Has Anyone Heard or Have Experience With This?

This is the first time I have heard of this. It could be good new, it it is true.

There are lot of reputable independent service centers, that work on smart cars. They’re not exotic car. Christian Brother automotive across the country. Is my first choice. Before going to a Firestone tire store. I believe Car max, only services, what there sell.

smark said:

There are lot of reputable independent service centers, that work on smart cars. They’re not exotic car. Christian Brother automotive across the country. Is my first choice. Before going to a Firestone tire store. I believe Car max, only services, what there sell.

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I was sorta horrified to hear this. I couldn't imagine them working on mine. What state and town is Christian Brother Auto in?

Ety Bity said:

I was sorta horrified to hear this. I couldn't imagine them working on mine. What state and town is Christian Brother Auto in?

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Go to their web page. Location map. See if they are Located in your city. We take all our brand cars there for service.

So a lot of Firestone locations are more than just tire shops. They have mechanics on hand that can do basic maintenance and repairs. CarMax has some service locations as well.

The quality of their work should be fine, just don't expect them to do anything super specific to smarts like programming keys or any repair that would need a STAR machine.

Miss Mercedes said:

So a lot of Firestone locations are more than just tire shops. They have mechanics on hand that can do basic maintenance and repairs. CarMax has some service locations as well.

The quality of their work should be fine, just don't expect them to do anything super specific to smarts like programming keys or any repair that would need a STAR machine.

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Thanks. I was just curious. Im taking my car to Smart Madness next month. They must be slammed w appts! Getting a lot done to mine.

Miss Mercedes said:

So a lot of Firestone locations are more than just tire shops. They have mechanics on hand that can do basic maintenance and repairs. CarMax has some service locations as well.

The quality of their work should be fine, just don't expect them to do anything super specific to smarts like programming keys or any repair that would need a STAR machine.

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I can see them rotating the tires.

I can just see a Firestone dealer doing a cylinder head repair. Some people are beyond gullible.

There are MANY shops that can and will work on our cars. You just have to ask, and then see what they say. If you get some line of BS, then you know that isn't the shop for you. If you're looking for warranty service, that is a different matter...

beakyboy said:

I can just see a Firestone dealer doing a cylinder head repair. Some people are beyond gullible.

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Oh, I agree. I was thinking of my 60k maintenance coming up and I was wishing there was a place closer to me besides a dealer. So I happened to pull up to a house I was near at the time, who had a Smart Car in their driveway. So I decided to stop and ask where they took their car. Imagine my shock when the gal said "Car Max". It took me a second to pull myself together. Then I asked if she always did and she said she did. I thanked her after ending the conversation and drove home completely mind blown! I kept thinking and repeating to myself, "and it still runs?" Lol. Then, a friend called me after hearing I was doing my continued research on best maintenance people since 2012, and said he heard that Firestone works on Smart Cars. Well, staring off into space, I called Smart Madness and will take it there. Lesson learned? Don't ask a friend!

Ety Bity said:

In a conversation, I was told that all the Firestone and Car Max's do Smart Car repairs and maintenance? If so, what do you know about this?

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I just spent 900 on my 16 at MB. My warranty ended December...

Rambo4 said:

I just spent 900 on my 16 at MB. My warranty ended December...

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What did you have done to it? Was it worth it to you? Thanks for sharing.

Back and forth sensors. Basically the O2 sensors. They were 800 and the labor 100. I still got treated like it is a 500SE though. Yes it was worth it whence I saw the surgery to get to it; since I don't have the facilities nor capabilities to complete repair.

Ety Bity said:

Thanks. I was just curious. Im taking my car to Smart Madness next month. They must be slammed w appts! Getting a lot done to mine.

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Just remember when talking about being swamped by appointments. smart Madness not only does smart cars but they are also 500 Madness for Fiats and they also specialize on cooper mini's as madness motorworks. They could be somewhat busy. That being said, outside of a dealership I would rather take my smart to madness if I lived close enough that some independent shop who may or may not know smarts.
Think of it this way. Even Mercedes had to send their mechanics for smart training. I've seen it posted on this forum.
Service was delayed at a dealership because they didn't have a smart car qualified mechanic available. Could have been BS I don't know.
If you live that close I'd have my work done at smart madness.
Good luck and keep us updated.

If you go to Smart Madness outside Austin, Opie's BBQ has a vast selection of authentic Texas BBQ as well as unique wear apparel. Just down the road in Spicewood.

Jo e Lefors said:

Just remember when talking about being swamped by appointments. smart Madness not only does smart cars but they are also 500 Madness for Fiats and they also specialize on cooper mini's as madness motorworks. They could be somewhat busy. That being said, outside of a dealership I would rather take my smart to madness if I lived close enough that some independent shop who may or may not know smarts.
Think of it this way. Even Mercedes had to send their mechanics for smart training. I've seen it posted on this forum.
Service was delayed at a dealership because they didn't have a smart car qualified mechanic available. Could have been BS I don't know.
If you live that close I'd have my work done at smart madness.
Good luck and keep us updated.

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Yes, I am very familiar with Smart Madness. Got appt on May 12. Thanks

Keep in mind that I never said to use Firestone for major repairs like cylinder heads. lol

But basic stuff like suspension, belt changes, bearings, or even minor repairs like coils shouldn't require a dealership tech or equivalent. Shoot, I do that stuff to my own cars with the cheapest Harbor Freight tools that I have on hand. A Firestone or CarMax shop should be competent at simple jobs.

Back in 2016, I had a Merlin shop install a new V-belt to my 451. The guy did it in the parking lot in like 15 minutes for a price that the dealership (50+ miles away) couldn't even dream of matching. My current mechanic is only slightly more legit than shade tree, but he actually does a better job than any MB dealership within 100 miles. Then again, I have my own STAR laptop so I never intend on setting foot in a dealership ever again.

I'm still upset that my nearest dealership stained my 453's seats with used oil then had the nerve to say that my dress must have been covered in said oil.

A Tech School close to me had a Diesel 450 from Canada. Local MB couldn't get in since it was a grey market vehicle. Plus they were going to make it diesel over electric. Smooth concept, nil results. I so wished they sold the 100mpg ride in the US. A former troop of mine spoke of a gentleman who went on vacation in Canada, procured a CDI, had it installed and brought back the gasser an sold it.