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Author Topic: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out  (Read 21215 times)

evilution

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #15 on: May 14, 2014, 06:36:16 PM »

You can't make a single complaint about a car that you bought with your heart and not your head.
If you test drove a car, found it was uncomfortable to drive and then bought it anyway, you're mad.
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Scoobysook

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #16 on: May 14, 2014, 07:29:56 PM »

I have auto lights and wipers but still find myself turning then on and off as I feel which kind of defeats the object of them
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Ipanema

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #17 on: May 14, 2014, 08:50:57 PM »

CrazyG
I am used to automatic headlamps and keyless engine start system and really miss those features in Smart. I understand that keyless engine start system might be too hard to get on these cars due to their imobilizer, but headlamps shall not cost much if system from Colt can be mounted :)

I think automatic windscreen wipers never work well, but considering that Forfour has no regulation of interval for front wipers and absolutely no option to switch back wiper with intervals unless done manually, automatic wipers might be major upgrade.

So, if cost of retrofitting these options keeps low, why not?

evilution
I tried to find one with my head and nearly ended up with Corolla. I just cannot imagine how can anybody turn Corrola to a car that is pleasant to drive,  so decided to buy one that drives best and modify it to feel comfortable (not that I do not feel comfortable with my Smart, some modifications can make it spot on :D )

One more thing: I really cannot think of any car this small, that can deliver so much driving pleasure while retaining most comfort elements that you need/want on everyday basis. Micra, Yaris and Colt are really dull, Peugeot 106 and Saxo are too small and lack any comfort whatsoever. Only car that looks good, is well equipped,  cheap to maintain, mostly reliable and at the same time pretty fast and encouraging that I was able to find is Smart ForFour. So I went with one with biggest naturally aspirated engine i was able to find :) and  ended up with this:  https://db.tt/wg5PQqJT
« Last Edit: May 14, 2014, 08:52:07 PM by Ipanema »
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crazations

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #18 on: May 14, 2014, 09:26:05 PM »

I would never have automated Lights and/or Wipers on a car of mine - it's just one (or two) more thing(s) to go wrong.

When it comes to lights, we drive with them on all time here anyway so I turn them on as a matter of habit every time I start the car - I haven't even bothered to set them to come on automatically as Daytime Driving Lights (as per the User Manual Page 2-3) because of my dislike for all things automatic.

And as for Automatic Wipers, they can be downright dangerous. A few years ago I was driving at about 240 km/h on the Autobahn in a company Mercedes when I passed a car that was using it's badly adjusted Windscreen Washers - which triggered the Auto Wipe function on the Merc. - the resulting damp and squashed insects smeared over the Windscreen when driving into the Sun at that speed is not much fun, I can assure you!!!
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CrazyG

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #19 on: May 14, 2014, 09:47:29 PM »

Keyless start.....
might be possible....you'll need a friend who is an electrical genius to
find a way to make it work.

Auto lights...
Colt system is the same as the ForFour...they share many many components,
so maybe loom is present except at point of fitting of sensors. However, it
would need to be programmed in to the ECU....that all costs.
No cost just to turn the lights on yourself.

Wipers...
there are 3 settings....delayed wipe....slow wipe...fast wipe.
Sure the delay wipe is a set value/time....but so are many many cars.
Only expensive ones have adjustable delay. But that can possibly be
got around by a car electrical wizard...again.
Rear wipers....they are a set delay. Any more than they are set at and
you'll wear the wiper blade out thru all the muck that gets thrown up
onto the glass.

As already stated, the car is 10yrs old....save the money for worthwhile
mods like speaker/headunit upgrades....and just enjoy the drive you have
and use your hands to flick a few odd switches every now n then.....after all
it's a relatively cheap lill motor...not an expensive BMW or a 'big' Merc.
besides...you'd have to pay extra even today to have some of those features
that you are looking for as the base models don't even have them ! They're
all expensive 'extras' according to  them !
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454 - Passion CDi 95hp (manual, full Brab body kit, coilovers etc)
454 - Passion 1.3 (manual, Brab body kit, lowered etc) [SORN'd]
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Ipanema

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #20 on: May 14, 2014, 10:10:18 PM »

There must be some ways out though.
I mean if wipers on Nissan Micra have option to set time of delay, that is one small relay in there - has to be simple. Automatic headlights is an issue to many (like my brother, whose Colt has such option and he never uses it), but it is a nice touch and might be easy to install. I putted automatic wipers even on my 1978 MGB Roadster :D it was  an easy mod with mitsubishi hardware :P so how hard can it be? :D

CrazyG
Car is really old, but updating it might bring additional comfort for a small amount of expenditure. Some modify engine for more power, some try to give the car better visual by updating rims or putting some kits on. Some upgrade the audio and speakers.

none of these upgrades/updates cost cheap. so why not updating things as simple as automated wipers/headlights or wider footrest?

