Smart Car help...

[saleen836]

So, we have gone and won a Smart Fortwo on the bay of E for Mrs Saleen to use for her pending 12 mile round trip to the train station and back, we took a gamble by not going to view the car and with the advert giving little away it was a little risky, the advert stated it was a 2001 LHD Smart Pulse 599cc 'the sporty model' with 66k on the clock and the low starting price reflected the fact that it smoked occasionally, considering what I have seen them sell for I thought we did well to get it for under a grand. Anyway, on arriving to collect it I mentioned to the seller the fact it has a MB badge on the front where the Smart badge usually sits, he replied that he was unsure why and it might be something to do with the Brabus badges on the side (selling on behalf on someone else), I then notice the non standard twin exhaust sporting a 'B' logo so keep quiet sort paperwork and drive home, first thing was to open the boot and take off the engine cover which revealed the engine stamped nicely with 'Brabus'.
I have searched the internet and can't find any information relating to the car except for Wiki saying they didn't do a Brabus model until 2003!
Anyone shed any light on this for me?
Thanks

[Benton]

Congratulations on your purchase

We've had a 2002 Smart Fortwo/City Coupe 599cc in the "fleet" for 5 years now. Its a brilliant little thing, I love it.

It is possible to transplant the Brabus engine into a non-Brabus car, however it is more common for folk just to fit Brabus bits, such as the exhaust (twin pipe, centre exit) and badges.

Regarding the oil use, I'd look at getting a compression test done to make sure all is well. It may just need the top breather pipe replacing. These should be done regularly but are often forgotten:

http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?id=554

Obviously don't let the oil get too low, but bear in mind it only takes 0.7 litres to go from min to max on the dipstick, and an oil level over the max line is to be avoided.

Cheers.

[rallycross]

There is no sporty smart For2 600cc.

If its smoking keep a close eye on oil levels and get ready for the plugs in number 3 cylinder to foul up.

When engine rebuild time comes contact Mark at Fudge Smart for the best value rebuild.

We've given up selling older smarts they are nothing but trouble and a false economy if you are looking to save money.

[kevin63]

It says HERE that EVO magazine had a long term test car in 2000.

[saleen836]

Thanks for the replies, it was advertised as a Pulse model so am just trying to work out if the Brabus bits are just extras from the factory.

[rallycross]

You might be lucky and find its already been in for a rebuild and they upgraded a few bits at the same time, a normal 600 will feel slow eg 4,000 revs in 4 th gear foot to the floor there only a little bit of go (60 bhp) if it's got some Brabus tuning upgrades it will feel quite perky!

[saleen836]

rallycross said:

You might be lucky and find its already been in for a rebuild and they upgraded a few bits at the same time, a normal 600 will feel slow eg 4,000 revs in 4 th gear foot to the floor there only a little bit of go (60 bhp) if it's got some Brabus tuning upgrades it will feel quite perky!

Having not driven one before I have noting to compare it with, all I know is was first registered in June 2001, has the panoramic roof, 6 speed auto/tip gearbox (no paddle shift), electric windows, twin exit Brabus exhaust and Brabus badges and of course the engine plate with Brabus SB1 stamped on it.
No idea yet what the smoking is but it is grey/blue in colour and happens mostly when the car is under boost (i think but not all the time).
It does have a 12 month MOT so must have passed the emmisions (unless they cheated)
Service parts seem to be cheap from GSF so will get all that ordered and done.

[Kolbenkopp]

The SB 1 Kit from Brabus was a dealer option to increase the power of the early 600cc engines to around 70 bhp. Quite expensive IIRC, over € 1.000 at the time and I think that was just the remap. Do you have anything saying "98 RON" near the fuel filler?

Smoking, that's not such a good sign. Best check the engine oil level *very* regularly and look on a dedicated Smart Forum for further info. I think there was an improved oil separator design on later cars that can be retrofitted. Not sure though...

[saleen836]

Kolbenkopp said:

The SB 1 Kit from Brabus was a dealer option to increase the power of the early 600cc engines to around 70 bhp. Quite expensive IIRC, over € 1.000 at the time and I think that was just the remap. Do you have anything saying "98 RON" near the fuel filler?

