Reliability of units, very low suitability for repair
Year: 1999
Engine capacity, l: 0,6
Fuel Type: Petrol
Gearbox: Automatic
Body type: Hatchback
Fuel consumption urban, mpg: 7,0
Fuel consumption extra urban, mpg: 5,5
Fuel consumption combined, mpg: 6,5
Car description
I am writing about one of my colleague’s ca which was bought unfortunately with a broken engine. I’ve been watching how he managed to repair it, and now I’d like to share some of my remarks with you too. I am very much interested in mechanics, thus I couldn’t miss my chance to take a closer look at this miracle, especially knowing the fact that this car has been repaired in our auto repair shop for several weeks. The design is very interesting; everything seems to be very compact but at the same time complicated too. Having in mind the size of this car, it’s obvious to me that it cannot be any other way; however, this makes more difficult to reach nodes and other units. Consequently, this requires more expensive car maintenance which probably leads to a result that most of these vehicles are technically quite neglected.
Performance
So, this vehicle has a 0.6-litre engine (there’s no other option in the form) with 3 cylinders, 6 valves, a turbine, gasoline, 40 kW. When the car was bought, the engine was completely ‘dead’ because the oil pump sprocket was spinning loosely, for a while it was working sort of in a ‘dry’ manner, the camshaft and the place of its bearing seemed to be miserable. Some of the engine parts resemble parts of a good lawn mower – no surprise to me that according to reviews these engines can run well till the mileage of 100.000 km is reached, i.e. when you will be required expect to do a vital repair.
Reliability, running costs
So far I have only started enjoying this car on a road. If any information related to fuel consumption is needed, try to look up in other reviews.
Recommendations to buyers
I personally see this car useful only in the city and for short distance trips. I would highly recommend first to think well before buying new Smart even if a decent price was suggested for such a compact car. It’s well worth to remember the fact that after a 100.000 km ride (or let’s say after a three-to-five year of normal maintenance) you will be forced to do a vital engine repair. Buying a used car would even more risky! As I have noticed, the demand of such engines is really high therefore in all Smarts that are for sale in parts engines are missing. So, this fun car is practically meant to be used only once, while the new one should cost as much as Indian Tata Nano. However, just like any other cars connected to MB concern it is highly overpriced.