[Export Guru]

Labor cost $1465.30
Parts cost $3175.51
General charges $ 59.36
Tax $305.52
Grand total $5005.69
They replaced everything associated with the head plus flush and replace the oil, coolant, and all associated seals and gaskets. The work was done at the smart/Mercedes dealership in Maitland, FL.

 

[1stiski]

Labor cost $1465.30
Parts cost $3175.51
General charges $ 59.36
Tax $305.52
Grand total $5005.69
They replaced everything associated with the head plus flush and replace the oil, coolant, and all associated seals and gaskets. The work was done at the smart/Mercedes dealership in Maitland, FL.

Thank you for the reply .. Ive wrenched on my own Chevy and Lincoln autos , rebuilding engine blocks and head swaps , I know parts can add up .. I?m sure the OEM fresh head was pricy , is there a reason it wasn?t rebuilt instead ? .

 

[Export Guru]

The dealership told me they haven't had much success with rebuilds. They told me a rebuild is only lasting about 20-25K miles. And I have no way of knowing if that is true. I felt compelled to take the safe route and spend the money. BTW, I was not happy with the dealership overall.

 

[1stiski]

The dealership told me they haven't had much success with rebuilds. They told me a rebuild is only lasting about 20-25K miles. And I have no way of knowing if that is true. I felt compelled to take the safe route and spend the money. BTW, I was not happy with the dealership overall.

Yeah sometimes it?s hard to swallow the information the dealer is handing out , now if they would be willing to prove it with documentation, I?d settle on it as truth , but people lie , just because it?s the easier route and more profitable for them . It?s a trend in society .
I hope your vehicle is running top notch now .

 

[Lucas Quintana]

I get about 45-50 mpg to and from work, which is a 16 mile one-way about half highway and half stop and go.
I get about the same, on the 320 mile drive between Nashville and St. Louis. (I take it about every other week.)
Honestly very impressed with mileage. (AC blasting and night driving, for almost all of it)
I'm now going to start testing without the AC most of the driving.

 

[DesignoSLK]

I've had my '08 Cabrio a couple weeks now (bought it with 125K on the odo). I drive it back and forth to work (32 miles round trip with half topless) and a little around town. Most of it is highway at 70mph. I got a measly 30.5 mpg. :crying:

I'm not sure what the condition of the air cleaner and plugs are. I was going to buy a K&N for it (I've had tremendously positive experiences with all my past vehicles with the K&N filter, so, please no pimping me...lol), but want to see if there might not be one in there already that's in dire need of a bath; likely change the plugs, too. I did change the oil (running Mobil1 0W-40 and a Mobil1 filter). I also noticed the tire pressures were kind of off the chart in the front and a little in the back, they were 40 all around. I adjusted those to the recommended 29/36.

Anything I might be missing to achieve 35-40 mpg?

Thanks!

Kevin

 

[Igor Barbaros]

I run 45 psi in the front and 50 in the rear and average 42mpg.

<img src="http://smartcarofamerica.com/forums/images/SmartCarOfAmerica/smilies/tango_face_surprise.png" border="0" alt="" title="EEK! Surprise!" class="inlineimg" /> I've had my '08 Cabrio a couple weeks now (bought it with 125K on the odo). I drive it back and forth to work (32 miles round trip with half topless) and a little around town. Most of it is highway at 70mph. I got a measly 30.5 mpg. <img src="http://smartcarofamerica.com/forums/images/SmartCarOfAmerica/smilies/tango_face_crying.png" border="0" alt="" title="Crying" class="inlineimg" />

I'm not sure what the condition of the air cleaner and plugs are. I was going to buy a K&N for it (I've had tremendously positive experiences with all my past vehicles with the K&N filter, so, please no pimping me...lol), but want to see if there might not be one in there already that's in dire need of a bath; likely change the plugs, too. I did change the oil (running Mobil1 0W-40 and a Mobil1 filter). I also noticed the tire pressures were kind of off the chart in the front and a little in the back, they were 40 all around. I adjusted those to the recommended 29/36.

Anything I might be missing to achieve 35-40 mpg?

Thanks!

Kevin

 

[jwight]

With 125K on it it would be worth having a shop put a scanner on it to check that everything is within spec, but my guess is a lot of 70 mph with the top down equals a lot of drag, which kills gas mileage. These cars get their best mpg in the 50-60 mph range on the highway, with windows (and top) up - and A/C if you need it.

 

[DesignoSLK]

I run 45 psi in the front and 50 in the rear and average 42mpg.

Ouch! Really? I've done my own maintenance for some 35 yrs. I was always taught to run your tires at the manufacturer's recommendations. Over-inflating will degrade the condition and performance of the tire. Not to mention it is also dangerous for handling. If that's what I need to do to better my mileage, forget it. I'll stick with being safe at the recommended psi.

 

[OliverB]

At the most maybe just a couple pounds higher than recommended. I’m not a fan of super high inflation pressures either. Your location indicates maybe high outside temps. That and your speed will decrease mileage. The AC compressor does rob the motor of power, especially in temps over 85F and with the small motor and low HP will cut into gas mileage.

 

[jimvw57]

Most helpful item I got was a ScangaugeII which helped me adjust my driving to get the best MPG I can with my location and needs. Summers I average about 46 MPG on 3 different smarts now. I have been running 195/55 tires on all 4 corners and 32 psi pressure. Current car has 145,000 miles on it....

 

[1stiski]

Top down causes major drag , especially at higher speeds . It slowing down will improve your numbers . I do believe that running higher pressures in such a light weight car has more negative than positive outcomes , but to each his / her own . A tune up may be in order too . Problem with average mpg’s is it depends on many things including break in miles, was it properly maintained and owner abuse , especially on the used car market . If you own a guzzling 11 mpg full sized 4x4 van like I do , anything over 30mpg rates good in my book .

 

[DesignoSLK]

At the most maybe just a couple pounds higher than recommended. I’m not a fan of super high inflation pressures either. Your location indicates maybe high outside temps. That and your speed will decrease mileage. The AC compressor does rob the motor of power, especially in temps over 85F and with the small motor and low HP will cut into gas mileage.

These past couple of weeks have been 100+, that makes sense. I'll try adjusting to 65, but anything slower than that and I'll feel like I'm gonna get run down from behind. Or worse, pushed to the side when semis blow by me.