http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/ en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:54:46 GMT vBulletin 60 http://smartcarofamerica.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/just-bought-2004-smart-cab-27786/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:13:22 GMT Just wanted to introduce myself. I just took delivery of a 2004 Smart Cabrio (Gray market 450) I purchased on Ebay about a week ago. I have wanted... Just wanted to introduce myself. I just took delivery of a 2004 Smart Cabrio (Gray market 450) I purchased on Ebay about a week ago. I have wanted one for years now; I used to rent Smarts when I traveled to Europe on business years ago. Very pleased with the car so far....other then the drivers side power window breaking the first time I put it down:mad:!! Also wondering if there are any other San Antonio Texas around?

Scott ]]> Original smart fortwo BlueSmartCab http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/just-bought-2004-smart-cab-27786/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/does-anyone-rebuild-450-alternators-north-america-27724/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:12:47 GMT The alternator in my 2005 euro model 450 is bad and a new one is over $300. Any alternatives? The alternator in my 2005 euro model 450 is bad and a new one is over $300. Any alternatives? ]]> Original smart fortwo atikovi http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/does-anyone-rebuild-450-alternators-north-america-27724/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/smart-451-automatic-transmission-conspiracy-27653/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:25:55 GMT Hear me out. We all know (450 owners) that our cars have 6-speed semi-automatic (aka automated, electrohydraulic) single-clutch manual transmissions.... Hear me out. We all know (450 owners) that our cars have 6-speed semi-automatic (aka automated, electrohydraulic) single-clutch manual transmissions. Anyone who's driven a BMW SMG car knows that it's the same transmission, the same shifter, the same feel. Ferrari F1 and Maserati Cambiocorsa are also the same, they just are deprived of the console shifter and are only given paddles and reverse and automatic buttons. But they all use a single clutch with no clutch pedal. We all know they aren't automatics. There are also many new double-clutch gearboxes out now, which are much smoother, like Audi's DSG and the new Porsche DPK.

Porsche had Tiptronic shiftable automatic transmissions for years, and nowaways every mundane automatic car is "shiftable." Torque converter.

The thing that gets me is the new North America 451 Smart. I swear it seems like they have a shiftable automatic trans but EVERY person that I've told in America denies it and says it's an automated manual. If you look at the shifter of a US 451 and a Euro 451, you'll see the Euro has the same type as a 450 but the US 451 has P R N D and moves to the side for "manual" shifting. It has a button on the front that you push to move the shifter. If you drive a US 451, you'll notice that from a stop on level ground, if the car is in D or R and you release the brake, it will move on it's own, not roll but drive. Manuals don't do this in my experience. ALSO the feel of driving the cars is very different from any automated manual I've ever driven, yet eerily similar to every automatic car.

I'm not just talking completely out of my @$$. I worked for years at an exotic car dealership, and I've driven almost every type of automated manual Ferrari, BMW M car, Maserati, and Lamborghini. In addition to that I've driven many shiftable automatic cars that have "paddle shifters," like Porsche, Aston Martin, and Bentley for examples. I used to have a Tiptronic 911 (PRND). We also sold about 75 G&K Smarts (including my own now with 31k miles) and over a half dozen 451's, which I've extensively driven on drives up to 2 hours and at max speed (which is lower than the 450).

And yet everyone says I don't know what I'm talking about. Can an automated manual be made to replicate the characteristics of an automatic? Can they be reconfigured to PRND and allow the car to creep without throttle? Or are the NA Smarts given different transmissions than ROTW 451s, with official documentation denying it? All it takes is for someone to confirm a torque converter in the NA parts catalog.

Anyone have anything to say about this - confirm or deny?

Look here for Smart USA's product description, under Engine/Drivetrain:
smart fortwo passion coupe

USA 451 Shifter:



European 451 Shifter:


450 Shifter (obviously):
]]> Original smart fortwo hoov23 http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/smart-451-automatic-transmission-conspiracy-27653/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/sprint-booster-now-available-450-model-smart-car-27472/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:30:56 GMT Great news guys and gals! The famous Sprint Booster Module is now available through us for the 450 Model smart. If you have never tried it we are... Great news guys and gals!

The famous Sprint Booster Module is now available through us for the 450 Model smart. If you have never tried it we are confident you will love it. We offer a 30 day money back guarantee on this item. Order it, give it a try for 30 days and if you do not love it send it back to us and we will refund you your money.

This unit helps with getting rid of the lag you feel when you step on the pedal. Before someone says "Just step on the pedal harder"...It is not the same thing and it is physically impossible for you to do what this unit does by simply stepped on the pedal.

100's of 451 owners have and continue to order a similar item for their smart cars. After meeting with Sprint Booster this week we are happy to announce that a similar modular is now available for your models (both left and right hand drive cars).

If you are interested and want to give it a try here is the direct product link:

smart car Sprint Booster Power Converter - (450 Model smart car)

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

PS. We are also in the process of finalizing a line of 450 smart car exhaust systems. They should be available soon and I will update you as more info is available.

Thank you for your continued support. ]]> Original smart fortwo SmartMadness http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/sprint-booster-now-available-450-model-smart-car-27472/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/new-orig-smart-car-owner-update-27342/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:14:56 GMT So I've had my smart for a couple months and I think I'm getting the hang of it. The only remaining problem is the spare key. I bought a FOB but the local smart center can't program it so I'm stuck with one key for a while until I figure this out. I'm being very careful.

I thought I had a problem with the lights - turns out that the right rear light is the 'reverse' light. So if the shifter is in reverse, the light is on.

I'm getting better at understanding how to shift the car for best performance and to keep up with traffic. I've found that automatic is not good on uphill and not particularly good at down shifting at fast decelarations. So I drive in auto and when there's a hill or a sudden slowdown, I manually shift. Then I press the auto button again to go back to auto shifting. (It seems that changing the transmission fluid has helped with the smothness of the shifting in automatic mode.)

Also, some very good news is that I spoke to Paul Meyers at the CO Smart Center on Broadway- very nice guy. He said he would be willing to service the car as needed. This is a relief. I was really impressed with him - very open mind.

Lastly, I have really appreciated all of the information on this site. It has been really helpful.
Lastly lastly - I LOVE THE CAR! ]]> Original smart fortwo cfreidma http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/new-orig-smart-car-owner-update-27342/ http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/muffler-pipe-cracked-27258/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:37:10 GMT Why is my muffler pipe cracking around where it bolts up near to flange at turbo? It was cracked with only 1000 miles on it. I removed muffler and... Why is my muffler pipe cracking around where it bolts up near to flange at turbo? It was cracked with only 1000 miles on it. I removed muffler and Tig welded cracks, now it is cracked again right next to where I welded it. Is there some reason for this, or a known fix? (Its on a 2005 smart 450) ]]> Original smart fortwo rayman1946 http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f26/muffler-pipe-cracked-27258/