RE: Spotted: Smart ForFour Brabus
Discussion
JUST when I'm looking for a (1.5 auto diesel!) Forfour! Now they'll be even HARDER to find! Or more expensive?
Am looking at it as a great-on-petrol, quite individual looking car. And no panel rust problems!
It'll be a swift comedown from a Ser 4 LS400, but at least not a eurobox!
There's a 'diesel' Brabus one for sale (in bronze?) that can't be correct, can it?
I'm pretty sure all the Brabus were petrol (and I've never yet seen a two-tone Brabus. Lot of them are Black)
Am looking at it as a great-on-petrol, quite individual looking car. And no panel rust problems!
It'll be a swift comedown from a Ser 4 LS400, but at least not a eurobox!
There's a 'diesel' Brabus one for sale (in bronze?) that can't be correct, can it?
I'm pretty sure all the Brabus were petrol (and I've never yet seen a two-tone Brabus. Lot of them are Black)
Ocellia said:
There's a 'diesel' Brabus one for sale (in bronze?) that can't be correct, can it?
I'm pretty sure all the Brabus were petrol (and I've never yet seen a two-tone Brabus. Lot of them are Black)
Smart never did a cdi Brabus and all the Brabus' they did do were either silver or black. I dare say that you're looking at a standard car with some Brabus bits stuck on.I'm pretty sure all the Brabus were petrol (and I've never yet seen a two-tone Brabus. Lot of them are Black)
I would love one of these. Look at the price of a comparable 05 reg Cooper S models and I dont think its dear, personally. As quick as a Cooper S of the period and far more exclusive,
As for Smarts falling part, b
ks. mate ran a diesel four four Smart for more than 6 years, Ringwood to Fleet and back most days, did over 120K miles and nothing fell off. Dunno why he sold it really, he traded for a Yaris D4d which even he says is way more boring!
As for Smarts falling part, b
ks. mate ran a diesel four four Smart for more than 6 years, Ringwood to Fleet and back most days, did over 120K miles and nothing fell off. Dunno why he sold it really, he traded for a Yaris D4d which even he says is way more boring!Nearly got one of the last ones of these as a company car in 2006, thing was a new shape Leon FR was cheaper and bigger.
Had a test drive in one though and I was very impressed. The 6000 mile service schedule is a bit of a killer though.
Did they have a bigger turbo over the Colt CZT or just a map to make the extra HP?
Had a test drive in one though and I was very impressed. The 6000 mile service schedule is a bit of a killer though.
Did they have a bigger turbo over the Colt CZT or just a map to make the extra HP?
Edited by court on Thursday 10th May 18:28
I think I'm not exactly going out a limb here by saying that the smart has a limited appeal as a brand- however in terms of practicality they do tick most of the right boxes for me. Plastic panels mean no supermarket trolley dings (while believe me- once you’ve had them you’ll wonder why more manufacturers don’t use this system) and the sliding rear seats are really useful- meaning that you can swallow suitcases, Labradors or a full set of alloys if needs be; however the lack of a rear shelf does slightly queer the whole deal as you're always scared to leave stuff in the boot in case of prying eyes.
I looked at trading up to one a while back, the only reason i didn’t take the plunge was that it was a kind of half-hearted feeling- they head and heart both said “meh, why not”- there were no strong feelings for it either way. The real issue for me with the Forfour Brabus is that (as with everything Smart) they seem to hold their value to the point of being ridiculous and spares / servicing ain’t cheap either, neither is insurance- stick the words Brabus onto the back of any MB product and you’re talking telephone numbers sadly. I think £3995 for a 70k, discontinued car is a little steep, but that the price you pay for not keeping up with the joneses I guess (plus 40mpg is a pipedream in a 1.3 let alone a Brabus). I’m sure that the engines must share a lot of bits with the Colt turbo engine so spares shouldn’t be too ruinous either but again, (IMHO) it’s not a “want” car, it doesn’t fill you with the urge to rush out and buy it- it’s one of those cars that you find interesting when searching for alternatives which I believe is its downfall. Bottom line; I’d have one if it was cheap, but I don’t think it would be a keeper.
