Smart Car of America Forum banner
Cancel

2008 Smart ForTwo pano roof has 5 cracks in it HELP!!!

2732 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  sokoloff, 
S
2
I recently bought a 2008 smart fortwo passion and when i was at the dealer looking at it the roof had snow on it and i didnt think anything of it cause i thought the roof was made out of glass like why would it have cracks in it then i come to find out its some type of plastic but anyway the next day the snow melted and i noticed about 5 cracks in the roof and now i dunno what to do and worried water can leak inside :( is there anyway to seal the cracks for now? I heard this is a common problem with these cars. The dealer i bought it from wont fix it they said its sold as is and i told the guy who sold it to me well the vehicle had snow on the roof when i was viewing it and he knew that! I am filing a complaint within the state i bought the vehicle in cause they have strict laws when selling cars so i hope i get something back cause the dealer wants $630 for the roof alone without labor!

Attachments

See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Miss Mercedes
Sadly that’s a common issue. All pre-2013 smart roofs “craze”. 2008s were the worst of the bunch with some crazing a month after being purchased brand new. The worst examples of crazing turned into the cracks you see there.

If you intend to get a new roof (I recommend so as the new roofs have a more robust plastic formulation) you can seal the old one any way you want. You could put some super glue in it, cover it with tape, or just wrap the whole roof for now.

Also, shop around for that new roof. I find the prices at smart center of St Charles much more reasonable than Lincolnwood and Orland Park.

Also, welcome to SCoA!!!
Reply
Save
Like
sokoloff
And I would fight that dealer and make his life miserable until he steps up and helps you out. Sometimes just a threat of legal action or a summons to small claims court is all it takes to solve things.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 13,300 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 3,000 miles
Reply
Save
Like
S
sokoloff said:
And I would fight that dealer and make his life miserable until he steps up and helps you out. Sometimes just a threat of legal action or a summons to small claims court is all it takes to solve things.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 13,300 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 3,000 miles
Click to expand...
Oh believe me im filing a claim this week with there state because there state says this=

If you bought your used car from a licensed Wisconsin dealership, you are protected by Wisconsin’s Motor Vehicle Trade Practice Laws.

A dealership must tell you what it can reasonably discover about the vehicle
Dealerships perform a used vehicle inspection and complete a window disclosure label before offering a vehicle for sale. They test drive the vehicle, and check the exterior of the vehicle, the underside, and under the hood for problems. They also review any paperwork they have for the vehicle, including the vehicle title. The dealership then completes a window label called the Wisconsin Buyers Guide. The Buyers Guide tells you if the vehicle has any existing problems or important history you should know about. Dealerships are required to list any problems they should reasonably have known about based on their inspection, test drive and paperwork check. They do not have to take vehicles apart or run diagnostic tests to find hidden problems. They also do not have to tell you about future problems your vehicle may develop because of its current age or condition.

Vehicle condition should match the label
You are entitled to receive a vehicle that is in the condition the Wisconsin Buyers Guide window sticker describes. If the dealer fails to list on the Buyers Guide an existing problem they should have detected during the test drive or inspection, you may have remedies under the law.

There window label on the car did not state the roof has cracks in it only said the tps light is on but i got that fixed already by adjusting the air. Also i told the dealer why is the rear making noise more then it should since i test drove them before and they arent that noisy he said its normal its a 1 liter pretty much like a go kart so its gonna make noise LIE LIE LIE!!! the next day i put it up in the air and saw the flex pipe was breaking off the muffler which i guess isnt a big deal but still he lied! I also drove 1hr 30min to pick it up and before i left my house i called the dealer and the guy said it would be worth the trip its a very nice car again lies! I paid $3000 cash for the car it has 105k miles and a clean carfax do u think it was worth that? I feel like i got ripped off considering mercedes told me its $630 for the roof alone without labor! Oh and it also has the infamous problem with the trans sometimes not going into reverse or drive until i turn the car off and wait a few minutes then it works!
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
MB DNA
Miss Mercedes said:
If you intend to get a new roof (I recommend so as the new roofs have a more robust plastic formulation) you can seal the old one any way you want.
Click to expand...
"a more robust plastic formulation"

I guess that's why it took only 3 years/13,490 miles for our MY15 ED to begin crazing?

While the "new and improved" 451 roof may be less prone to crazing, this remains a Daimler/smart disappointment.

I described it as a "feature." Like all things smart, YMMV?
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Miss Mercedes
Smartchicago32 said:
Oh believe me im filing a claim this week with there state because there state says this=

If you bought your used car from a licensed Wisconsin dealership, you are protected by Wisconsin’s Motor Vehicle Trade Practice Laws.

A dealership must tell you what it can reasonably discover about the vehicle
Dealerships perform a used vehicle inspection and complete a window disclosure label before offering a vehicle for sale. They test drive the vehicle, and check the exterior of the vehicle, the underside, and under the hood for problems. They also review any paperwork they have for the vehicle, including the vehicle title. The dealership then completes a window label called the Wisconsin Buyers Guide. The Buyers Guide tells you if the vehicle has any existing problems or important history you should know about. Dealerships are required to list any problems they should reasonably have known about based on their inspection, test drive and paperwork check. They do not have to take vehicles apart or run diagnostic tests to find hidden problems. They also do not have to tell you about future problems your vehicle may develop because of its current age or condition.

Vehicle condition should match the label
You are entitled to receive a vehicle that is in the condition the Wisconsin Buyers Guide window sticker describes. If the dealer fails to list on the Buyers Guide an existing problem they should have detected during the test drive or inspection, you may have remedies under the law.

