Smart Brabus Forfour

Author
Discussion

GregK2

Original Poster:

1,651 posts

145 months

Monday 22nd December 2014
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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

5harp3y

1,942 posts

198 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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Spot on approach to modifying a car ... really like these.

Looks much better on the Rotas too

GregK2

Original Poster:

1,651 posts

145 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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Thanks! smile

PowerslideSWE

1,116 posts

137 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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Looking good that, love these, very rare cars at that. Cooling pipes seems awfully close to the exhaust manifold tho.

Riskins

237 posts

124 months

Wednesday 24th December 2014
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Never really taken any notice of these the few times I have seen them on the road, but it can well imagine they are great fun.

Nice section of mods, and the wheels really suit.

How far will they tune?

GregK2

Original Poster:

1,651 posts

145 months

Wednesday 24th December 2014
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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

Original Poster:

1,651 posts

145 months

Monday 6th April 2015
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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

spudgun GB

461 posts

167 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
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Very nice Greg, normally all the ForFours I see look a bit like a Polo harlequin, with all the diiferent colour panels but being black all over realy brings it together.

The wife has a roadster notchback and I'm a bit of a fan of that.

GregK2

Original Poster:

1,651 posts

145 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
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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.

irob

121 posts

149 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
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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?

Disco You

3,681 posts

179 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
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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?

GregK2

Original Poster:

1,651 posts

145 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
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.

Disco You

3,681 posts

179 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
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GregK2 said:
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.
I believe that RainX is just a hydrophobic coating which causes water to bead and run off more quickly than it would otherwise. With no wiper and just plain glass I'd be a bit concerned with rearward visibility in the wet.

GregK2

Original Poster:

1,651 posts

145 months

Tuesday 7th April 2015
quotequote all
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.

irob

121 posts

149 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
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Yea, I remember the back of these cars get very dirty very quickly. More than any other car I have owned.
Funny someone should mention the Cooper S as that is what I am driving now. My Brabus was totally stock and I reckon it would be a tiny bit quicker than a stock Cooper S R53. It certainly feels a bit perkier with its turbo power delivery. Hard to call really as it’s a turbo V supercharger so their characteristics are different.
I would say the Mini has a better ride, especially when it’s on non-run flat tyres like mine now. Turn in is quicker, with more grip and steering feel. The driving position for me is better with its lower seat and less fussy steering wheel. I would argue the supercharger whine and an exhaust that cracks and pops on the over-run gives the Mini more character. That’s not to say the Brabus is lacking any. I prefer the Smarts exclusivity. Know body knows what it is, let alone its performance. I liked that street sleeper vibe. I would also say the smarts interior is slightly nicer with is funky and practical folding/sliding seats, glass roof and better stereo. The Brabus was also better on fuel and I think was cheaper to Tax and insure. It’s a great little car and I love what you’re doing to yours.

GregK2

Original Poster:

1,651 posts

145 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
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.

Dr Imran T

2,301 posts

198 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
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GregK2 said:
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.
Hi, can you post links for both drop links & ARB please. Great write up thus far.

Cheers

GregK2

Original Poster:

1,651 posts

145 months

Wednesday 15th April 2015
quotequote all
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.

Dr Imran T

2,301 posts

198 months

Thursday 16th April 2015
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GregK2 said:
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.
Thanks Greg. I'll get those bits ordered.

Martin_M

2,071 posts

226 months

Friday 17th April 2015
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I liked reading through this - you've kept the car in great condition considering the mileage. I'm always attracted to this sort of car because they are often a rare sight on the road. I wonder if there are plans to create a Brabus version of the new For Four?