I looked at trading up to one a while back, the only reason i didn’t take the plunge was that it was a kind of half-hearted feeling- they head and heart both said “meh, why not”- there were no strong feelings for it either way. The real issue for me with the Forfour Brabus is that (as with everything Smart) they seem to hold their value to the point of being ridiculous and spares / servicing ain’t cheap either, neither is insurance- stick the words Brabus onto the back of any MB product and you’re talking telephone numbers sadly. I think £3995 for a 70k, discontinued car is a little steep, but that the price you pay for not keeping up with the joneses I guess (plus 40mpg is a pipedream in a 1.3 let alone a Brabus). I’m sure that the engines must share a lot of bits with the Colt turbo engine so spares shouldn’t be too ruinous either but again, (IMHO) it’s not a “want” car, it doesn’t fill you with the urge to rush out and buy it- it’s one of those cars that you find interesting when searching for alternatives which I believe is its downfall. Bottom line; I’d have one if it was cheap, but I don’t think it would be a keeper.
No, 40 MPG is not realistic. 35 if driven like a snail, but low 30's if driven properly.
The "CDi Brabus" mentioned above is not a Brabus, but CDi with leather seats, lowered suspension and a re-map. I understand that it is actualy a very nice car, but that advert would give trade describtions a field day as it is only about 10% correct. I think it has been sold to a dealer in Ireland.
I got my fourfor Brabus a year ago after the engine melted in my Impreza and (having had several Imprezas) I fancied something different.
In the real world, the Brabus is just as quick as mk 1 Impreza and far cheaper to run. In over 20,000 miles, it has just had routine servicing (oil change every 6k & the flexible service indicator gives about 18k between services), tyres, a cam belt and a headlight unit. The parts are not "ford / GM" cheap, but they are no worse than "Japanese" prices, and as mentioned above, it shares a lot with the Colt CZT.
I understand that a certain Mr. Hamilton used to drive a forfour Brabus.
I may be selling mine soon (Mods, this is NOT a for sale post), but it will be missed. It is just such a fun car to tool around in.
The "CDi Brabus" mentioned above is not a Brabus, but CDi with leather seats, lowered suspension and a re-map. I understand that it is actualy a very nice car, but that advert would give trade describtions a field day as it is only about 10% correct. I think it has been sold to a dealer in Ireland.
I got my fourfor Brabus a year ago after the engine melted in my Impreza and (having had several Imprezas) I fancied something different.
In the real world, the Brabus is just as quick as mk 1 Impreza and far cheaper to run. In over 20,000 miles, it has just had routine servicing (oil change every 6k & the flexible service indicator gives about 18k between services), tyres, a cam belt and a headlight unit. The parts are not "ford / GM" cheap, but they are no worse than "Japanese" prices, and as mentioned above, it shares a lot with the Colt CZT.
I understand that a certain Mr. Hamilton used to drive a forfour Brabus.
I may be selling mine soon (Mods, this is NOT a for sale post), but it will be missed. It is just such a fun car to tool around in.
Edited by BIG DUNC on Friday 11th May 08:59
Article says that you need to spend double that for a MINI Cooper S. Not true. I think they have dipped down to high threes now. Mainly because they aren't cheap to go run and not known to be the most reliable cars.
I didn't know there was a Brabus Four4! 177bhp in just over 1000kg. What's not to like
I didn't know there was a Brabus Four4! 177bhp in just over 1000kg. What's not to like
I had a CZT for about 2 years and I loved it. (not actually convinced the one in the linked ad is not my old one, reg looks very familiar, will have to check when I get home).
ETA: that is my old car! how weird...
I often got over 40 mpg on a long careful run in that and its the same engine although a slightly different map. normal motorway driving normally averaged about 38mpg.
Suspension in the CZT was a smidge too soft but still good fun, quick and easy to drive. Drove mine down to Nice and back and was very comfy the whole way.
Sliding rear seats make the boot either very small or suprisingly big, likewise had the same effect on rear seat space. Having lots of luggage and multiple passengers was a bit of a problem though.
ETA: that is my old car! how weird...
I often got over 40 mpg on a long careful run in that and its the same engine although a slightly different map. normal motorway driving normally averaged about 38mpg.
Suspension in the CZT was a smidge too soft but still good fun, quick and easy to drive. Drove mine down to Nice and back and was very comfy the whole way.
Sliding rear seats make the boot either very small or suprisingly big, likewise had the same effect on rear seat space. Having lots of luggage and multiple passengers was a bit of a problem though.
Edited by drgoatboy on Friday 11th May 09:41
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