Had three. The first 450 and then a standard 451 Passion, going on to the 84hp one with paddles which I mapped after the two year warranty ran out. It was 113hp on the dyno with an extra 30% torque. Overtaking boy racers in their GTI’s was the best fun I ever had in cars.

I've always thought a brabus smart car would be fun down a South Devon road, no longer worrying about squeezing past other motorists Mwahahaha

I've had two of these for 4 years and it is the best car I have ever had! I am a female school bus driver and drive a manual mini bus and then drive my super automatic Smart car home! Don't have to pay car tax on mine!

PISSES me off how the Euro Brabus 451 has all these added features from the US version. I have a 2009 Brabus and it doesn't have: turbo engine, leather wrapped steering. Leather dash. Brabus ergonomics, or arm rest. However, I do have power steering. So why would they Not allow these options in the US? I will say though, you only paid 2800£ and Look how much it makes ya smile. There's no price for happiness, Mate! Good on ya and both my wife and I feel the same abouy MarioKart. We got ours because we rented one in Santorini and loved it so got back to the States and picked up one....a Brabus one. :) Cheers!

I live in the US. I bought a gas engine 2008 Smart Passion Coupe that had only 50,000 miles on it back in 2019 a month before Daimler Shutdown Smart dealerships in the US and Canada for good. I had it until April of this year when it became to hard to get parts imported from Mercedes Benz-Daimler Europe. Not because of the pandemic, but because Daimler is going all electric with it's upcoming 2023 Geely Smart fourtwo cars. I loved my Smart it is great for city driving. It is fantastic when it comes to parking in tight spots. You guys in Europe are so lucky to have the Smart fourtwo and Brabus's still available in Europe even the all electric smart cars.

Stef your killing me!! Always wanted one of these can't wait to see what you do to it 👍

I’ve got a smart car and it’s such a brilliant little run around for me and you can park it anywhere. Loads of room for 6’1” husband and I love how big the window is for visibility. It costs nothing to tax and you can drive it into pollution controlled cities with no fee plus insurance is super cheap. You can fit a surprising amount in the boot especially as my seat is really far forward. It also has more personality than pretty much any car on the market.

I love the Smart Brabus, more smiles per mile than nearly anything! Re wrapping, Gulf blue and orange looks brilliant on a Smart car. TonyS

I have owned one of these along with a roadster, a forfour and currently a 2017 Fortwo, which has an astonishing turning circle. Great fun to drive.

Love smarts. I'm on my second 450. It's so much fun to drive. I have the (semi) manual transmission (so you have to touch it up through the box). I have got so used to the change delay that I can time it in to a corner, and it all works out really well. It's old so will probably get expensive to keep on the road soon....but I love it.

These are so fun and engaging to drive, you feel everything and that little gremlin of an engine right behind you revs like happy. Great purchase! There is a hidden "sport" mode in all automatic ForTwos: set the gearbox to manual, don't touch the paddles and floor it. Yes, it will redline but it will still shift. As far as the gearbox goes, never understood why they get so much hate. You get used to it quickly and even learn to take advantage of it, once you're familiar with how and when it changes but hopefully, you'll get to find that out by yourself

I bought a basic 2013 451 a year ago. I love it. One thing you have to watch for is the engine vibration mountings. They can cause the juddering and vibration too. Just had mine replaced. Unlike your the gear change is quick and so you end up in 5th at very low revs, which makes me use manual a lot to hold the gear longer… great car all the same and just a runaround for me….. I live in Hong Kong and perfect for the city…and park anywhere!

The 450 Brabus will be the one for the collectors. First editions always bring the higher premium. 83,000 high mileage !!!! Mines done 127,000 !!!

Genius. Looking forward to seeing the content with this one

“It’s like Mario cart in real life.” So… a go cart?

I love my 451 convertible. It just puts a smile on my face every time I drive it, especially with roof down. It's practical and hilarious in equal measure. The ride is a bit annoying over speed bumps and the lack of power steering isn't really an issue unless I'm parking in a very tight spot.

Brilliant Tony here he comes, we have had three of this, mega fun.

Cool choice. These are very uncommon to the upload department, and it has the engine in the back, well done, with a warm dog bed, Stef.

