Is clearance too low for pothole? (for brabus) - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

eericc · 03-06-2011, 12:25 PM

Hi Everyone,

I live work in NYC and test drove a smart brabus and love it. I have put deposit and about to buy it. However there are a ton of potholes in NY and for the brabus i test drove, the left bottom of the brabus front lip is already scratch ( a little bit) .

I am worrying about the clearance of the Brabus being too low. Do anyone have experience ? Is the lowered clearance only because of the body kit? or the spring is lowered too?

I am thinking of switching spring or something to make the brabus a little higher (like 2") does that make sense of have anyone done it?

**SmartDigger** · 03-06-2011, 12:36 PM

I do not think it will be an issue. You can however, get a two inch lift kit from smartmadness.com

BARNEY O · 03-06-2011, 12:50 PM

The 17" Brabus rims DO NOT handle pot holes very well.
Before you change springs and alike try switching to 15" rims and 50 series sidewall tires. I believe you will find happiness and a softer hit driving across potholes and ruff roads.

eericc · 03-06-2011, 02:06 PM

17" is just for rear right? i believe the front is 15" looking up the specs..

I am a little less concern about the ride as long as my front lip dun scratches...

navy48 · 03-06-2011, 02:16 PM

well, I guess it all depends on the depth of the pothole. if you're THAT concerned about it, you might ask your smart center about purchasing the Tire and Wheel Insurance. for the price of one wheel, you can get a policy to cover the expense of replacing a blow tire or busted wheel from road damage.

just something to think about. OR you could buy a Hummer H2 and not work about ground clearance, potholes or anything else for that matter....

navy48 · 03-06-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eericc

.........for the brabus i test drove, the left bottom of the brabus front lip is already scratch ( a little bit).

doubtful thats from a pothole. more likely a cement parking lot curb or barrier. if a smart hit a pothole, at speed, that was deep enough to scratch the front spoiler, it would probably rip off the front suspension and damage the frame and floor.

Brabusct · 03-06-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eericc

17" is just for rear right? i believe the front is 15" looking up the specs..

I am a little less concern about the ride as long as my front lip dun scratches...

I don't know why your lip is scratched, I have hit massive potholes and have never scratched mine, there's very little give to suspension, maybe someone pulled to close to a curb in a parking lot.. I did bend the lip on the rear wheel but its fixable . There's a lot of flex to the brabus rim so in most times it can be repaired.The problem is it has a large exposed lip. The lip combined with the low profile tire makes it vunerable to damage . You just have to be careful with potholes .

eericc · 03-06-2011, 03:27 PM

potholes in NY are just crazy... and to the suggestion of getting a hummer... i get a smart because i have the 99 dollars parking promotion and i can park anyway which makes driving affordable for me...

i have bought the warranty for rim and tires... just a little worry about the body kit with all potholes

hopefully all will work out well =)

eericc · 03-06-2011, 03:35 PM

by the way the US brabus smart fortwo do have brabus suspension right? I am just not sure as a ton of feature is cut off comparing to the euro version : engine, brabus shift stick, brabus hand break, brabus seat, brabus rear spoiler....

Stella503 · 03-06-2011, 03:58 PM

i think it depends on the pot hole.
i've hit some and didn't phase me and there's others my whole car would fit in.

there's others that my 2010 silverado full size pick up would not hit too good either.

luckily the smart is small enough that you can drvie around them and still stay in your lane most of the time !