someone tell me about smart roadsters
Discussion
300BHP/Ton .......never around when needed 
Great little car. Only died for 2 reasons,
1. Silly gearbox
2. Timing
In essence the plug was pulled on it just before the big fuel price rises which should otherwise have saved its bacon (provided it was updated with a real gearbox).
Definitely in the "interesting" category though. See also, the convertible version.
1. Silly gearbox
2. Timing
In essence the plug was pulled on it just before the big fuel price rises which should otherwise have saved its bacon (provided it was updated with a real gearbox).
Definitely in the "interesting" category though. See also, the convertible version.
They're a nice little honest-to-goodness sports car imo. Firm but supple, plenty of grip and a very interesting soundtrack from the turbo'd three-cylinder.
Do inspect the interior for evidence of water leaks. By no means all of them leak but many do. Try to find one with gear-change paddles 'cos they really speed up the gear shift.
Do inspect the interior for evidence of water leaks. By no means all of them leak but many do. Try to find one with gear-change paddles 'cos they really speed up the gear shift.
I've never heard a single positive review of the gearbox, even with paddles it's generally considered "poor but livable", all the way to "utter s
t".
Great like car otherwise, if they gave it a more aesthetically pleasing interior (aesthetic redesign only, not adding weight and stupid gadgets), a good manual box and stopped them leaking they could have been an excellent car.
t".Great like car otherwise, if they gave it a more aesthetically pleasing interior (aesthetic redesign only, not adding weight and stupid gadgets), a good manual box and stopped them leaking they could have been an excellent car.
Get the coupe, the normal version looks like a toilet with the seat down at the back!
Not all of them have leaks, my dad's has been a paragon of reliability. Gearbox is fine in manual mode, a bit slow witted in auto mode but you soon get used to it.
IMHO cars like this are the future of sports cars - small, light, nippy and above all, fun.
Not all of them have leaks, my dad's has been a paragon of reliability. Gearbox is fine in manual mode, a bit slow witted in auto mode but you soon get used to it.
IMHO cars like this are the future of sports cars - small, light, nippy and above all, fun.
I looked at one about three years ago and went as far as test driving one. They sound fantastic, really good fun and the turbo 'chirp' is really addictive. In the end though, I was put off because of quite a few reasons.
As others have said, they leak badly. They also tend to leak on the ECU (I think Mercedes called it the SAM unit?) which would bugger the car up and was expensive to fix. I'm not sure if there's any preventative fix to this, though.
Although fun, I'm under the impression the ESP was permanently on. You could switch it off, but it was just 'sort of' off, but would still kick in if you pushed too far.
The real nail in the coffin for me is that insurance was significantly more expensive than something like an MX5 / MR2, for a car that was quite a bit slower and less playful.
The gearbox 'problem' is a bit exaggerated in my opinion. It was very noticeably on the hesitant side, but you can drive around it. I could have lived with it, anyway. I do keep checking them in the classifieds, as I would still like to own one especially now they're a lot cheaper than when I was originally looking to buy. I could never have it as an only car though...
As others have said, they leak badly. They also tend to leak on the ECU (I think Mercedes called it the SAM unit?) which would bugger the car up and was expensive to fix. I'm not sure if there's any preventative fix to this, though.
Although fun, I'm under the impression the ESP was permanently on. You could switch it off, but it was just 'sort of' off, but would still kick in if you pushed too far.
The real nail in the coffin for me is that insurance was significantly more expensive than something like an MX5 / MR2, for a car that was quite a bit slower and less playful.
The gearbox 'problem' is a bit exaggerated in my opinion. It was very noticeably on the hesitant side, but you can drive around it. I could have lived with it, anyway. I do keep checking them in the classifieds, as I would still like to own one especially now they're a lot cheaper than when I was originally looking to buy. I could never have it as an only car though...
Edited by mx5tom on Sunday 4th March 23:58
MattyB_ said:
Mate had one, it was great and sounded fantastic.
Leaked like a sieve though, and I mean it poured in. 8 visits to Mercedes only to be told to live with it.
If it was a Britsh Rover or Lotus you'd never hear the end of it in terms of the poor British quality Leaked like a sieve though, and I mean it poured in. 8 visits to Mercedes only to be told to live with it.
but because it's German I wasn't even aware if this! 
