smartnhappy

I suggest a 6:30 start time, to give folks a little more time to get there before we all chow down. The Weather Network has April 3rd as mainly sunny with a high of 14℃ and a low of 7℃ (of course that's their wild guess, but it's very positive). Thanks go out to Alberta for making our reservations. See y'all there! SIGN-UP 1. Bill 2. Ron & Dot 3. DR MAP (Alberta & Cliff) 4. Liz & Glenn 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Just got back from the dentist for a 3PM filling, which turned into 4 fillings.Mouth frozen and swollen. :drool:Won't make it tonight. PM'd Ralph with status.Hope everyone has a great time.

I did the run to Tofino last May. It was spectacular!.... particularly to an old Ontario kid.Hope to do it again this May. I'd like to see more geography like that.Maybe I'll take Mike's recommended run above -- ""Circle Route from Sooke to Port Renfrew and onto Lake Cowichan"".Ya gotta love drivin' the island.

I've run the same OEM full plastic hub caps on my steelies with snows for roughly 5 months each winter for 7 years and have never had any trouble.Just bought 4 new ones on sale from Eddy, for future use. Hope I haven't jinxed anything.

Here's my adventure last May from London Ontario, thru Canada to the west coast, and back thru the northern U.S. I couldn't get a link to work, so you can look it up as per this information.... Forum.... Smart Car Discussions ≻ General Discussions - go to Topic Page #5 Topic.....Goin' for a Little Ride - originally posted July 14, 2011

Driving in traffic last Tuesday, my car 'blew up' going through an intersection in London, Ontario. Loud bang followed by rattling and clouds of white/grey smoke, then nothing. I pushed it around the corner and found it wouldn't start, although it would turn over. No immediate codes on my Scangage. Flat-bedded it across town to the MB dealer where they thought about it for a few days. First problem they found was an EGR code. EGR valve unit was quite dirty but not plugged. Dealer quoted $794.55. + $118. diagnostic cost + tax for a new one. I took the old unit home and spent the afternoon dismantling, cleaning it and testing the solenoid, restoring it to like-new condition. Dealer jokingly asked if I'd like a part-time job restoring used parts. Reinstallation cleared the EGR problem, but engine still would not start. The dealer next thought that bad fuel was the cause ('everyone' there thought they could smell gasoline in the tank). When they asked for the go-ahead to drain the tank and refill it, I said no. My last fill-up was a week earlier and I'd travelled almost 100 km with no trouble, plus the fill-up was only 16 litres (not a complete tank). BTW... I always throw in an additive with every fill-up. I strongly doubted a fuel problem, and suggested they drop the pan and look for oil, coolant, metal or other clues. They did this on Friday and concluded the engine dropped a valve. I went to the dealer this morning (Monday) and spoke with the mechanic. They think a valve dropped in the #2 cylinder, impacted the piston, bent the piston rod (visible with the pan off), then took out the #2 fuel injector resulting in all the white smoke at point of failure. Piston damage was visible in the cylinder when the injector was removed. They said they had seen this before with this engine, always in the #2 cylinder. They also mentioned that MB was aware of this type of failure. Everything now is currently on hold at the dealer until I can explore all options. Dealer quoted rough costs for a new engine at $6700 + 12 hours labour @ $98/hour + some discretionary extras (belts and tensioner, new fuel filter, etc.) + tax, totalling something over $9,000. They are currently exploring any corporate good-will assistance that might be offered to a 'good' Smart car collector customer (I have a second Smart) with a low-mileage, dealer-serviced car in otherwise great condition that came off of extended warranty just 7 months ago.Another option is a used engine from somewhere. A third option is a re-built engine thru Glenn in London. He currently has a local machine shop working on a motor. A forth option is rebuilding my engine (costs unknown, but potential parts availability problems and/or delays). BTW... MB does not rebuild this engine themselves at their facility in Toronto. A fifth option is to sell the car as is (90Km Passion coupe with leather, Brabus sub-woofer, re-map, various mods, recent turbo and HP fuel pump, 3 sets of wheels and lots of extra parts might fetch a decent price from the right buyer. Plus I could get top dollar for a like-new EGR valve - haha). A sixth option is to part out the car. And a seventh option is to say "What-the-hell" and install something VERY different for a engine (Hyabusa, Honda V-tec, etc.). I know a local racing shop that might be interested in such a project. Interesting potential, eh.I'll post any news from MB re courtesy cost reduction when I know it.Pray for me. Both me and L'il Toot could use it.

