Talk To Me About Smart Cars And Trailers!

[A S R]

I’m seriously thinking about getting a Smart car and definitely a trailer ( not A frame ) to tow behind my Burstner Elegance. I know absolutely nothing about Smart cars and have never even been in one! It won’t be my main car and I’m always on my own. Is there plenty of room for a big rucksack and camping gear because I’ll be using it only for hiking trips once parked up on a site somewhere? I don’t need anything new either, just reliable. What common faults do they have and what engine is best? Petrol or diesel? Road tax, insurance etc…

 

[Langtoftlad]

Calling Minxy

 

[Reallyretired]

I've had one in the past. Great fun and more space than you'd think.
We found a dog wasn't keen on travelling in the back, probably as directly over the engine.
Also no spare wheel possible as the front and back were different sizes.

 

[dpsuk999]

I’ve owned several Smart Fortwo’s and currently have the all electric Smart Fortwo ED which is perfect for my use. There is plenty of room for rucksacks etc and the front passenger seat will fold down flat to give you more room.

As for problems, try and get a low mileage one, which has been regularly serviced. The body panels are plastic so won’t rust

 

[Flairy]

were on our second smart car this one’s 15 years old 80,000miles totally reliable.

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[David and Sally]

Used to tow a car and never had a Smart car but I seem to remember that the trailers are designed for them because of the weight distribution having a rear engine.

 

[Minxy]

I've had quite a few , I them, first was a pink peanut headlight one which was wonderful, even hubby loved it.

The very early ones had small engines so I'd go for one of the later 1000cc Mitsubishi engined ones which come in various guises/equipment levels. One thing to definitely do is to avoid diesel ones, they are sluggish with a lower bhp so there's not so much fun factor with them.

The later ones have a very different style and are bigger, still good, but I love the older style.

If you go for the later style ones make sure you get a 900cc twin turbo, there are a lot of 1000cc ones but they aren't anything like as much fun to drive. The older style ones don't have the softer suspension of later ones so a bit more bumpy but of the two the older ones are more fun.

It really depends on your budget as to which style bracket you're able to buy and of course how much you're going to use it.

 

[Minxy]

Oh, just one thing which for me is a deal breaker, I would NEVER buy one that has been flat towed on an A frame, having seen the strain it puts on them it's something that I just wouldn't want, others may disagree but that's my stance.

 

[donkey]

Used to tow a car and never had a Smart car but I seem to remember that the trailers are designed for them because of the weight distribution having a rear engine.

I found with my Brian James trailer, I could achieve perfect balance/nose weight by reversing on. Just didn't work if driven on.

Geoff

 

[stewartwebr]

I have owned Smart cars for the last 15 years and have owned 6 of them in that time. I currently have a Smart Fortwo 453 (2019) which I believe was the last combustion engine model registered in the U.K. it was due for delivery September 2019 but was forced to register it in July 2019. All new Fortwo are now electric with very limited availability and not clear if it is being dropped completely.
The 453 is a huge improvement on the previous models. It was made in conjunction with Renault and it is not a mercedes engine. The gearbox is the major improvement with dual clutch auto box. The 0.9l turbo is much better than the non turbo 1l
If you need any specific help drop me a PM

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[Minxy]

Just to add, the 453 has a fantastic turning circle, nothing else matches it, we now have a Smart ForFour with the same steering so turning round is a doddle with very little need to ever do 3 point turns.

 

[dunnah01]

You'd just about get a rucksack in a squashed one if you didn't have a passenger - more room in the front and rear boot than you'd think though. An absolute hoot to drive around in and worth the indignity when trying to get out

 

[Minxy]

The Roadsters can suffer badly from leaking roofs and electrical problems though.

 

[dunnah01]

The Roadsters can suffer badly from leaking roofs and electrical problems though.

I spent a morning sealing ours based on Evilution guide a couple years ago and it's been fine ever since - although really only a summer car anyway

 

[Minxy]

worth the indignity when trying to get out

Don't suppose you have video evidence?

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[bobandjanie]

In 2009 we started with a new Smart diesel, it just about did 21 miles and broke down, anyway long story we rejected it, and had a petrol one the dealer in Norwich was very good, we decided on a Smart trailer because the axle is set back for rear engine giving the perfect nose weight.

Janie loved her little car, I hated it and only drove it once in 4 years, I found the ride very hard probably best described as driving a go cart ........... but as we spent 5 or 6 months in Spain it was perfect to take with us, after all my car was already left at home in our garage, Janie would probably have another, I would advise having a test drive and make your own mind up.

I think you need to be able to tow 1300kg, we had well over that towing with our Mercedes chassi motorhome. Bob.

