Great to see someone else loving their Brabus, I'm on my 4th smart car with the latest one being a 450 Brabus. As you've found they're quite a specialist car but being a handy mechanic with lengthy experience of them I seem to manage ok. Keep up the good work Stef.

Once you remap the gearbox, it’s an another car… it’s definitely worth it, and if any of the mappers can flash a newer firmware and map on top of that… like facelift brabus 451 has different software and with remap it’s *Almost* like Dsg.. you get a kick at the gear change.. some times the ESP light flashes from the kick haha

Having purchased one of the first RHD ForTwo’s which were originally just called “Coupes” for my wife back in late 2001 I was hooked. Now, in 2021 having found a 2006 Passion (so not a Brabus) with 18k miles, FSH and excellent condition, because it lived inside a Motorhome, I get more fun from driving that than a Clio RS220 Trophy that I own. They might be a little marmite but for those who love them there is a passionate following so it is no surprise that the videos do great. Looking forward to the “It’s Joel” inspired 24 hour challenge. ATB.

Adjustable shocks are a nice addition but the biggest effect you'll have with handling is lowered progressive springs. It takes out a lot of the rocking during acceleration and braking. I'll email you about something else that'll help.

Recently bought a (non-Brabus) 451 not long after your first video, LOVE the videos on this little car, really feels like you're one step ahead of me on a journey to get them all fixed up and perfect again! (Hopefully minus the large clutch bill on my journey) Great content :D

Smart 451 is the most fun car I've ever owned. Glad to see your were sorted by S2 Smarts. They are fantastic and have looked after and enhanced my Smart (including remapping) since the moment my Mercedes warranty ran out. It's 7 years old now and still runs like new.

A Seriously underrated car- they are so much fun to drive, I only sold mine because of my advancing age and wanting a change after about 10 years of ownership from new.

Great video! I have a 2008 Smart Brabus myself, exactly the same as yours but all black. A great cheap project car. Everyone I talk to can’t believe they even exist and I’m yet to see another on the road. Bought mine 3 months ago for the same price as yours with only 40k miles on the clock. Best upgrade for me has been the ‘armster’ armrest, which I believe is only stocked currently online by a company called Smart Tune in north wales (don’t hold me to that). It’s well worth it and looks like it’s meant for the car. Much comfier on longer journeys 👍 excited to see the results of your gearbox re-map soon…

I bought 451 Brabus For2 Cabrio in about same time as you did, and i absolutely love that little Hot Rod! Very hard to drive without smile on my face on a curvy roads. Liked and subbed for these Brabus videos. I'm looking forward to see your journey with the car. Especialy intrested about your thoughts after you have remapped it. Might remap mine too. Keep up the good work! Cheers from Finland.

Can't wait to see the camping 🤣

There aren’t that many ytbers that do smart content, so (at least for me) is an instant click, like and sub

Ciao stef good to see progress with the brabus albeit at a cost! Some cars have duel mass flywheels which can cost more than the clutch kit I think if your going to do the remaps it needs a performance air filter and a aftermarket exhaust cos what's letting it down is you can really hear it , t would benefit and sound great and add a few more bhp to the party ! 😉

Always great content Stef 👌👌

i loved my smart brabus soo much fun to drive i had 3 !! they sound abit like a porsche sort of well half a flat 6 its the same sort of note when your ful pelt

Hi Stef, just watched your video because I test drove a Passion turbo last week, 2010 model, with the optional flappy paddle steering wheel, so kind of similar to the one you had. I was very impressed I have to say with the car whilst on the dual carriageway, it was more than happy to cruise along at 70 and picked up very well when overtaking. In fact I'd go so far as to say it was a really fun and engaging drive. Slightly different in town driving though, the gearbox was OK once you got used to it and anticipated the gear changes, it didn’t have PAS and did feel a tad heavy steering it (it had the optional wider wheels/tyres), but the main problem I had with it was the brake pedal. I know it’s hinged at the floor, but it did seem to need quite an effort to press it, to the point where the relaxed driving through town you’d expect from an auto was a bit of a pain, it was like having to push down a heavy clutch pedal every time you needed to slow down. I therefore thought I’d ask (plus anyone else reading the comments) whether you found yours to be the same, the fact that you didn’t mention as an issue suggests to me that it may just have been a problem with the one I drove yesterday. I’m hoping so because I’m set on a Smart but couldn’t live with a heavy brake pedal if that’s the norm.

