Gray Owners Identify yourself Hee Hee Hee

[belkin666]

try these posts - a little to sift through but you can get a bit of history and experience/opinions of others.

check this old post: smart car service and repair L.A.

and this new post: http://www.meetup.com/socalsmarties/...thread/4843135

Stepke Imports
3815 Moore Street
Mar Vista, CA 90066
Contact: Andreas Mueller
Phone: 310-397-9744

http://stepkeimports....
Stepke Imports, your Mercedes Benz Repair Specialists!

[fishlady]

I had a headlight out, was only the bulb. I had to order it from Seattle, ordered 2 while I was at it. It was not the same as listed in the manual. VERY easy to replace though. Open up the front grill at the bottom of the windshield. Bulb just twists out and then to replace twists in.

Originally Posted by artistlya

We drive ours 90 miles a day and LOVE it!!! The only draw back is that we can't find anyone locally (Glendale to Malibu, California)to service it and have been doing it ourselves....actually, I have been doing it while my husband sits back and laughs! The oil changing is a breeze and putting the scoop on was also easy. I did have a problem taking the panels off the rear and sides to see why I was getting an exhaust smell. Turned out a curved pipe had cracked so since I knew my limits I taped it with metal tape and called G & K. They were GREAT!!! They replaced it since it was a defect. No problem at all.
Now, I have a headlight that is out and am having a problem replacing it

[DFDureiko]

I am a new 2008 owner, we keep our Yellow Passion, in FL. enroute home with our RV, at a state park in FL. We saw two in the park, an '08 cabrio, and an '05, bought in PA, that is kept in the "garage" of a 5th wheel toy hauler.
I'm curious where these pre '08 cars came from and if the SmartCentres will service them....it was a very clean and cute car. would not mind having one.
My only concern would be
Safety
parts and service.
Dan

[ASmartMan]

Dan

Where they came from

A licensed importer called G&K in Ca. applied for and was approved for the import/modification of the 2003 to 2006 German specific Smart car, G&K had to run the gauntlet of EPA and DOT regulations.

It is my understanding G&K was granted the right to sell these modified Smart cars in 45 states (5 states have funky rules and these could not be sold as New in those states).

It is those import costs coupled with the fact everyone had to make some money is the reason a Gray market Smart (pre 08) cost a bit more than the US approved version (the 08).

Here is the twist, G&K produced 1076 Americanized Smart cars, when I decided I wanted 1 I was to believe there was NO way I could get a Candida car as well as NO way I could get 1 from Europe and had to settle on a G&K.

Well in the past 2 years of ownership I find some did come in and were legally registered form Canada as well as Europe.

Ron G may be able to give you a better time line, regardless, any pre 08 Smart here in the US is NOT supported by MB and they would turn you away (of course there are a few exceptions to this), if you decide to further explore a Gray Market Smart, you may want to post more details of your intent here so we can help

Hope it was what you were looking for.

ASM

Originally Posted by DFDureiko

I am a new 2008 owner, we keep our Yellow Passion, in FL. enroute home with our RV, at a state park in FL. We saw two in the park, an '08 cabrio, and an '05, bought in PA, that is kept in the "garage" of a 5th wheel toy hauler.
I'm curious where these pre '08 cars came from and if the SmartCentres will service them....it was a very clean and cute car. would not mind having one.
My only concern would be
Safety
parts and service.
Dan

[rgaus]

Asmartman,

Great summary (1026 of the 2004-2006, maybe 50 of the pre-2004). Pressure continues to build to force all Mercedes dealers to steer clear of the pre-2008's. Most all our owners have found happy "homes" at small non-Mercedes dealers and utilize troubleshooting tips from Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia and some support contacts of BRILLIANT folks around the country that know these cars well. I've also heard that there are some that have found computers to do the complete code testing for smarts. Canadian MB dealers provide parts. We also have a new warranty company that provides a 5 year/50,000 mile coverage for $1200. Most all components other than wear and tear items are covered. Safety and emissions revisions have the G&K warranty.

Ron Gaus, aSmartCar, St. Louis

[belkin666]

I have been driving a G&K GRAY MARKET 2005 passion fortwo coupe [450] in L.A. for 2 yrs. I think it's better than the 451. Been having great fun. it's cuter, more loveable, has mercedes engine w/ six speed trans instead of mitsubishi, and it gets better gas milage. Trouble free, only needed scheduled "A" and "B" service. Found independent mercedes garage. It's the car Americans thought they were going to get.
insurance: no problems
title and registration: was no problem
loan: was no problem
parts and accessories: no problems
service: no problems
no "Dealers": OMG, there are smart dealers in the US now? Who cares? Who wants to be held hostage and gouged by a dealer?

[fpage77]

Now are we talking about Gray owners like as in Grays as in the aliens or the color. I searched and I searched but couldn't find one picture of anyone in a alien costume in a smart.

[Fasteddy]

You can retrofit the more aerodynamic original headlight through source in Canada.

[rayman1946]

Just bought my 2005 G&K, love it. Sweet car....Kinda scary not having a dealer to work on it, or even a good repair manual. But I like to fix things myself anyway. Don't trust repair shops and dealers anymore. Just wish I could get the AC to work......As long as I have the nice people of this forum, I think all will be OK.......

[belkin666]

you may already know of this site - but - just in case. the most helpful 450 site on the net

Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

good luck