Saprissa's 2008 smart Passion ForTwo thread

[Saprissa]

Originally Posted by Buellwinkle OK, they asked for the additional shipping but they removed the VAT so it came out to 27 euros more for DHL Express shipping so I paypal'ed that to them. Can't wait to get it, wooohoo. Danke Herr Wiedermann. Buell, let me know when you get it. I'm thinking of getting an armrest myself along with the Cruise Control gadget. Regarding the Cruise Control: only thing is that I'm not sure who in the USA is going to upload the software update via the Star Diag System so that the car computer board will recognize the Cruise Control installed on the car. Mr. Wiedermann told me that Mercedes-Benz is currently testing a module which contains the Updated software already. Once that is released, one won't need to download anything via Star Diagnostic System; however, it still needs to be activated through Star Diag. So I might just wait for the new release. Carlos Saprissa@aol.com

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[Buellwinkle]

There's 2 kits available from MDC and Area 451 for cruise but they run about $500 so too pricey for me. Neither require programming.

Haven't heard anything about my armrest. They don't respond to emails. Hopefully it's on it's way. The other thing I ordered that's been very slow to arrive is a spare tire bag from the Bag Lady.

Mods so far -
- Clock/Tach pods
- Spare tire, VW jack, lugwrench with 15mm socket
- XM Radio (work in progress)
- Net kit for rear

[Saprissa]

I got the net kit too, but haven't installed it.
Did you do it yourself or have the dealer do it ?
When I bought it I thought it was just something you attached to existing latches or hooks,
but come to find out that you have to have the latches/hooks installed on the floor of the rear.
AAAGGHHH !! What a pain !

[Buellwinkle]

I put the net kit in myself. The side pocket was easy once you figure it out. The dealer didn't even know how to do it, I showed them. Basically there's slots in the plastic on the back of the side panel for the wire to go into. The bottom requires that you drill holes throught the carpet. I used the existing child seat safety D-ring for the rear and then got another one for the driver's side and use those as they are way more sturdy.

Berlin-Tuning finally returned my email. The armrests where out of stock and they are coming in today and they'll ship it 2 day and I'll have it by Wednesday. Also they have the cruise control for 299 Euros, or $429, not too bad.

[Saprissa]

Originally Posted by Buellwinkle

I put the net kit in myself. The side pocket was easy once you figure it out. The dealer didn't even know how to do it, I showed them. Basically there's slots in the plastic on the back of the side panel for the wire to go into. The bottom requires that you drill holes throught the carpet. I used the existing child seat safety D-ring for the rear and then got another one for the driver's side and use those as they are way more sturdy.

Berlin-Tuning finally returned my email. The armrests where out of stock and they are coming in today and they'll ship it 2 day and I'll have it by Wednesday. Also they have the cruise control for 299 Euros, or $429, not too bad.

Thanks for the update Buell

yeah, go figure... the smart center in San Diego didn't know how to install them either.

I guess I'll have to get one of those D-rings. Can you show me a photo of where I need to drill holes and how big?

That's awesome about your armrest. Can't wait to see a picture of it installed. I wonder how easy the install will be.

Talk to you soon !

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
_______________
1959 220S Ponton
1979 230G Geländewagen
2002 A210 EVO AMG
2003 C320 Sports Coupe
2004.5 C320 Sports Sedan
2005 ML350 Special Edition
2008 smart Passion ForTwo

Coming soon:
mega Mercedes-Benz SoCal Meet - 15 Nov 2008
details to be posted in coming weeks !

[Saprissa]

Billet style fuel door (painted black)

Ordered this from Billet & Acrylic Fantasies and just got it in the mail...


Will install later and take some pics.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

[Wiedermann]

Mr Saprissa,

You are correct on what you mentioneod about the Cruise controls, however, as I mentioned to you before, now that the testing is complete, the new module kits for Gen. 2 Smarts (451) have been released as a stand alone unit. No need for activation or programming required.



I posted some pics of a Smart Gen 2. MHD, 10th Anniversary Edition... here are the pics again...









Cheeers

[Saprissa]

Originally Posted by Buellwinkle

Also they have the cruise control for 299 Euros, or $429, not too bad.

Nope, that isn't bad at all ! Thanks for the info...

Originally Posted by Wiedermann

Mr Saprissa,

You are correct on what you mentioneod about the Cruise controls, however, as I mentioned to you before, now that the testing is complete, the new module kits for Gen. 2 Smarts (451) have been released as a stand alone unit. No need for activation or programming required.



Cheeers

That is great news that the testing is complete.

Thank you !

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

[Saprissa]

what do you guys think of this gadget:


It's a cold RAM air intake scoop. Made of carbon fiber.


it's being sold on eBay by BREATHLESS PERFORMANCE Products for $169
(eBay Seller ID: bpproducts954) Dania, Florida.

here's the description on the eBay page:
"Designed to capture the cold air and ram it into the intake duct to lower intake air temps to produce higher HP. The cooler the air comes in the higher the timing curve and leaner A/F mixtures to produce increase Horsepower. IAT temps drop about 6 degrees the the scoop in place."
"By the way our scoop is angled out slightly to capture the air and direct it to the inlet.