I love Smart Brabus 451. I drove it for 2 years before Abarth and it was so nice and cool 😜😜

After owning a Smart 450 and getting a remap, believe me it’s worth it. Plus like yours was so much fun, I need another Smart Fortwo in my life. 👍

Enjoying a hot tea as watching this 😁

Had mine 6 years now, cost me 4k then, still worth easily 4k now.. Still loving it, especially when leaving bmws and mercy at lights😂👍

Awesome little car…😍

The smile on you face speaks millions. Brilliant.

Clutch change price seems good value. Rear brakes were good value too. Wish that specialist was a bit closer to me..... Just paid £460 for rear shoes and cylinders on a Smart Roadster... and an unbelievable £450 for the reluctor rings on the rear!

Fantastic!!

S2 and tune4performance for your remap you have already used them, Tony’s remapping and rolling road results show what your paying for. My 450 brabus went from 84bhp to 103bhp it don’t sound a lot but it comes out a totally different drive afterwards.

picked 2 up a couple months ago. one is a brabus. great little car. funny we keep ending up with the same vehicles over the years

I have had a first and second generation smart. they are so much fun to drive. it's karting on the open road.

I love the 451 but ours (a Passion) had no power steering and was very heavy to park. The steering lock was poor too for a car that tiny. If you like this, try a 453. I did and love it. Wider but so much improved with a genuine DSG. Expensive but keeping it’s value. And heavy on fuel even leaking it easy. Smiles per mile it’s the best I’ve had and up against stiff competition. Look forward to the development!

Oh noo I had a pressure plate replacement years ago due to a failed oil seal, quite a bill! Still like it, remap or Get back to Abarths 😉 ..... like the camping idea... 2000 likes here we go! Go to 'Grant's Car Body Repairs'

I used to own a 2005 Roadster Brabus Coupe, great looking cars and got a lot of attention but Smart cars are just plagued by problems (The roadster more than other models). When i had mine i only owned it for 2 weeks before the internal door handle snapped off.

I can feel a brabus smart coming to my garage Stef ,it will keep the polo r line company.

Would be interested in a follow up video. I took my Roadster to S2Smart some years ago and paid a few hundred pounds to get the gearbox fixed as it wasn't going in gear at all. Problem resurfaced a few weeks later. Luckily, it happened a few days after returning from a road trip from Leicester to Berlin which the bloke said it was good for. Lol. Barely.

Gutted you got rid of this.. would have loved to see more videos.. looking to purchase one myself in the next couple of months

I bought a Smart car when they first came out 20+ years ago (left hand drive only then). I had it 3 years and loved it inc that awful gearbox. People don’t realise how much room is in the front too. I used to drive to Devon from London a few times a year no problem. Only issue I hated was the thimble size fuel tank which would only do 120miles per tank.

I have bought one I love mine 😄

Very interested to know about a gear remap, it's the same on my 454, love the 6 speed box, but the gear change must be done by windows 95. You need to drive the 454 brabus that will also put a smile on your face. Mine does as I got one as the 454 AMT was so much fun. Also thumbs up for S2 smart woh keep my two going.

Looking forward great 👍 car 🚘

Cute car 🚙 so much fun 👍

You know the 451 has like a level sensor and if you go to fast around a corner it cuts the power....I had the same car mapped as well...the only reason why watching your vid is I am looking 10 years later to get another one....has be a soft top ....a great vt nicely shot

Feel your pain but I had a Smart and up graded to a 328. You don’t want to know what brakes cost. Love your car wish I had mine back.

Smart madness in the good old USA sell a gearbox flash unit for the gearbox map upgrade

I have a 2009 Brabus convertible. People stop and take pictures. I love the car. I am replacing the engine myself so I can get another 200k miles of smiles.

I'd love to see a comparison against an up gti or something small and hot from today to see how it matches up

I just bought a Freelander 2 - love it, but paid £5k, but had to spend £1.2k on servicing, cam belt, etc… but for peace of mind, gotta be worth it.. I’m sure that your smart car is the same

Did a remap on my mk2 pulse, 71 to 86bhp in minutes, transformed the gearchange times, fitted full stainless pipe, k&n and a forge dump valve same day at a smart club meet in 2006, loved the difference, love to have another one day, liked the older models over the new ones although the latest ones look sexy as but pitiful range on the electric versions, smart lost their way for me.

