2010 Mazda 6

Sam_The_Dog

Been searching for a while for used car to replace my 00 passat. I detailed in a previous post about one I bought and returned, I managed to get a full refund on it. But I'm reluctantly heading down that road again.

Going to look at a mazda 6 tomorrow, 2010, UK import, 65k miles on the clock. Dealer seems to have good reviews, some on here too.

Ive read the used car buying guides on here and they've been very informative. But Is there anything I should be aware of with this particular make/model when viewing? Noises, warning lights to look out for etc..

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

bazz26

Petrol or diesel?

Sam_The_Dog

bazz26 wrote: »

Petrol or diesel?

2.2 diesel. Listed on carsireland and other websites. I can't post the link unfortunately.

bazz26

Those engines are far from robust, plenty of horror stories of big problems with that engine, best avoided imo. I'd also want very hard evidence of the service history on a 6 year old UK diesel import with only 65k miles on the clock.

Sam_The_Dog

bazz26 wrote: »

Those engines are far from robust, plenty of horror stories of big problems with that engine, best avoided imo. I'd also want very hard evidence of the service history on a 6 year old UK diesel import with only 65k miles on the clock.

Full service history I've been told over the phone. I'll be sure to do the full checks and get it properly checked over by a mechanic before I'd consider buying it. That's a lesson from the past. It's in kc car sales in duleek, there's a thread on here about them from a while back.

I've read some one of the stories online, but its the same with any car that I've looked up. Even my 00 passat would show up bad reviews and its never given me an ounce of trouble, its just showing its age and a few bits have crept up that will cost me up to 2k overall to get done. Not worth the sentimental value, although it pains me to say it.

But from any research I've done on anything online from toasters to tvs to computers it's always the same. People with bad experiences are more than likely to post online than those with good.

GustavoFring

Curious as to why you need the thread if the bad reviews are just a few vocal owners?

I loved mine when I had it - wouldn't touch one with a bargepole again. The engine is seriously flawed.

Sam_The_Dog

GustavoFring wrote: »

Curious as to why you need the thread if the bad reviews are just a few vocal owners?

I loved mine when I had it - wouldn't touch one with a bargepole again. The engine is seriously flawed.

Thanks. But I don't take online reviews that seriously, and it seems that the bad reviews are more common than good ones. But that's just my opinion.

I am curious to see if anyone has had any personal experience of this make/model/year and if there are any specific things to look out for. I know several people with mazda cars, including 2 family members and they've nothing but good things to say about theirs.

GustavoFring

I bought one 6 months old with 19k km and had it for a year and 45k km.

Timing chain needed at less than 60k km, steering rack at the same time. The main cause of this engine problems is diesel diluting the oil. When I went home for Christmas the car did maybe 300km about town over the couple of weeks off. The oil level rose in this time meaning it needed to be changed even though it was serviced in early December anyway. I knew to check the oil levels very regularly, most people dont. If I hadn't checked it and left it another few weeks I wouldn't have been very hopeful for the engines longevity with diesel doing some if the lubricating of the internals.

Knowing what I know now I wouldnt risk one again. They're cheap because the problems you read about are real. I wouldn't dismiss them as a few people being vocal about bad experiences. It's very, very common.

bazz26

Mazda petrol engines are solid and dependable, their in-house diesel engines however are not. It's up to you whether you take that on-board or not but dismissing negative reviews makes me think you already decided to buy one well before starting this thread.

Sam_The_Dog

GustavoFring wrote: »

I bought one 6 months old with 19k km and had it for a year and 45k km.

Timing chain needed at less than 60k km, steering rack at the same time. The main cause of this engine problems is diesel diluting the oil. When I went home for Christmas the car did maybe 300km about town over the couple of weeks off. The oil level rose in this time meaning it needed to be changed even though it was serviced in early December anyway. I knew to check the oil levels very regularly, most people dont. If I hadn't checked it and left it another few weeks I wouldn't have been very hopeful for the engines longevity with diesel doing some if the lubricating of the internals.

