Advice for imminent new owner in boondocks

[tgold]

Hello Smarties.

I'm about to take delivery of a Coupe Passion (plus Comfort) from a dealer who is around 7 hours away round trip. Anything I should buy right now that can not be mail ordered later - such as extra keys etc?

Are security (anti-theft) bolts available for the alloy wheel rims? My dealer says no one ever asked that question before and he did not know the answer.

Is the factory car cover well made and padded to avoid scratching the car paintwork?

Is there any way to fit some type of luggage rack on the roof or tailgate for such as a large suitcase when collecting someone from the airport?

Thanks for advice on this plus on anything I am not yet wise enough to ask.

Tony

[NY Smartie]

congrats and best of luck with it!

Stuff I got from the dealer right away was the 6-CD holder thingy, the magnetic sunglasses holder and the car cover. I wanted the trunk divider-cover-net thingy, but had to order it. Picking it up today!

that's all I can think of for the Moment.

[meaux61]

Get a couple of oil filters and gaskets. My dealership charges about 12.70 for filters and 2.70 for gaskets. You can probably get your maint done at a MB dealership, just call your local one and ask. I got an oil change at 1000 miles (for my own peace of mind, not required) at the local MB dealership. Get touch up paint while you are there. That should be arriving at the end of this week. If you want a different set of panels, those cost at least 300.00 to ship. If you bring a second car with you and you want panels, order them now and pick them up when you pick up your car. Check your AM radio because I just found out today that there is an issue with a cable and all you get is static. They tell me it is an 8 hour fix ?????? to replace the cable as it is part of the wiring harness, so make sure you get AM reception before you leave. Mats are heavy and expensive to ship. That is all I can think of at the moment. You might want to get that first air filter that you will need for your 10k maint as well.

Meaux

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by tgold

... Are security (anti-theft) bolts available for the alloy wheel rims? My dealer says no one ever asked that question before and he did not know the answer. ...

Yup, Part Number A0009906007 (four including wrench adapter). But they are pricey at £40.00 (includes 17.5% VAT) in 2007. Someone here recently spoke of replacing the 15mm smart wheel bolts with 17mm VW bolts, which apparently fit. VW may have a more reasonably priced set.

[brian r]

Originally Posted by Old smart

Yup, Part Number A0009906007 (four including wrench adapter). But they are pricey at £40.00 (includes 17.5% VAT) in 2007. Someone here recently spoke of replacing the 15mm smart wheel bolts with 17mm VW bolts, which apparently fit. VW may have a more reasonably priced set.

I don't know why anyone would steal a set of fortwo rims; they don't fit anything else. And since you're so far from a dealer, I think that there's a pretty low risk that another owner would steal yours for a spare set.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by brian r

I don't know why anyone would steal a set of fortwo rims; they don't fit anything else. And since you're so far from a dealer, I think that there's a pretty low risk that another owner would steal yours for a spare set.

My thought there is that they could wind up on Ebay. Anyway, the two VW bolt sets are about $40 US each.

[jwight]

Let me recommend this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Smart...spagenameZWDVW

$100 shipped to your door from San Antonio, including a zippered carrying case. Thanks to 24-42 for pointing this one out.

[Karl Roth]

The covers are great your car needs to be clean before it goes on. Do Not Loose Your Key even if the dealer is next door I ain't someting you are going to get made cheap

[mvukovich]

I would also purchase a Scangauge2. I've had a engine light come on 4 times since I've had my car. I can read the trouble code and turn it off and not have to waste my time driving to my dealer wondeing if I am going to blow up the engine. I have a bad sensor which I'll take in when I have the time.

[tgold]

Originally Posted by meaux61

Get a couple of oil filters and gaskets. My dealership charges about 12.70 for filters and 2.70 for gaskets. You can probably get your maint done at a MB dealership, just call your local one and ask. I got an oil change at 1000 miles (for my own peace of mind, not required) at the local MB dealership. Get touch up paint while you are there. That should be arriving at the end of this week. If you want a different set of panels, those cost at least 300.00 to ship. If you bring a second car with you and you want panels, order them now and pick them up when you pick up your car. Check your AM radio because I just found out today that there is an issue with a cable and all you get is static. They tell me it is an 8 hour fix ?????? to replace the cable as it is part of the wiring harness, so make sure you get AM reception before you leave. Mats are heavy and expensive to ship. That is all I can think of at the moment. You might want to get that first air filter that you will need for your 10k maint as well.

Thanks a load for that shopping list Meaux. It sounded right on point for me. What about wiper blades? Are those an odd-ball size or something NAPA dealers will have in stock? I never looked, but I assume just one blade on the front and nothing at the read.

Tony