I test drove one about 6 years ago, if not 7. I thought they were great, apart from the front end lift when cornering at high speeds which is a bit concerning, and the aforementioned gearbox. I can honestly say it was the first time I have stalled an automatic, even when the dealer was reversing out of my driveway, he stalled it putting into drive, or 1, whichever.
The gearbox killed it for me...but I was told that the brbaus version had different software at the time...never looked into it though so I cant confirm it.
The gearbox killed it for me...but I was told that the brbaus version had different software at the time...never looked into it though so I cant confirm it.
Worked for merc for a few years so seeing these in seemed to be a all to regular occurance no matter what you done to cure the water ingress, the SAM unit used to get filled with water and would give you no end of electrical issues.
The other issue with these engines is the bores going oval after about 50,000 miles, the rediculous lag on that st mechatronic gearbox, but when the car is working as it should they are a scream to drive especially the brabus tuned versions, not to mention the kinda cool off beat three cylinder warble
The other issue with these engines is the bores going oval after about 50,000 miles, the rediculous lag on that s
t mechatronic gearbox, but when the car is working as it should they are a scream to drive especially the brabus tuned versions, not to mention the kinda cool off beat three cylinder warbleSomeone I work with bought a brand new Finale edition (much nicer than the normal ones due to colour coded plastics and nicer wheels), the roof leaked on that and got recalled for new seals.
He never had a problem with it again.
Sold it for a new i10 which he hated and promptly bought another Roadster which was wrapped in matt black.
That went into a wall in the snow and he then got a Brabus ForTwo, so there must be something good about them to have 3 in a row!
He never had a problem with it again.
Sold it for a new i10 which he hated and promptly bought another Roadster which was wrapped in matt black.
That went into a wall in the snow and he then got a Brabus ForTwo, so there must be something good about them to have 3 in a row!
Common theme here is the gearbox.
Yes it is the same as the fortwo, yes it is a little lethargic, not no more than any other "Automated Manual Transmission".
You can get gearbox adaptions done, and various other little mods to vitually eliminate the lag.
Certainly my old brabus roadster gearchange was faster than a manual (albeit a little agressive).
For me, the gearbox was not its downfall, but the leaks are indeed a complete pain in the arse.
These come in 2 categories:
1. roadsters with leaks
and
2. roadster with leaks that you have not found.
Seals were not fixed under recall from merc, but would try to rectify them under warranty or under their internal 'eskulab' process (out of warranty claim).
That said there is a good lot of info out there which will go a long way to reduce the amount of 'water ingress' as smart call it
Other common issues to look for are snapped a/c pipes... I had mine replaced 3 times under warranty.... it's a 2 year warranty!
Other than that they're pretty robust, and seriously good fun.
Don't get the 'greenhouse' coupe version, although eprsonal opinion, it does look more like a mini estate car than the 'proper' roadster. (contenious point aomonst roadster owners).
Loads of info out there, quite easy to tune, my Brabus used to do a 7.1 to 60 (measured using g-tech) and was good for 135 mph, no mean feat from a 700cc turbo engine.
Try one before you buy one though, as they are a bit like marmite!
Yes it is the same as the fortwo, yes it is a little lethargic, not no more than any other "Automated Manual Transmission".
You can get gearbox adaptions done, and various other little mods to vitually eliminate the lag.
Certainly my old brabus roadster gearchange was faster than a manual (albeit a little agressive).
For me, the gearbox was not its downfall, but the leaks are indeed a complete pain in the arse.
These come in 2 categories:
1. roadsters with leaks
and
2. roadster with leaks that you have not found.
Seals were not fixed under recall from merc, but would try to rectify them under warranty or under their internal 'eskulab' process (out of warranty claim).
That said there is a good lot of info out there which will go a long way to reduce the amount of 'water ingress' as smart call it
Other common issues to look for are snapped a/c pipes... I had mine replaced 3 times under warranty.... it's a 2 year warranty!
Other than that they're pretty robust, and seriously good fun.
Don't get the 'greenhouse' coupe version, although eprsonal opinion, it does look more like a mini estate car than the 'proper' roadster.
