Getting an X-trail, any tips/advice
Discussion
Well, its the old lady that is after one, shes seen a few second hand models in her price range, Having never driven a Nissan 4x4, i dont have any idea what to look for on these, Are there any common faults? Are there any models/engines we should be avoiding?
Any help appreciated guys!
Any help appreciated guys!
Hello!
We have a 2005 X-Trail Sport (2.2DCI). Someone on another forum I use (overclockers.co.uk) asked a similar question, so I'll just copy and paste my reply from that which gives you a bit of ownership experience as well:
We have a 2005 X-Trail Sport (2.2DCI). Someone on another forum I use (overclockers.co.uk) asked a similar question, so I'll just copy and paste my reply from that which gives you a bit of ownership experience as well:
Conscript said:
Hi. We've owned a 2.2 DCI 55 plate X-Trail since November 2013. Bought it for the same purpose - my girlfriend owns a horse, so needed a car for wet fields, muddy stable yards and farm tracks, with good load capacity. X-Trail also has a towing capacity of 2000KGs, which she eventually wants to do with it.
So far, it's been a great car. I only bought it as a complete workhorse, but I actually think it's quite a nice, comfy car to drive. Engine is a bit agricultural in the cold and rattles away at idle, but has so far been reliable.
In the last year, we've not had many problems (touch wood).
- Not long after we bought it, I kept getting a warning light for the EGR valve, which I cleared with a good old Italian tuneup. Car is still a bit smokey on full throttle, but no worse than any old diesel, I'm led to believe.
- About a month ago, we did experience limp home mode once (just a power loss, no lights or drama) which I think is caused by the Suction Control Valve (http://www.x-trail-uk.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=7872) failing. Restarting the car cures it. A bit of Googling highlighted that it's quite a common problem. I've bought a replacement part on eBay, but since happening the first time, it only happened once more, and then has been fine since. So I have the part, but I'm in no great rush to go and fix at the moment; but I will do eventually.
Apart from that, no real problems. Track rods ends replaced earlier this year, and I've just had to do the rear ARB bushes/drop links, but on a 121K mile car that spends most of it's time on rough roads, I think I can forgive it that.
As a car in general, I'm quite pleased with it. Interior isn't particularly nice, but it is very functional - lots of storage, several 12V outlets, seats are comfortable and it has a huge amount of room. Very easy to drive - quite a big car, but not really a full size 4x4. The windows are huge so all round visibility is excellent. Obviously not fast or particularly sharp, but I actually prefer commuting in it to the GT86...softer ride, softer gearbox, and it burbles along at motorway speeds quite nicely. Nice high driving position, too.
MPG - probably not great. Last time I checked a full tank, it did 35MPG average. But again, it does lots of short trips as the stables is only a couple of miles away, so we don't expect much from it. I used to work with a guy who bought a 11 plate and absolutely loves it; he claimed an average of about 50MPG from his (although spent more time on the motorway, too).
In the same thread, another guy who owns one and is much more knowledgeable than me also gave this bit of advice regarding the intercooler.So far, it's been a great car. I only bought it as a complete workhorse, but I actually think it's quite a nice, comfy car to drive. Engine is a bit agricultural in the cold and rattles away at idle, but has so far been reliable.
In the last year, we've not had many problems (touch wood).
- Not long after we bought it, I kept getting a warning light for the EGR valve, which I cleared with a good old Italian tuneup. Car is still a bit smokey on full throttle, but no worse than any old diesel, I'm led to believe.
- About a month ago, we did experience limp home mode once (just a power loss, no lights or drama) which I think is caused by the Suction Control Valve (http://www.x-trail-uk.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=7872) failing. Restarting the car cures it. A bit of Googling highlighted that it's quite a common problem. I've bought a replacement part on eBay, but since happening the first time, it only happened once more, and then has been fine since. So I have the part, but I'm in no great rush to go and fix at the moment; but I will do eventually.