Smoking, that's not such a good sign. Best check the engine oil level *very* regularly and look on a dedicated Smart Forum for further info. I think there was an improved oil separator design on later cars that can be retrofitted. Not sure though...

Thanks for that bit of information, has not made it any easier to find anything else about it but i'm sure someone somewhere knows and I will keep searching, I have registered on a couple of Smart car forums so am hoping to get some answers there.

[JDRoest]

saleen836 said:

Thanks for that bit of information, has not made it any easier to find anything else about it but i'm sure someone somewhere knows and I will keep searching, I have registered on a couple of Smart car forums so am hoping to get some answers there.

Sounds strange, but try running it to the speed limiter (which is 83 or 86 iirc). I'm sure I read that quite a few remaps remove the limiter. If it gets past 86 then hey presto, someone tinkered with it. But be patient on the test, might take a few miles, and make sure there are no hills either.

Had a yellow 2000 Pulse many years ago. Loved it. Was a hard day to see it go though - really didn't need a 6th car at the time.

[Smart Alec]

Hi OP,

I'm sorry to say that even when Smart cars are consuming oil at a prodigious rate, they still don't produce smoke unless there is something else wrong other than the cause of the oil consumption.

If your car is producing smoke but not misfiring I'm going to say that there's probably an issue with the turbo.

As someone has already stated, do keep an eye on your oil level. You'll need to check it daily at least.

[StealthSteve]

JDRoest said:

really didn't need a 6th car at the time.

Sorry I have nothing constructive to add here at this time, other than.. wow (lol)

[rallycross]

Smart Alec said:

Hi OP,


If your car is producing smoke but not misfiring I'm going to say that there's probably an issue with the turbo.

As someone has already stated, do keep an eye on your oil level. You'll need to check it daily at least.

If it is burning oil you will see it in the dark eg when you have a car behind you with its lights on, give it some hard acceleration, look in the rear view mirror and expect to see an oily smokey cloud = normal for an older Smart just keep topping up with oil ( and you will need an oil funnel if you don't want to spill oil over the rocker cover as its tricky to get access)

[saleen836]

Hhad a mechanic friend come and look at the car today and having worked on quite a few Smarts he thinks the turbo needs a rebuild, he also pointed out the sticker with all the reference numbers and codes from Brabus for the upgrades that done to the car. The car is off to his workshop tomorrow for a full service, turbo rebuild and a few other little niggly bits to be sorted.

[rallycross]

Make sure it really does need a turbo rebuild before he starts working on it, I've had over a dozen of these 600/700 smarts and none needed a turbo rebuild - but several did need engine rebuilds (this oil consumption was not obvious from a test drive).

[saleen836]

Thought I would give an update, the verdict is....the engine requires a rebuild so now checking out costs for that.

[Silent1]

rallycross said:

Make sure it really does need a turbo rebuild before he starts working on it, I've had over a dozen of these 600/700 smarts and none needed a turbo rebuild - but several did need engine rebuilds (this oil consumption was not obvious from a test drive).

saleen836 said:

Thought I would give an update, the verdict is....the engine requires a rebuild so now checking out costs for that.

now there's some ironing

[Lagerlout]

While you're in there you might as well port the cra@p out of it and stick a bigger turbo in there etc. All essential costs of course makes sense in the man maths equation.

[Ozzie Osmond]

saleen836 said:

Thought I would give an update, the verdict is....the engine requires a rebuild so now checking out costs for that.

This is starting to sound like an expensive drive to the station.

[Vince70]

I'm afraid 60000 is about the limit for a smart engine, when I had my smart roadster I heard the company to use was fudge smart.
They can even take your car away and deliver it back on a trailer, I think the main culprit is the scraper rings.
I'm talking a few years ago but I think the cost of the repair is about £850.

I'm afraid old smart cars are not the best quality car and are money pits when they get old, what you gain in petrol consumption you lose in repair costs.