Exterior Panel Replacement - 451 smart fortwo

I have removed and changed pa…

2010-08-04T00:44:32.347Z

I have removed and changed panels dozens of times, I own four Smarts and i have swapped the panels many times. The first time that you do it can be difficult, but once you have done it it is rather easy to do. No its not so hard the only thing that you need to worry about is the small white clips on the lower door kick panels they tend to break my suggestion is to leave the car outside in the sun so that the panels are nice and warm so they can flex more this tends to help me remove the panels without breaking the white tabs. Also the next hardest panel to remove and install is the door panels. The door handle is pretty straight forward to remove, but removing the mirror assembly to get to the one bolt that holds the panel on can be difficult. when removing the screws that hold the mirror in place remember where you removed what length screw from where, or when you go to reinstall the mirror assembly you will screw a hole right threw your mirror assembly. Once the lower door kick panels are removed it is pretty easy to figure out what screws need to be removed in order to remove the remainder if the panels. It is always a good idea to have a friend help you remove the panels from the front and from the rear because the three front panels and the three rear panels come off together as a single panel assembly and are then taken apart once removed from the car. It can be done but it can be rather difficult to remove by your self. The tail lights stay on the panels when you remove them from the car so it makes the panels more top heavy and damage can easily occur.

Use http://www.fq101.co.uk/ho…

2010-07-09T16:41:23.499Z

Use http://www.fq101.co.uk/how-to-guides.html

Lot's of good info there. Thanks, Ed!

I think the majority of owner…

2010-07-09T15:17:16.386Z

I think the majority of owners who have carried out a full body panel replacement are 450 owners not the 451.

Recently i had the windows of my new Passion Cdi tinted and three large companies who specialised in tinting declined to do my car when they realised what was involved with the door panel removal.

I had downloaded internet instructions on how the job was done and yes the whole door mirror and door handle assembly must be removed first and remember these have to be reinstalled which again is not that easy.

To attempt the job so that when its finished it looks like it has not been done is really for somebody very skilled in panel removal and repair.

I am not sure why Mercedes have made the job of panel removal so difficult but when you consider they charge over £1000 for the panels it is no wonder they would rather you went to them and forked out a lot of money than you do it yourself.

I wish you all the luck in th…

2010-07-09T15:05:19.665Z

I wish you all the luck in the world but i can tell you even with an instruction manual the removal of the door paneals on the 451 current Smart is a beast of a job.

I tried it and you have to remove the mirror housing and door handle first and then the fun begins.

In the end i had to take the car to the main dealer to have them do the job properly.

The old 450 Smart was fairly straight forward but you really have to know what you are doing with the new 451.

It can be done but in my opinion it is a main dealer job who have done the job before and know all the panels back too front.

I have tried the job myself and regretted it.

The new 451 Smart is a totally different car to the old 450 in every respect.

You may have to fork out some money but to have the job done looking like its never been done is a main dealer affair.

This link is not working. DOe…

2010-01-03T16:21:51.244Z

This link is not working. DOes anyone have a revised URL for removing the 451 front panels?

hello jim i would like to get…

2009-02-16T17:35:39.961Z

hello jim i would like to get a copy of your manual you can contact me at tankkker@hotmail.com

Do you have any diagrams on t…

2009-01-12T21:53:06.219Z

Do you have any diagrams on the rear pannel just below the tailgate? I need to remove it to install a bike rack. Thank's ,Price

Yes I would like a copy. I'm…

2009-01-12T21:44:08.947Z

Yes I would like a copy. I'm trying to find some sort of printed copy that tell's how to remove body pannels.Thank's, Price

I just swiched the panels bet…

2008-12-29T16:55:24.462Z

I just swiched the panels between my and my wife's car. She wants it yelow now . I did it my self without helpers. It was so easy! I spent 3 hours of my last weekend. ( but before I spent years to be a car mechanic, so all of these clips and panels jobs are not new to me)
The hardest part was a undedoor panel. It was hard to remove it without braking the clips.
I have a 10 photos uploded .

Hello Jim, I would like to h…

2008-11-07T14:16:45.385Z

Hello Jim,

I would like to have a copy. Please let me knowhow you got it and where. Is it something you can email? I am going to meet another Smartfortwo owner and swap panels and would very much like to have as mucj information as possible beforehand.

Thank You,

Alan