Has the sunshade changed??? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

parnami · 08-15-2008, 07:48 AM

In Jan, the only time I had seen a smart before actually receiving mine this past Tuesday, I thought I remembered being disappointed by the choice of material used for the sunshade. On the car I test drove as well as that in the showroom, I recall it as being of a plastic woven material, like that used on some patio umbrellas that, to my mind, serve no purpose in that the sun comes blazing through anyway.

However, on mine, I am pleased to see that it's made of a black cloth similar if not exactly like that used in the Mercedes C class sunshade used to shield the moonroof.

My question is: Is my memory from my January visit faulty or has the material used in the sunshades actually changed and been improved? What do other owners have on theirs? If, indeed, it has changed, is mine the improved version designed to correct the defects some owners have been having with the original design?

My car was built in July, 2008.

rawlusÂ® · 08-15-2008, 07:58 AM

pic would be helpful.

parnami · 08-15-2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawlusÂ®

pic would be helpful.

Yeah..it would! I don't have a camera, other than 35mm that can take a close up.

digitalstew · 08-15-2008, 08:18 AM

I think it's possible that they've been changed. I've had trouble with mine since I took delivery last month and the guys at the smartcenter in Indy have ordered a new one for me. I haven't received it yet, so I can't confirm if it's different, but Matt, the parts and service guy at the dealership, told me they've had lots of problems with the sunshades. Perhaps they've been redone to fix these problems.

I'll follow up when I get my new one and confirm whether it changed or not.

CruisingAZ · 08-15-2008, 08:26 AM

You could also drive by the dealer and compare what is in your new smart with what is in the showroom as those cars are first production.

Smart Enuf · 08-15-2008, 08:40 AM

I do recall being picked up in March by the awesome folks at smart center Sacramento in a coupe with a sunshade as you described. Similarly, I thought at that time that the sunshade let in quite a bit of light, which seemed kind of strange to me. So maybe you're right and they have addressed the issue. I'm sure someone here will verify, or as suggested, you can stop by and compare with one of your dealer's demo coupes.

Karl Roth · 08-15-2008, 08:44 AM

There were some differences with the shifter mechanisms perhaps the suppliers made running changes there too. mine is an early Daimler Chrysler labeled one and it has not had a problem.
karl

SubSlr88 · 08-15-2008, 10:20 AM

The sunshade in my red orphan is a black plastic screen-type material. It blocks lots of light but really lets in the heat. And it's difficult to open as well. I lubed the rails with some silicone and that helped with the opening somewhat, but to be safe I usually open it by rolling it the last half by hand - just grab the roll at the rear in the center and turn. This keeps the fabric from bunching up and trying to 'push' it onto the roller.
For the heat, I cut down a large windshield sunscreen and sized it to fit over the fabric sunscreen. It works very well and will stay in place until it cools off down here~!

parnami · 08-15-2008, 10:31 AM

lol......I didn't notice the difference until I already was home...BUT..I DO remember the passion in the showroom was MISSING it's sunshade. I think they've been cannibalizing the showroom cars for parts.

It IS beginning to sound like a running change was made. The original that I recall seeing was a wide weave plastic. The one on MY car is a tight weave cloth.

PassionforPassionCT · 08-15-2008, 11:42 AM

Well, mines plastic....and still broken. Its been a month now, and they still say 2-3 weeks!!!