Mazda 6 2012 Opinions?

Kubota · 03-10-2014 3:00pm #1

Hi All.
Planning on going to look at a Mazda 6 2012 Diesel from a Mazda Dealer.
Anything in particular to look out for? I have read on here about the rising oil levels, DPF issues and engines going Kaput! Are they really that bad or just very very isolated cases?

Thanks in Advance.

Kubota.

MuppetCheck · 03-10-2014 3:05pm

What kind of use are you planning? What's your mileage per year and what type of driving is it? What's the mileage and service history like on it? Are there receipts?

I had a 2011 one and my opinion depends on the answers to the above.

Kubota · 03-10-2014 3:14pm

Mostly commuting to work on Nat Secondary & Reg Roads 32km each way, approx 24K Kms per year. There's approx 58K Kms with a FSH (Mazda) I'm told, not sure about receipts etc, just talking to dealer on the phone.

Thanks Kubota.

Kubota · 03-10-2014 8:12pm

Any Mazda 6 diesel drivers with any comments as heading into the realms of the unknown?

Kubota · 03-10-2014 8:14pm

Any Mazda 6 diesel drivers with any comments as heading into the realms of the unknown?

Dia1988 · 03-10-2014 8:18pm

Kubota wrote: »

Any Mazda 6 diesel drivers with any comments as heading into the realms of the unknown?

is it a 2.2 or the 2.0 diesel?

Kubota · 03-10-2014 8:21pm

2.2 Diesel. There seems to be a few bad reports re the dog and rising oil levels.

Kubota · 03-10-2014 8:22pm

Sorry dog should read dpf.

MuppetCheck · 03-10-2014 8:26pm

Dia1988 wrote: »

is it a 2.2 or the 2.0 diesel?

12 reg will be a 2.2.

With the service history it's all on the key. Ask them to show you invoices as there's no service book. I'd only buy one that had arrives every 15k km despite the interval being 20k km. They need the oil changed very frequently especially if used around town for any length of time.

They are a good car but unless you can find one with a very complete history they can give problems. The DPF can mix diesel into the simp meaning the oil doesn't do its job like it should and the engine goes pop. If it's had diesel in the oil for any prolonged period of time there could be damage already done.

Dia1988 · 03-10-2014 8:29pm

Kubota wrote: »

2.2 Diesel. There seems to be a few bad reports re the dog and rising oil levels.

The newer Mazda diesels are fitted with particulate filters in the exhaust. These filters are purged by a combustion process. The Europeans add a special fluid to achieve the combustion. The Japs seem to add extra diesel to the injection process so that some passes through the engine unburned and ignites in the filter.

The problem is that some of the diesel gets past the piston rings and dilutes the engine oil. If you look at the engine you will see a sticker on the top. It shows a drawing of the dip stick with the MIN and MAX marks, and above the MAX mark is an "X". The sticker warns that the oil must be changed when the level rises to the "X".

So, the key to avoiding any potential problems is to drive it on a good long road until the dpf goes into regeneration mode and to always keep a keen eye on the oil level.

Kubota · 03-10-2014 8:36pm

Thanks for tha Muppetcheck. Hard to see it been serviced lease than 20k if dealer service history. What are the 18 inch wheels like in terms of ride quality?

Kubota · 03-10-2014 8:40pm

Thanks Dia1988. What kind of money (straight deal) would u pay for a 2012 2.2 Sport model with 58k km on the clock.

unkel · 03-10-2014 8:43pm

Kubota wrote: »

Mostly commuting to work on Nat Secondary & Reg Roads 32km each way, approx 24K Kms per year.

That's about 15k miles per year. Only just above the national average. Sure you want to risk buying a diesel?

Kubota · 03-10-2014 8:46pm

I know it's on the lower end, but like the bit of torque with diesel. It would be hard to find anything petrol wise of recent years.

Dia1988 · 03-10-2014 8:46pm

Kubota wrote: »

Thanks Dia1988. What kind of money (straight deal) would u pay for a 2012 2.2 Sport model with 58k km on the clock.

Maybe 18k from a Mazda Dealer with warranty.

Have you looked into importing from the U.K?
There will be a saving.

MuppetCheck · 03-10-2014 8:55pm

Kubota wrote: »

Thanks for tha Muppetcheck. Hard to see it been serviced lease than 20k if dealer service history. What are the 18 inch wheels like in terms of ride quality?

Rides fine on them, a little firm but still comfortable. Try and get a Sport SE, few nice extras over the Sport spec.

One thing though - they're not exactly economical. I track my spends and it was 43-44 to the gallon with similar use to what you're saying.

Kubota · 03-10-2014 9:04pm

Briefly looked at the UK websites but with the exchanges rates and VRT there seems to be very little saving particularly on a lower mileage model.

Kubota · 03-10-2014 9:09pm

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Rides fine on them, a little firm but still comfortable. Try and get a Sport SE, few nice extras over the Sport spec.

One thing though - they're not exactly economical. I track my spends and it was 43-44 to the gallon with similar use to what you're saying.

I thought that you would get closer to 50, doesn't seem great mpg. Given the roads I drive daily and currentlyon 16's , 18 might be a bit too harsh.