Great video stef, great little car, keep us updated with this project, definitely get it on the dyno 👍👌😀

Very Cool Stef! - This seems like the UNIQUE Project we all knew we were waiting for, but never thought wed see! 👍

Love these ! Looking forward to the upcoming content 👌

Oh man, this brings back memories.. I had one of these Brabus as a cabriolet back in the days…strange car, but we had a lot of fun with it 😁👍

that car is just epic to have a tiny tiny car with race seats. no way to fit in a parking spot. no problem I just park it 90 deg. and it will still fits. Its like an oversized shopping kart. If your a family of 4 then... just untill the boys get a driverslicens but then you would want one with about 15 bhp

Great video! Will be interested to see how this turns out. I did about 80k in a Brabus Roadster - fantastic handling car and a lot of fun, just let down by the *terrible* gearbox. The gearbox was a constant source of frustration, I was always ended up second guessing it. Even after getting used to it's foibles, it was so slow to shift and would often get confused. (only ever drove in paddle mode - the full auto was even worse)

Love this always wanted a Brabus 451 can't wait to follow the journey 😎👍

The exact same reason I own a Sport KA. Love little lightweight cars they rule the twisties

Hey Stef, I’ve got the same as a wee run about also, dog loves it and get lots of laughs from passers by!

Fantastic Episode Stef. Looking forward to the journey.

I love these cars! I recently sold my smart car which I had for a few months as a first project car! I normally drive a BMW M140i but my god does the smart put a smile on your face. I’m really looking forward to this series Stef however, I kinda regret not recording my smart project! But great video mate! 😀

Had a similar issue with juddering on my 452. Before putting yourself through any unnecessary expense I would try some lubricating spray inside the actuator behind the rubber gasket first. Would also recommended resetting Clutch values via ignition key / brake pedal (steps below), then allow the control module to re-teach itself over 200 or so miles. That seemed to do the trick for me. Or it could be something simple as the new actuator needs adjusting by a smart specialist using MB star diagnostics to compensate the Clutches wear and bring it back within tolerance. **1> Hold down the brake pedal, and2> Turn the key to the on position 1, and3> Move the gear shifter through each of the gears P-R-N-D then +- then D-N-R-P, and4> Turn off, and5> Restart the car**

Awesome little motor Stef. Hope the journey is full of fun as I'll be following from the sofa. Looking forward to more on this one.

Genuinely a design classic really. I think they are underrated from a design perspective. The packaging is seriously impressive, they were an in innovative piece of kit. They still look forward thinking now. I never drove a Brabus variant of this but I did drive a Brabus version of the coupe - the gearbox was comically bad but I quite liked it’s quirkiness. Clutches are common on these so it doesn’t surprise me….so are chains.

Australia never got the Brabus, but I bought mine from an enthusiast who bought best he could here then privately imported all Brabus parts and had his local Merc dealer fit them all. Agree with everything you said about being absolute go kart fun. And I get some amusing looks as a 58 year old driving in Perth WA. I also have the 17 & 16 alloys - consider going up one tyre size (that's all that will fit), it has a marked change on drivability at higher speed, but doesn't bog down either in lower gears. Suggest also change the two front sway bar bushes for nonathane or equivalent

Great little car. I have a 2014 pure. First time I drove it and really looked at it. I paid the $6500 cash and very happy with the car. It only had 10k miles on it. It now has 35k mile on it. I don't even drive my other cars anymore.

I've just bought a 451 grandstyle black on black. I love it

4:01 typical british humour 😂 thanks for the video!!!

I have always loved the look of the Brabus Smart Coupe, which is like a modern Healey Sprite!

Always loved this car. Great purchase!

Hey there, I have a 2009. I love my car but I’ve had issues with the transmission. I had the clutch actuator taken off and cleaned and lubed with lithium grease. Sometimes they don’t go into reverse I am a women 62 who does research on KZfaq . Great resource. I know more about my car than the Mercedes dealership does. I had another issue with the transmission to where it was very hard once again to get into reverse. So more research and lifted up the gear box and there is a lever that releases the transmutation. And in fact it did. I called a tow truck almost had to be towed but got it fixed. My experience with driving it is that if you drive slow off the gate put it into auto. Once you get to where it goes threw all of the gears and starts to lug a bit go back to manual and shift down to proper gear for the speed you are going. You like to get it from the gate so if I want to drive like you do ide try the manual shift.. more fun and better shifting. Mine isn’t a Turbi but it can get up and go as well. Fun to drive. People stare and laugh but I love it. Fun fun to drive. It’s my SMARTY YOU KNOW.. Welcome to the club‼️‼️ I’m even of German docent so another reason I liked it. Will be looking forward to seeing your upgrades. Ps. I forgot about this issue as well. I’ve had my Smarty since 2015 and just recently my car alarm would go off at night. Sometimes around 10 or 1am. It was driving me crazy. 12:25 I tried different things then I did more research found out others had this issue. Fix it was once you turn it off hit the car icon on the dash and get out and lock it within 60 sec. I’ve not had anymore interior alarm issues. Yippy❤❤. These cars are quite quirky probably like some of its owners. I’ll attest to that‼️‼️🎯 SO there is a place you can shop you can look at called Evolution. It’s in the UK‼️ You can order parts and become a member. They have good info. Soooo hope this helps in someways for you. Have fun and drive safe. I’m not here to scare anyone just inform.. Not all cars are made equal…