After a delay due to non-starting issue (transmission pairing difficulties) I got the car back today.They tested it thoroughly and test drove it over several days.Purrs like a kitten and drives like brand new (nice and quiet, with no clattering).Everyting is running fine and seems OK... so far. Dealer did a great job cleaning it up, knowing what it went through over the 31 days they had it.Not many km's on it yet, but I'll give it a good run within a day or two.Unusual situation.... both outside rear view mirrors no longer adjust within the same range they did prior to going to the dealer.Neither will adjust down past a horizon line, or out past the sides of the car. Great if you want to watch planes or undersides of overpasses.Not just a simple matter of moving the mirrors to new setting points. No matter where you start from you end up at these limits.No mechanical work was done, bur they won't adjust as they did previously. I tried, the service advisor tried and a technician came out and tried.Dealer is contacting MB to see if anything similar has ever been reported.Any ideas out there?

Going into production of wooden Smart cars to compete with Mercedes, eh?Certainly more environmentally friendly, but you'll need a bigger door.I'd consider a long-lasting oak or cedar vehicle, but heated seats could be hazardous. :PSeriously, good luck with the venture. you look very well equipped for success.If I make another trip west this year, I'd like to stop in to see your facility.I'd love to pursue woodworking. Did lots of trim work in oak when I built my home.

I cleaned mine also. It was out due to engine blow-up (another thread). Car threw EGR code. Both of the pictures above could have been mine, exactly.Picked unit up from dealer, and a can of carburetor cleaner, a tooth brush, a little paint brush, small screwdrivers as picks and a little swearing and it was clean.An automotive parts cleaner would have been handy, but you improvise when you have to.Dealer jokingly offered me a part-time job cleaning up old parts.Unit works fine, and might be good for another 90,000 Km (hope, hope, hope).BTW... EGR had nothing to do with engine blow-up.

Oh, all kinds of damn it!! Now I've missed two in a row (hope it's not three and out ) I completely forgot this one. Tuesdays are too ingrained in me I guess.I even planned on having the butter chicken, the least spicy item on the menu.Damn, damn, damn! I hope everyone had a good time.

Yet another twist.....Just got a call from the dealer informing me that on re-assembly they found debris (probably bits of an injector) blew through and took out fins on the turbo.Needs a new turbocharger.They're classifying this as 'incidental damage to the original failure' and installing a new turbo at no charge.I don't know if I can smile any broader.IMHO, MB and the London dealer are both 'honourable gentlemen'.

Happy 2nd anniversary to both you and Snowball.Hope you have many more.

GOOD NEWS...I heard from MB via the local dealer mid-week. They're going to supply AND install a complete new engine with new injectors for $2,000 + tax.Transfer existing starter, alternator, AC compressor, etc. I'll have them install 2 new belts (50Km since change). Note... no labour charge, only cost of belts.They'll absorb the approximate $1,200 installation cost (+tax), 9 hours of diagnostic costs (+tax) plus re/re the EGR valve (I cleaned it up myself).It's a deal I can't pass up. Much better than I thought it would be for an out-of-warranty vehicle. Remember, they're not obligated to do anything.Should end up around $2.300 total. That's a LOT better than over $9000.I asked the dealer if they had anything against my posting this info in the forum, since it's not their normal solution to similar problems.They had no issues, but pointed out that MB's service decision was based on the fact that I was a good customer, the vehicle had always been serviced by them,the maintenance schedule had been followed properly, I had an extended warranty (ended 7 months go), there was only 90Km on the clock and that the overall condition of the car was excellent. They pointed out that this solution is unique to this situation.I should have the car back by the middle of next week. Can't wait cause it's costing way too much to run the diesel Tahoe (unless I'm plowing of course). I'll post upon completion and delivery.

