2nd 325 and a hairdryer

[jas025]

So last february was time up for my C200CDI mistake. Over 3 years I never really loved it. First mistake was it was a Merc, 2nd mistake 200 vs the 220 to fit the indecisive auto box (3rd mistake) into the lease cost limit, 4th mistake was going for light grey cloth / artico rather than leather (again due to the lease limit), I could never get it clean and the return report described the interior as "soiled".

Final mistake happened on snow day, 5 days before its replacement was due to turn up when the ABS went on strike in the snow and I went into the back of a Honda that fell off the road suddenly in front of me.

So I went back to BMW and went for a 325d M Sport with Oyster leather, folding seats and the business SatNav.



Someone on here asked not so long ago what kind of idiot bought blue cars with light interiors - apologies in advance.

So 1 year on and 17k later I'm really happy with it. I stuck out for a new one so I could get the folding seats for practicality but it's a great car. I like the ride, sports mode is great fun at the final country road stretch of my new commute via the M25 from Brentwood to Maidenhead. It sips diesel (47.6mpg average vs 38mpg in the Merc). It's good and quick as well. The only thing I wish it had is adaptive cruise.

I'm not really using the cabby at the moment, there's a couple of jobs that I've not got round to sorting out - viscous fan and also wanted to replace the SI board batteries after I saw the rev counter bouncing around when the ignition was off. It's in bits and garaged for the winter anyway but someone I work with mentioned that their brother was giving away his car to webuyanycar at the weekend for next to nothing.

So the 2nd apology in advance.

I always enjoyed renting these things when I was on holiday and it was like a dirty secret that you couldn't really tell people about. So this is what I bought.

Smart Brabus cabrio. 56 plate, 1 owner from new, 42k, heated leather seats / cruise / stereo upgrade and CD changer, all documentation, service history, MOTs, every receipt from new in a lovely folder. The owner had bought a new car and not really used it for 2 years so decided to get rid.



There were a couple of minor things to sort out. A scuff on the front wing, nasty "fly eye" coverings on the rear lights, rusty exhaust bracket (apparently a common problem) and the wheels needed a refurb.

I also got a yatour bluetooth adapter for the radio which goes in to the CD changer slot. Disappointingly the radio is wired up in a funny way so when the car was parked up the bluetooth remained on. If I had my phone in the kitchen then it would connect to the car and I wouldn't hear it. The battery kept draining so I swapped it out with just an MP3 lead.

I've still not sorted the scuff on the front wing but will get that done in the next month or so. The wing mirrors are also a bit faded so I'll strip them off at the same time when the front wing is done.

The wheels were reasonably corroded.



So I whipped them off and took them to essex wheel company who did a great job on them.



Rather than the original diamond cut finish I went with powdercoating in Ford Rado Grey as a more practical solution that will hopefully last better.



It's undoubtedly a terrible car but there's something about it that's really fun. Great for nipping into London and around town. There's always somewhere to park it.

Since I've had it I've had loads of people that want to buy it off me and I got it for a good price so I'm thinking I'll keep it for a while and I can easily get more than I paid for it.

[Nobby_N]

Smart cars are awesome fun! Proper gay but great fun

[Andyboy]

I had a new 118d Auto as a renter on a recent holiday. Did 1500 miles in a week and one thing occurred to me:

Why would you buy anything other than a BMW now? The 118d is an ugly bastard, but it's so perfectly engineered by guys who just get it right. Superb car that averaged 50 mpg with a perfect auto box.

[Brianmoooore]

You misread your calendar, and posted this a week (and half a day) early, right?

[ross_jsy]

I love Smart cars, I had one as a company car for a few weeks. Surprisingly nippy once you get used to the awful sequential box, and fantastic on fuel. I would probably rock a Brabus one as a daily chariot if one was available

[jas025]

I love Smart cars, I had one as a company car for a few weeks. Surprisingly nippy once you get used to the awful sequential box, and fantastic on fuel. I would probably rock a Brabus one as a daily chariot if one was available

The gearbox is awful in auto but this has the paddle shifts so I drive it on those and then you can drive it pretty smoothly.

I've driven it on the motorway to Maidenhead and back a couple of times. It was pretty ok - even better once I sorted the tyre pressures out. I did nearly get sideswiped by a 5 series that didn't see me in the middle lane though just after he joined the motorway. I've bought a dual horn upgrade for it - the standard one on it is laughable.

[jas025]

You misread your calendar, and posted this a week (and half a day) early, right?

Like I said - a bit of a dirty secret - kind of like the "fat birds are like mopeds" joke

[ross_jsy]

The one I had only had a sequential mode via the stick, no auto option. Thought it was a bit odd but you could hear the slightest wastegate sneeze on gear shifts which was fun.

I've serviced a few. God knows why they decided not to use a sump plug

[maxfield]

Ross on the later ones they have decided to use a sump plug. They're not bad to work on if you take the rear bumper off as that's only a 5 minute job.

I got lent a brabus smart car for the day once and I did quite like it. And they do look cool.

[capri_rob]

After going to Rome for a long weekend last week i saw loads of these and i also found myself liking them especially the Brabus ones. They make such good sense in a busy city.