Kubota · 03-10-2014 9:14pm

When talking to dealer, asked 're servicing and was told a basic service oil and filter is approx 160e, you need to go to dealer to reset service light and to do this alone is 50 Euro if you go down the Indy route for servicing.

MuppetCheck · 03-10-2014 10:00pm

Kubota wrote: »

I thought that you would get closer to 50, doesn't seem great mpg. Given the roads I drive daily and currentlyon 16's , 18 might be a bit too harsh.

You have to try very hard get 50 in one to be honest, over a tank average it's almost impossible. Think the best I ever got was 48.

Try the 18s first, it's not bad at all with them as it's a 45 profile on them as opposed to 40 on the usual suspects at that size. Tyres are a slightly odd size on the 18 inch wheels meaning they aren't cheap.

Kubota · 03-10-2014 10:16pm

MuppetCheck wrote: »

You have to try very hard get 50 in one to be honest, over a tank average it's almost impossible. Think the best I ever got was 48.

Try the 18s first, it's not bad at all with them as it's a 45 profile on them as opposed to 40 on the usual suspects at that size. Tyres are a slightly odd size on the 18 inch wheels meaning they aren't cheap.

Thanks, I hope to test drive one and go from there. The are a lovely looking car, pitty there wasn't so many potential issues but there is no perfect car out there.

goz83 · 04-10-2014 8:21am

I would not risk buying a Diesel if doing low miles. Add to that, the higher than normal risk of damage and you have an "I told you so" on the way. You do seem set on the car, so I will be looking out for the "my 2012 mazda 6 diesel exploded" thread in a few months.

Cheaper tax won't come near to the maintenance costs. And if your engine gives up the ghost, there is only one person to blame. Lovely car the Mazda 6, but I would be searching for petrol.

MuppetCheck · 04-10-2014 11:35am

I'd be inclined to go with a Mondeo over one for your use. Far more forgiving.

There are plenty of high mileage ones about but the ones that make it to that mileage are ones that have been used as intended. There isn't really a middle ground with that engine.

Kubota · 04-10-2014 2:32pm

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I'd be inclined to go with a Mondeo over one for your use. Far more forgiving.

There are plenty of high mileage ones about but the ones that make it to that mileage are ones that have been used as intended. There isn't really a middle ground with that engine.

I was looking at a few mondeos very nice in the titanium spec. Giving all the bad press I'm hearing about the Mazda it may not be a bad option. If only Mazda could put a Toyota D4D engine into the 6, I think it would be a great car, a good looking car with a reliable engine.
I think I will wait till the new year as there maybe more of a choice out there.

Thanks to all for your help.

MuppetCheck · 04-10-2014 10:11pm

Kubota wrote: »

I was looking at a few mondeos very nice in the titanium spec. Giving all the bad press I'm hearing about the Mazda it may not be a bad option. If only Mazda could put a Toyota D4D engine into the 6, I think it would be a great car, a good looking car with a reliable engine.
I think I will wait till the new year as there maybe more of a choice out there.

Thanks to all for your help.

If budget allowed you might swing a new model in the new year...

Kubota · 04-10-2014 10:17pm

MuppetCheck wrote: »

If budget allowed you might swing a new model in the new year...

There could be a few more 2013 M6's around with people possibly trading up after 2 yrs. Is the new model anymore reliable than old?

MuppetCheck · 04-10-2014 11:27pm

Kubota wrote: »

There could be a few more 2013 M6's around with people possibly trading up after 2 yrs. Is the new model anymore reliable than old?

It appears to be...I could say but they wanted 20k to come up two years so I passed:pac:

clogher71 · 05-10-2014 7:52pm

I have a 2010 facelift sport and I love it. You can reset the dpf after an oil change yourself if you know how, you need to use genunine oil and drive it on, the older model had more engine problems and I had one of them too. Fuel economy was not top of my priority list when searching for a car and I believe anyone who buys a sport it would not be a priority either, if fuel economy is top of your list then it's not the car for you.

R.O.R · 06-10-2014 8:33am

Kubota wrote: »

There could be a few more 2013 M6's around with people possibly trading up after 2 yrs. Is the new model anymore reliable than old?

Early 2.2 Skyactive diesels are throwing up some issues. If looking, check whether the Cam wear issue has been rectified.

Although most dealers appear to be unaware of the Cam issue at the moment.....

Kubota · 06-10-2014 2:49pm

clogher71 wrote: »

I have a 2010 facelift sport and I love it. You can reset the dpf after an oil change yourself if you know how, you need to use genunine oil and drive it on, the older model had more engine problems and I had one of them too. Fuel economy was not top of my priority list when searching for a car and I believe anyone who buys a sport it would not be a priority either, if fuel economy is top of your list then it's not the car for you.

No, I just expected the economy to be higher. I must admit the Sport SE version is a fine car but not too many of them around. There might me more around in the new year with people trading up. Will have to put the idea of changing up off till then.

I noticed that MMoore VW Athlone are selling off 141 Fleet Comfortline 1.6 Passat's at under €25K Straight Deal, not a bad price. Nice car but I think the 1.6 is a bit light in such a big car. There's very little of 2.0 Passat's around and how could it cost the guts of €3k more for a 2.0 litre engine in the same car.?

Mazda 6 2012 Opinions?

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