brahmy Posted March 21, 2008 Posted March 21, 2008 I've got a 451 that I ordered without the glass roof - as a student, I couldn't afford "passion" so I went for the "pure". I got a ride in a friend's 450 the other day and he had the clear roof with slider, and I was amazed at how much I liked it and how much it brightened the interior! I've done some searching and it's possible to swap roofs on the 450: * http://clubsmartcar.com/index.php?showtopi...place&st=40 * http://evilution.co.uk/index.php?page=modp...mp;men=Exterior I imagine the process is fairly similar for the 451 (unless anyone has information that says otherwise). Can "replacement" parts like the roof be purchased directly through dealerships? Could anyone speculate what I'm looking at for costs? This may not be a project I pursue this year, but if the cost is reasonable and the work is feasible, who knows! Quote
crankin Posted March 21, 2008 Posted March 21, 2008 I would have to say that you lost out. The 451 is actually cheaper than the 450 and correct me if I am wrong but you could almost by a pure cabrio for the price of a 450 pure??? Or close too anyways. Unless of course you very much desire the diesel motor. Quote
yolanda Posted March 21, 2008 Posted March 21, 2008 Just an idea but investigate the feasibility of turning in your current car for trade-in value on a newer one that has the options you want now? Quote
Smartster Posted March 21, 2008 Posted March 21, 2008 brahmy, one the pure you can easily add in any aftermarket sunroof, and if you can get you hands on the clear passion roof it shouldn't be impossible to replace your roof with it, as the frames are the same and from what I can see the pure just has a fiberglass/plastic roof inplace of the clear plexiglass roof on the passions.I know that others are thinking of just putting a aftermarket sunroof in as tats a lot easier and cheaper solution and you can get fairly big sunroofs in the aftermarket.Enjoy the pure and welcome to the "smart" community,Stephen Quote
ValgardForkbeard Posted March 21, 2008 Posted March 21, 2008 Best bet would be to pop into the dealer, and get a price for buying a replacement roof panel. Print off the relevant sections from the 450 thread and go talk to someone at a local glass shop. That should give you a good idea of costs involved, then you can start budgeting. Report everything back here when you are done. Oh, I guess the sunshade would be an additional part number.MG Quote
MikeT Posted March 21, 2008 Posted March 21, 2008 The 451 transparent roof is plastic, so the bonding agent is probably different than a glass shop would use. Quote
ARTZ Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 (edited) There is a memeber (David_18) here that replaced his solid roof with a glass roof in his 450. Click Me!! Edited March 22, 2008 by ARTZ Quote
David_18 Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 Yeah !! and I like it !!!But I don't know for the 451 ... Quote
Duck Posted March 26, 2008 Posted March 26, 2008 The 451 would be even easier, I'd expect. The Makrolon roof is flexible and would require less handling care durring installation! If you can wait a few weeks, I'll take a close look on the assembly line at smartville in France to investigate if this is possible.(I'm curious because if I ever get a 451, it'd be a pure but that roof has got to go, just as you're proposing).-Iain Quote
brahmy Posted June 19, 2008 Author Posted June 19, 2008 I would have to say that you lost out. The 451 is actually cheaper than the 450 and correct me if I am wrong but you could almost by a pure cabrio for the price of a 450 pure??? Or close too anyways. Unless of course you very much desire the diesel motor.Yeah.. just to update, I was in the dealer's the other day (flat tire - side wall puncture!! Not under warranty, grr) and asked about the feasibility and cost of replacing the solid roof with the moon-roof. The verdict: very expensive, would have been better off buying the passion. Oh well! I can still dream Quote
Malcolm Posted June 19, 2008 Posted June 19, 2008 Dreaming is good. If you have a windfall, do the conversion at M/B, as that will continue your OE warranty.Warranties in the after-market are full of weasel words, and if there is a problem, you will have serious nightmares. Quote
Kofångar-Lasse Posted June 19, 2008 Posted June 19, 2008 ... might be suggested before, - but for the "451 pure roof" wich have a smooth surface it will be an easy work to cut in a "Skyeport". The "450 pure roof" has stiffening ribs surface wich makes it a lot more complicated - but not impossible I think. Have cutted in a few "Skyeports" myself, in my Volvos (in the 100-200-300-400-series) with absolute no problems whatsoever. Used "Skyeports", wich will easyly be found, a bit of own work helps keeping the budget, - GO 4 IT ! Good Luck wishes CcL Quote
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