Knowing what I know now I wouldnt risk one again. They're cheap because the problems you read about are real. I wouldn't dismiss them as a few people being vocal about bad experiences. It's very, very common.

Thanks. So at 65k miles on this the likelihood is that the timing chain would need replacing soon If not already done?
I just want to be prepared and more informed when viewing a car.

Sam_The_Dog

bazz26 wrote: »

Mazda petrol engines are solid and dependable, their in-house diesel engines however are not. It's up to you whether you take that on-board or not but dismissing negative reviews makes me think you already decided to buy one well before starting this thread.

Haven't decided on anything yet. I may even end up taking a quarter of the money I was willing to spend and plough it into my passat. It would be just as well spent.

You Google anything nowadays and first items are regularly disaster stories and bad reviews. It's just my view that anonymous reviews and complaints are not worth much attention on cars or other wise.

I put up the thread looking for personal experience and sound advice. There's no harm in taking a look at it. I need more knowledge and the experience of viewing cars and dealing with sales people.

GustavoFring

Sam_The_Dog wrote: »

Thanks. So at 65k miles on this the likelihood is that the timing chain would need replacing soon If not already done?
I just want to be prepared and more informed when viewing a car.

Timing chain is supposed to last the life of the car. I don't think all of them stretch though.

If it was my money I'd be looking at a 2 litre Mondeo over one. It's a pity as otherwise they are a great car. Also be weary of the service history - it's stored on the key and there isnt a service book. You'd need to get the key read by Mazda to see what the history is.

Sam_The_Dog

GustavoFring wrote: »

Timing chain is supposed to last the life of the car. I don't think all of them stretch though.

If it was my money I'd be looking at a 2 litre Mondeo over one. It's a pity as otherwise they are a great car. Also be weary of the service history - it's stored on the key and there isnt a service book. You'd need to get the key read by Mazda to see what the history is.

I get my own car serviced at a mazda dealer, so that shouldn't be a problem as far as that goes, if I go that far.
Also looking at the Mondeos again, avensis and passat, roughly around 2010. Generally I would prefer the hatchback for kids stuff,bikes, football gear and stuff like that, which is why I am looking at the mazda 6.
Other than the Mondeo, mazda 6 and octavia is there really many other hatchbacks like that out there?

GustavoFring

Skoda superb, Opel insignia.

Sam_The_Dog

GustavoFring wrote: »

Skoda superb, Opel insignia.

Cheers. Was to go out at lunch, it was lashing rain so I didn't bother. Don't think I will either given the info above.

Further digging, looks as though it was the first yr they introduced the 2.2 engine. As a general rule would it be best to stay away from that type of "new" engine?

grogi

Sam_The_Dog wrote: »

Cheers. Was to go out at lunch, it was lashing rain so I didn't bother. Don't think I will either given the info above.

Further digging, looks as though it was the first yr they introduced the 2.2 engine. As a general rule would it be best to stay away from that type of "new" engine?

You have been already told that it is best to stay away from that engine period.

You just don't want to listen...

Sam_The_Dog

grogi wrote: »

You have been already told that it is best to stay away from that engine period.

You just don't want to listen...

Wouldn't say that, the rain today and the advice above has put me off. I don't think I will bother looking at it either.

Where's the harm in looking though? And gaining some experience in viewing cars and dealing with sales people/dealers.

Admittedly I liked the look of the car, attractive price and low miles. Which is why I thought I come on here looking for advice on the car.

ShadowHearth

Sam_The_Dog wrote: »

Thanks. But I don't take online reviews that seriously, and it seems that the bad reviews are more common than good ones. But that's just my opinion.

I am curious to see if anyone has had any personal experience of this make/model/year and if there are any specific things to look out for. I know several people with mazda cars, including 2 family members and they've nothing but good things to say about theirs.

If you don't take online reviews seriously and you still going to buy it anyway, even if people telling you that it actually has a design flaw and is better be avoided, then what is the point of your thread?
By the looks of it, you will ignore anything that people will say here too.