The special 3m tape will hold, just did a 5 min pass and WOT 90+ no problems.

The 169.oo is for a hand laid carbon fiber plus buffed to a shinny finish. It does take time to produce the part plus many layers of carbon fiber (Over 3)which is very expensive. It is also made out of a 2 part mold which again takes time to finish to our high quality standards. All the parts we manufacture here at BPP weather Carbon Fiber or Fiberglass are finished to a higher standard which saves you the time and effort."





Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

[Saprissa]

Originally Posted by Saprissa

Billet style fuel door (painted black)

Ordered this from Billet & Acrylic Fantasies and just got it in the mail...


Will install later and take some pics.

Here it is installed.
It required prying the plastic fuel door off, actually came off pretty easy, as once you pry a little it slides off.
Then using the template that came with the new fuel door, I had to drill two small holes in the hinge. It tells you exactly how to align it, so that the fuel door sits flush. Screwed it down tight, and it works like a charm.

Let me know what you think...



Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
2008 smart Passion ForTwo

[Saprissa]

guess, I'll post more pics of my black PASSION:




cool keychain I picked up at the smart center -



Here's a close up of the black powder-coated wheels...

With black color matching lug-nut plastic covers.
Riding on CONTINENTAL ContiPro Contact tires.
front: 155/60 R 15
rear: 175/55 R 15

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
2008 smart Passion ForTwo

[Saprissa]

interior is all black with silver trim.
I've got heated leather seats too, but they came with (what I think) is pretty cool custom head-rest stiching and back inserts...


Picked up regular floor mats ("lining"), and weather floor mats too...

The regular floor mats are accessory # A 451 680 04 48


The driver's side floor mat required screwing the holding caps into the existing floor. It was pretty easy. Instructions came with the mats.
I like the silver edge lining and the smart logo:


The passenger's side floor mat is just held in place with velcro. Mainly because your flat-tire repair kit is in the passenger side foot-well, so you need to have easy/quick access to that.


The rubber weather floor mats are accessory # A 451 680 02 48

I haven't taken them out of the bag yet. Not 'til rainy season begins.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
2008 smart Passion ForTwo

[Saprissa]

also picked up some smart Valve Stem Caps at the smart Center.
They were $10.
Accessory # Q99 9007 V001 000000







Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
2008 smart Passion ForTwo

[Saprissa]

finally got around to installing the smart accessory luggage nets.
The kit contains both a side net and a floor net for the rear cargo area.



Accessory Part # A 451 814 00 07 / List Price: $65


The side net was very easy to install.

Pop off the side plastic panel cover, and on the back side,
you will see small clips along the edge where the metal rim of the net pops into.
You might need to bend the metal rim slightly to make it fit nice & snug.
Make sure that the netting doesn't get in the way of the large two tabs on the bottom of the panel cover.
Once you've got the metal rim secured on all 3 sides, just pop the panel cover back on...
and:


The floor net actually required a bit more work.
The instructions say that it should be done by a specialist at the smart Center.
But I just spoke to the tech that installs them,
and he gave me step-by-step instructions which in actuality make this an easy DIY project.

First, your rear cargo flooring either has D-Rings or D-Ring hole covers:


Here you have an option, leave the D-Ring on and buy another one and install it where the hole cover is,
or take both things off and use the hook rings that come with the floor net kit.
I decided to do the latter.

I had one of each. You have to remove the D-Ring or hole covers,
because you will need to access the underneath of the flooring.
To remove the D-Ring use a TORX 45 screwdriver or bit:


To remove the hole cover, just use a flat head screwdriver or flat wedge:


OK, once you have those two items off...
Gently lift up on the floor covering,
and underneath, you will see at each corner an indentation or concave area in the foam.
It looks like this:


Using a thin drill bit, drill a hole up through the center of that concave area and up into the carpet.
Keep the hole small enough, so that you can just push the screw (that comes with the kit) through it.

Once you have all 4 holes drilled, push the screw through the hook rings and through the carpet from above.
Underneath, you will need to secure the screw with a nut (also provided in the kit).
It's pretty simple.
Once all 4 hook rings are in place, lay the flooring back in place tucking in all the edges,
and now you're ready to stretch out your floor netting on the 4 hooks, like this:


That's it. Pretty easy.
Your side and floor net should look like this:


and doing it yourself will save you at least $110 in labor-hour charges.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
2008 smart Passion ForTwo

[Saprissa]

have you guys seen the Disney movie: Wall-e ??

my daughter loves that movie....
anyway, have you noticed the funny winding noise that the smart makes when moving in reverse ? It sounds just like Wall-e.
So my smart's name is now Wall-e !

