for those of you that have an 08 and have had the re-flash what in your opinion are the differences. do you like it, hate it, what would you ask for in the 3.0 re-flash if there ever is one....
I took mine in for the 2.0 update, it's a RIP OFF.
I truly believe it was a way for the dealership to talk smart owners into additional services.
My car was not upgraded ( unless it already had the right software ), it did not recieve a new battery or a new owners manual. Instead I drive 30 miles, which takes an hour, I wait an hour at the dealership for them to do nothing but waste my time. Then I have to wait for the service rep. to deal with all the Benz owners before I can leave the dealership. I didn't wait, I just got in my smart and left.
Why didn't smart separate themselves from the Benz dealership, we are treated like second class citzens when we needs our smarts serviced.
Permalink Reply by SATO on April 14, 2009 at 10:35pm
TC, is your smart an 08 or 09? if its an 08 and they did do the re-flash, you will notice that now the paddle shifter on the left when pulled will make the gear box go down into a lower gear and stay in manual mode... that did not happen before! your transmission is also shifting more smoothly from 1-2 and 2-3 as well.
I do agree with you that some dealers treat MB customers differently from smart customers and its very frustrating, but do take a moment to look at what was done to your car... if you did not have the comfort package, the battery was not part of the recall. so I also ask you if your car has the rain sensor and auto light package?
I do not have the comfort package. They still changed the battery, re-mapped the tranny and gave me a new owner's manual.
Our smart dealer is co-located with a Dodge/Jeep/Nissan dealership and I have had excellent service. I agree they should not be located with an MB dealer.
Scott could you let me know under what reason they changed your battery.. I really would like that done to mine as I plan on upgrading the sound system to something with more finesse and power
Permalink Reply by Tony on April 20, 2009 at 11:49pm
Wow TC, sad situation. Maybe you should have had a conversation with the service manager instead of leaving unsatisfied. I also suggest in the future, you set a service appointment and clearly indicate to the service rep when you set the appointment that the service must be done during the appointment time. I am on the road every day in my smart, some days I am in that puppy for 8 or 9 hours straight. I rely on it and the folks at my dealer know it. I'll be heading in this Friday for my software upgrade. I don't anticipate the work taking any longer than my appointment is set for which is one hour. By the way, I have to drive 35 minutes to my dealer, so I get how you feel it's not just the time you are there but travel time too. Good Luck with your future service visits TC
My 2008, Cabriolet has been re-flashed. I can tell no diference in the shifting. I do like the changes in the paddles. I now use the "manual" mode more often.
Permalink Reply by SATO on September 17, 2010 at 1:46pm
Not to my knowledge. the re-flash was mainly to change how our US programing handles shifting and clutch engagement. UK smarts don't have the stupid "crawl" feature we have. The US smarts are all programed to actually move if you release the brake pedal to simulate an automatic trans. I wish we could de program this feature as I'm almost convinced that it affects the smarts low speed drivability.. say at 3-6 mph in a parking lot or in heavy traffic.
~2009 Passion~
I just got the 2.03 (combined soft shift & reverse fix) update at my 10,000 checkup... Its a optional update if your not having reverse problems... Sooooooo what do I think of the update... It refined the shifting a little... I Like It... Service GUY said it will get even better after three weeks of Re-learning the Driver's driving style...
Note: 10 minutes to download & flash from Germany... Also I have the AREA 451 CC... Service GUY said no problem... It doesn't cause any problems being connected to the computer to do the flash, or checking for error codes... Its all done through the OBDII Port... I told him I would disconnect the CC if it would be a problem connected to the computer... He said NO ITS NOT A PROBLEM being connected...<:-))
i just prefer a scan gauge permanently mounted (well sorta, it's on a suction cup mount to windshield now, might dash mount it in the spring) but it's always on and connected. i have a basic cell phone which i only carry with me half the time, so it…
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