As some of you may know, last week the Fabia went and in return I got a Smart Roadster Coupe Brabus (to give it it's full title!). I promised a comparative review once I'd done 500 miles or so and here it is - only short cos I'm meant to be working!

Looks are an opinion thing but I think the Smart looks really cool (Mine is identical to this: Smart Cars, Photos, Information. In comparison the Fabia looks like Granny's shopping car! The 17" Brabus alloys and twin exhausts make the car look much faster than it really is!

Performance wise the Fabia is a way ahead - 0-60 isn't that much faster but it's effortless delivery and manual gearchanges mean you're always going to beat the Smart off the lights.

Handling is where the Smart really catches up - I haven't found the limit yet but it goes round bends at speeds you wouldn't think of attempting in a Fabia of any sort with any mods.

The Smart sequential semi-auto takes some getting used to and is the only major flaw on the car - it's sluggish to say the least. It can be driven around to minimise it's effect and the Brabus remap certainly makes a big difference over the standard Roadster but a manual box would easily knock 2 seconds off the 60 time. In gear performance is very good and in the right rev range certainly a par for the Fabia in the first 4 gears. After that the lack of torque restricts high-end acceleration.

Ride quality is better than you'd believe from a car this low - much better than the Celica for instance, but it's not the mile-muncher the Fabia was.

Reading this you'd say the decision to swap was a bad one but I've missed one factor - driving pleasure: The Smart is the most fun to drive of anything I've ever been in!

Equipment - A\C, heated leather, ESP, Electric roof, 17's, boost guage, etc - pretty good spec.

Overall it's a chalk and cheese comparison but I'm glad I made the change and come summer I'm sure it'll be even better

Sounds like you're enjoying the car

i also think they look cool whats the mpg like, i cant beleive how expensive they are to insure though (currently 710 for the fabia and quoted 1425 for one of those) am 24 3yrs no claims no faults or anthing. i would like to know if i could get into one as i am 6'3

I really love the Brabus version. Lovely car, but for what it is, I always found it to be on the expensive side when I was looking for an upgrade.

It's a 55 plate rather than brand new - one of the last Brabus Xclusives to be registered in the UK. I'm amazed anybody paid nearly £18K for one new :eek:

As far as size goes, when I took it up north my dad (who's's 6'2") found it fine but I guess much taller you'd struggle. My brother is quite broad and found it really uncomfortable after a while.

Insurance is group 13 or 14 depending on insurer - I found a smart specialist who offered me insurance at £25 more than A.F. were charging for my Fabia. Didn't go with them in the end because I had to cover the Fabia for 2 days and their charges made them less competitive but even 'normal' insurance companies only charge £125 more. There were 2 categories price-wise though: slightly more than the Furby and absolutely astronomical - very little in the middle.

I think you've made a good choice - I'd love something like that, but having a family and a dog I need the practicality of a 5 door hatch... and can't aford a weekend/fun car.

I hope you have registered with the smartclub?

thesmartclub ltd - Roadster/Roadster Coupe model specific

... the Brabarse may be quick out of the box, but remap it and it's a rocket.

My wife has a smart 4/2 with heated leathers, the smartNav system , which is excellent although pricey, basically every option ticked Great fun to drive especially when I'm being lazy pop it in auto but what I really like is jumping into the Fabia after driving the smart for a couple of days, makes you realise just how quick it really is!

Tempted for a remap on the smart from SmartArse in Watford, 20% increase for

Be careful, there are remaps and there are remaps ... if you get my meaning.

Some are SO severe they are lethal. The car is 8'2" long and spins before you can blink so the last thing you need is an on/off remap.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking "I'm a great driver, I can save it" ... cos you can't!

There is a remap out there sold by a bloke called 'jonboy' and it makes the smart feel like it has a bigger engine. It's as smooth as greased weasel **** and almost feels like a diesel tdi it pulls so hard.

My G2 RHD (yuk!) smart passion did a GPS verified 115mph with this remap and an air intake mod which I used and which cost nothing. I should point out it had 175/195 wheel combination for increased stability.

The roadie has a bigger turbo, so the rewards for remapping are bigger []

I recommend a tdi fabia for commuting, and a remapped smart for weekends!

