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[FireFlower]

Starting with:
- What is Smart ForFour? (Wikipedia summary is pretty dull)
- Factory extras (2006)
- Factory extras (2005)
- Factory extras (2004)



Before buying:
- Check Repair & Maintenance record booklet (main things to look for are regular interval for A & B services [every 20.000/30.000 km depending on is the oil long life or not])
- If close to 60.000 miles / 100.000 km ask if the valve clearances have been checked & adjusted. (And if odometer is over 100.000 km ask has it been done / or was it marked in the booklet)
- If it's a Brabus, check that cam belt has been changed and how many years ago if it was, but most definitely before 60.000 miles, 100.000km or over 6 years old.

- Good printout for inspection
- A quick video guide how to buy used cars
- Check tires & rims (no cracks / punctures/flat spots on rims).
- Check MOT has been passed and Road Tax has been paid
- Check underneath the car for any visible faults. (oil pools, hanging objects like exhaust etc)
- Check do the doors, the tail gate and the boot open and close normally (no crash signs)
- Check underneath mats (if the car has been flooded)

- Test drive 10 minutes in city, 10 miles or 15 km on highway, test brakes hard and check the handbrake on a slope. Listen for odd sounds (clanks, humming or resonating sounds from frame, clicks etc). Remember with Brabus/CDI to accelerate fast to see is turbo working correctly
- Test/use all gadgets and accessories on car
- Double check dealer has other key, if not bargain for 300€ discount (Can only be done by Mercedes ordering a new key from Germany)

When you have bought a ForFour:
Read the Owners handbook front to back.....and then do it again !

Basic tools that you will need:
- short Torx screwdriver set (99% screws are Torx)
- a set of Torx sockets, and even Torx bits for those the screwdriver
  set cannot move/undo. (T40, T30, T25 are most common needed)
- a 3/8" ratchet wrench and nut set ranging from 10mm to 23mm? (10mm is smallest known so far, 23mm largest known so far)
- a Small flat blade screwdriver, and a small Phillips screwdriver

Maintenance to be done / checked and things you should know:
- Known common issues list
- Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) info. (covered by link above)
- Reverse gear tricks for both manual and AMT. (covered by link above)
- Drain water from doors / clear drain holes with zip (cable) tie.
- Rear window wiper motor essential maintenance.

[Problemchild]

excellent - keep all the items coming.

we have talked about what to look out for but its great to hear the experience and interpretation from new owners.

JJ

[FireFlower]

Yeah list is starting to look good.

44 is quite robust actually, remember mine introduction thread? No service done for 50.000 km and only problems were: flooded passenger door (I noticed this yesterday), handbrake cable was jammed (when winter ended) and one spark plug was not working (well it worked during test drive but when I drove it back home engine felt under powered and sounded odd from normal).

Oh and I still have no idea have valve clearances been checked but I take my bet to drive close to 200k km

[mr singh]

if your car hasnt got its service history present... have a look in the secret compartment on the R/F footwell

[CrazyG]

sorry for 'commandeering' your original post Fireflower
but I thought it best to update it as we get things to add to it
and...eventually I will remove all posts except that one so that
it is a simple read of the info just on it's own. ok.
Meantime, anyone who has anything to add to the list above...
would you please post it up on here and I'll include it, ok ?  Thanks 

[FireFlower]

Factory extras

http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=55.0
or
http://mbspecialist.si/files/ZUBEH%C3%96R-454-E_040317.pdf

We don't have 2006 model brochure?

[FireFlower]

Hello guys,

Here is a good printout for car inspection
http://www.ammonyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/301-03_DC_201_StepbyStep_R1B.pdf

I know everybody cannot do all the last page checks but more you know the better

Time to make sticky?