There window label on the car did not state the roof has cracks in it only said the tps light is on but i got that fixed already by adjusting the air. Also i told the dealer why is the rear making noise more then it should since i test drove them before and they arent that noisy he said its normal its a 1 liter pretty much like a go kart so its gonna make noise LIE LIE LIE!!! the next day i put it up in the air and saw the flex pipe was breaking off the muffler which i guess isnt a big deal but still he lied! I also drove 1hr 30min to pick it up and before i left my house i called the dealer and the guy said it would be worth the trip its a very nice car again lies! I paid $3000 cash for the car it has 105k miles and a clean carfax do u think it was worth that? I feel like i got ripped off considering mercedes told me its $630 for the roof alone without labor! Oh and it also has the infamous problem with the trans sometimes not going into reverse or drive until i turn the car off and wait a few minutes then it works!
Click to expand...
$3000 for 105k miles is actually an extremely good price if you can get that dealer to pay for the roof and the car is otherwise visually clean.

Since the transmission is computerized, it could be a number of things. I’d first try disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes, then reconnecting. This resets the transmission and can resolve some errors. If your car also seems to struggle starting in the cold, I’d also consider replacing the battery. When the batteries get old in these cars they sometimes cause drivability issues that I think also impact the transmission too.

I’d also begin looking for an independent mechanic for everything else that aren’t things that only a Mercedes dealer can do (like the roof). For example, when your bearings go, MB will try to take you through the wringer for like $500+...but instead you could buy the part off RockAuto for $40 and any competent mechanic can do the install.

I can say that once these issues are resolved, the car should be a blast to own and drive. You may even become a local celebrity. :)

MB DNA said:
"a more robust plastic formulation"

I guess that's why it took only 3 years/13,490 miles for our MY15 ED to begin crazing?

While the "new and improved" 451 roof may be less prone to crazing, this remains a Daimler/smart disappointment.

I described it as a "feature." Like all things smart, YMMV?
Click to expand...
Ah fudge...

I guess one of the detriments to the roof crazing thread being shuttered is the lack of 2013+ reports. I thought some new members would most definitely report crazing, but I’ve not seen much activity since the thread was closed.

Sounds like another classic smart USA lie that the new roofs won’t craze. *sigh*

Thankfully my 453 spends 95% of its life in a garage..
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
Johannesl
I have a 2013 with new roof a year ago (old roof was separating at back) and a 2014 ED with original roof and luckily no grazing apparent yet. Hope it stays that way since both cars stay in the garage most of the time.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply
Save
Like
smark
Since the vehicle is almost 10 years, 101k miles on it. $3k. You really should have looked at the vehicle better. Before buying. Snow or not Had a mechanic go over it. You bought it as is. It was pretty common, on 2008+ vehicles. Even 2 and 3 year old smart having that problem. Our 2008 never did. It was Always garaged. At Home and at work. Cheap plastic. UV just eats them up. Never could figure out why smart, didn’t use a glass roof, like our Fiat 500. Weight maybe.

Only fix, is to buy a new roof, or have the old roof body filled, sanded and painted. Cost probably the same. Like Neon mentioned, have the roof wrapped. Cheapest way, is to fill the cracks, with clear gorilla glue. It may look bad. You’ll have piece of mind.

For a $3k car. Just drive it, save gas and fun. Good Luck.
Reply
Save
Like
S
smark said:
Since the vehicle is almost 10 years, 101k miles on it. $3k. You really should have looked at the vehicle better. Before buying. Snow or not Had a mechanic go over it. You bought it as is. It was pretty common, on 2008+ vehicles. Even 2 and 3 year old smart having that problem. Our 2008 never did. It was Always garaged. At Home and at work. Cheap plastic. UV just eats them up. Never could figure out why smart, didn’t use a glass roof, like our Fiat 500. Weight maybe.

Only fix, is to buy a new roof, or have the old roof body filled, sanded and painted. Cost probably the same. Like Neon mentioned, have the roof wrapped. Cheapest way, is to fill the cracks, with clear gorilla glue. It may look bad. You’ll have piece of mind.

For a $3k car. Just drive it, save gas and fun. Good Luck.
Click to expand...
Glue is better then silicone? I was thinking about using jb black silicone or jb weld clear weld.
Reply
Save
Like
smark
Smartchicago32 said:
Glue is better then silicone? I was thinking about using jb black silicone or jb weld clear weld.
Click to expand...
Glue is more permanent. Silicon is flexible. I really don’t know. Your going to have to experiment. Those are nasty cracks. Looks like something was dropped on that panel.

See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
jetfuel
...if you don't want to pay for a new plastic....but...want to keep on driving as is...first you need to stop the progression of the cracks...it's plastic and it will keep growing....drill a small hole (1/32) at the very tip of the crack...fill with cyanoacrylate glue...you know...the stuff they use on model toys...most people call it "super glue"....tape on the inside and 1/2 fill the hole you made with the glue and then drop some baking soda...it will make a heck of a plug...

Jetfuel....if I had to do it.....
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 3
sokoloff
I sure wouldn't do anything until this issue is resolved with the dealer you bought it from. Sure sounds like you've got a case. Do you have some liability? Of course, you could have/should have taken a much closer look before buying it, but still it sure looks like they were thrilled to unload that car and were thankful for the snow storm.

Len
2014 EV Coupe 13,300 miles
2014 EV Cabriolet 3,000 miles
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Smart Car of America Forum
A forum community dedicated to all Smart Car owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, economy, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
smart General Discussion smart Operation and Maintenance New Members Area smart fortwo Electric Drive smart Modifications
Top