X-Trail, Advice on buying and clutch

**Stuartf** · 2011/09/14, 06:35 PM

I everyone, I am new here and am looking for some advice.

I currently drive a Polo which I bought when I was younger and thought a car was for carrying around a big sound system with very low profile tires with luggage space on the back seat. 6 years have passed and my priorities have changed. Now I enjoy mountain biking, visiting game parks, photographing wildlife and camping, with my beautiful fiance. As such, I have decided I need to change my car to something more suited to my lifestyle and top of my wanted list is a used X-Trail. My budget is around R140k so I am thinking a 2006/2007 model.

I have done quite a lot of reading on the interwebs and it sounds like I should avoid the diesel due to injector problems at around 100 000 km as well as turbo problems. This leaves me with the 2l or 2.5l petrol. I havent driven either so not sure if I should ignore the 2l due to its lower power. Can anyone comment on the performance of the 2l vs the 2.5l?

I have a few questions regarding the clutch on the X-Trail:

1-I have heard that the clutch on these vehicles is very expensive to replace. I read a thread on this forum where someone mentioned it cost R22k from the dealer. Roughly what would it cost to if you went to a private mechanic? Just a estimate.

2-Roughly how much mileage should one get on a clutch before it needs replacement?

3-Is there a way to see how worn the clutch is or how much life is left when I buy one?

Are there any other things I should look out for when buying one?

**TheWall** · 2011/09/15, 09:45 AM

i Have a 2.5Petrol 4x4. Great Car.
Can't really answer your question about the clutch but please post here if you get an answer.
My Clutch was replaced(Apparently) just before i bought it but the lack of a low range does not help the lifespan of you clutch.

Another issue with the XTrail is the ground clearance. If you get to the really rough stuff it can bottom out here and there...

Then Nissan spares is also not cheap...

Apart from that i have no other issues

**Pappa-Jakkals** · 2011/09/15, 10:12 AM

Hi..Im a Landy man, but have huge respect for these 'softies', my cousin drives one..yes they do have problems on the diesel models..he paid R8000.00 to replace clutch at mechanic (just befor our trip in Lesotho). A few months later he paid R24 000 for the double flywheel (this was after Lesotho), due to no low_range the life-span of these items are short. I believe the petrol models are much better..

**TheWall** · 2011/09/15, 10:16 AM

Double flywheel... Mechanically impaired.. what is that?

**gazza1210** · 2011/09/15, 10:25 AM

I sold mine @ 173 000 km and the clutch was starting to go. If you can find an automatic 2.5 4x4 model you will be smiling (don't know if they do an auto?)
For a softie it has one of the best stated ground clearances.
2.5 has more than enough power for what it will do (no low range so you shouldn't be climbing cliffs.
On road it is superb and consumption on mine was about 10km/l combined.
Spares, like ALL vehicles will cost when you go to the stealers.

**Stuartf** · 2011/09/15, 07:08 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Lack of low range and ground clearance don't concern me too much. I am not look to cross africa with the car. It will mainly be used on road with a few camping trips during the year.

Might get a quote on a clutch tomorrow.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

**Andre** · 2011/09/15, 07:49 PM

At a time I did a lot of research on the X Trails. The general consensus seems to be that the 2.5 auto is the model to go for.

**Stuartf** · 2011/09/19, 07:24 AM

I dont know much about automatics. Are there any hidden costs down the line with regards to maintenance? Can the torque converter wear out like a clutch?

I have found a 2007 2.5 Automatic, leather seats, park distance control, etc. It is in amazing condition and only has 47000km on the clock. Its a little bit out of my price range but considering the mileage and condition I may stretch my budget.

**gazza1210** · 2011/09/19, 09:14 AM

That vehicle would seem to fit your requirements very well, it's the one I would choose. Leather is good if you have kids but can get a little warm on the bum in summer. I had leather and preferred it to the cloth.

Haven't heard of any major hassles with the petrol models but never really invstigated... never had the need.

**Gofishenator** · 2013/06/14, 04:23 PM

I have some good news. There are aftermarket clutch kits available for the 2.5 xtrail at midas. Dual mass flywheel will cost new R6000 and clutch kit R1900. Don't know what you friendly local mechanic will charge to install but the parts are much cheaper that at the nissan stealers.

**Veecee** · 2013/07/01, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Gofishenator

I have some good news. There are aftermarket clutch kits available for the 2.5 xtrail at midas. Dual mass flywheel will cost new R6000 and clutch kit R1900. Don't know what you friendly local mechanic will charge to install but the parts are much cheaper that at the nissan stealers.

best news all week

i might be replacing an xtrail clutch soon, and i assumed the clutch alone would be in the region of 5-6k.

**circusninja** · 2016/02/19, 10:38 AM

hi All,

i know its a few years since this post but here is a quick question... How do i know if i have the dual mass or single fly wheel on my 2.5 pertol 4x4 T30 ? i contacted local nissan dealer and they quoted me +-5k so with that price i am assuming its a single flywheel...

Rgds

**ReinhardtWi** · 2016/09/07, 03:04 PM

Just replaced my 2.5 4x4 xtrail's clutch and flywheel. Both are LUK made, the clutch kit was R2400 and the Dual Mass fly wheel was R5800. Total R8200 brand new.
Not to bad considering what nissan charges. Got the parts at Naskar Silverton Pretoria.

**ReinhardtWi** · 2016/09/07, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by circusninja

hi All,

i know its a few years since this post but here is a quick question... How do i know if i have the dual mass or single fly wheel on my 2.5 pertol 4x4 T30 ? i contacted local nissan dealer and they quoted me +-5k so with that price i am assuming its a single flywheel...

Rgds

The xtrail 2.5 manual 4x4 only comes out with a dualmass Fly wheel. The symptoms that indicate that your flywheel is shot, is difficulty shifting gears. When shifting to a new gear it gets stuck until the revs drop really low.

Another way to put it is you gears feel very sticky. Nissan quotes R15000+ for the Dual Mass Flywheel, rather go to Naskar Silverton Pretoria!