Newbee Looking for Input

[classicsmarts]

Brand new to the Smart Car, although I have test driven one, and firstly I'd like to post a "hello". Secondly, I'd like to "ping" any of those experienced in Smart management (particularly Parts). I've just accepted the Parts Manager position offer from my dealership for Smart and would like to learn from those having already gone through a "premiere" opening of a SmartCenter. Thanks for any input.

[jwight]

Welcome! What dealership will you be at? There are lots of unanswered questions here on parts availability, especially dealer installed items, so don't be surprised if you get pinged back!

[Fredvon4]

Hello and welcome Classic Smarts parts manager

You and I are going to do plenty of business.

Marshall Gordon will probably be my "sales person". I am up the road a bit in the Ft Hood area.

I have not been down that way since the road show test drive in October.

At that time the new Smart Center had not been started. Can you update us here if they have broken ground yet and if or if not it is going to be ready in January? Not looking for any "official" Classic Cars of Round Rock announcement, just your personal estimation on the progress.

[classicsmarts]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

Hello and welcome Classic Smarts parts manager

You and I are going to do plenty of business.

Marshall Gordon will probably be my "sales person". I am up the road a bit in the Ft Hood area.

I have not been down that way since the road show test drive in October.

At that time the new Smart Center had not been started. Can you update us here if they have broken ground yet and if or if not it is going to be ready in January? Not looking for any "official" Classic Cars of Round Rock announcement, just your personal estimation on the progress.

Hello Fredvon and in response to your inquiry, yes and no. The temporary location for the SmartCenter is almost complete. It will be where the Aaron's Rent-a Center used to be in the same complex as the movie theater. This is just south of the main Classic campus on Mayes or the IH35 frontage road. As of now, the permanent location across the freeway next to SaltGrass and Cracker Barrel has yet to start. My training is in a few weeks in San Diego and I hope to be more enlightened by then as to all plans, both nationally and locally. Although not new to Parts management, starting from the ground up is indeed uncharted for me. Any ideas for items you'd like to have readily available? This question applies to all here as I'm sure shipping parts will be the convenient option for most only having a limited number of dealerships in place in the beginning. When I have more of a footing I'll inform the members.

[24-42]

A few of the parts that I reccomend:
The whit plastic clips that hold the rear fenders (top of the arch) They go into the keyhole on the fender. If you don't slide the fender to the rear when removing, they break off.

When you are talking to the right people, try to find out if Smart dealers are going to stock parts for model 450 ? They are still a Smart you know.

Ask if a Mitsu engine will mate to a 6 speed Trans? Will a Mitsu engine fit in a 450 ?

Will the parts dept have Service manuals for sale ?

I'm sure to have more later.

You have a hill in front of you that you can't even see all of it yet. Been there...done that !

PM me.
Donald LaFavor

[Fredvon4]

ClassicSmarts

We don't have a lot of 450 series Smart cars in our immediate area... I think in the last four years I have seen 3. Lots of parts will cross pollinate but many do not... Example the 450 has a cartridge oil filter and no drain plug... 451s have a spin on cartridge and drain plug...

Just in case you start to get inquires like Donalds's above, you will need to get up to speed on the differences. Like I said, it should not be a big or pressing issue in the CenTex market.

Another thought is about standard service items... We know initially your competitors like Auto Zone will not have common things for a while. So the typical air, fuel, oil filters..there is a "in cabin" pollen filter for the A/C system ...I assume as a old parts guru you already know all those sorts of things.

We don't yet know upgrade items but be on the look out for spark plugs, various levels in brake pads, cold air kit air filters, or other go fast goodies.

Let us know if you need links to the Brit sites that are starting to accommodate the 451.

I personally am a motor head that will be significantly modifying my car. That said a dealer is last place I look... Usually you guys will carry the highly over priced Brabus stuff... Think Roush and Eddie Bauer combined

But if you tink you want to be in the modification game... I will be looking for wider light weight alloy wheels, Wider tires, progresive rate springs, better brake pads, better shocks, anti sway bar size increase, higher flow air filter, better flow (BUT quiet) exhaust, wheel arch extensions (fender flairs)

There will be a small market locally for the Brabus crap so I think you will need a selection of the items they sell from their line of dress up and go fast things.

Body panels in various colors is a hard item to gage... Your prices are going to cause too much sticker shock for most owners of new cars... but you will need several complete sets to support the repair side of the house...again I am probably insulting you intelligence... BUT if the price is right I want a complete set of Black panels

Not sure how many "Pure" owners are area will have it is a low density car according to Pensky... But there are several Passion options that can be retro fitted to a Pure. example: I have it on good authority that the Pure roof can be removed and the Passion clear acrylic roof installed. You might consider having a few on hand if a new owner wants this upgrade.

You will need a selection of RPM and Clock stalks.

My understanding from the Brit sites is that the Mercedes Parts and maintenance manuals are subscription only web based or DVD and us civilians are not allowed. I also understand the software is klutzy and hard to ferret out parts... When you are off to the training spend time getting real familiar with this problem... Motor-heads like me are always looking for cross reference info ....

Example..... We are NOT getting the Turbo model here in the usa... But we are getting the lower compression ratio motor. It sounds like we get the turbo motor without the turbo... many of us will be interested in the entire Turbo, headers, sensors, intake etc... for a retro fit.... wink