Replacing the radio

[Weaseal]

Hi all,

I've been living in Europe for the past 2 years and I fell in love with the Smart car! I was super excited today when I found out that they are now sold in the States too!!! I'm getting one as soon as I get back in 2 months!

But, I have some questions:
1) The Electric Power Steering, is it really better than standard power steering? I understand that you only get a max 3% better fuel economy, and that's only when driving perfectly straight with perfectly aligned tires...in short, you won't really save any gas over standard power steering. So, should I save the $450 or is there something I'm missing?

2) Sound system. I'm a huge audiophile. I need beautiful, clear, quality sound. Otherwise I'd rather just sit there in silence. Has anyone gotten the premium audio system? Is it incredible? The fact that the website doesn't mention the brand-name of the speaker and tuner maker worries me. Should I just save the money and put my own in?

3) Has anyone tried replacing the radio? I've replaced Daimler/Chrysler radios before and it was pretty easy (in my old '98 Cherokee). Is this much the same? Will standard radio + fit kit work?

[ck_az]

Originally Posted by Weaseal

Hi all,

I've been living in Europe for the past 2 years and I fell in love with the Smart car! I was super excited today when I found out that they are now sold in the States too!!! I'm getting one as soon as I get back in 2 months!

2) Sound system. I'm a huge audiophile. I need beautiful, clear, quality sound. Otherwise I'd rather just sit there in silence. Has anyone gotten the premium audio system? Is it incredible? The fact that the website doesn't mention the brand-name of the speaker and tuner's maker worries me. Should I just save the money and put my own in?

3) Has anyone tried replacing the radio? I've replaced Daimler/Chrysler radios before and it was pretty easy (in my old '98 Cherokee). Is this much the same? Will standard radio + fit kit work?

See Audio & Video section of the forums. LOTS of threads on this. Yes, lots of people have replaced the factory stuff. If you are an audiophile you will likely not like what Smart has to offer. Again please read the existing threads. You can see what I did to my Smart here:
Yet Another Tech Blog Smart Radio Upgrade

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by Weaseal

1) The Electric Power Steering, is it really better than standard power steering? I understand that you only get a max 3% better fuel economy, and that's only when driving perfectly straight with perfectly aligned tires...in short, you won't really save any gas over standard power steering. So, should I save the $450 or is there something I'm missing?

2) Sound system. I'm a huge audiophile. I need beautiful, clear, quality sound. Otherwise I'd rather just sit there in silence. Has anyone gotten the premium audio system? Is it incredible? The fact that the website doesn't mention the brand-name of the speaker and tuner maker worries me. Should I just save the money and put my own in?

In the smart it is either EPS or no power steering. I have EPS, but most people agree PS in the smart is unnecessary. I think it may actually make the car a bit more skittish at highway speeds.

I've got the premium sound package. You could do better for the same price if you do your own mods.

IMHO

[The Silver Pellet]

Originally Posted by NCC1701

... may actually make the car a bit more skittish at highway speeds.

My GF and I each have a smartie. Hers has PS. Mine doesn't. I used to sneer at her PS, until I drove it on the highway.

I discovered that the EPS tightens up at elevated speeds, making it -- in my experience -- less skittish on the highway than no PS.

I wouldn't buy it as a standalone option though. I don't think its worth it. She got an orphan that had the comfort package -- included PS and priced that way it was a good deal.

[Smart Enuf]

Originally Posted by The Silver Pellet

My GF and I each have a smartie. Hers has PS. Mine doesn't. I used to sneer at her PS, until I drove it on the highway.

I discovered that the EPS tightens up at elevated speeds, making it -- in my experience -- less skittish on the highway than no PS.

I wouldn't buy it as a standalone option though. I don't think its worth it. She got an orphan that had the comfort package -- included PS and priced that way it was a good deal.

I agree with Silver Pellet. The EPS feels like the assist is inversely proportional to the vehicle speed, and at highway speed, the car seems to track better and be steadier than at lower speeds. At least that's how it feels to me, although I have no hard data or literature to back that up.

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by The Silver Pellet

I discovered that the EPS tightens up at elevated speeds, making it -- in my experience -- less skittish on the highway than no PS.

WOW, if that's true, I'm thinking I wouldn't want to drive a non-PS smart on the highway! Mine, with, is plenty skittish. Of course, the roads around here make a lot of cars want to jump lanes at 70 MPH.

[cbj54]

I have no power steering and don't miss it a bit! I was concerned when I bought my orphan but not anymore