PS I was trying to find way to bring the steering wheel closer to the driver, but it seems too much modification will be needed. it is possible to do with spacer, but the selectors (turn signals and wipers) will stay where they are and become unreachable... so it was a bad idea :D
« Last Edit: May 14, 2014, 10:12:02 PM by Ipanema »
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2005 Smart ForFour 1.5 AMT

CrazyG

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #21 on: May 14, 2014, 10:36:47 PM »

Apologies....
Not saying it is not possible to add/fit all the extra's you would like....
No one else has expressed a desire to do what you have stated...
but if you achieve any of them, then maybe others will follow suit.

Good luck with any of the mods that you might try to do to make
your car 'special' to you.

Oh, nearly forgot...you could change the entire steering wheel...
Momo do a steering wheel adapter boss/hub (Mistubishi Colt spline pattern),
and you could then fit a Momo steering wheel with possibly the right
'reach' for you. Airbag ? I can't say if they do a wheel that will or
can have an airbag. If not, then you will once again have to add
a 'gizmo'/gadget that will fool the ECU into thinking that there
is an airbag present. But then gain...a Momo wheel and adapter
will not be cheap....no way no how !
« Last Edit: May 14, 2014, 10:38:23 PM by CrazyG »
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454 - Brabus (mapped, Willwood brakes, coilovers etc etc)
454 - Passion CDi 95hp (manual, full Brab body kit, coilovers etc)
454 - Passion 1.3 (manual, Brab body kit, lowered etc) [SORN'd]
451 - Pulse Turbo [my daily drive] (mapped, coilovers etc)
450 - 'Widestar' Passion 700cc [SORN'd]

Ipanema

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #22 on: May 15, 2014, 11:51:38 AM »

CrazyG

Apologies for what? we are just sharing our point of view. I did not intent to offend anyone. sorry if it seems like this :(
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2005 Smart ForFour 1.5 AMT

Fox

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #23 on: May 15, 2014, 04:23:21 PM »

If the nissan micra has all this stuff, why not buy a nissan micra?

'Keyless' is a misnomer.
You might not have a key to turn but you still need to have some device where it can be read either inductively or wirelessly to clear the immobiliser and alarm.

If you want a 'push to start' button, traditionally, that's easily done with a PTM switch, a couple of bits of wire and access to the barrel.
However, I can't say whether the key's chips are read when the key is turned to ignition stage or when entered/first or second stage so you'll have to discover whether turning the key is needed to make the correct connection. In this case, the barrel might have to be modified and this could be a little more difficult.

Of course things are possible. It's just debatable whether they are worthwhile.

To me there's no point reinventing the wheel when the current one does it so well.
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Ipanema

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #24 on: May 15, 2014, 05:56:47 PM »

Fox,

I have Nissan Micra :) well, JDM version of it, Nissan March.
It really is a great car, but lacks the character of the Smart and I got really bored with that car...

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lil.smartie

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #25 on: May 15, 2014, 07:05:27 PM »

My colt czc has adjustable intermittent front wipers.
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CrazyG

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #26 on: May 16, 2014, 03:15:18 PM »

There ya go then for starters  Ipanema....could be one way to get
the front wipers sorted...just need the parts and a possible code.
Great that the Colt and ForFour share or swap parts.
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454 - Brabus (mapped, Willwood brakes, coilovers etc etc)
454 - Passion CDi 95hp (manual, full Brab body kit, coilovers etc)
454 - Passion 1.3 (manual, Brab body kit, lowered etc) [SORN'd]
451 - Pulse Turbo [my daily drive] (mapped, coilovers etc)
450 - 'Widestar' Passion 700cc [SORN'd]

mr singh

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #27 on: May 16, 2014, 08:00:12 PM »

My colt czc has adjustable intermittent front wipers.

and how does one fit them to our cars?
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CrazyG

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #28 on: May 16, 2014, 09:53:57 PM »

Erm...how about a different stalk control on the steering column...
and maybe a relay with delay timer/resistor...and then have it TAN coded.

Me...I'd trace wires n see which one's do what from the stalk, and then
see if it is poss to fit a variable delay gadget in the line. Just depends if
if it CANBUS or not...but then there are ways round that even.
(I'm no electronics genius...but someone may know or find a way
via Google search....or an auto-electrician friend.)
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454 - Brabus (mapped, Willwood brakes, coilovers etc etc)
454 - Passion CDi 95hp (manual, full Brab body kit, coilovers etc)
454 - Passion 1.3 (manual, Brab body kit, lowered etc) [SORN'd]
451 - Pulse Turbo [my daily drive] (mapped, coilovers etc)
450 - 'Widestar' Passion 700cc [SORN'd]

lil.smartie

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Re: My experience with ForFour and possible ways out
« Reply #29 on: May 16, 2014, 10:28:43 PM »

My colt czc has adjustable intermittent front wipers.

and how does one fit them to our cars?

The stalks look the same as the forfour ones but the middle twists. Keep trying to do it in P's Brab.... oops
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