Most of it is relatively standard maintenance, i've done all the same on my Corolla except the transmission but i do all myself so it's cheap

I'm still upset that we got shafted for these cars in the states. I have an 09 brabus 451 myself, and it's just a gutless wonder. Seeing the turbo cars looks so much nicer.

Ouch..but done now…it is very cool..tiny lil thing but I really like it..it’s a fun project that we can all appreciate..looking forward to the 24hr ‘live in’ video..😂

got myself a smart roadster 3 weeks ago and am putting a lot of effort into it as well. Took me half a day to change the spark plugs + oil. Was wondering about the rear drum breaks, how do I know if they are used up?

Smart Brabus Exclusiv is the best. I have the same car but in convertible

24 hours in that, you’d have to be CRAZY. Video liked ;)

Stef I’ve just bought a 450 fortwo as my daily . £19.39 to fill it up 😳🤷🏼‍♂️😂 Was putting unnecessary miles on my Abarth . The Smarts such a fun car . Need to get mine mapped and the gearbox sorting.

I LOVE FREETRADE!

A great fun car thats fun!! Only dislike, the boot lid, looking at the car or following it, the boot lid doesn't look big enough, that gap at the bottom between lid and bumper i would have to 'black' it out

Now you need to get a Smart 450 to keep it company 🥸

Not too bad for a car that has a character

Ha ha haaaa! I just saw your first Smart video, and I thought "Boy, that exhaust sure moves a lot - probably the middle engine mount is rubbish". Writing this comment at some 2 mins into the video I also expected the next bit. Well, the exhaust flex pipe goes snap minutes after the engine mount has failed.

With that length wheelbase and 135hp you better fit a wheelie bar.

Easy way to sleep in your smart 451 , The other front seat back will folder forwards & go flat & level to the boot floor , So your have the full length if the interior dash to tailgate. 24 hours tut you should looking at 48 hours lol

Recently bought a 451 10 plate Brabus, Neutral flashes when trying to put in Reverse. Code P0805 (Clutch position sensor circuit fault) Car had new actuator put in back in May. Any ideas how to resolve this issue, thanks in advance.

I Worked on smarts for 6 years ( smart Tecnic ) and always thought the 451 turbo was the best of the bunch, Brabs always seemed a bit bumpy with chocolate alloys but fun, Pretty well put together cars though 👍

Hi there, i am the Smart solution in SA. Myself i love these cars.

Luv this thing. Don't think know if any Brabus editions made it here to Au but a std W451 will set you back £6,000 GBP upwards. I must live under a rock as I find that bill quite cheap really given the purchase price I would have thought there'd be way more wrong with it.

Liking so you have to sleep in that smart haha.

Sooo.. you want to car camp‼️‼️🚗.. Yup I’ve done that myself… too funny. I slept in the front seats head on drivers seat then body laid across the passenger seat then legs on dash board. Partly, and also knees bent. However I’m only 5 61/2. You can look up on KZfaq car camping in a smart car. I haven’t seen a video about that in a long time.. It’s a challenge to sleep in a smart but go for it. I know you’d rather drive it than sleep in it for sure. Fun fun fun..❤😊. You made your 2000+ views so now comes the challenge. Ps. Get yourself a lot of pillows and padding. 😊😊

I know it is terrible content, but it is ok to keep a sorted car, stock. It is a very rare trim and Merc spiffed masterpiece. A wrap would be fun, but find a winter beater to rescue, because those can be sketchy on icy roads, and you have a few months to seek and save. A 500x would be a cool one to run through the slush, find one that has the funny Ban-Aid color. 😂

I love your videos, and I really like the song at the end. Who sings it?

They may be small but can be expensive to repair. I'm in Australia and had a smart roadster. It needed many things doing including a new soft top. Mercedes out here wanted over $4000 to replace this tiny roof. I got one on ebay from England for $1000.

Watching the progress of your Brabus very closely. I have the Passion model with Brabus trim. Remapping the engine will be my next job. Oh, and I have no idea how you picked that up for less than £6K. Are you sure nothing else is about to go? 😬

Wow that labour charge was like amazing! Was it done in India ?

