Smart Brabus Roadster

Mat

Mat

Mat

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
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I'm thinking of getting a Smart Brabus Roadster as a second car (a toy for blatting around the Norfolk countryside) and was wondering what people thought of it. I'm aware of its shortcomings including the gearbox and leaking seals but I really quite like it and alternatives, such as the MX-5 just seem a bit bland really.

Ive found one for £8800 and 22k miles which has had the seals done and, prior to viewing, seems ok. I would probably get it mapped which should quicken the gear change issue as well.
 
I can't ever imagine something like that really being fun. More of a posers car from the design up than a drivers car if you ask me. :/
 
Smarts are great but im biased :D

I love my car and it does exactly what it needs to for me.
Cheap insurance, cheap Tax (£35) and returns over 55mpg every tank.

Andy

PS It MUST be remapped if you do buy ;)
 
Not bad but as soon as you start to look what other cars you can buy for that money it might make you change your mind.
 
Dutch Guy said:
Not bad but as soon as you start to look what other cars you can buy for that money it might make you change your mind.
Click to expand...

This is very true. Its not a cheap small car etc, its an expensive small car :)

I would ideally have a forfour Brabus, 177 BHP stupidly quick, and can be
improved to over 200 easily enough.

Has all the normal brabus spec but 4 seats :)

Andy
 
I enjoyed the normal Smart roadster I tried on holiday a few years back.
However, it did have a rubbish gearbox and frankly an MX5 is a LOT better. Having said that, you're talking abou the Brabus version, which might even the odds. The problem is that for your budget, you could probably find a turbo or supercharged MX5, which would definitely be my choice.
 
Having driven a Brabus Smart around the alps, I can really say I would never ever ever want one with that gearbox.
 
aye thats a major let down is the gearbox - althou remapping makes
a real big difference. The ForFour is better due to the manual box ;)

Andy
 
lol @ 3 seconds - not quite that but yeah thats the general problem.

Roundabouts are a killer at first until you get used to them.

Andy
 
Lots to both gear change and power.

Gear change can be upto .75sec quicker.

Your top speed will not be limited anymore, and boost will be increased.

Andy
 
When I got given a lift in one, what I thought was turbo-lag for a moment turned out to be the gear change. :o
I'd guess maybe 2 secs?

Think the suspension and the turbos are meant to wear out pretty quick, in addition to what's been said.
 
Suspension theres no problem with - that was just the 2001 models that
were recalled and swapped.

Turbos will last very well actually - theres one that hass 300k and is on a second turbo.

Gear change is generally around 1.5 seconds (roughly) - after remapping you wont
a problem IMO. Best bet is to test drive a mapped one ;)

Andy
 
Does the Brabus share the same soft engine mounts so you get the tailpipes pointing down when you accelerate and then springing back up when you change gear? Followed a few roadsters and the effect is pure comedy.
 
It has a great chassis which is totally pointless as its comically slow, even in Brabus guise. The thing is an embarrasment to the good name of Brabus.

There is a guy on here who has one, it's such a bad car he couldnt bear to drive it so he has only done 400 miles in it since he bought it 6 months ago.
 
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