M160/M160E vs M135 1.3/1.5

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
M135 1.3/1.5 ACCEPTABLE 72/100
+32 points over M160/M160E
0 / 100
AVOID M160/M160E Smart
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE M135 1.3/1.5 Smart

Specifications

M160/M160E
M135 1.3/1.5
Brand
Smart
Smart
Verdict
AVOID
ACCEPTABLE
Reliability
40
72
Years
1998--2007
2014--2019
Displacement
599 cc
1332 cc
Layout
I3
I4
Type
Petrol Turbo
Petrol Na
Power
45--61 hp
71--109 hp
Known Issues
5
2
Total Risk Cost
€2,200--€5,700
€300--€1,200

Character

M160/M160E

"Original Smart engine. Tiny, turbocharged, temperamental. Clutch actuator = wallet killer. Fun when it works."

M135 1.3/1.5

"ForTwo/ForFour 453. Mitsubishi 3A9 engine (Mirage/Space Star). NA 1.0 (71hp) and 1.3 (109hp). Brabus 1.5 turbo (177hp) rare. Simple, reliable for what it is. Timing chain. CVT on ForTwo can be jerky. Better than old M132."

Issues Comparison

M160/M160E 5

◆ CRITICAL
Clutch actuator failure €500--€1,200 30,000 km--80,000 km
◆ CRITICAL
Head gasket failure €500--€1,200 60,000 km--120,000 km
▲ HIGH
Overheating (rear-mount cooling) €300--€1,000 40,000 km--90,000 km
▲ HIGH
Turbo failure €600--€1,500 50,000 km--100,000 km
● MODERATE
ECU / immobilizer fault €300--€800 60,000 km--130,000 km

M135 1.3/1.5 2

● MODERATE
CVT jerkiness (ForTwo) €0--€500 40,000 km--100,000 km
● MODERATE
Timing chain tensioner wear €300--€700 100,000 km--180,000 km

Models

M160/M160E 5

ForTwo W450 1998--2007 ForTwo W450 1998--2004 ForTwo W450 2003--2007 ForTwo W450 2003--2007 Roadster W452 2003--2006 Convertible

M135 1.3/1.5 2

ForFour W454 2004--2006 ForFour W454 2005--2006
Full M160/M160E Report Full M135 1.3/1.5 Report