Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTi - Sensible Choice?
Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTi - Sensible Choice?
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Discussion

slowcyclist

Original Poster:

21 posts

60 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
I've seen a manual 2012 Zafira Tourer 2.0 CDTi (128 bhp) for sale at a local garage for around £5.5k with a (claimed) full service history and a recent timing belt and water pump change. It has 80K miles, one owner from new and from a fairly quick look around it appears to be in good condition.

It seems like reasonable value for a 7 seat MPV and, on paper at least, ticks most of my boxes.

The thing that I'm wrestling with is that I'm seen some horrid feedback about the reliability and longevity of the 2.0 CDTi engine and gearbox . Is it really as bas as some people are suggesting, or are they just a vocal minority?

I'm looking for something that I can keep for 5 or so years at about 10-12K miles per year with a decent chance of avoiding horrific repair bills. Subsequent resale value is not a huge concern, but reliability is important.

What are your thoughts?

dmsims

7,435 posts

295 months

slowcyclist

Original Poster:

21 posts

60 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
dmsims said:
Thanks for the reply.

That looks like a nice example. The 1.4T engine is appealing but, firstly, that particular car less local than I would like, but also at 102K miles it engages that (possibly irrational) mental block of buying a car with 100k miles on it.

With 102K on it already, this car would need to make it to 150-160k to see me through my desired ownership period, whereas the 2.0 CDTi I've seen locally would only need to reach 130-140K. Generally speaking, which engine and gearbox combo is more likely to reach those mileages without incurring expensive bills?

georgeyboy12345

4,581 posts

63 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
They are reliable as long as the oil is changed regularly, with your mileage I'd be doing it annually. I'd also be avoiding frequent short journeys where the motor doesn't get warm else you'll screw the DPF.

Also, check the reg on the government MOT history website and scroll down to the outstanding safety recalls bit to make sure it's had the recall to fix the issue of them bursting into flames.


slowcyclist

Original Poster:

21 posts

60 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
georgeyboy12345 said:
They are reliable as long as the oil is changed regularly, with your mileage I'd be doing it annually. I'd also be avoiding frequent short journeys where the motor doesn't get warm else you'll screw the DPF.

Also, check the reg on the government MOT history website and scroll down to the outstanding safety recalls bit to make sure it's had the recall to fix the issue of them bursting into flames.

Thanks.

clockworks

7,514 posts

173 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
I had a Vectra with the 150bhp 2.0 CDTi engine as a company car - I assume that it's the same basic engine?

I ran the car for just under 4 years, and it went back with almost 140k on the clock.
The only problem I had with the car was basically there from new. It would occasionally go into limp mode, and leaving the car switched off for a few minutes would clear it. My local dealer had several goes at fixing it, to no avail. Eventually I took it to another Vauxhall dealer, who diagnosed a porous inlet manifold. Replaced under warranty, and the car performed flawlessly from then on.

Great engine in a distinctly average car! It averaged well over 50mpg, checked brim to brim.

slowcyclist

Original Poster:

21 posts

60 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
clockworks said:
I had a Vectra with the 150bhp 2.0 CDTi engine as a company car - I assume that it's the same basic engine?

I ran the car for just under 4 years, and it went back with almost 140k on the clock.
The only problem I had with the car was basically there from new. It would occasionally go into limp mode, and leaving the car switched off for a few minutes would clear it. My local dealer had several goes at fixing it, to no avail. Eventually I took it to another Vauxhall dealer, who diagnosed a porous inlet manifold. Replaced under warranty, and the car performed flawlessly from then on.

Great engine in a distinctly average car! It averaged well over 50mpg, checked brim to brim.
Thanks for the feedback. I always struggle to know how much emphasis to put on the negative feedback as people are generally quicker to report problems than positive experiences.

littlebasher

3,949 posts

199 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
I thought the lower powered 2.0 CDTI was a 8 valve unit that didn't suffer from the same issues as the 16 valve ones?

Alas, still uses the same gearbox with chocolate bearings though

But saying that, you think by now most of the problems would have cropped up and been sorted

slowcyclist

Original Poster:

21 posts

60 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
littlebasher said:
I thought the lower powered 2.0 CDTI was a 8 valve unit that didn't suffer from the same issues as the 16 valve ones?

Alas, still uses the same gearbox with chocolate bearings though

But saying that, you think by now most of the problems would have cropped up and been sorted
Thanks for the reply. I must admit that I hadn't checked, but I had just assumed that the different power outputs were just different levels of tune / ECU settings on the same base engine.

zedx19

3,046 posts

168 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
Looked at one about 4-5 years back, it was 4 year old, 2.0 CDTi on 30k. I went to start it up and it clattered, rattled and pumped out black smoke which instantly put me. Sounded like a diesel from the 1980s. The middle seat, middle row is not full sized, the rear most seats tiny with a non-existent boot when in full 7 seat mode.

S-Max is better in everyway, except it's a lot more expensive. We went for a 1.6 HDi Peugeot 5008 instead, which has a full sized middle seat, more interior space and has given us zero problems in 4-5 years of ownership. Similarly priced to the Zafira, ugly but practical and reliable, cheap running costs, does the job of moving lots of people about in relative comfort.

slowcyclist

Original Poster:

21 posts

60 months

Monday 11th October 2021
quotequote all
zedx19 said:
Looked at one about 4-5 years back, it was 4 year old, 2.0 CDTi on 30k. I went to start it up and it clattered, rattled and pumped out black smoke which instantly put me. Sounded like a diesel from the 1980s. The middle seat, middle row is not full sized, the rear most seats tiny with a non-existent boot when in full 7 seat mode.

S-Max is better in everyway, except it's a lot more expensive. We went for a 1.6 HDi Peugeot 5008 instead, which has a full sized middle seat, more interior space and has given us zero problems in 4-5 years of ownership. Similarly priced to the Zafira, ugly but practical and reliable, cheap running costs, does the job of moving lots of people about in relative comfort.
Thanks. To be honest, my first choice would be a Galaxy, Sharan or Alhambra, followed by an S-Max, but I think all are either too expensive for me or are older and/or with higher mileages than I'd like. The 5008 is an interesting thought though - I hadn't really thought about one of those.