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[CrazyG]

Quite simply there are 2 'Generations' of the Smart ForFour.

Gen.1 - Designation is W454 (more commonly called 454) and was made between 2004-2007.
            [This shares all major mechanical components with the Mitsubishi Colt VI sold in
              Europe, as they were both assembled at the same factory in Europe !]

Gen.2 - Designation is W453 and it was made from 2014->
            [Basically it is 'badge engineered' Renault Twingo..they shared 99+% of the same parts]

NOTE:- For owners of W453 (Gen.2) ForFours...

There are admittedly very few; if any; Technical Guides or posts on this Forum
by or from owners of the second generation (Gen.2) ForFours.
      Why is that... ?
The majority of W453's are tied in to the MB/Smart 'warranty period', meaning that
no one other than an MB dealership can do any work on the vehicle, and if
anyone does any work to the vehicle within the Warranty period, then the MB/Smart
Warranty on the car is cancelled, and no claim/s will be entertained by MB/Smart for
any issues that arise...OK.

As and when the individual Warranty period expires for each W453, owners will then
be able to work on and even modify their car (if they fancy), as well as be able to take
them to any MB/Smart approved Independant garage (if you can find one close enough).
If you find one, then they can then do any work that is necessary or indeed any
other work you may request....such as modifying.

We were going to re-direct W453 owners to the website of the 'silent partner'
of this Forum's Admin Team...Evil of www.evilution.co.uk  as there was
talk that he was about to aquire a 453C (the smaller ForTwo), which is basically
the baby brother of the W453 ForFour, except that it has 3 and not 5 doors.
However.......he bought the Electric Version instead !
As the 453's share a lot of common mechanical components (excluding the engine and
gearbox if it is electric), and other internals like seats, lights etc etc, it may be safe to
assume that it would be better/more ideal if you visited his website...although it is not free
to access all the content.

(We may possibly at some future date transpose some information in respect of the 453C
 over to this Forum, but only if such content is acceptable/agreeable with our 'silent partner'.)
If however your W453 is an IC (Internal Combustion) engined version then it will not be of
much help if you have any engine/transmission issues.

Our hope is that eventually Technical Guides for the IC powered Gen.2 will appear
on here over time...as and when owners work on or modify them, as well as finding
ways of doing things to their cars.
With that in mind, we ask that any W453 owners; who have joined this Forum; and
who do carry out any DIY maintenance work, or modifications etc, that they please
start new threads/topics with 'Gen.2' as part of the subject line. Any and all info will
be much appreciated and of great help/benefit for other W453 owners who may join
this Forum.

As a note...we; the Admin Team; would be more than willing to assist and help W453
owners with any topics/threads, posts and Technical Guides, but we would require detailed
information to 'write them up on your behalf.
To do so we would require copious notes AND as many photo's at each step/stage of the
work undertaken, and with all that information + pictures we can 'construct' a Technical Guide
or Guides if you do more than one 'job'.
Note:- We would 'preface' any such Guide/s that we  'construct' and give credit to
              the supplier of the info before the main body of the topic.

So...much as we apologise for there being little on the Forum at the moment
by way of information on the W453 model, we look forward to hearing about and
also seeing useful information about them appearing on the Forum in the near future.

Thanks, CrazyG on behalf of The Admin Team.