Don't understand me wrong, I think last two generations of mazda 6 are just point blank gorgeous, but after doing some research I wouldn't go near one and that comes from a man driving alfa.

Sam_The_Dog

ShadowHearth wrote: »

If you don't take online reviews seriously and you still going to buy it anyway, even if people telling you that it actually has a design flaw and is better be avoided, then what is the point of your thread?
By the looks of it, you will ignore anything that people will say here too.

Don't understand me wrong, I think last two generations of mazda 6 are just point blank gorgeous, but after doing some research I wouldn't go near one and that comes from a man driving alfa.

Just read my most recent posts. Never said anywhere that I was going to buy, merely going to look at it because it interested me.Have since decided it against it based on the information received here.

My point was against anonymous bad reviews on motoring websites and the like. I don't trust or rely on them on any subject matter or topic not just cars.

bear1

Sam_The_Dog wrote: »

Just read my most recent posts. Never said anywhere that I was going to buy, merely going to look at it because it interested me.Have since decided it against it based on the information received here.

My point was against anonymous bad reviews on motoring websites and the like. I don't trust or rely on them on any subject matter or topic not just cars.

If you don't take bad reviews seriously then how come you decided to pass viewing the car based on anonymous posters feedback here?
I'd second the mondeo and it's a bit of speed you want and diesel then an st 220 would be my choice.

bazz26

I think they did away with the Mondeo ST diesel when the Mk4 came out, the quickest diesel Mondeo Mk4 would have been the 2.2 litre Titanium X Sport.

road_high

Sorry to go off topic but I've a new 6 diesel (co car) and are they really that bad? Cars been great so far but I don't have to worry about big repair bills. TBH the lease company was trying to sway me away from Mazda...

Sam_The_Dog

Would the petrol mazda 6 be fuel efficient, 40 - 50 mpg? They seem to be a couple of grand cheaper to buy and as above the mazda petrol would be a more reliable engine. I drive approx 60 - 80 miles a day, still unsure whether that's enough to warrant sticking with a bigger diesel engine.

On the Mondeos would the 2 litre engine be the best one to go for and would I need it for that mileage? I'm just trying to narrow down my search and get to know what to look out for, genuinely don't want to make the same mistake again.

bear1

bazz26 wrote: »

I think they did away with the Mondeo ST diesel when the Mk4 came out, the quickest diesel Mondeo Mk4 would have been the 2.2 litre Titanium X Sport.

I believe they are 175 bhp which is no slow couch but I heard that there is also a 200 bhp engine.
Friend had the mk3 st 220 and it was a very torquey engine.

Sam_The_Dog

bear1 wrote: »

I believe they are 175 bhp which is no slow couch but I heard that there is also a 200 bhp engine.
Friend had the mk3 st 220 and it was a very torquey engine.

What's the difference between the zetec and titanium Mondeo? Is it the engine power/performance or the trim levels and extras? Would a 2010 2.0 zetec Mondeo with 90k miles be worth looking at?

GustavoFring

bear1 wrote: »

I believe they are 175 bhp which is no slow couch but I heard that there is also a 200 bhp engine.
Friend had the mk3 st 220 and it was a very torquey engine.

ST155 surely if you're talking about a diesel one? The 220 was a V6 petrol.

Sam_The_Dog

bear1 wrote: »

If you don't take bad reviews seriously then how come you decided to pass viewing the car based on anonymous posters feedback here?
I'd second the mondeo and it's a bit of speed you want and diesel then an st 220 would be my choice.

I missed this originally. Anonymous reviews on random websites are one thing.

I generally would have viewed the information on here as being fairly reliable and from people in the know, which is why I reached out with the thread and I've seen many others do also.

But if the information received from the anonymous posters on here is not reliable or informed, then what's the point of the whole thing?

R.O.R

road_high wrote: »

Sorry to go off topic but I've a new 6 diesel (co car) and are they really that bad? Cars been great so far but I don't have to worry about big repair bills. TBH the lease company was trying to sway me away from Mazda...