[Saprissa]

I also have laying around the LUGGAGE NET accessory that I bought back in July. Part # A451 860 01 74

Basically, it's a mesh-like protective safety divider behind the seats that hangs from drilled hooks above.
It also has a built in luggage compartment cover.
The bottom of the divider is held in place with straps that hook on to the 2 D-Rings on the cargo area floor.

As soon as I get the hooks drilled in, I'll post photos of the installation process.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
2008 smart passion ForTwo Coupe

[Buellwinkle]

I got the matching large D-ring in the cargo area for $4 OTD from the Laguna Niguel MB/Smart parts counter, I ordered them a while ago and he has a bunch of them now because people keep asking for them. Ask for Steve, he'll know. So this way you can match the large D-ring behind the rear passenger seat by putting it behind the drivers seat and hook up the net to both. You'll have to buy the right size screw, got one at Ace for about a buck and you have to get some washers to match the spacers, another 50 cents or so.

[Saprissa]

thanks Buell,
actually the LUGGAGE NET accessory that I bought back in July, which I still haven't installed
(Part # A451 860 01 74)
comes with an extra D-Ring, screw, and washers.

Gotta get that installed soon....

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

[BenzMan1]

I am in line to get a smart car if one is arrives and is not delivered. For those that own on is it worth it and how are they holding up?

[Saprissa]

Originally Posted by BenzMan1

I am in line to get a smart car if one __ arrives and is not delivered. For those that own on(e), is it worth it and how are they holding up?

it's worth it if that's what you want. I assume you have test driven one and you're buying one to suit your commuter needs.
If you're buying just for the novelty, or for any other type of utility outside of mpg savings, then you might be disappointed.

Mine is holding up great. But I take great care of all my cars.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

[tbone]

Originally Posted by Saprissa

it's worth it if that's what you want. I assume you have test driven one and you're buying one to suit your commuter needs.
If you're buying just for the novelty, or for any other type of utility outside of mpg savings, then you might be disappointed.

Mine is holding up great. But I take great care of all my cars.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

Carlos, I'm curious why you feel that buyers who are buying the SMART for reasons outside of mpg savings may be disappointed. Care to expand on that?

I'm buying the SMART mainly because of the novelty and how it looks. It won't be a commuter car for me, mainly an "around town" car. The mpg savings is a secondary benefit for me.

My DDE is June - Aug 2009, so your opinions will give me some food for thought before I configure

[Buellwinkle]

I couldn't care less about mpg or commuting as I work from home so for me it's 100% the novelty and I like driving small cars except that small cars always have the connotation that you can't afford anything better. They also tend not to have as many safety featurs and amenities. The Smart allows me to have a fun little car without the dissrespect normally given to small cars with close to my C in amenitites and safety featurs so it meets my needs.

As far as MPG, it's not really broken in yet, to me that takes about 10K miles to reach it's MPG potential but I got close to 43 mpg on the freeway, and I get between 26 and 30 for just around town driving. I'm expecting that I'll get 45/30 when it's broken it. Compared to my C which I think is pretty efficient, I get 32/25 driven nicely, maybe 30/24 driven harsher.

[Mike T.]

After 4 years and 65,000 miles, mine is "holding out" well. I like it as much as I did when I first got it.

[Saprissa]

Originally Posted by tbone

Carlos, I'm curious why you feel that buyers who are buying the SMART for reasons outside of mpg savings may be disappointed. Care to expand on that?

I'm buying the SMART mainly because of the novelty and how it looks. It won't be a commuter car for me, mainly an "around town" car. The mpg savings is a secondary benefit for me.

My DDE is June - Aug 2009, so your opinions will give me some food for thought before I configure

those comments are solely based on the critical attitudes I've received about my smart.... oh it's too small, not safe, you can't carry more than 2 people, it has no cargo room, not enough horsepower, bumpy ride, etc etc etc blah blah blah....

Reasons I bought my smart:
- mpg savings for my 20-mile commute
- novelty (first year US model)
- and like you, an "around town" car (shopping, movies, fast-food).

As Buell mentioned, there are certain connotations and assumptions that go with "SMALL" cars. The safety and MPG are the biggest.

I say that some people may be disappointed if they expect much more from a smart than what it really is. A small, fun, gas-saving, novelty car.
So to all the naysayers, about it being "too small, not enough HP, not enough people/cargo room" and all that other stuff, they are basically barking up the wrong tree, and this is not the car for them.

I think they're comparing the smart too much to a MATRIX or FIT or something that caters to a whole different mind-set.

That's all.
I think we (you, I, Buell) are all on the same sheet of music.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

[MercPlease]

Saprissa - not sure if you decided to get the BPP air scoop or not. I was planning on buying it but didnt want to drop $170 on an air scoop. I bought the Evil Twin one. It came to about $87 shipped. It's from england. Here's a link.