My G2 RHD (yuk!) smart passion did a GPS verified 115mph with this remap and an air intake mod which I used and which cost nothing. I should point out it had 175/195 wheel combination for increased stability.

Rather you than me, I brick it doing 70 when you get hit by a gust of wind.

I recommend a tdi fabia for commuting, and a remapped smart for weekends!

I'm with you on that one

Des

Allwys fancied one, even a bluewave. insurance says no for a 19 year old :(

Remapping the Brabus isn't such a great Idea tbh, the engine on the Brabus version is already running near its limit as it is, the non brabus engines have a bit more leeway.

Smart Roadster Brabus????????????????

Excellent choice! They are very very good fun

Remapping the Brabus isn't such a great Idea tbh, the engine on the Brabus version is already running near its limit as it is, the non brabus engines have a bit more leeway.

Don't you believe it ... DCUK said that about the city coupe Brabarse a few years ago. The Brabarse remap is a slug compared to others available.

The remap I have in mind boosts torque rather than outright bhp, but it's still better than the Brabarse map.

Don't you believe it ... DCUK said that about the city coupe Brabarse a few years ago. The Brabarse remap is a slug compared to others available.

The remap I have in mind boosts torque rather than outright bhp, but it's still better than the Brabarse map.

if it were me i'd be directing the question at the smart forums i guess.

DAZ

BRC's easily remap. There is no issue with this at all. Not sure who youu get your info from but they are wrong.

Glad your enjoying the new motor, you better post some pics of your own up, so we can have a gander at them.

Would love one of these myselves, Lovely work by Brabus on the smarts.

I imported one of the originals before Smart UK started up ... saw it, loved it, bought one, got it home ...

... then thought "oh fluck, what do I do if it goes wrong!"

No dealers, no service outlets! I was not alone, and THIS was the reason behind the smartclub formation. It's a great club, I still visit even though I'm currently smartless.

My local garage has a roadie in stock for £7695 which could be remapped to more than Brabarse levels in about 30 seconds for about £200.

Bargain funster?

DAZ

BRC's easily remap. There is no issue with this at all. Not sure who youu get your info from but they are wrong.

Smart forums, that's where II get my info from.

I'd still look into it further than putting my trust in a handfull of members on a Skoda forum tbh.

Smart forums, that's where II get my info from.

I'd still look into it further than putting my trust in a handfull of members on a Skoda forum tbh.

shame i owned one, sell them for a living and and see 10+ serviced weekly....

but hey DAZ knows best.

he has a beemer. what else has to be said

(that is a comment to be taken lightly )

back on topic, I always thought diesels could be tuned more for less?

looks a smashing car and if it's as fun to drive as a mini cooper s then it should be a laugh if thats what you like everyday.

shame i owned one, sell them for a living and and see 10+ serviced weekly....

but hey DAZ knows best.

I am sorry I think you misread what I put (I'll make it a little larger for you)

I'd still look into it further than putting my trust in a handfull of members on a Skoda forum tbh.

So no, I don't know best.

So you sell them? Do you make them, or more specifically the engines?

You see 10+ serviced weekly, shouldn't you be selling them instead of watching them be serviced :confused:

So from what I gather about you, Paul.

Selling them, owning one and watching over a mechanic service them makes your opinion correct?

I am sorry I think you misread what I put (I'll make it a little larger for you)

Selling them, owning one and watching over a mechanic service them makes your opinion correct?

pretty much - yes. if you ignore having tuned them, knowing many customers with them and knowing the mechanics that work on them rather than just watching them.

having said that - ive never run a chip shop so maybe i dont know everything.

he has a beemer. what else has to be said .

Just because I've done well for myself and own a car worth 6 times the value of yours no need to persistant **** (choose what you will for that space)

(that is a comment to be taken lightly)

Just because I've done well for myself and own a car worth 6 times the value of yours no need to persistant **** (choose what you will for that space)

(that is a comment to be taken lightly)

:rofl:

you don't know how much I earn or anyone else earns so pls....shhh

just because people don't buy a BMW and buy a Skoda does not mean in any way that they arn't doing well in life....they just choose others things to spend their money on.... you plonker

thats is a lame thing to say and a sad , sad way to think about others.

and as for the BMW comments you prove me right yet again in the fact that BMW drivers are dicks.

pls pls back to the topic