(contenious point aomonst roadster owners).Loads of info out there, quite easy to tune, my Brabus used to do a 7.1 to 60 (measured using g-tech) and was good for 135 mph, no mean feat from a 700cc turbo engine.
Try one before you buy one though, as they are a bit like marmite!
Panayiotis said:
I can honestly say it was the first time I have stalled an automatic, even when the dealer was reversing out of my driveway, he stalled it putting into drive, or 1, whichever.
Then there was a problem with this car!! it most definately should not stall under normal use.I've owned a Roadster for 6 years now, just coming up to 21,000 miles. And I love it! It's a great little car, although it doesn't get much use now we've got a big dog. (She doesn't like it because she has to sit with her bum on the floor and her front end on the seat to get comfortable.) It doesn't leak (not all of them do!), I had a few things done to it to make it quicker, and I can get a week's shopping in it if I don't take anyone to the shops with me. 
The gearbox is a bit of an acquired art, it's true, but rumours of its horribleness are greatly exaggerated. I never drive it in Automatic mode unless I'm stuck in town in stop-start slow traffic, because it makes the car thirstier and I always find it changes up far later than I would. But when you're driving it in Manual, it's perfectly okay if you remember not to change gear like you would in a manual car. You just have to change a second earlier to give the box time to do what you want to do when you want to do it, and if you want to gear down for a roundabout or something you just have to drop two cogs at the same time, not one. I'd prefer a proper manual box, but that's because I've always preferred to stir my own cogs and I'm not very keen on automatics.
As regards the mods I had done, they've brought it up to about 108bhp and the torque is spread throughout the rev range, rather than nothing much until 4000 revs and then bucketloads. (I've got the dyno results before and after somewhere, if anyone is interested.) As a result, it's very quick from a standing start by comparison with a standard Roadster, and I can use most of the turbo range rather than being restricted to half of it as defined by the factory map.
A few weeks ago, a friend of a friend came over and bought my spare Roadster wheels from me. He took me out in his car, and I let him have a spin in mine. The difference was remarkable. I don't remember mine being as slow as his when I first got it, but then his had had a hard life I suspect.
When I took him out in mine, every time I accelerated out of a 30 limit, there was this manic giggling from the passenger seat. (I was driving!) It really is excellent fun - and you don't need to do very illegal speeds to get the fun out of it. Which is quite handy these days.
Oh, and one other thing. When I informed my insurers of the mods I'd had done - and I was honest and told them everything - they just said "okay, thanks for letting us know". I asked how much extra they were going to charge me on my policy? Nothing. I had to double-check it because I didn't quite believe it!
The gearbox is a bit of an acquired art, it's true, but rumours of its horribleness are greatly exaggerated. I never drive it in Automatic mode unless I'm stuck in town in stop-start slow traffic, because it makes the car thirstier and I always find it changes up far later than I would. But when you're driving it in Manual, it's perfectly okay if you remember not to change gear like you would in a manual car. You just have to change a second earlier to give the box time to do what you want to do when you want to do it, and if you want to gear down for a roundabout or something you just have to drop two cogs at the same time, not one. I'd prefer a proper manual box, but that's because I've always preferred to stir my own cogs and I'm not very keen on automatics.
As regards the mods I had done, they've brought it up to about 108bhp and the torque is spread throughout the rev range, rather than nothing much until 4000 revs and then bucketloads. (I've got the dyno results before and after somewhere, if anyone is interested.) As a result, it's very quick from a standing start by comparison with a standard Roadster, and I can use most of the turbo range rather than being restricted to half of it as defined by the factory map.
A few weeks ago, a friend of a friend came over and bought my spare Roadster wheels from me. He took me out in his car, and I let him have a spin in mine. The difference was remarkable. I don't remember mine being as slow as his when I first got it, but then his had had a hard life I suspect.
When I took him out in mine, every time I accelerated out of a 30 limit, there was this manic giggling from the passenger seat. (I was driving!) It really is excellent fun - and you don't need to do very illegal speeds to get the fun out of it. Which is quite handy these days.Oh, and one other thing. When I informed my insurers of the mods I'd had done - and I was honest and told them everything - they just said "okay, thanks for letting us know". I asked how much extra they were going to charge me on my policy? Nothing. I had to double-check it because I didn't quite believe it!
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