Apart from that, no real problems. Track rods ends replaced earlier this year, and I've just had to do the rear ARB bushes/drop links, but on a 121K mile car that spends most of it's time on rough roads, I think I can forgive it that.
As a car in general, I'm quite pleased with it. Interior isn't particularly nice, but it is very functional - lots of storage, several 12V outlets, seats are comfortable and it has a huge amount of room. Very easy to drive - quite a big car, but not really a full size 4x4. The windows are huge so all round visibility is excellent. Obviously not fast or particularly sharp, but I actually prefer commuting in it to the GT86...softer ride, softer gearbox, and it burbles along at motorway speeds quite nicely. Nice high driving position, too.
MPG - probably not great. Last time I checked a full tank, it did 35MPG average. But again, it does lots of short trips as the stables is only a couple of miles away, so we don't expect much from it. I used to work with a guy who bought a 11 plate and absolutely loves it; he claimed an average of about 50MPG from his (although spent more time on the motorway, too).
BugOne said:
We've had a 05 X-Trail for about 5 years.
The turbo did fail on ours, and I had to replace it. The problem was caused by the crimped edges of the intercooler leaking, over working the turbo. You can spot this issue quite easily by oil dripping out of the bottom left edge of the intercooler. Replacing a worn intercooler early will prevent this, but by the time you're getting oil, the turbo seals have probably worn. I replaced our turbo with a hybrid unit.
Other than that, it's been a really reliable car. The engine is a bit smokey, but then - what 10 year old diesel isn't. Economy hasn't been too bad either. Back when I was commuting in it, I calculated it at 37mpg.
Hope it helps!The turbo did fail on ours, and I had to replace it. The problem was caused by the crimped edges of the intercooler leaking, over working the turbo. You can spot this issue quite easily by oil dripping out of the bottom left edge of the intercooler. Replacing a worn intercooler early will prevent this, but by the time you're getting oil, the turbo seals have probably worn. I replaced our turbo with a hybrid unit.
Other than that, it's been a really reliable car. The engine is a bit smokey, but then - what 10 year old diesel isn't. Economy hasn't been too bad either. Back when I was commuting in it, I calculated it at 37mpg.
Baryonyx said:
Aren't these supposed to be horrendously unreliable? A colleague of mine has recently been stung with a big bill for a cracked head gasket on his, partially funded by the supplying dealer. So check it blows hot air through the vents and that there is no mayo in the filler cap.
What model is his?I have a 06 2.5 Petrol. Went out looking for an estate car and saw this instead. It's a nice drive on the road and pretty good off it. I'd buy another but cant find a later petrol in the revised boxy shape. Only non scheduled maintenance was an sunday afternoon changing the front calipers which I believe is a pretty standard Xtrail issue..
We have owned a 2005 Xtrail 2.2 SVE DCI, for 6 years now and 60000 miles. It has been very reliable with regular servicing. The only issues have been ARB bushes and a noisy, but still functioning rear shock absorber, which I replaced. 1 small electronic issue with the drivers window auto up facility which stopped working correctly, but a battery reset and it resolved itself.
The car is comfortable and surprisingly good off road and with all season tyres, snow is no problem. You can get a remarkable amount into the boot, even with the seats up. Fuel consumption on a long run, is in the 40 MPG range at 80 MPH. I have looked at the new X-trails but prefer diesel motors without DPFs and associated complexities. I prefer the boxy shape to the new Quashaqi-esque shape.
The only criticism of the T30 model, is that it is missing a 7 seat option but that is minor. A set of roof bars is also a good investment and they make a good tow car.
The car is comfortable and surprisingly good off road and with all season tyres, snow is no problem. You can get a remarkable amount into the boot, even with the seats up. Fuel consumption on a long run, is in the 40 MPG range at 80 MPH. I have looked at the new X-trails but prefer diesel motors without DPFs and associated complexities. I prefer the boxy shape to the new Quashaqi-esque shape.
The only criticism of the T30 model, is that it is missing a 7 seat option but that is minor. A set of roof bars is also a good investment and they make a good tow car.
