[cybutler]

In less than a month, both Smart Cars need MAJOR repairs.

2008 Less than 60,000 miles - New clutch, belts, tires and the stuff that goes with - $5,240 per Smart Service Center
2016 Less than 36,000 miles - New engine and the stuff that goes with - $7,271 per Smart Service Center

I'm getting second opinions but bottom line, these repairs are more than the Blue Book Value and there lies the rub. Market value on these little guys is often skewed.

What would you do?

 

[jetfuel]

..time to move on…
…if they can get to a dealer in its on power …trade in…not the $$$ you’ll want to get but it is something you have right now and not having to disassemble and clutter the garage until sold…

jetfuel….I would

 

[wahi]

OK, here's what I did with my 2011. It had 65,000 miles and cyl 2 misfire. well, I happened to have a spare 2010 engine that I got off a NY recycler/ garage (it had 46,000 miles) a few years earlier. Presented the idea to my local mechanic who has worked (mostly brakes and inspections) on ONLY smarts from my garage. He took up my challenge to put it in.

Four days and $1,290.00 later (parts and fluids, including refilling/recharging AC and oil change and tranny fluid change, labor (9.9 hrs) and tax), it ran like a charm! Why would little guys go to a dealer?

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Why does that '16 need a new engine? Overheated?

But yeah, you either need cheaper labor (never go to the MB dealer) or to run.

 

[jzchen]

I'm making an assumption that working on them on your own is out of the question? I personally would try to do the work myself, (since I am currently jobless anyways).

It's safe to say that the 2016 should have a lot more miles left if the current problem (engine) is fixed. Not sure about the other...

Sent from my REVVL V+ 5G using Tapatalk

 

[cybutler]

The engine on the 2016 overheated and since these are ALL aluminum engines the warp cannot be overcome.

For both cars: If you leave off the labor (and yes it is easily 35% higher at the Mercedes shop) the parts are pretty much the same, unless you can find used parts. (Mercedes will not use used parts because they will not warranty them.) Even with reduced labor and parts the cost approaches the Blue Book value. The intrinsic value to us is much higher. This is what brought me to post the question.

The 2008 has a more approachable repair cost. We've found a good mechanic (referred by my Mercedes service person) who is going to do the work for us next week. This ends our relationship with Mercedes service center but you should know, the only reason we stuck with them is the warranty. No matter where we are, in the US or abroad (not that we ship the car) the warranty is honored. You cannot say that for your trustworthy mechanic, no matter what.

As for the 2016, we are still considering options. May just fix the 2008 and wait to see what we can find for used engines or what we would get if we sold it. We love these little cars. If they were still selling them, we'd buy another and forget the 2016. Sad but true.

 

[Jo e Lefors]

The engine on the 2016 overheated and since these are ALL aluminum engines the warp cannot be overcome.

For both cars: If you leave off the labor (and yes it is easily 35% higher at the Mercedes shop) the parts are pretty much the same, unless you can find used parts. (Mercedes will not use used parts because they will not warranty them.) Even with reduced labor and parts the cost approaches the Blue Book value. The intrinsic value to us is much higher. This is what brought me to post the question.

The 2008 has a more approachable repair cost. We've found a good mechanic (referred by my Mercedes service person) who is going to do the work for us next week. This ends our relationship with Mercedes service center but you should know, the only reason we stuck with them is the warranty. No matter where we are, in the US or abroad (not that we ship the car) the warranty is honored. You cannot say that for your trustworthy mechanic, no matter what.

As for the 2016, we are still considering options. May just fix the 2008 and wait to see what we can find for used engines or what we would get if we sold it. We love these little cars. If they were still selling them, we'd buy another and forget the 2016. Sad but true.

Is the 2016 a 453?

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Oof, sorry to hear about the overheating. Yeah, short of finding an engine in a yard and having a backyard mechanic install it, you're quickly bumping up on the value of the car.

Is the 2016 a 453?

It is

 

[the big e]

If you watch eBay you may come across a engine from one that’s been wrecked.
Dealer will charge more then a private mechanic that’s for sure but you will get warranty so if it breaks it will be covered.
If it was caught early enough it may not have warped it but I could be wrong.
If you decide to sell for parts sell as a whole and let the buyer do the parting out of it.
Otherwise it would be only worth it if it comes out less then the blue book value to fix it.

 

[Jo e Lefors]

It is

Though so. With the 453 being a far better all around car. I would be inclined to put my money into fixing up the newer 453 than the 13 year old 451. No matter how many $$$$$ it is still a 13 year old 451 not worth much more than $4500
I really would rather drive that 453 than a long in the tooth 451.

 

[the big e]

Jo has a point and it would be cheaper for you now and you would get a drivable car.

 

[apexerman_6967]

The engine on the 2016 overheated and since these are ALL aluminum engines the warp cannot be overcome.

So as the owner of a 2016, that news is disconcerting. Were you given an overheat warning? Check engine light?

 

[the big e]

^ check your flex pipe.