You might not have to worry about the repair bills, but you do have to worry about being stood at the side of the road waiting for the breakdown truck, not getting to meetings/office on time, and driving underpowered rental cars for weeks while diagnostics are done, then parts shipped on the slow boat from Japan.

Sam_The_Dog wrote: »

What's the difference between the zetec and titanium Mondeo? Is it the engine power/performance or the trim levels and extras? Would a 2010 2.0 zetec Mondeo with 90k miles be worth looking at?

Zetec is Mid Range specification, Titanium is the next model up. Wouldn't be a massive difference between the standard equipment in them to be honest.

2.0 Mondeo diesel is pretty reliable and a good car. Clutch & Flywheel would be my concern at that mileage - ideally it would have been done, as if not and it fails, it's a labour intensive job and circa €1,000 to replace.

Sam_The_Dog

R.O.R wrote: »

You might not have to worry about the repair bills, but you do have to worry about being stood at the side of the road waiting for the breakdown truck, not getting to meetings/office on time, and driving underpowered rental cars for weeks while diagnostics are done, then parts shipped on the slow boat from Japan.



Zetec is Mid Range specification, Titanium is the next model up. Wouldn't be a massive difference between the standard equipment in them to be honest.

2.0 Mondeo diesel is pretty reliable and a good car. Clutch & Flywheel would be my concern at that mileage - ideally it would have been done, as if not and it fails, it's a labour intensive job and circa €1,000 to replace.

Engine wise would they be pretty much the same in terms of power and fuel consumption? Would they be timing belt or chain driven?

bazz26

Mondeo 2.0 TDCi engine has a conventional timing belt unlike the wet belt setup of the 1.8 TDCi. 2.0 TDCi in the Mondeo would be a PSA engine also found in various Peugeots/Citroens and Volvos.

bear1

GustavoFring wrote: »

ST155 surely if you're talking about a diesel one? The 220 was a V6 petrol.

Yes 155 i meant.

Sam_The_Dog

bazz26 wrote: »

Mondeo 2.0 TDCi engine has a conventional timing belt unlike the wet belt setup of the 1.8 TDCi. 2.0 TDCi in the Mondeo would be a PSA engine also found in various Peugeots/Citroens and Volvos.

So at 90k, like the clutch/flywheel should this have been done already or would it be expected to be renewed also soon?

R.O.R

Sam_The_Dog wrote: »

So at 90k, like the clutch/flywheel should this have been done already or would it be expected to be renewed also soon?

Looks like we got one done at 220,000km on a 2011 2.0Tdci Mondeo - that's roughly 140,000 miles. Not sure if that's the correct interval for them, but they are pretty long intervals on Ford's.

bazz26

A clutch and flywheel are wear and tear items so there is no set mileage interval at which they should to be replaced. They should need replacing when they start showing signs of wear which could be at 90k miles or 150k miles for example.

Sam_The_Dog

bazz26 wrote: »

A clutch and flywheel are wear and tear items so there is no set mileage interval at which they should to be replaced. They should need replacing when they start showing signs of wear which could be at 90k miles or 150k miles for example.

Thanks. I should probably just straight out ask if they've been done. Anyone know of any mechanics in the louth area that would be willing to give a car a good once over? Thats if I do find one that I'd be interested in.

Sam_The_Dog

Off topic. Had a quick look at a 2010 2l zetec Mondeo on my way home today. UK import with 90k miles on it. Seller has all the docs, service booklet, car check report, to be fair he seemed honest on any questions i asked and wasnt pushy. I checked the reg on the mot website and mileage pass/fail info checks out. Looks like it was well kept/valeted with clean interior, bodywork, 2 new tyres and in general looks ok to the untrained eye. It was getting dark and i was tight for time. Its not far away so I'm going to go look at it again in the morning and take it for a drive.
If I like it, I'd like to get it checked over by a proper mechanic before thinking about buying. Anyone know of anyone in the louth area that offers that kind of service? Aside from the AA and a few ads on donedeal I can't find anything.
Any help/advice would be much appreciated