I've had one for seven months and as an every day work horse it is certainly fit for purpose. I run mine on A/T tyres and it is fine on snow and mud.
I checked the inter cooler on mine and both it and the EGR were brand new. It blew its turbo about a month after I got it but the dealer replaced it FOC. The engine is a chain driven Nissan unit and bears no resemblance to the Renault 2.2 of the same name. Chains rattle when cold but as long as it quiets down when the oil pressure builds it will be fine.
Mine needs a couple of rear shock absorbers as one blew today and the handling is now quite interesting. Parts are pretty cheap and I get 30mpg no matter how I drive it.
I never thought I would say it, but I actually quite like mine. (55 plate 2.2dCi).
ETA, the turbos only blow because people ignore the leaking inter cooler which makes the turbo over boost.
I checked the inter cooler on mine and both it and the EGR were brand new. It blew its turbo about a month after I got it but the dealer replaced it FOC. The engine is a chain driven Nissan unit and bears no resemblance to the Renault 2.2 of the same name. Chains rattle when cold but as long as it quiets down when the oil pressure builds it will be fine.
Mine needs a couple of rear shock absorbers as one blew today and the handling is now quite interesting. Parts are pretty cheap and I get 30mpg no matter how I drive it.
I never thought I would say it, but I actually quite like mine. (55 plate 2.2dCi).
ETA, the turbos only blow because people ignore the leaking inter cooler which makes the turbo over boost.
Our 2005 2.2 xtrail is the family dog carrier / tip runner / camping car
It pains me to say it but it's a great car. Great on fuel , stupidly reliable for a 10 year old car and very comfey (I drove it 170 miles this morning to our Chester office without stopping)
Trying to think of bad points to put you off but can't , ummm I hear the newer models have a few issues but havnt owned one to comment
It pains me to say it but it's a great car. Great on fuel , stupidly reliable for a 10 year old car and very comfey (I drove it 170 miles this morning to our Chester office without stopping)
Trying to think of bad points to put you off but can't , ummm I hear the newer models have a few issues but havnt owned one to comment
rhinochopig said:
Theother thing to check are the rear calipers, which are garbage. They seize easily for some reason.
If you do not use sufficient copper grease on the sliding caliper surfaces and do not clean them properly when you replace the pad, they will seize up due to rust and gunk build up. Do it when you do a service and it should be okay.They also have pretty decent headlights too, even the halogen headlamps are very good. The central instrument binnacle is different, but I quite like it.
Edited by QuantumTokoloshi on Tuesday 3rd March 21:30
Trevor450 said:
You should really use ceramic brake grease on the slider pins. Copper grease isn't great for rubber seals. Jap cars do seem prone to sticky calipers. My wife's MX-5 is no better.
Yup agreed, was talking about the sliding components of the caliper itself and the back plate of the disk pad.QuantumTokoloshi said:
Yup agreed, was talking about the sliding components of the caliper itself and the back plate of the disk pad.
I see what you mean. My caliper carriers were that rusty they needed a dremel just to get the new pads to fit! Liberal amounts of copper grease was used on the backing and in the sliders. A bonus of the 2.2DCI unit ( or at least, my one) is the Tailgaiter Repulsion System.
Someone gets too close behind you on the motorway? Simply dab the throttle a bit harder to deploy an instant smoke screen and give the offender cancer.
Effectiveness increased if offender is in a convertible.
Someone gets too close behind you on the motorway? Simply dab the throttle a bit harder to deploy an instant smoke screen and give the offender cancer.
Effectiveness increased if offender is in a convertible.
Brilliant cars just keep an eye on the intercooler and youll be fine, only other issue of note is the fuel pressure regulator, around £140.
If your handy you can buy a universal fmic kit off ebay which gave me more power, better mpg and less smoke. It was sround£75 but a bit of fabrication is involved and relocate the map sensor.
If your handy you can buy a universal fmic kit off ebay which gave me more power, better mpg and less smoke. It was sround£75 but a bit of fabrication is involved and relocate the map sensor.
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