ruminations prior to ordering - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

The Hawk · 09-25-2008, 12:41 PM

perhaps someone knows the answer

At what mileage must the timing belt be changed? And how much will it cost?
What is the cost of a clutch replacement?

The Smarts in my area are serviced in the Benz dealership. The labor rate in the Benz dealership is $155. per hr.

Are your dealers the same?

I know that alot of Mini buyers had the same issues with BMW dealers.

The Mini could be serviced by a local garage who is familiar with imports. I am not sure about the Smart. It might take a while for service knowledge to escape the dealer orbit. This will set an owner up for a wallet hit akin to owning a AMG Benz

NCC1701 · 09-25-2008, 03:43 PM

What I'm thinking is:

Two year warranty period, biggest problem is getting to dealer (600 mile round trip).
After warranty, fingers crossed that parts and know-how are available elsewhere.

Sorry I can't answer your questions. Just my 2¢

The Hawk · 09-25-2008, 03:50 PM

Oddly, I am at least in part answering my own question.

Cherry Hill MB called me back and advised that (this I am having a problem believing) the timing belt needs to be inspected at 90,000 miles with no manufacturer recommendations for replacement. I am finding it hard to believe that a small engine that is going to spend a lot of time at high rpm would have no listed mileage for timing belt replacement.

The guy I spoke with seemed to think that MB Smart was going to wait and see what develops as these cars are in service and make service recommendations based on how things go

saronian · 09-25-2008, 06:10 PM

I believe it uses a chain for timing, and is maintenance-free.

**jediknight36** · 09-25-2008, 06:10 PM

My family has only owned 2-3 vehicles in my lifetime that needed adjustments to the timing belt or a replacement. Then again, most of the cars we have had are older than me.

msjohnson1974 · 09-25-2008, 06:32 PM

Like saronian said, if its a timing chain then it should be pretty well maintenance free and just requires a check every so often. The previous smart models used a timing chain so odds are ours do too. No clue on a clutch replacement but I wouldn't expect it to be too far off from a normal manual transmission.

NCC1701 · 09-25-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msjohnson1974

No clue on a clutch replacement but I wouldn't expect it to be too far off from a normal manual transmission.

I'm hoping better, since it is operated by computer. I would think probably most human shifters would be more tough on it.

msjohnson1974 · 09-25-2008, 06:45 PM

I would think it would last longer but not be any more involved to replace... but I'm not taking mine apart until I have to.

mikie · 09-25-2008, 10:54 PM

I asked this question very early before I took delivery in Jan. According to experts, this is a timing chain, not a belt. It does not need to be changed.

a2jack · 09-26-2008, 10:33 AM

Car has a timing chain. No belt... But I have owned cars with chains that beat out the guides and required replacement at around 100k. (Toyota).

Clutch should run around 100k as they do on most stick shift cars. (Careful use will extend that mileage.) However, the Smart has a small clutch, and it would be in your best interest to "Baby" it.

Hmmm! I now wonder if the the "Tat, Tat, Tat", we hear in our cars could be the timing chain beating on somthing. A2Jack