Questions on Smart Trans.

[a2jack]

Micronut.

Yes, I agree, the problem may be deep in the trans logic And I too have doubts Smart will able to fix it with a reprogram.

I assume they (Smart) are aware of this unexpected down shift trap, although up till now, all we heard about was the slow shifting of the Getrag trans.

IMO the outcome of this will either be a hold up on delivery while they fix it, or recalls if they just push them out the door. The third outcome, that I hate to even think about, are crashs and lawsuits.

Yesterdays NY Times had a peice about Johnson and Johnson suing The Red Cross over the use of the red cross logo. J+J clams they own it. It seems
Lawsuits in the U.S have more to do with "deep pockets" than with merit.
MB and Penske have mighty deep pockets.

Let's hope they fix this this XXX trans before they ship it.

BTW, is that a little Messerschmidt as your avatar ?

A2jack

[MicroNut]

A fourth option would be to ship cars without the softouch option, and make everyone who insists on a full automatic go to the back of the line ! Just dreaming....

The avatar is a BMW Isetta, "the ultimate driving machine" circa 1957...

[lhoboy]

Here's a messerscmitt:-----------------------------------------------------------------And the BMW Isetta--------------------------------------------And guess what:
------------

[a2jack]

lhoboy.

Great pix. Thanks.

Back in the day, I came out the door of my apt in LA just as a guy drove up and got out of an Isetta. (As I now know). I couldn't beleive it when he opened the front end, the steering column swung aside and he stepped out. What a neat little car!

Micronut. do you have an Isetta? What year etc?

We had a 1969 Subaru 360 4door. My wife and I loved it. As a kid I worked on my dad's old outboard motors, so I had no trouble keeping it tuned

A2jack

[Old smart]

Here’s a sea-story - “Now, this ain’t no ….!” etc. Anyway, back in the early ‘60s a friend acquired an Isetta 300 (as in 300cc engine). It ran and worked very well, though not that appropriate on Rt. 9 or Rt. 128 in Eastern Massachusetts. The only problem that he (we) had with it was the time when he tried the “bow-in” parking maneuver, and he ran hard against the curb. We tripped and rotated 90-degrees forward and came to rest flat against the (only opening) front door. Two bozos in an egg trying to rock it onto its side from inside, and attracting a large audience that that included a Natick cop. A ticket was issued; I wasn’t driving. This same progressive owner also came across a Messerschmitt, but never got it on the road.

For those of us long-in-the-tooth (and long-in-the-belt) may remember that in some contest promoted by Dick Clark and “American Bandstand,” the prize was a new Isetta 300.

It is too bad that the micro-car ethos (option) died out over that last 40-some years.

[a2jack]

Fishrdnc.

Micro cars are great fun. There are a couple of large Micro Car clubs online So they are still alive and well. Many have Smartie members.

Our love of Micro cars is the main reason we are buying our Yellow and black Passion.

I would enjoy seeing a batch of the new Kei cars hit the market here. We would buy one of those too. (They top out at 660cc).

I still have questions on the new trans that won't be answered until we drive the 2008 USA model, and so far the word is we will not be able to opt out of the auto option (softouch).

Best Regards
A2jack.

[Old smart]

An interesting tidbit of info that has made it onto the internet (and originating with one of the folks from the PR firm hired by PAG to conduct the road shows) is that the 2007+ engine is a Mitsubishi design, but built in France. No idea if that means if the engine is entirely

[MicroNut]

I don't own the Isetta in the picture any more, but I have many fond memories. One thing I learned early on was to make sure the (front) door was properly latched. If not, when you hit the brakes the door would fly open taking you and the steering wheel with it....

Micro cars I currently own are a Moretti 500 and a Steyr-Puch Haflinger. Once I figure out how, I'll post some pictures.

I'd like to say that my desire to own a smart is driven by something noble like concern for the environment, but truth is I just love tiny cars. The thought of finally owning one that I can drive on a daily basis is driving me nuts with anticipation!

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by fishrdnc

An interesting tidbit of info that has made it onto the internet (and originating with one of the folks from the PR firm hired by PAG to conduct the road shows) is that the 2007+ engine is a Mitsubishi design, but built in France. No idea if that means if the engine is entirely “produced” there (casting, machining, et al), or “assembled” there from Japan sourced parts. And if whatever is true, I wonder if there would be any noticeable difference in quality control between the French and Japanese assembly lines.

Mixing and matching is pretty typical. From'02-'06 the MINI was using a Brazilian Chrysler engine. Now it's using a French Citroen or Peugot.

At least the Mitsu engine is still in the MB family. Chrysler was never in the BMW family (I'm not certain about Citroen or Peugot).

[Old smart]

Another tidbit concerning engines. I note that the 999cc