Hello everyone,

I need a good, reliable, cheap to run 4x4. I've always admired the X-trail, but recently after reading some reviews I've been put off by reports of turbo failures etc on diesel models. With this in mind would I be better off buying a 2.0 petrol? I've got about £5000-£6000 to spend.

I did look at buying a Land Rover Defender - but this budget would probably only get me a 15 year old example, with around 150,000 miles on the clock - and I can't see this being any better in terms of reliability - unless anyone would argue otherwise?

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks.

Paul.

Hi Paul and welcome to the forum. The petrol X Trail s are good but can only give my opinion on the 2.5 as have never driven a 2.0 model. Good all round drivability with good traction and control in the snow. Some of the diesels have had issues as you stated but most of the owners on here are diesel owners and have either rectified the problem or indeed never had a problem.

Comfortable vehicles on motorway and behave well. Hope this helps and hope to see you on here soon as an owner Good luck with the search but you will find there are more diesels on the market than petrol. If you find a 2.5 be careful with the road tax band as early 06 and later fall into the £400+ bracket - just to let you know.

The answer to that will probably revolve around your a) planned average mileage b) What sort of warranty you can secure with any purchased vehicle c) Whether you ultimately prefer driving a petrol or diesel (personally, I could never go back to any petrol...too addicted to *torque* )

Aitch

Hello Paul-Oxford,

Welcome to the Forum.

There are plenty of 2.2DCi Xtrails about, and yes you need to be aware of the possibility of Turbo failure. However, if you feel you would rather have a petrol car there are plenty about. Have you considered that if you are buying through a Dealer you could get warranty cover for your Turbo worries? Also, have you read this report?....

http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used ... ry/23655-3

There are plenty of Xtrail available in your price range, if you are prepared to shop about, and travel a little to collect. For example...

http://gordonscarzone.co.uk/used-cars?M ... ll&post_a=

http://www.vcars.co.uk/used-cars/cardet ... es&u=91940

http://www.vcars.co.uk/used-cars/cardet ... ler&u=3701

I hope you find what you are looking for, best wishes, John

How many other members would have taken the effort to find cars for someone? Johnrimm; you are to be highly commended for your kindness and consideration. It's actions like these that make this such a good site.

I am being totaly serious and sincere here as I think what you did is great. Good on you John

That's made my night that has!

I too agree with Vandy, good on you John

As the owner of a 2.0 petrol, I can say that I'm very pleased with mine even with the less than average MPG economy

Don't like diesels... been put off after owning a very under-powered, noisy and smelly diesel 2.0 Peugeot 206. If I was going to do anything to help with fuel economy, it would be an LPG conversion as there's negligible difference in power to a petrol but half the price in fuel. But each to their own

Thanks Vandy and shaymeboy,

Very kind.

I just feel if you can help someone..... do so.

Some of us probably have a little more time on our hands...


Also, we all know how good the Exxy is so why not share it?

Best wishes to all, John

Well I have a 2005 2.5 SVE with LPG conversion.

No problems with it at all... Lovely car to drive, had it about 6 months now... looking forward to seeing what it's like on the snow, most reports are good.

My father in law has Diesel Model, has had it since 2003, only now has an issue with Turbo that needs to be replaced.

There are a lot of posts about turbo issues, that put me off getting the diesel engine...

Having said that I much prefer the noise of a diesel engine to the petrol one.

But in summary, I'd highly recommend the petrol models

Prefer the burble of a V8 myself

I spent the last 30-odd years desperately avoiding deisel engines (smelly, noisy & slow).

My last car was a 3 litre manual S-Type Jag - lovely car but I actually prefer driving my X now - a 2.2DCi with just on 100k on the clock

I find it considerably cheaper to run, easier to drive (loads more torque) and much more practical (2 kids and a wife that takes the kitchen sink everywhere!) - I can even fit my bike in the back without taking the wheels off (ant it's pretty tall!)

I'd happily reccomend a deisel X to anybody

Chris (an ex-petrol head oil-burner)