CD Article: smart fortwo, 2005-2006

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Today's Used Vehicle Review:

The Smart Fortwo has had a few reliability issues since its introduction here in late 2004, says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.  Problem areas include the air conditioning system, driver's airbag, and the turbocharger/intercooler.
   
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[johngenx]

So the money I save on fuel will be spent on a new turbo and on fixing the AC system.  Typical MB product: pos.

[Snowman]

So the money I save on fuel will be spent on a new turbo and on fixing the AC system.  Typical MB product: pos.

  big time MB POS

[Mercedes Diesel]

Best car on the road today. I wouldn't drive anything else. A Mercedes with a diesel should turn a million miles easy.

[initial_D]

Best car on the road today. I wouldn't drive anything else. A Mercedes with a diesel should turn a million miles easy.

Shh ... watch what you are saying. Tic Tic Tic ... only time will tell. 

Isn't MB losing a lot of $$$ for every Smart produced? Too embarrassed to be view as a failed engineering project, continue to lose money rather than simply drop the car after all that money spend on R&D?

[PJungnitsch]

Isn't MB losing a lot of $$$ for every Smart produced?

From what I understand the the Smart division lost money, but they always did ok on the Smart fortwo. Lost bucketloads on the (fairly conventional) forfour and roadster models, which they have now cut.

Not sure why they are losing the odd turbo so early, though that is not limited to Smart diesels, one of my officemates had to replace the turbo on his diesel Ford pickup last year at 58,000 km, just under warranty.