I have reserved the cabrio and was reading through the pamplets the dealership gave me... several questions that are not covered in that literature...
1. type of gas ** regular [cheap] unleaded or the super unleaded?
2. why only a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty? [since the Smart cars are are
made of recycled materials, do they disintegrate? just kidding] but if Mercedes is behind this car why not the standard 50,000 mi 3,4 or 5 year warranty? or do the dealers offer an outrageously high priced extended warranty when it's finally time to purchase your car?
I have reserved the cabrio and was reading through the pamplets the dealership gave me... several questions that are not covered in that literature...
1. type of gas ** regular [cheap] unleaded or the super unleaded?
2. why only a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty? [since the Smart cars are are
made of recycled materials, do they disintegrate? just kidding] but if Mercedes is behind this car why not the standard 50,000 mi 3,4 or 5 year warranty? or do the dealers offer an outrageously high priced extended warranty when it's finally time to purchase your car?
smiles!
Welcome!!!
1. It is recommended to use 91 (super) really not that much more when you think about what you will be saving on average...
2. I agree, the warranty should be much longer, but it probably keeps the overall price down. There seems to be different versions of the smart warranty the dealers are selling and at different prices. Mine has a 100,000 6year coverage that is the same as the original 2 year coverage, including the towing, etc... It also costs the most I have heard yet $2600, but being there are so many unknowns about the car in the US, I am buying it. It is also refundable, so if I decide 4 years down the road I haven't needed it, I will get a full refund on the warranty minus a $50 processing fee. Not bad... Then, there is also a road hazard warranty for the tires/wheels, and then a gap warranty also...
There is alot to learn on the warranty options, I would contact your local dealer you will be purchasing from and ask them for the specifics. I spoke with my "Brand Manager" at length about the extended plans. Since this will be my only car, and I hate surprises it was a easy for me to decide.
Good luck, I am sure you will learn a TON on these forums. I have found the feedback very helpful.
I have reserved the cabrio and was reading through the pamplets the dealership gave me... several questions that are not covered in that literature...
1. type of gas ** regular [cheap] unleaded or the super unleaded?
2. why only a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty? [since the Smart cars are are
made of recycled materials, do they disintegrate? just kidding] but if Mercedes is behind this car why not the standard 50,000 mi 3,4 or 5 year warranty? or do the dealers offer an outrageously high priced extended warranty when it's finally time to purchase your car?
smiles!
1) Use the super for the best gas mileage and performance - the car is setup to use it. And at a 30 cent difference its only an extra 2.50 for the whole tank.
2) Welcome to the effects of a weak dollar. European car companies are cutting warranties and moving production here b/c of it. The warranty is much longer in other countries so its not that they don't believe in the product but if they save a couple of hundred of 25,000 units it adds up for them. Blame your friendly neighborhood federal government for spending like crazy.
... 2. why only a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty? ...
The basic worldwide smart factory warranty is 2 years or 40,000 km, except that in Switzerland they have to cover for 3 years (still 40k clicks), and Mercedes-Benz of Canada subsidizes the factory warranty to 4 years and 80,000 km. Dunno why. With our 2 years or 24,000 miles we actually get chisled out of 800 miles that the ROW gets (40k km = 24,800 mi.).
The M-B business decision to offer such a warranty could involve a couple of things. In the era of the 450s/452s/454s, they were loosing money and perhaps didn't want to loose any more with longer-term exposure. For the first time, the 451 is making money for them, though not so much from US sales due to the weak US dollar, so perhaps they may be more generous in the future (unless all the 451 profit is being plowed back into the previous deficit). At least in the US, M-B doesn't have to use long warranties to lure customers like some other manufacturers have done; there is so far no lack of customers. In the future, who knows? If the mad rush for smarts begins to taper off and there in an influx of competitors like the Toyota iQ and Th!nk, maybe they will have to add some bait.
Cost. MB needed to keep the cost of the vehicle within the price of a Yaris or Fit. Look at what the smart 451 with a 48 month warranty cost in Canada!
Regular gas hasn't been "cheap" for years. The extra $1.80 per tank for super will not break me.
Thank you.
Just a few years ago there was a 20-25% difference in regular to premium. Remember when regular was 99 cents? Premium was 1.19, always 10 cents to the next bump in octane rating. Now the difference is about 26 cents, or about 7%. Gas is expensive regardless; the engine is made to expect premium, so I'll give it premium.
I have read, however, that giving 93 gas to a car that wants 87 might result in carbon buildup due to unburned fuel. For 10 years I ran my Grand am on 91-93 thinking it was cleaner gas, then a mechanic said he had to clean out a LOT of carbon. I'll follow the instructions for my new smart, until I see a lot of research that tells me otherwise.
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1976 Rover Mini
2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
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