Mercedes Smart vs. New 2008 versions

[js777]

Can anyone tell me which smart is the smarter buy between the Mercedes version or the brand new ones being produced?
Thanks,
Steve

[CruisingAZ]

Do you want a new car or an old car, that's the real difference. The new car is a little larger with a different motor, they are basiclly the same car. One is newer with upgrades and one is not.

[Carnut]

The mercedes motor has a bad rep.

[mdfortwoguy]

They're both built under the Mercedes umbrella... the only major difference being the outsourcing of the engine to Mitsubishi for the 451.

[rwj53]

Has mitsubishi put this motor in any other cars besides the smart or has it been around for a while? I am interested in what kind of track record this motor is getting.

[Fredvon4]

This particular motor is a variant of the 4 cylinder motor in several Mitsubishi cars... We can find R&D info on it back about two years

Theoretically it should have longer life and more reliability then the MCC 599cc or 698CC smart motors did.

But like all first year offerings that is yet to be proved.

There are some down sides to this motor...it is a 4 valve per cylinder twin cam design that requires a major service at 60,000 miles for the valve lifter cup wear.

Because it is a still relatively small 1 liter motor, pushing a fairly large mass, it will be working real hard most of the time. In my opinion it will not be a 175,000~200,000 mile life span motor as we have come to accept in the American car market.

The entire 451 fortwo is a major redesign, not just the motor

The getrag trans has been changed from 6 to 5 speed and new clutch strategy

The tridion was changed
The wheel base was changed
The overall interior dimensions and dash layout is changed
Every body panel is redesigned
Power-train and safety electronics, sensors, and ECU computer control mapping are all changed
The motor bay has been changed to get better air flow, and reduce noise

Retained is the modified McPherson strut front and modified DeDion rear suspensions and brake set up
MB claims the car is 80% redesign
Retained is the meager 2 year 24,000 mile warranty
North America only gets the Pure and Passion configuration with lower compression non turbo motor

The 2005~2006 450 series offered for USA sales, are imported and reworked to comply with USA safety and EPA standards. They are turbo charged 698cc 6 speed, shorter (slightly) wheel base. Generally speaking they are more expensive to purchase... but readily available from several sources

[Carnut]

Fred, can you be a bit more detailed. ;)

[jwight]

I believe this topic has been discussed (at length) previously; a quick search should turn up those threads.

[rwj53]

What am I looking at cost wise for the 60.000 mile valve job.

[MarkB]

Originally Posted by Carnut

Fred, can you be a bit more detailed. ;)

Ha, that made me laugh