Personal "Crash Test"

[markitect]

Like everyone I'm glad your ok. And I am very impressed with how little damage their is. My mom rolled her heavier midsize chevy car at a slower speed then that and the doors would not open, and the physical damage was a lot more obvious. If I just saw the pictures I would have never guessed that your car had rolled.

[Dave777]

In the 4th photo, is that an airbag between the driver's seat and door?

Good luck evilbean on getting a new car ASAP.

[Springlering]

Evil, I am very happy to hear you are OK.

Sorry about your car, but not at the risk of you suffering any injuries!

I've been in the insurance business for nearly thirty years, and since I like my customers, and consider them all friends, nothing is more upsetting than taking a claim with a serious injury or fatality. Cars can be replaced.

Russ, I read somewhere that the axle on the Smart is designed to absorb impact. I'm not technical, but it's something to do with the way the wheels and axle are placed,compared to "normal" cars. I think on normal cars the wheels would fold under, but on Smarts, they act like an additional barrier between the occupant, and the outside world. If the rim splintered or whatever instead of folding under, it's doing exactly what it was designed to do.

[curtis]

when I first read your story I expected to see photos of nothing more than the tridion and broken plastic and glass but am so amazed, as others are, at the overall condition of your car, It is very sad that at such a young age your Passion will be in Smart Heaven..also, every time I see the red interior it makes me regret getting the leather, I love my leather seats but the red accents and trim on the dash look Bomb.

[limey]

The wheels must have taken some serious impact as it looks like on one of them the rim broke away from the spokes.

[SmartAzz]

Originally Posted by limey

The wheels must have taken some serious impact as it looks like on one of them the rim broke away from the spokes.

I suspect it is designed to do that as part of absorbing/dispersing the impact and is thus the reasoning behind them saying that changing out the wheels impacts the warranty as it relates to the safety of the car.

(However that doesn't explain why it is okay for the Pures to come with the steelies..)

[Springlering]

Originally Posted by SmartAzz

I suspect it is designed to do that as part of absorbing/dispersing the impact and is thus the reasoning behind them saying that changing out the wheels impacts the warranty as it relates to the safety of the car

I read some of the modifications people are posting or talking about wanting to do, and I really worry about the potential complications. Is it worth the risk? The car seems to be extremely well engineered to the point that any small bit of tinkering would skew the calculated results?

Or do I just have the Mom Gene?

[limey]

Originally Posted by Springlering

I read some of the modifications people are posting or talking about wanting to do, and I really worry about the potential complications. Is it worth the risk? The car seems to be extremely well engineered to the point that any small bit of tinkering would skew the calculated results?

Or do I just have the Mom Gene?

You are not alone, and I am not a Mom

I keep hearing about people putting rear wheels on the front and I can't help but wonder why they think they know more than all the Daimler engineers that decided a smaller tire was a better compromise.

That said it is the same in every web forum that I am a member of whether they talk about cars, bikes or just about anything else. It seems to be part of the enthusiast's make up that however good a vehicle is, it can always be a little bit better with different exhaust, tires, wheels, oil etc.

[SmartAzz]

Originally Posted by limey

You are not alone, and I am not a Mom

I keep hearing about people putting rear wheels on the front and I can't help but wonder why they think they know more than all the Daimler engineers that decided a smaller tire was a better compromise.

That said it is the same in every web forum that I am a member of whether they talk about cars, bikes or just about anything else. It seems to be part of the enthusiast's make up that however good a vehicle is, it can always be a little bit better with different exhaust, tires, wheels, oil etc.

Oh I understand the urge to modify, custom tailor and individualize cars and have been down that road many times (a road that has lots of service pot holes; I'm probably sticking with cosmetic stuff from here on out myself).

Usually changing out wheels is not a big issue, if anything the dealer can use it to mess with your warranty as it relates to wheel bearings and related bits - however the Smart is the first car where I've heard it mentioned that the stock wheels have been approved as part of the safety system (and no other wheels have) and considering that, where the car would bear impacts and the smaller crumple zone I can see how the wheel design might come into play differently.

[Piccola]

Thanks for posting the pictures so quickly. Hope you are doing well. Your harrowing experience has helped us all.