is a popular option that can give 260+ i think.

[GregK2]

Few gratuitous shots from today.. also de-wipered the rear.






I also hit a milestonea while ago:

Edited by GregK2 on Monday 6th April 20:27

Edited by GregK2 on Wednesday 9th August 16:56

[GregK2]

Thanks! Yeah most of the non Brabus forfour have different coloured Tridion saftey cell to the rest of the body panels, not really a fan of the look myself. But then even now, the care will never win a beauty contest! I do quite like it's awkward look though.

I'd love a roadster as a second car, they do look like fun.

[GregK2]

irob said:

I loved my Brabus ForFour. Sold it to my Dad as i needed a bigger car and he was always asking about it. I got a call from him yesterday saying he has a slow puncture, im sure it will be a buckled wheel!
Out of interest have you any more info about your wheels such as ET/PCD and are they staggered widths front/back?

The standard Brabus wheels are 17x8 rear, 17x7 front ET46, I'm now using 17x8 ET35 all round, i have considered spacing the rears out a few mm though. I also ended up having tyres go down just because the bead rim had been distorted and was letting out air, same tyres on new wheels and no issues since.

Disco You said:

I really like your car. I guess the obvious rival is the Mini Cooper S? What do you think about the differences?

I take it you have RainX-ed the rear window?

Yeah i think a Cooper S is a good comparison in standard form, but i've never been in one to comment how they stack up. And i think i would be comfortably faster than a standard S now.

I haven't actually RainX-ed the rear as i was lead to believe it needs to have air at a high speed against it to work? It would be good if i was wrong and that isn't the case though as the rear of the car gets filthy in general because of it's shape.

[GregK2]

My rear wiper was seized for some time, which is partly why i got rid. Rear visibility is ok, but i clean it pretty regularly. I might give the RainX a go though.

[GregK2]

I toyed with the idea of some mudflaps to try to stop the rear getting so dirty, it's strange how it just seems to attract all the dirt there.

I think you sum up the comparison well, agree'd the standard exhaust system is very muted and doesn't have much character, now i have a full system it makes the right noises though. The standard suspension is rock hard and pretty rubbish with the relatively low profile tyre. The Bilstein B14's have helped, but it can still be crashy, ideally it wants to be on 16's with a tyre with a bigger profile.

I've swapped the front ARB bushes, and droplinks for uprated items, i'm keen to get a rear ARB fitted, but choice is limited, and the Whiteline one i wanted is discontinued, but i think it should improve the handling a fair bit if i can get hold of one.

[GregK2]

I got the Droplinks from Htec Elite. They don't list them on their website for some reason, i had to call them. Also got ARB bushes from them http://www.htecelite.com/shop/brabus-forfour/mitsu...

I havn't been able to get hold of the Whiteline BMR91 rear arb, i don't have a link to any alternatives i'm afraid, though i know Cusco do one.

[GregK2]

Thanks Martin. I do wonder if they'll bother with a Brabus version of the new Forfour considering the flop the previous one was in terms of sales!