Awesome Stef Enjoy the journey as we will If you're going for the wrap make it totally freaking outrageous And take that 1.0 to the max 👍😍

Looks a lot of fun 😂 will look forward to the tuning 👍🙂

I'm not sure if these had any differences in the UK but back in 2009 we had quite a few of these in the US Hertz rental fleet. I remember them smelling pleasant inside. Nobody wanted to drive one, in fact when renters found out they were getting a Smart (we had Brabus and Passion trim Fortwo coupes and convertibles) they would either upgrade or cancel. And nearly all of the Brabus' eventually had their emblems go missing one by one. After my rental car years I sold tires and the rear size is almost unobtainium, and you literally cannot get a matching set of front and rear tires in the US.

Nice car 🚗 I must have one. Video was spot on thanks Kevin

My girlfriend used to have a smart car, pro tip take the top off the air box to expose the air filter and they make unbelievable turbo flutter, used to love people turning there heads and seeing a smart car!!

You can adjust the clutch. I had my mechanic adjust my clutch on my 2006 Diesel that I use daily and have 160 K on the odometer. it cost $ 13 dollars a week on diesel in Toronto.

One of the best decisions you’ve made for the channel, really fun and really different but still has Abarth 595 vibes!

Im on my second 451, my first was the blue 1.0 mhd in my picture, iv just brought a 1.0 turbo, its so much better performance wise than the normal 1.0, drives like a bigger car but still good on fuel, just the gearbox is the only negative

Just subscribed. Cant wait to see more videos on this. I’m looking at a similar price snd mileage one so this is very interesting

I love my little 451 passion. I can only imagine the Brabus been more fun. Do wish the gear changes were quicker. Even paddle changes are laboriously slow. Other than that, they are such fun, character filled cars.

Awesome.. Love it.... I just bought my second Brabus.. Paid 3500 for it with 45k on clock.. And it's wrapped in matt black a looks great... I love em.... Be watching for updates on this, especially the clutch and stereo parts....

Good choice...happy driving 👍

My '08 Turbo 451 got 100k miles (160k Km) on dash...with software remap to >130hp ish...this engine is a real good one and it runs pretty well! Good decision 👍 Btw, it doesn't have to be the clutch. You can adjust the clutch actuator... it's attached with 3 screws an you need to bring it closer to the clutch. also relearn it with a OBD2 diagnostic tester. Your exhaust is to loose/it wobbles too much > engine mounting/exhaust mounting... Something to do at this little nice car 😉

It's a cool car, I owned the previous model and somehow I crashed it in an S-curve. Now I have the 452 Roadster which is even more hilarious because of the lower sitting position and the convertible roof

spotted your channel, love it when the unloved gets a new life. love quirkie cars

I’ve always loved these

I love Smart cars and hope to buy a secondhand one in the summer. It’s great fun to see videos like yours!

Gap in the market Stef, this is the first smartcar brabus model refurb that I have seen. Looking forward to this

Love it mate 👊

love your car. i've always wanted to try one of these. they do look fun!

Nice, looking forward to seeing the results . If it going wrong you can always sale the wheels and get most of your money back.

new exhaust/downpipe and also pops and bangs would be hilarious

I love every aspect of this

Did you try the clutch actuator adaptation? Back in the day, I did it to my mhd after 100tkm and this helped with the clutch for a while

Looks like great fun

Subbed, as I had one, plus my current Smart Roadster hardtop Coupe 😃. I miss parking perpendicular - fantastic!

Had a 2010 Smart ForTwo CDI. Great little car, sold it when I became a family man. Very fun and very spacious, surprisingly decent in the snow too, although without the weight it did slip quite a bit.

Looks like good go cart fun. 👍

I have a 2009 Brabus, same color. I ordered and it took 18 months to be built and arrive in California. I have one of the first ones in America. Just this year, I started refurbishing it and replaced the low profile super wide rear wheels and tires, with the same ones that are on the front. Fixing up the interior a bit, and need to do something about my sun roof that now has a tarnished look - it lets light in, but I can't see well through it.

