Discussion
quote:
Had 175's on the front rather than 135's and 195's on the rear - not chipped or anything -
Damp slippy surface and too fast - never been in anything that can swop ends so fast!!
Yeah, and some eeejit was going on about "too much electronics spoiling the fun". Ha, I consider going backwards at 50mph (like I did) to be NOT fun. I was chasing a GTO 3000 on a wet roundabout, and lost the back. Hmmm. The electronic didn't rescue me that time !
I recently bought a SMART. I agree with alot of the review, but I have to say you have to drive a modified one.
I had mine chipped by Digitec (power increase of 30% from 55Bhp to 84BHP). The transformation of the car is simply incredible! Although no TVR, it now feels very brisk (0-60 chopped from 17.7 secs to 12 and a bit from just a 600cc engine!). Further benefits of the Digitec treatment was an increase in the rev limit (extra 300 rpm), a 30% increase in gear shifting in manual mode and a rorty exhaust note (dont laugh, but it sort of sounds like a Porsche Boxter!).
The cost ? £300. BARGAIN!!! I simply cant believe Mercedes didn't ever release the car in this mode in the first place. The transformation is astonishing. The only thing the car needs now is fatter wheels ... Brabus ones on order. It is now the ultimate city car.
I had mine chipped by Digitec (power increase of 30% from 55Bhp to 84BHP). The transformation of the car is simply incredible! Although no TVR, it now feels very brisk (0-60 chopped from 17.7 secs to 12 and a bit from just a 600cc engine!). Further benefits of the Digitec treatment was an increase in the rev limit (extra 300 rpm), a 30% increase in gear shifting in manual mode and a rorty exhaust note (dont laugh, but it sort of sounds like a Porsche Boxter!).
The cost ? £300. BARGAIN!!! I simply cant believe Mercedes didn't ever release the car in this mode in the first place. The transformation is astonishing. The only thing the car needs now is fatter wheels ... Brabus ones on order. It is now the ultimate city car.
Smart should give it to Lotus for the ride and handling, do that 300 pound engine upgrade themselves, and standardize on a sweet shifting semi-automatic sequential box (no auto mode, but make it Honda smooth).
other than that i think the whole Smart concept is great, one of these and a M12 GTO would be the perfect combination!
other than that i think the whole Smart concept is great, one of these and a M12 GTO would be the perfect combination!
Whoever wrote this article shouldn't have done, it's as simple as that! You have completely failed to realise what the whole concept is all about. Try not being so ignorant to what Mercedes were trying to achieve with this car.
At the end of the day it has won various awards including 'best city car.' Think before speaking and you might be acknowledged by others.
At the end of the day it has won various awards including 'best city car.' Think before speaking and you might be acknowledged by others.
I recently drove my old Smart (now Mrs Bikers car), and it was a right laugh. I had forgotten how quick it was round town, and the 0-40 performance is easily enough to beat most MP types at the lights, especially on a wet road - no wheelspin.
On the negative side, the ride quality is horrible, and the steering too heavy. Ah well, spoilt by the 307 !! And don't venture onto a motorway.
Other than that, an excellent town/back roads car.
C
On the negative side, the ride quality is horrible, and the steering too heavy. Ah well, spoilt by the 307 !! And don't venture onto a motorway.
Other than that, an excellent town/back roads car.
C
What does it have to offer over, say, an Elise?
I don't see that the small size will often be an advantage. If you are planning to squeeze between lanes of traffic, then it might make sense, but I don't thik you'd get far doing that before you were lamped.
Car awards are a crappy way to judge what we think are good cars. The Megane keeps winning, and, frankly, it's not a patch on an RS6.
I don't see that the small size will often be an advantage. If you are planning to squeeze between lanes of traffic, then it might make sense, but I don't thik you'd get far doing that before you were lamped.
Car awards are a crappy way to judge what we think are good cars. The Megane keeps winning, and, frankly, it's not a patch on an RS6.
Matty Boy said: Whoever wrote this article shouldn't have done, it's as simple as that! You have completely failed to realise what the whole concept is all about. Try not being so ignorant to what Mercedes were trying to achieve with this car.
At the end of the day it has won various awards including 'best city car.' Think before speaking and you might be acknowledged by others.
