2003 smart fortwo - city coupe Passion Cabrio from UK and Ireland - Comments

Engine failure at 6500 miles with loss of compression in cylinder 2.

Clutch slippage at 6000 miles.

Several little niggles with fit and finish - the drivers window goes up too high and distorts the door seal causing a leak, speakers not tightened properly in the mounts so rattle with speech, rear plastic window very difficult to keep clean and scratches very very easily.

My second smart and it has been as unreliable as the first. Disappointed as the cars are genuinely innovative and fun to drive.

I won't be buying another.

I'm quite surprised as my ex-wife and I have had 3 smarts and have totalized over 130.000 km in almost 4 years without any major trouble. I can't say it was bad luck if this is your second smart, it must be VERY bad luck, then...

Pure Cdi: 50.000 km to date (bought new)

Pulse 55 hp: bought with 800 km, sold at 45.000 and replaced by

Pulse 62 hp convertible: bought with 21.000 km, 56.000 km to date.

I see that all your smarts did approx. 50,000 km. There is a widespread conception in car mechanics circles here in Greece that the smart's engine is only good for 50,000 km, then needs to be reconditioned, which I find hard to believe. What is your experience on this? Did you experience any loss of power at this mileage?

I do think that the 50000Km's is a misconception.

I am aware of 2 2002 models, one with 160000 and another with 97000Km's on the clock with the original engines still in.

I'm sorry to say that similar happened to my parent's Smart Passion, although they managed to achieve 16,000 miles over 3 years before the engine gave up the ghost. Apparently it was because they were late with their service, although it is a known fault amongst Mercedes mechanics; just be sure to adhere to the 12 months or 8,000 mls, whichever is the soonest, and hope it goes before the warranty runs out.

Hey guys please HELP HERE! im a 19 year old student living in cyprus with good weather conditions, im loking aroung for about two weeks now trying to find a smart to buy...ill keep it for about one year and after that im moving to america for studies... i found a smart pulse model year 2003 with 29000 miles on the clock... i know you all had experiences with smats and just wanted to ask for some advice.. im buyng it for 7,000euro, its not cabrio does not offer a cd player inside... just tape...Is the money worth it will I be pleased with the result of the smart or will it also be a big mistake like some people said...? the key factor that makes me want to bye the smart so badly is that its really stylish and never forgetting it's a mercedes!! for 7,000 euro... PLEASE SOME ADVICE my email is alex_kasparis@hotmail.com ill really apreciate it if someone helps...anw thnks for the time just abit confused by seing the negative reports...