New Toy (literally!)

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Stuart_D

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After several delays, I finally picked up my new toy today...Before you judge, let me tell you that it actually feels like a go kart and is quick, agile and great fun especially with the steering wheel shifters...

smart1.jpg


smart2.jpg


smart3.jpg


smart4.jpg


Spec: power steering, heated leather seats, air conditoning, abs, traction control, stability control, electric windows, electric convertible roof, automatic/semi automatic 6 speed gearbox with steering wheel paddle shift, two tone horn, CD player, upgraded sound package (extra tweeters/bass etc), 16" wheels with Brabus body kit/exhaust/wheels/engine etc.

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website
 
How quick, how fast, how does it stop and can it go around corners.
Answers on a postcard please.

PS

HAppy new car!
 
Looks very nice. Well done.
How have you found the shifters, the mags say they are very very slow to shift.
Any pics with the top off ??
Cheers


andy

1.4TDI SE, DIS ,Leather ,CD ,ipod ,Climate ,Road Angel ,Tom Tom Go.
 
Great replacement for the A2 Stuart!!! Looks great!!! Perfect spec too!

____________________________________________________________________________________
[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.a2oc.net/pic_show.asp?picid=1572&type=1 On www.A2OC.net pictures UK160 to UK183
 
Thanks...

0-60: 12.3 secs
Top speed: 94 mph (electronically limited)

It corners amazingly due to the fat tyres and lowered suspension, have yet to really test it out as have only driven it 7 miles from the dealer to my house today, but tomorrow will do the 22 miles trip each way to work on a mixture of A and B roads.

Maersk - it stops using the brakes! - Discs at front, drums at rear.

I have found the fully automatic mode to be fairly slow so far, but the semi-auto with the paddles is a lot better - there appears to be a technique to getting a smooth quick shift which I haven't mastered yet but it is definitely slicker than the fully auto mode.

Rain clouds looked a little threatening today, but I'll try to get some full convertible photos this weekend.


[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website
 
Stuart,
Nice looking little motor. One of the best ive seen. Looks great in black.
Much room for a wardrobe or chest of drawers in the rear ?

Dolphin Grey 1.4 petrol c/w OpenSky
 
Stuart,

Looks superb - I have always liked the Smart car personally, and yours is exactly what I would go for myself. The first photo from the front looks the business.

Kaine
 
Nice! Love the twin exhaust. The MPG will be interesting.

What engine mods do Brabus do to it?

Steve - A couple of A2's, then a Corolla, now an Avensis T3-X 2.0 Auto
 
Steve - I believe that Brabus totally rebuild the engine and remap it to give it the extra bhp and torque. The exhaust is also specifically Brabus as is the suspension. The main difference with the brabus car is that it isn't actually assembled in the 'Smart' factory but is put together by Brabus as there are so many components in the interior and running gear that are unique to brabus.

The drive to work this morning was great, the car feels very quick especially in gears 1-3 where the acceleration 'thrust' is really felt. I gave a Mini Cooper a run for it's money on an A-road and I'm sure it will continue to catch other drivers by surprise! I drove the whole way in semi-auto mode as I find I have better control of the gears but I still need to master a non-jerky gear change!

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website
 
After four years of smart driving I can tell you that the only technique for a non jerky change is to keep your foot on the accelerator - do not lift off. I've also found that for even smoother changes pushing the gas pedal after the clutch disengages also improves changes. IMHO fully auto is a waste of time except in heavy traffic. BTW the roof can be opened to first stage (i.e sunroof) and closed at any speed - very handy when going down the motorway and it starts to throw it down!

Our first smart was black and keeping it clean and shiny will keep you very busy!!!
 
Lets hope the brand does not get killed off my Mercedes... there are reports everywhere this week about them wanting to kill the loss making smart brand off completely... Won't be good for residuals. But happy motoring nontheless. If ever I was to get a ForTwo yours is spot on I have to say!!!

____________________________________________________________________________________
[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.a2oc.net/pic_show.asp?picid=1572&type=1 On www.A2OC.net pictures UK160 to UK183
 
I have heard those reports as well, but I just can't worry about it. The main thing is that the car is brand new, has it's warranty and the fortwo has been around long enough for there to be a good supply of parts etc. And hopefully like the A2, I'll keep this for 2-3 years and get the best value out of it.

First impressions of driving have been excellent so far...it's a very quick car, not necessarily 0-60 timing (12.3 secs) but the torque between gears in phenominal. It's also amazing fun to drive and has put a smile on my face on all the journeys I have been on - especially with the noise of the exhaust and engine which is just behind the drivers seat. I have realised though that this is not going to be a cheap car to run, but I have no regrets because of the fun factor and I'm sure that when the roof comes down in the summer, I'll be even more convinced. The running costs will be quite high because:

- It only takes super unleaded because it's a Brabus version
- Group 9 insurance (as opposed to group 3 for normal Fortwos)
- Not the lowest tax
- Servicing every 8,000 miles (bit of a change from the A2!)

But hey, it's all in the name of fun!

I fitted my handfree Nokia car kit to it last night and managed to wire it so that the speaking comes through the car's speakers and that the volume of the speakers are controlled by the volume knob of the stereo - even when the stereo is off.

Also due to not having a spare tyre (nor having the space even if I wanted one!) I installed this clever stuff into the tyres that is a tyre puncture preventative and means that if a puncture occurs it automatically seals the hole or if a full blowout occurs, it controls that amount of air let out without risk of losing control. See: http://www.ultraseal.biz/home1.htm


[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website
 
Nice car Stuart. I'm a big fan or Smart cars. In the age where so many people are going down the over-sized 4x4 route it's great to see the small car still appeals to so many.
How do you find the ride quality over your journey to work? One of my reasons for not buying a Smart was because I thought it would be too uncomfortable over long journeys. Though having said that I even find the ride of the A2 a little too firm ;)

2004 1.4 TDi (90) SE, Cobalt Blue, Climate control, Cruise control, DIS, Sport seats, Winter pack, Symphony II.
 
Thanks Will, the ride is quite firm in the Smart - and not helped by the lowered suspension on the Brabus but it is completely bearable and fine when driving at speed. I'm used to firm suspension though from the A2, although I have to admit sometimes it feels more solid than the A2 did when going through potholes.

Having said all that, the seats are extremely comfortable and supportive and the car is so solid that you forget how short it is. I'll be going on my first medium length journey next week up the M1 for 50 miles so will see how it performs on the motorway and at decent speeds.

The only real nightmare is speed bumps as the smart basically gets perched on top of them and rolls off the other side and so this is a little uncomfortable - you really do have to slow right down to get over them!


[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website
 
quote:Originally posted by Will

....over-sized 4x4 route it's great to see the small car still appeals to so many.
Click to expand...

Having owned a A2 for over 3 years, sometimes its just nice to be different ;)

Kaine
 
Was such a nice weekend that I managed to get some time to have a spin with the roof down and I took some snaps...

smart5.jpg

smart6.jpg

smart7.jpg

smart8.jpg

smart9.jpg




[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website
 
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