 

[peterc10]

I’ve owned several Smart Fortwo’s and currently have the all electric Smart Fortwo ED which is perfect for my use. There is plenty of room for rucksacks etc and the front passenger seat will fold down flat to give you more room.

As for problems, try and get a low mileage one, which has been regularly serviced. The body panels are plastic so won’t rust

View attachment 729376

What range do you get with that please?

 

[billym]

We've had three.
This one we've had for 11 years.
You can get two full size suitcases in boot. The boot size never ceases to amaze people.

 

[dpsuk999]

What range do you get with that please?

I get 90 miles in summer, a bit less in winter if I have heater on etc. but it’s great for my needs

 

[A S R]

Ok, anyone selling one with a trailer?

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[PeterCarole29]

Ok, anyone selling one with a trailer?

It is the best way to buy with a trailer but they come up rarely as a pair. We have had smart cars for 15yrs as well.
Current one 2004. It has an aframe. Last month i loaded it with a renault master tow bar and tools I drove 370miles from colchester to Penzance with the intention of buying a renault master mini bus (which turned out to be a heap so didnt buy it. so drove the smart car back straight away . So over 700 mile with only 4 x15minute stops. in 12hrs. Ours is Petrol 700cc

 

[bubble63]

Brian James /Bantam used to do a specific smart car trailer, it’s specific because the axle is mounted not in the centre of the trailer, but bias towards the rear as a smart car has a heavier rear end

here is one

Brian James bantam car transporter used | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Brian James bantam car transporter used at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[PeterCarole29]

Just to add as mentioned before the earlier one like ours are very hard suspention

 

[Captain Birdseye]

I’m seriously thinking about getting a Smart car and definitely a trailer ( not A frame ) to tow behind my Burstner Elegance. I know absolutely nothing about Smart cars and have never even been in one! It won’t be my main car and I’m always on my own. Is there plenty of room for a big rucksack and camping gear because I’ll be using it only for hiking trips once parked up on a site somewhere? I don’t need anything new either, just reliable. What common faults do they have and what engine is best? Petrol or diesel? Road tax, insurance etc…

Our petrol smart forFour is tax exempted and towed with a A frame. It's actually 5 door and with the rear seats foled down we have a cage in the back for our dog "Buddy."

 

[fat haggis]

I have had 2 smart tow cars.
Here is the second one just after the engine seized on me and hit the granite on my left hand side.
It nearly killed me. I was ejected from the car as it was doing gymnastics. It really did nearly kill me. All the medical professionals that seen the car said it was a fatal crash non survive able. and all this happened on the Christmas Eve. 3 years ago.



Happy days. The wife won’t let me get another. Wonder why.

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[fat haggis]

 

[flyboyprowler]

We bought a Suzuki Ignis which runs on fumes, turns on a sixpence and tows nicely behind the van. Also, probably the only small car that can take a towbar, so we take the trailer home when the van is in storage. Worth a look!

 

[TonyEmm]

I’m seriously thinking about getting a Smart car and definitely a trailer ( not A frame ) to tow behind my Burstner Elegance. I know absolutely nothing about Smart cars and have never even been in one! It won’t be my main car and I’m always on my own. Is there plenty of room for a big rucksack and camping gear because I’ll be using it only for hiking trips once parked up on a site somewhere? I don’t need anything new either, just reliable. What common faults do they have and what engine is best? Petrol or diesel? Road tax, insurance etc…

We had a ‘59 Smartfor2 MHD. The car was surprisingly spacious! supermarket trips were not a problem HOWEVER, the diesel MHD had a stop/start system that employed a combined starter/alternator. The fuel consumption was nothing like Mercedes claimed 80+mpg, more like 52mpg!
The ‘startenator’ was a disaster! It was a Mitsubishi engine and broke timing belts for fun… . The first at 34000 miles cost a new engine, would have been £6000+ except the RAC picked up the tab after trimming the belt, then recovering it 8 miles later.

Mercedes never admitted there was an issue, but surprisingly, had a ‘fix’ for the sheared bolts/brackets. It didn’t work, broke again less than 4000 miles later….. We sold it, I checked 3 months ago and it’s now not on the road….

 

[TonyEmm]

View attachment 730268 View attachment 730269 View attachment 730270

WOW! That’s a mess! Tough little cars though…. Hope you’re all well!

 

[Chris CM]

We have Smart for Two, an inheritance from my dad, super little car surprisingly large boot, easily swallows a weeks shopping and no road tax. We tow on a twin axle trailer which I lightly modified to also take our two electric mountain bikes, it’s a great combination, we also pack our 4m inflatable Kaboat plus electric outboard and floatation aids etc etc into the Smart.

This is prior to our last trip to Spain last year.

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