Santa Fe questions

jmayo

Folks,
hoping for some info and advice.
Looking at 09 Santa Fe 4WD.

And before anyone says they are not proper 4x4, I know, I know.
And yes I would rather a Defender 90 with 3.5 V8, but sadly I have to live in real world with bills and kids.

Anyway what do people think ?
Are the DMFs really soft ?
Are the DMFs covered under Hyundai warranty or are they considered wear and tear items ?

How good is the 4WD or AWD ?
There is only a button on the dash and I am not sure what it really does.
Does it just send drive to wheels that are slipping or does it turn it permanent 4 wheel drive ?

The radio looks like something out of the 90s.
I know it is small point, but small basic cars 5 years older appear to have better radios and not something you just picked up in Halfords.

Would people recommend Mitsubishi Outlander/Pug 4007/Citreon CCrosser instead ?

101sean

Moved from 4x4 forum as it's more about soft roaders and AWD cars and the OP got no replies from the hard core 4x4 drivers!

Nissan doctor

The dmf's seem to be very prone to failure in those, afm problems are common too.

jmayo

101sean wrote: »

Moved from 4x4 forum as it's more about soft roaders and AWD cars and the OP got no replies from the hard core 4x4 drivers!

Cheers 101sean.
I know you are big Land Rover man and I would dearly love a V8 one, but as I said I need something along the lines of the Santa Fe, Outlander, Grand vitara XL7, etc.

Nissan doctor wrote: »

The dmf's seem to be very prone to failure in those, afm problems are common too.

Is that in all of them or only the Santa Fe ?
I was told by someone that Outlander doesn't have DMF, but I always thought all of the diesels do at this stage ?

I know DMF could cost 1400/1500 plus but how much would a AFM cost and if it goes dicky can it have more serious consequences than power down and emissions going up ?

Reason for asking is I am now paranoid about diesels after having misfortune of owning a Mazda 6 diesel. :mad:

101sean

Not all diesel 4x4s have DMFs, don't know about Outlander. Suzuki GV is one vehicle I don't think I've heard anyone whinging about. Heard good comments about the Kia Sportage but they don't seem to be very common.

AFM failure shouldn't cause damage other than to your wallet. It's also one of those parts where genuine or OEM is best.

A V8 is nice but unfortunately totally impractical these days, typically costs me €80 in petrol to go to a show in the 101 (12mpg). There isn't enough support or price difference to make LPG worthwhile here either

Anan1

Would a Subaru Forester diesel be an option? From what I know they're very reliable, the dealers are good, and the awd system is among the best in the business.

jmayo

Anan1 wrote: »

Would a Subaru Forester diesel be an option? From what I know they're very reliable, the dealers are good, and the awd system is among the best in the business.

Drove a petrol one in Oz some time back and not bad.
No real off roading or anything, just on roads.

Isn't the service interval on boxer engines pretty low ?

I need something that can seat 7 every now and then so that is why looking at 2007-2009 Santa Fe, Outlander, etc.
And yes I know what the seats are like in back of Outlander.

Ideally I would love Land Cruiser, Pajero or Disco, but don't want the hefty fuel bills.
Also have discounted the Opel Antara, Chevy/Daewoo Captiva.

I know if I go 2.4/2.5 you are into Kia Sorento/Volvo XC90/Nissan Pathfinder territory.
I know someone with a Pathfinder and I think it is a dog to drive.
XC90 is grand but they do cost to buy and would have to go back to 2005-2006 and even then a lot of them are auto boxes.
AFAIK Sorento only became 7 seater in last couple of years ?

mikedragon32

Friend has an Outlander 10 reg and loves it. Isn't the Pug 4007 built on the same chassis?

If the back row is only for occasional use, then surely it's shouldn't matter too much if they're uncomfortable?

jmayo

mikedragon32 wrote: »

Friend has an Outlander 10 reg and loves it. Isn't the Pug 4007 built on the same chassis?

If the back row is only for occasional use, then surely it's shouldn't matter too much if they're uncomfortable?

Yep the Pug 4007 and Citreon C-Crosser are both basically the same as Outlander.
Major difference was engine, and nose.
They should be ok because Mitsubishi built them for PSA, so that they could get the 2.2 litre PSA diesel.
The Outlander used to only come in the VAG 2 litre diesel, but later models also come in the 2.2.
And they even started building the bloody things in 2WD only like the Santa Fe.

Yeah I know the seats are really picnic type fold out thingies, but then again hopefully they won't be used much (or by me )

All the same I have had to listen to kids complaining about the rear seats on a trip and it can do your head in.
BTW this was in a BMW x5 where granted there isn't a lot of leg or headroom, but they are comfortable enough.

How did we manage as kids when we sat on each other or in the back of an ould van on way to matches, etc.

Eric Cartman

Have a look at a kia sorento , cheap second hand especially around 08-09 and alright on fuel too

jmayo

Well decision made, going with Outlander.
Missus likes it and it appears to do the job.
Also from my experience of driving Mitsubishis in the past I would rather it than Hyundai.

Now the next thing on my list will be to fit detachable tow bar.

Not sure if anyone has experience of one of these ?