Err, why not, it seemed a good review to me, given that we are all motoring enthusiasts here. We are not interested in mpg or other boring things like that, and if you read the last section Robert does acknowledge that.
Matty Boy said: Whoever wrote this article shouldn't have done, it's as simple as that! You have completely failed to realise what the whole concept is all about. Try not being so ignorant to what Mercedes were trying to achieve with this car.
At the end of the day it has won various awards including 'best city car.' Think before speaking and you might be acknowledged by others.
A rather clumsy comment Matty Boy. Mr Farago's review is spot on. I guess the Brabus upgrade are probably a good way to solve most problems - except the frustarating/dangerous gearbox.
Roms (Smart owner)
>> Edited by rthierry on Wednesday 4th December 13:48
Matty Boy said: Whoever wrote this article shouldn't have done, it's as simple as that! You have completely failed to realise what the whole concept is all about. Try not being so ignorant to what Mercedes were trying to achieve with this car.
At the end of the day it has won various awards including 'best city car.' Think before speaking and you might be acknowledged by others.
No matter how well the Smart fits its design brief, there is no getting around how bloody awful the gearbox is. Or the fact that it feels less stable than a jelly lampost at any sort of speed...
no, it *is* stable at high speed. PROVIDED;-
a) no side winds
b) billiard table smooth road
c) no other vehicles.
But in the real world, I like it in 3rd or 4th round town, and IT DOES fit into the tiniest gaps, AND does get away with pulling out onto roundabout because it is so short & the visibility is good.
Keep it in town, or on a smooth B road, and it's a top little car. Anywhere else, forget it.
And some people DO care about economy. I do - the more I save in the car, the more I can spend on the bike !!!! Face it, after bikes, almost any car is dog slow & limited in overtaking ability (width).
Carl
a) no side winds
b) billiard table smooth road
c) no other vehicles.
But in the real world, I like it in 3rd or 4th round town, and IT DOES fit into the tiniest gaps, AND does get away with pulling out onto roundabout because it is so short & the visibility is good.
Keep it in town, or on a smooth B road, and it's a top little car. Anywhere else, forget it.
And some people DO care about economy. I do - the more I save in the car, the more I can spend on the bike !!!! Face it, after bikes, almost any car is dog slow & limited in overtaking ability (width).
Carl
And for any of you after a Keyring for your Smart keys:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=22790
Matt.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=22790
Matt.
Normally I love to read the columns of RF, 999 out of 1,000 times his observations are spot on.
Only this is that odd occasion. Robert got hold of the wrong end of the stick this time.
This is a car specifically designed, thus tailormade, for urban heroes. So it is just as suitable for the M4 as a WRC spec Ford Focus is for communiting in the innercity of London.
Perhaps that's why I can only find this specific columns a the bottom of this thread
Levensnevel
Only this is that odd occasion. Robert got hold of the wrong end of the stick this time.
This is a car specifically designed, thus tailormade, for urban heroes. So it is just as suitable for the M4 as a WRC spec Ford Focus is for communiting in the innercity of London.
Perhaps that's why I can only find this specific columns a the bottom of this thread
Levensnevel
I've just bought a Smart and I disagree with quite a bit of what the writer says, I know and admit that I'm already in love with my new cute car, but I really think he decided not to like the smart before he tried it. I know it has a slower 0-60 time than many a car, but I'm sure its better than the published figures. Its great for around town, safe, economical and wicked fun to drive. Yes, the gear change is a little slow too, but what do you expect, as far as I've heard (yes, i'm sure you can prove me wrong) most manufacturers still can't get semi-automatics to be smooth, a computer will never match a person! As for the handling, er... I'm a weak girly and I have no problems manouvering at all. I find the steering firm, but without being heavy. If you've already made up your mind that you don't like them, get something dull like a Saxo, if you've ever looked at one and thought they were cute, BUY ONE, you won't regret it!
Pulse cabrio in black
Pulse cabrio in black
Had our Smart for over a yr and 20k miles now, only mod is chipping which much improved the drivability. Auto box is hopeless unless you are feeling lazy and not expecting much from it. Handling is ok for what it is. Has not regreted the purchase for one minute. The low running cost is just a bonus.
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