Lift kit

[Galaxy]

Has anyone put a lift kit into a 2006 450 fortwo before. I have really been considering it but I would like some options first 

[Willys]

There are 3 of us in the Toronto area that have the 2" lift installed that I know of.  It's a simple-ish concept, imho best way is simply to shim steering and sub frame 2" away from body shell.  I have also installed the Daystar suspension lift and personally don't like the way it brings the drive shaft angles close to their limits....to each their own.   Add this lift of 2" and some 195/60(or 65)-15  and you get about 9" of clearance and a much softer ride. IF you add 1" spacers and add same size rims the ride and handling is very good also.  But, I come from the Jeep world and am used to the body sway of a leaf-spring lift of latter day.  We just finished a body lift last weekend with larger wheels and tires and the cornering and zig-zag capabilities was pretty good still.  Again to each their own.
IF, you can make the spacers yourself etc it is a inexpensive option or the Daystar lift still isn't that bad cost wise.

[Galaxy]

It seems like they handle the lift kits pretty well. I take it they are better with hitting bumps with them

 

[Willys]

Yes if you get slightly taller tires with taller side walls, they soak up the bumps far better.  That was the reason I did mine, a softer gravel road experience.

 

[Galaxy]

That’s great to know. I have the feeling if I add a lift kit. My smart car will be come underpowered(since I know it comes with 40hp) did you have the same problem or do you have the newer ones that have more power?

[Willys]

No, I have a slow 2005 CDI which has a very economical tune in it, I drive for fuel efficiency and simply adjust my driving to account for lack of power. It is after all a Smart Car with a .8 litre 3 cylinder engine, diesel on top of that...lol.
Seriously, the added clearance and softer ride is worth it in my opinion.   You can lift it simply to get the clearance and not change the tire size....it just changes the centre or gravity a bit....yes you get slightly more body roll if you aren't used to that, it may feel strange...?   I come from old leaf spring lifted Jeeps many decades ago, so that feeling is nothing new to me. You again adjust for it.
IF, you with to lose your great fuel economy there are power tunes and boxes to add to get better power.  There is a guy in Barrie who has this and it is much quicker than mine, but his fuel consumption is far more as well.
To each their own.

I simply want a softer ride for the bad roads to help ease my herniated neck issues.  Yes I know i could always buy a land yaught and float around....lol.  I have one, it's a 2011 GMC Savana 2500    extremely thirsty but it has other uses.

[Galaxy]

I was thinking about a suspicious for obvious the nicer ride but I have driven my smart car everywhere I think I could take it before it would get stuck so basically what I’m getting at is I want  to make it so if I decide to I could take it off roading plus I would find it pretty funny to go to the beach on a smart car

[Willys]

So you want fat larger tires them like a 195/60-15  or if you want to cut more body work and some steel out of the way 195/65-15  They are fat that's for sure and imho they look great.  The issue with the lift kits isn't vertical space for tires it's horizontal space. Unless you reposition the front sub frame a bit forward...?   Not sure how badly that would effect drivability especially if you drive highway...?  I expect it would throw all the geometry out the window.....resulting in shaking, vibration, poor handling....you name it?  Maybe if you kept the speeds to city street speeds it wouldn't be that bad?  IF all you wanted to use it for was a bush type buggy then who cares adjust as need be.  I used to build Jeeps way way back in the day before independant suspensions were the norm!