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The Smart Roadster is proof that a good idea and a very nice appearance are not enough to bring a successful type to the market. The Roadster has been in production for just over two years, and less than 50,000 copies have been made. Yet it remains a great model to look at. If your Smart Roadster has windscreen damage, this will affect the appearance of the car. And in some cases the windscreen has to be replaced because the crack or asterisk in the windscreen is a reason for rejection and driving on with the damage is unsafe.
Before we look at the possibilities of replacing the Smart Roadster windscreen, we first look back at this interesting model that just wasn't it.
Rarely were opinions so divided as they were at the time the Smart Roadster was released. The model was introduced in 2003, but that didn't happen without a struggle. Five years earlier (!) the Smart CityCoupé was shown to the public, but just before the exhibition there were problems with the stability of the car. These had to be adjusted in a hurry, so that the speed of the car was lost and the price skyrocketed. The sales figures were extremely disappointing, only a third of the estimated sales were achieved.
Smart had to go back to the drawing board. And did so in a striking way, because despite the problems with the engine and gearbox in the CityCoupé it was decided to use the same parts to make a sports model of the Smart type. But in order to maintain enough horsepower per kilo, a turbo had to be added as well as rear-wheel drive.
The Roadster was supposed to be shown as a concept car in 2000, but that milestone was not reached. Smart had not yet finished choosing the variants (optional packages) and the colours in which the Roadster would be produced. It took the team another sloppy year to do that.
In 2003 the Roadster finally came on the market. The model was directly compared with the BMW Z3, the Mazda MX-5 and of course the Toyota MR2. The Roadster models were smaller and had a much less powerful engine. Yet a kilogram/horsepower ratio of 10.5:1 is not bad at all and the 3 cylinder 82 hp with turbo is quite okay for a car of 865 kilos. In addition, the Roadster's hard suspension ensures sporty and aggressive road holding. Compared to its competitors, the Roadster is also a much more exciting model, whether or not because of the Smart logo, which is particularly surprising when you have never seen the Roadster before.
A lot of problems with the driving behaviour and the gearbox
Technically, the Smart Roadster has been a success. 20,000 models were sold and that was enough to cover the costs. Because the plug was pulled out of the project in time, Smart was able to focus on other models in time, such as the second generation of the Smart ForTwo. But for the buyers, there have been regular trips to the garage, especially if the standard version had been chosen without the Brabus packages. This version has hardly had any problems with the driving behaviour or the gearbox, in contrast to the basic version.
The Smart Roadster has been sold less than 40,000 times in Europe. Numerous reasons were given for this, such as the disappointing engine performance, the image of Smart (fuel-efficient city cars) or the problems with the CityCoupé, which made people hesitant. But we should also not forget that Smart immediately had fierce competition from better and cheaper models, such as the Peugeot 206 CC, which was a resounding success at the time of its introduction.
Nevertheless, many men and women still turn their heads when a Smart Roadster passes by. Because it remains a feast for the eyes, regardless of whether it is the coupé version or not.
Car window damage is not an immediate cause for panic. Not every asterisk or crack causes the windscreen to have to be replaced immediately. Only an asterisk with a diameter of more than 20 millimetres or a branched crack in the driver's field of vision will reject the windscreen.
The windscreen is rejected for the MOT in case of the above mentioned damage because driving on is unsafe. Incoming light is reflected in an unpredictable manner in the event of window damage. This makes it easy for you to be dazzled while driving.
Replacing a part of the Smart is not cheap. But when it comes to automotive glass, there are cheaper options than the price charged by the dealer. The Smart dealer only sells car windows with a brand logo. This brand logo ensures that this automotive glass can only be sold by dealers, otherwise the brand does nothing at all.
Cheap car windows are car windows without a brand logo. These can be found on the after market. These windows are made in the same factories and meet identical requirements. Only the price is much lower, because there is no brand logo used. A new windscreen for the Smart Roadster is available from € 329.
Suitable for: | Price: |
€ 329.00 | |
€ 399.00 | |
€ 20.00 | |
Optional fitting on-site | € 100.00 (NL) - € 130.00 (BE) |
No, replacing the windscreen of a Smart Roadster is an expert's job. The windscreen must be fitted correctly so that it does not come loose in case of an accident and does not leak because the sealant has been applied incorrectly in case of incorrect installation.
If you choose our after market windscreens, our certified fitting partners can replace your car window on location. This is possible while you are at home or when you are at work. The installation of the new windscreen usually takes place within three working days.
Do you need to replace the windscreen of your Smart Roadster because the windscreen damage exceeds the legal restrictions? At the after market you will find the right windscreen for your Smart at the lowest prices. You simply select the windscreen that fits your Smart model and then indicate whether you want to order the windscreen with or without delivery/fitting.
Can't find the right windscreen for your car or do you want us to help you find the right windscreen for your Smart Roadster? Please contact us so we can assist you directly.