Too bad there's a speed limit.No limits at all during a hot-laps event, part of the annual CF fund raising cruise event held at Delaware Speedway over the past few years.They merely limited the number of cars on the track at any one time.All participants signed a waiver.It's a blast!No problems.

There might be a battle shaping up here. I'm interested too. Please let me know status.Mmm .... red cabrio AND red coupe. Best of both worlds.

Nothing much to say right now. No modifications done or planned. Maybe a re-map,It's under a car cover in my garage, on a CTec charger. Out for aggressive little runs on clear dry days (when available) every couple of weeks.I exercise the top and the AC system regularly, and have been trying to polish the scratches out of the rear window.Going to get a rear fender for future repair. Any repairs will keep it 'as-built'.I hope to contact the same appraiser used by Steve Plunkett for his classic Cadillac collection, but haven't done so yet.Car will still be under 10.000 km by the spring, when I'll likely get the formal appraisal done.Still waiting for Brabus factory info, thru Mercedes. MB supplied me with the wrong info initially and said they'd get the correct info for me.btw.... I'm planning another trip out west in April/May this year and hope to get Eddy to do a new suspension on the '05 Passion, among other things.Approximately how much is a new underpinning with Brabus shocks and springs vs. OEM? Any idea what MB charges for a new OEM suspension, out the door? I'd consider bringing the Canada1 this year, but I plan further travels down the west coast to do Rte 66 on the return leg, or across the south to Florida, up the east coast to the Maritimes and back to Ontario. I just don't want to put that many km's on the car, at least not this year. Maybe a trip west next year for a Canada1 'family reunion'.

Sorry Glenn, but I can't make tomorrow's dinner. Got a call from the hospital with a cancellation/opening tomorrow afternoon for facet injections (been waiting over 8 months). See everybody at February's outing. Hope everyone has a great time and a wonderful dinner. Drive carefully! Hope the weather holds out. Sign up: 1. Liz & Glenn 2. Ron & Dot 3. Ralph & Monica 4. Len & Cathy 5. Dave & Lu 6. William 7. Cliff & Alberta 8. Robert & Brenda 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Come on everyone, The more, the merrier. We can exchange new year's resolution plans..... z'if !! Sign up A.S.A.P. for reservation purposes. Sign up: 1. Liz & Glenn 2. Ron & Dot 3. Ralph & Monica 4. Bill 5. Len & Cathy 6. Dave & Lu 7. William 8. Cliff & Alberta 9. Robert & Brenda 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Hope everyone enjoys the holiday season.Play safely and have a happy new year.

Sign up:1. Liz & Glenn2. Ron & Dot3. Ralph & Monica4. Bill5.6.7.8.9.10.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck.I can use a L rear panel section if you're sourcing a full rear panel.I'll call you.

It's time for our annual visit to the Hyde Park Lions Club 'Cruizin' at Steve Plunkett's estate in west London Ontario. We've been cordially invited by the Lions Club to display our Smart Cars at their weekly charity show-n-shine. Once again I've made the reservation and arranged for our cars to ring the large pond, as in years past. The core group can meet up in Lambeth at the Foodland parking lot between 5 and 5:30 (same as last year), and we all can leave together. Burgers, hot dogs, etc are available as fundraiser. Admission is by donation. Look forward to a pleasant evening, for a good cause. Sign-up List 1. Bill (smartnhappy) 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Hay guts, if this plate ever becomes available anywhere, I'd like to bring it home to the real Canada1 concept car. ""This would be the license plate to have for shows:""

Sorry, but can't make this one.... anniversary.

Good on ya, Ron.... and everyone else that worked the booth.