Smart Car 451 - Sensible UK Forum?

[Dilkris]

Hi,
We have recently purchased a Smart car (451) - more about that later.
I am trying to identify a worthwhile UK Forum for exchanging information - does anybody on here own a Smart, belong to such a Forum and can therefore recommend one from experience?
Thanks in advance.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Ifaik, they're owned by Mercedes, so maybe a sub-forum on that website?

 

[frank horton]

their not not a smart buy.....loads'a trouble.....had several clients with em.....
all ended up with a Rav 4, for some reason....

 

[slim_boy_fat]

....had several clients with em.....

Before or after your move there - might it be a case of 'horses for courses'? Just wondering...

 

[kampftrinker]

Not really a forum but, a huge amount of information on all types of smart car. Some info is free, some you have to pay for. The price is £20 for a years access, well worth it in my opinion. You can sort the info out by smart car type. The info is well laid out with great pictures and is downloadable in pdf format.

Mick

 

[octo0072000]

Not really a forum but, a huge amount of information on all types of smart car. Some info is free, some you have to pay for. The price is £20 for a years access, well worth it in my opinion. You can sort the info out by smart car type. The info is well laid out with great pictures and is downloadable in pdf format.

Mick

access to what no link to what group you pay £20 quid to?

 

[Ubique]

Ifaik, they're owned by Mercedes, so maybe a sub-forum on that website?

Joint Venture between Swatch (yes, really) and M-B, the latest abomination iteration is a JV between Geely (Volvo's Chinese owner/financier) and M-B, using the hipster 'Octathorpe and a number' as the model name.... The hardware in the Swatch/M-B models is Renault, you may wish to deploy your opinions accordingly.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Had a 450 for 13 years. Loved it but was shocked at how rotten it was under the plastic sill trim, plastic under trays and plastic wheel arch liners. My advise is remove them and rustproof if they are sound. Several excellent forums on Facebook.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Joint Venture between Swatch (yes, really) and M-B, the latest abomination iteration is a JV between Geely (Volvo's Chinese owner/financier) and M-B, using the hipster 'Octathorpe and a number' as the model name.... The hardware in the Swatch/M-B models is Renault, you may wish to deploy your opinions accordingly.

Sorry to correct but the original, 450 model, is a MB built in France with a unique engine. The 451 has a Mitsubishi engine. The 453 is the Renault partnership model. As much as I loved my 450's (had two) I reckon the 451 is the best buy - wouldn't touch a 453 !

 

[Ubique]

No worries - I've never had the pleasure of a 450/451 and tend to get a rash developing if I'm within 10 metres of a 453 or later...

 

[minimutly]

their not not a smart buy.....loads'a trouble.....had several clients with em.....
all ended up with a Rav 4, for some reason....

Mechanic friend told me the same - stay away from em...
Think he was meaning the 453 - at least he said it was Renault related.
Have another friend who used to work for a Renault main dealer - the tales he used to tell about new/nearly new cars effectively having rebuilds - software updates to fix issues etc.
Then he moved to Kia, a lot less such tales...

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Joint Venture between Swatch (yes, really) and M-B, the latest abomination iteration is a JV between Geely (Volvo's Chinese owner/financier) and M-B, using the hipster 'Octathorpe and a number' as the model name.... The hardware in the Swatch/M-B models is Renault, you may wish to deploy your opinions accordingly.

I was probably thinking of the original ones [I'm old enough to do that easily... ]. Google has an answer
CLICKY .

 

[Dilkris]

Many thanks for all your comments
Pre 2015 models are vastly different from the post 2015 models in many respects it seems, with many of the pre 2015 issues being revised/changed/solved.
The 451 (Mitsubishi Engine?) is normally aspirated whereas the 453 (Renault Engine?) is turbocharged.
Whilst nothing to do with my original post, and as strange this comment may sound, of all the cars I have owned over the past 50 years, I think this present 451, 2018 model is honestly up there with the best.
As regards unreliability I have yet to find out - but there are plenty of series one, 20 year old Smarts out there with over 100K miles on the clock, so that must mean something no?
Maybe Smarts are like Harley Davidson's - the only people that don't like them are those that have never owned one.

 

[Ubique]

Maybe Smarts are like Harley Davidson's - the only people that don't like them are those that have never owned one.

I've driven a few Smart Cars - never really warmed to them, they clearly appeal to demographics that I'm not a part of, (as do a lot of things, TBH) which is fine.

What have Harley Davidson's and piles got in common?

Sooner or later, every @rseh*le will get one...