SMART Car engine rebuild
Discussion
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
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
300bhp/ton said:
Try S2smarts in Watford. http://www.s2smarts.co.uk/
Lots of smart info here: http://www.evilution.co.uk/
And here: http://www.fq101.co.uk/
And a forum here: http://www.theroadster.net/trc/
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 !Lots of smart info here: http://www.evilution.co.uk/
And here: http://www.fq101.co.uk/
And a forum here: http://www.theroadster.net/trc/
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...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) !
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. Which Indie BTW, just ringing around for quotes. Thanks
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....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.
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.
ilovevolvo said:
Try www.smartcarspecialist.com if its good enough for Ron Dennis....
Thank you, they're not cheap !698cc engine 12 month 12k mile warranty fully fitted inc. new turbocharger unit £ 2,358.62 ..... (thats the recon unit, they do a new engine for about double the price) !
rallycross said:
rswift said:
Thank you, they're not cheap !
698cc engine 12 month 12k mile warranty fully fitted inc. new turbocharger unit £ 2,358.62 ..... (thats the recon unit, they do a new engine for about double the price) !
Get a quote from Mark (could be £900-£1250) provided the current engine is able to be rebuilt.698cc engine 12 month 12k mile warranty fully fitted inc. new turbocharger unit £ 2,358.62 ..... (thats the recon unit, they do a new engine for about double the price) !
Jordan Rich said:
I would be looking at what else (bigger) i could fit into it personally. they fly as they are, but if you were to find an accident damaged GSXR or something...
Look at this;http://www.smartuki.com/
Great, but 8k for the subframe conversion, plus the engine !
CoolHands said:
so you had one that dropped a valve, yet you've bought another one that needs a new engine. And no-ones asked the obvious...
Correct, welcome to the world of people who buy cheap cars for fun & a hobby !I bought it because;
a) It was cheap and badly advertised
b) it looks like it could be a fun project, both to fix & to drive
c) If I fix it, don't like it I'm unlikely to loose money on it
d) If I get fed up of it I can probably sell as is for more than I paid for it
Either way, quite happy with my latest purchase. It's not my only car !
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