That is absolutely fine beautiful & fun car man nice review

I had a 451 and a 452 roadster and loved them both. Well done.

That’s brilliant 😂 looks the dogs bollocks!

Having driven one of these I would rather have a smart roadster coupe. Even in standard (non brabus) trim the roadster is cheaper, has amazing steering (better than an MX5), is faster (especially if you do a map) and looks better. They are also a future classic so prices are going up! The only downside is the roof can leak so get a hard top conversion or own a garage :)

I've got the same model in cabrio form, love it, so much fun on a curvy mountain road.

Subbed! I have the Smart Fortwo Edition 1 2020 EQ and I love Smarts! Amazing for parking and turning circle is the best! Can’t wait to follow this journey!

Just drove an 09 brabus from Vancouver to Whitehorse with my son, it took me 25 hours of solid driving time over the span of 2 days. I had an absolute blast driving it up there.

Always liked the Smart car but really didn’t know it did a Brabus version. Fabulous review & look forward to see what you do to it 🥰

Biggest mind sets to conquer. It's software is Mercedes Benz based. It is a Sequential 5 speed manual gear box with a software controlled clutch. Lube it spray lube everything lol. The Greeks got the power. The thicker the side wall the softer the ride. Get into it. It's already got you giggly over it. The Smart car clan has been waiting for you.

Excellent. I remember somehow fitting in the boot of an ex girlfriends smart car many years ago for a short journey through Edinburgh as my mate needed a lift as well.

Love these cars dude

Hi Stef. Tks for the video. I own a 2014 451 brabus and yes it's really cool to own and drive. I was wanting to add a dump value and possibly a remap to boost it up but don't know much about this so need advice stage one or two !! Mine has only 15,000 . Great car. Tks

I didn’t know that they made a Brabus Smart car, It seems a good, fun, little car, would have a great time racing it around town, if I had some spare cash I would definitely try and get the Brabus model, Have to admit that Smart car has always been my Guilty pleasure, Looking forward to seeing what it’s drive and performance is like when you’ve finished it, Thanks.

I get that its particularly easy with this car, but you can push pretty much any car on flat ground. Wheels tend to do that.

Love the video, I've had my one 5 years and I would recommend a remap & solid engine dog bone mount. It transforms the car to what it should have been from factory in my opinion. 👍

Take it to Ian @ big performance in Surrey. Has spent the best part of 20 years tuning them. Can take that to 150hp with a standard engine. 25% increase in gear change as he can remap the gearbox ECU too.

Can’t wait to see what you do to it. 👍🚙😁

Bloody awesome!!

Really like the Smart 4-2 as standard....that Brabus would be awesome

I am also a proud smart car owner, I love the excitement about the car, some of my friends judge me for buying a smart car. I bought it for myself and not to show it off on Instagram. Excellent video, mine is the Passion model 3rd generation that car is beautiful, next will be an eletric. Stay safe and thank you all for reading my comment!

Stef, these are sooo much fun!!😂 driven one and surprising quick for what it is.. 100bhp that weighs something next to nothing... this is gonna be interesting!

First video of yours I have seen very good. As for your clutch judder on 1st and reverse try putting a power flex polly insert into your front engine mount. I had the same issue as you it transformed the pulling away and gear change. The down side was a little more vibration at idle. But only costs about £25/30

i need this car! aweseome! great purchase. habe fun, drive save 👍

Awesome! You need try the Smart Roadster brabus, so much fun

I’m saluting this mate. There is great pleasure to be had from cheap fun motoring. Also, the lack of width driving through a City is a huge advantage over most other cars.

I really like it mate . Makes perfect sense to me.

Look forward to seeing what wrap you're gonna go for...perhaps a Biposto type matt silver...😁

Sell rims and get smallers ones for tires with more tire wall. That will improve the ride BIG TIME. More tire variety.

Ive had a non brab 451 for about 3 years now in canadian winters With 105k kms. Quite the sporty tin can and with a lot of life left! Id love to paint the inside of my lights black since my paint is grey

I remapped my 1.0TSI from 95 to 135hp with a generic Superchips map. Should be fit to get 140hp out of a 1 litre turbo with a "real" remap.

Yes

I had a 2013 loaded Brabus that I sold to add to the funds to buy my 2017 Abarth. As you said, the transmission horrible if you let it autoshift. anyway, the Abarth is paid for and I'm on the hunt for another Brabus as I really enjoyed driving it.