£70 Labour !!!! Who did the work ? a Polish man?

Which camera you used bro?isn't it the sonydsc wx500?,

Great video…ad I’m looking to buy one of these babies. 2 questions: How much did the wheel reconditioning cost? What is the air conditioning like? Cheers!!! Keep it up!!!

If you had checked the engine mounts first, you would have stopped the juddering immediately. Obviously, the clutch pressure plate was faulty, but that probably didn’t cause the juddering you were noticing in 1st and reverse.

Looking forward to that 24hrs in that car 👀

actually, all things considered, it is a quite cheap car to maintain, i thought they were quite a bit more expensive. It is basically even cheaper than my fiat 500 for those engine mounts that i had to change, they were 120Eur only in parts ) but hey, still 10x times better and cheaper then all those BMW's that i had xD

Great video stef, mechanical peace of mind got to out weigh any cost, looking forward to seeing it remapped, and other content 😀👍👌

I just had my PVC valve changed on my Smart cost me 562.17 us dollars UGH!!!!! I had to replace the 3 spark plugs too due to them fouling out because of the damn PVC. The PVC in my Smart is under the the intake manifold. My mechanic was able to repair it without dropping the engine cradle. If the enging cradle had to be dropped I was quoted 2500 dollars, Not looking forward to that bridge By the way my mechanic gets 135 dollars an hour!

👍

70.83GBP for all the work! That is quite cheap.

Would you recommend it to a 17 year old ? Insurance?

Since your videos I’ve noticed the price of them has gone up!

1,000 for all those jobs. A bargain! I'd be very happy with that bill to get this Brabus going.

I've never understood these cars, I would never even consider buying one. Each to their own of course, fingers crossed you don't get any more big bills. Judging by the list of defects that you have had to fix already, unfortunately I think it's only a matter of time before the next big bill comes along...

High mileage cars with very little history are always cheap for a reason. They are normally a ticking time bomb with parts ready to wear out. My wife as had a Smart Pulse diesel for five years and other than regularly servicing, new tyres and battery as been very cheap to run. It was a low mileage example when I purchased it privately and is still low mileage. It's the only car she's never ever complained about its mpg.

These cool little cars when they age and get a lot of miles on them are not practical to own if you have to take them into a shop for every tiny repair or modification. Most maintenance and fixes should be DIY making ownership practical.

How much is a remap

Old cars are going to have...issues... And some things you're talking to on the bill? Maint. ALL cars are that. The clutch was a gotcha. Want a unique car...this is the price now. Now, if you were Stateside, I'd make an offer to take that Brabus off your hands... ;)

The words smart and cheap are incompatible. This was the deciding factor when I sold my Brabus Roadster and kept my Eunos roadster.

ha, 24 hour challenge

Cheap car for a reason. It needed work! Bill was perfectly reasonably for the amount of work carried out.

Liked 🤣

I do see, in this and similar vids, people sitting on the boot lid, which appears to be supported by two pieces of cord ???

strike me down and call me charlie

I pressed the like button but PLEASE!!! don't do the 24 hour challenge in it!!!

Smart isn't the fastest shifting car, for sure...but the shift delay is more even a feeling, cause you're doing nothing then pulling a paddle...and wait. it's the same with a smg bmw for example. In a stick shifter you're using your clutch paddle, changes gear by your self and thinking about the interaction...the time is (almost) the same, just a different feeling. But a gearbox remap is 100% recommendable! The breaks are really bad specially for the Nordschleife! on a full attack round, you can't get it to Fuchsröhre...not even up to Hatzenbach with that peace of pressed metal shit......you need an upgrade!

Paint it black mate. It will look 10x better

Exhaust link failed because motor mount failed. Next up main battery feed cable.

Nice little car isn’t it?!!!

Its a smart car. You have to fix it yourself. they overcharge for every fix. A 50$ pair of ABS rings is 1500$ at the mercedes dealership because they just replace the whole axel. A small amount of research will show you every Smart car forum says, its a great car if your a mechanic. 500$ for an oil change, or in their works "A or B package", I would do it myself for 40$. Oil filter is 3$ and oil is 35$. If you cant do mechanic work then you shouldnt buy one.