Nissan x-trail....anything to look out for?

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Soldato
Joined
28 Jul 2003
Posts
5,801
Location
South Wales
My st220 has been trying to die for a while now but what's accellorated my search for a replacement is that I've taken up shooting this year and a lowered ST is not the right veihcle. I need something more capable for wet fields and dirt tracks etc. I was looking at a 'high' car as a replacement anyway as I feel it's a safer environment for the family.

Combining all this, the nissan xtrail seems to fit the bill. Started looking at cheaper models around 3-4k amd 04-05 plates but like the look of the slightly later models. I've seen a 2.0dCi Arctix Expedition Sports Adventure 5dr which looks very nice with decent power and plenty of toys, it's got a ton of miles but as long as it's serviced it should be fine right?

So, anything it need to be aware of with these?
 
There was some sort of major failure with the early diesel x trails, premature chain/tensioner issues from memory - worth reading up on it
 
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).
 
Awesome, thanks for taking the time to do the write up. I think I'm going to go check out the 08 plate I've seen. It's a 170bhp version so has a little more grunt but also plenty of toys. Also looks nicer than other models I've seen.
 
Mum has an old x-trail 05-06 that I shall be I nabbing off her in the near future.

The turbo gave her problems and needed replacing but other than that it has been excellent.
 
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.
 
My sister has one, the artix edition on an 08 plate. I can't say I'm very impressed, it lacks any (i.e. has none) sort of proper 4x4 running gear like diff' locks and the ground clearance isn't very good either.

It's not exactly spacious inside given the class, the back seat is pretty cramped. My mum (5'2'', tiny), nephew (5'8'' average build) and niece (5'6'', a bit bigger than average) were squashed up on a trip to the Wight, no room for 3 adults that's for sure.
 
MatteH Oxford said:
My sister has one, the artix edition on an 08 plate. I can't say I'm very impressed, it lacks any (i.e. has none) sort of proper 4x4 running gear like diff' locks and the ground clearance isn't very good either.

It's not exactly spacious inside given the class, the back seat is pretty cramped. My mum (5'2'', tiny), nephew (5'8'' average build) and niece (5'6'', a bit bigger than average) were squashed up on a trip to the Wight, no room for 3 adults that's for sure.
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I test drove a T31 and was also unimpressed. They had made it a lot more car like, and lost a lot of the rugged practicality I like in the T30. Plus I like being able to lock the 4 wheel drive.
 
Anyone know how to fix the heaters on these. My parents is stuck on full power all the time.

They have had it ages. I think 10 years and been reliable. Only done 80k in it which is mainly town and just had a new clutch. Pretty dull to drive though
 
Is it blowing constantly full blast and constantly hot? A lot of the digital setups have replaceable resistors (bit like the BMW fsr), ideally you'd have another control unit to plug I to it to rule that our but obviously that's not going to happen.

I'd imagine its fairly common if there are owners forums around
 
Bug One said:
I test drove a T31 and was also unimpressed. They had made it a lot more car like, and lost a lot of the rugged practicality I like in the T30. Plus I like being able to lock the 4 wheel drive.
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I thought you could lock the centre diff on an xtrail? Same system as a pathfinder I had iirc.

Agree its more car like, which is why I bought an pathfinder back in the day. Good vehicle though and reliable to boot.
 
Pathfinder looks way more industrial. I think I'm after a half way house type veihcle. The xtrail seems to drive like a car but is more than suitable to do light off road and towing.

I believe yo can lock the 4 wheel system in the t30 and t30.... But doesn't the pathfinder have a genuine low range box?
 
yeah pathfinder has low range. have a go in one, you might like it. one of the only vehicles id buy again. was a great truck. very diff to an xtrail.

xtrail is a great car though. its on the list for when the wife replaces her juke dig-t 4wd. not the new one, but the 2012 tekna. Wife needs an auto, and they dont do an auto 4wd on the latest model.
 
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