Any experience with the Nissan X-Trail?

[crackers]

Yes., I know this is an odd question for a Land Rover forum, but someone's offered me a swap - his 2005 X-trail with the 2.5l petrol engine and automatic gearbox for my MG. I'd be using it for city, dirt road, along the river and towing scout trailers.

Anyone got any experience with the things?

[NavyDiver]

Flew to QLD last year and hired a brand new x trail for a week. It was rough as guts compared to my D3, handling was ok but at highway speeds I really noticed noise, bumps and honestly did not enjoy driving it. With my 3 kids and two adults I felt it a little sluggish up hills unless I worked the gears a lot and reved it but it was petrol and I like my torky Diesel. I did drive a Lada 10 years ago so say as rough as guts could be me getting soft :o

My sisters family had one and enjoyed about 5 years before upgrading, Did not mention many issues. Now I have been grumpy I looked at the fuel economy claimed for the new Diesel x trail and it looks impressive.

I would assume you might sell the MG for a bit more as it gets older. Bet that would not occur for an X trail

[landy]

My Mate had one because his wife insisted on a new car for there impending arrival.
He hated it! And it spent a lot of time at the workshop.
Keep the MG. It will be worth more, depending on model of course.

[BMKal]

I know a few people who have them and have never heard a bad word spoken against them. But the diesel version definitely seems to be the popular choice. ;)

[Slunnie]

A girl at work had one and loved it, until she smashed it.

I hired one in Tassie for a while. It did everything it needed to do without any fuss at all. I thought it was a quirky vehicle in its design and very very boring to drive. Its really a car for grey types of people who blend into nothingness - much like a Camry.

[Homestar]

In laws have an 06 petrol manual and it's been a very reliable car. It's towed their small van around Australia twice now without issue, although the clutch is about knackered now but that's not surprising given the use it's had.

Don't know about the auto - I'd do some research on that, but the car in general seems ok, but as mentioned not very refined - take it for a drive before agreeing to anything.

Next door has a 2013 version which is also used to tow a small van and she loves it - I've driven this one and the in laws and the new one obviously drives better, but I don't mind either really.

[Disco_Fever]

When the missus' car was written off, we were given one as a replacement for a little while.

Cheap on fuel, fairly comfortable, entirely practical.

But I've experienced a car with less soul, if that is important to you.

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[pop058]

Waiting for Nan in the local shopping carpark the other day, I got to chatting with the bloke parked ( again waiting for SWMBO ) next to me with a newer diesel. He is claiming 9/100 km on the open road but 13/100 around town. I would have thought a modern common rail would do better than that

[Fluids]

My BIL (dairy farmer) owns an 02 X-Trail ... been a bit unreliable and a bit of a money pit ... not helped by the lack of X-trail knowledgeable service people where they live ...

Personally (in respect of HIS X-trail) I'm less than impressed.

[V8Ian]

A friend of mine had to wait almost six months for panels to arrive from overseas, following an accident. Makes me wonder what mechanical parts back-up is like.

[VladTepes]

I drove one when they were fairly new on the market (pre CVT, a proper auto) from Brisbane to Bundaberg and back, including in VERY heavy rain.


I fond it to be comfortable with a good driving position. I was impressed.


I wouldn't take one off road though.

[crackers]

Interesting variety of responses. Thanks.

My boss at work has one so I asked her about it. It's their second - had the first one for ten years, this one for just over two. Her first one went well until it started burning oil.

I think the message is, look carefully and be prepared to run.

As for the MG, it's shown in my signature. No, it's not going to appreciate and no, no-one is going to throw heaps of money at me. Bloody fast and comfortable modern car... but it's got a hotted up version of the 1.8 Freelander motor, very good when all's going right. Besides, I need to tow something bigger than an 8' dinghy.

[Sitec]

I'd snap the guys arm off. Xtrails sell, MG's are more of a struggle.. Neighbour has one and I'm very impressed with it. :)

[Simon]

Owned a 2005 2.5 manual from new until early last year. Never missed a beat. Yes it's a bit anodyne but what modern SUV isn't. Had it down a lot of gravel, all good. OK over stones but need to watch clearance. Struggled in sand if it got soft / deep. Towed various box trailers and a jayco pop up trailer. Can't speak for the auto box, but never ha a problem with mine. Speedo in middle of dash took a few months to get used to.

[Disco_Fever]

I wouldn't take one off road though.

The first time I ever went up to the Vic High Country, one got to the top of Billy Goat's Bluff. Still the most ridiculous thing I have ever witnessed.

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[clubagreenie]

Had a '04 petrol auto.

OK when working, check the fuel and change the crank/cam sensors.
The engine is ok, when new and until something goes wrong.

The sensors as mentioned are basically an annual service item at $130- pair (every auto spares shop I've been to keeps them on the shelf for the QR25 engine).

The timing & balance shaft chains (4 of) are a nightmare to change and stretch incredibly, the sensors are able to keep up with the stretch to the point (it's an interference head) where it runs valves into pistons. The only symptoms are fuel consumption and rough running.

Had to replace that engine as it simply wasn't an economical rebuild. Next engine lasted 2000k's. Broke a (new) timing chain. Replaced under warranty. Next lunched itself after steel fell off a truck in front on the motorway and went through the radiator. Missus didn't stop as "the smoke and or steam that came out went away. But then it made a noise and stopped". Warped head AND block. $4800- rebuild with decked block and new head.

Now gone thank god. And that doesn't include the little things from new like carpets that just weren't wide enough so they sat off the floor. Pressure from your feet would pull it out of the trims on the sills. Has 2 fuel senders/pump/pick up units as the tank has a hump in the middle. When one sender fails, you have no fuel level, and there's no diagnostic for the sender and it only comes as a complete assy (pump/sender/pickup) and in pairs as the senders are calibrated together. Over $1000- per set.

Brakes, check the pads and change the rotors. Handbrake NEVER stayed in adjustment. Would be fine parked facing up hill but nose down and it just creeps.

Still interested?

[VladTepes]

Or put a TD4 from an FL2 into the MG..... :)