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[Strike]

Hi all

Hope everyone is well?

So I'm enjoying my new car (z3m) but admit I really miss the Smart Brabus Forfour. However all hope might not be lost as my girlfriend is wanting a smart roadster. Probably not the Brabus version but I (we) don't know enough about it yet!!

Started to look at a few this morning and well she has narrowed it down to:

Being black on black or blue on black
Hopefully the 3 spoke wheels
Not the rear "glass cage" car (assume that's the coupe version)
Solid glass or painted roof that can be removed
Probably around looking to spend around £3500

Any help would be appreciated. Ie go for Brabus version, what engine to get, what service intervals. Low mileage or well maintained higher miles? Paddles any good?
Are there known problems that need fixing?? Etc etc. any help would be appreciated guys (and girls)

Look forward to hearing from you.

[mr singh]

what engine to get... well there is the 700cc engine and the 700cc engine and a 700cc engine. although there was a 600cc engine it was only available as import (LHD) - correction if im wrong.

the 3 spoke wheels are slightly on the rare side and hard to come by. im unsure if there was a solid roof readily available as it was an expensive addition. the service intervals are 7000 miles or yearly.
problems are endless with the roadster. they leak like a sift! best looking on theroadster.net for more info

[mozilla]

For that money you might as well get the brabus version, although I would prefer the coupe's as they look better IMO. Mpg and tax is identical throughout the range, they are not very fast whichever one you get but make you feel like your going really fast. Leaks are common and, engines are not as robust as they should be. Its going to hard finding a low mileage one though

[GizzyWolf]

The best advice I could offer is to buy my Brab ForFour 

[Unknown]

Check for engine history, rebuild is a common feature on 450/452 engines, ensure the SAM unit has been waterproofed and any leaks sealed properly, why? They aren't known as leaksters for nothing If it's got the folding roof make the the rails have been greased and looked after, you will be lucky to find the roof panels insitu on a roadster - they weren't that common.

The 'Greenhouse' would be cheaper and more practical than the 'Notchback', most peeps prefer the 'Notchback'.

Go through one of the smart forums, you're more likely to find a cared for example.

[Problemchild]

I also prefer the coupe

If you can afford the BRABUS go for that jut in terms of spec

Leaks leaks leaks - please check (difficult in the summer) but at least check the wiper tray

JJ

[Scoobysook]

CrazyG has one and I'm sure will give advice. I would also ask on smartz or theroadster.net for info and potential cars up for grabs

[ChrisN]

http://www.mcsmarts.co.uk/classifieds/item/327

[nodi]

What I can recall from the roadster is that they can have problems with the aircon hoses, so a car that  was originally fitted with one could have or had problems with it.  So make sure to ask that, or check it out.

[brulaw]

What I can recall from the roadster is that they can have problems with the aircon hoses, so a car that  was originally fitted with one could have or had problems with it.  So make sure to ask that, or check it out.

Some cars did ( do ) have an AirCon  problem , usually it's the air com pipe cracked , a friend of mine recently had his repaired ( they now use a flexible section  to prevent it cracking due to vibration )

I loved my roadster ( coupe version )  but as I was one of the first roadster owners I got lumbered with one that had the " leakster " problems ....... in the four months I owned it , it spent three months back at the dealers being " fixed "  in the end I just had to give up and return it ( Got my forfour as a replacement ) .

From the above it might lead people to think I'm now a roadie hater  , far from it , I  LOVE them , and If I could warrant having two cars I'd gladly have one again , In my opinion there is absolutely nothing at the equivalent price that can match it for handling and  the " fun factor " ......it really does feel like your driving something like a go kart for the road .

So , things I'd look out for  are ....

Service history ( and the lower the mileage the better )  ,

Has it had the  leaks fixed ( new seals and SAM unit waterproofed ) ,

Look closely for any accident damage ( panel fit was never a strong point so that's not to much to worry about ) .

If you do decide to go for a Brabus version  look closely at the wheels , they are quite soft and damage easily  ..... also the service history is possibly even more important ( it really helps to hold the cars value ) .

Hope that helps .......... and good luck with the search .

[CrazyG]

As mentioned...I have a Roadster...a Coupé (non-Brabus).....
There's less of the Coupé's around than the notchback....and they
have a bit more storage space and...to my eyes (blind ol git that I am),
I think are better looking.
Yes it feels fast even though it really isn't...cos it's so low down, but
it will do the 'magic' ton (100) without any fuss, and it handles as
well as a Lotus Elise ! 

The Brabus has the higher performance engine, larger turbo, liquid
cooled intercooler, lower speed bump thumping suspension, super
soft Monoblock VI wheels (in 17" or 18" dia), and a heavy/mild
steel/expensive exhaust.
(A non-Brab can be modified to be just as good, but cost less to buy.)

The 3 spoke wheels are 16" Spikelines, but the prettiest ones are
those that were only available on the 'Finale' Edition Roadster...
the 17" Runline's.  (rare as hens teeth).
 
I agree with all the comments made so far re leaks.....mine has
had a new SAM at some stage due to water ingress, but I have had
it 'sealed' by Tony at Tune4Performance.
There are other areas that need 'leak proofing', but for more info
about the Roadsters' leaks visit our co-founders website
www.evilution.com     Evil has a Roadster, as does OTV,
and what they don't know between them about the car isn't
worth knowing....and better info
Evil also has another website  www.my452.co.uk
so get along to both of those sites for info as soon as poss.