Motor mechanic here, only common issue with the T31 QR25 is the oil cooler leaking. I've replaced a few. Totally not a reason not to buy one though, they're a great car.
I have a neglected and abused T31 CVT with 300,000km. I have missed heaps of services and really just done DIY oil changes at home for the past 200,000km. Car feels healthy and powerful still. Pretty torquey when floored. I changed the CVT oil at 220,000km for first time after it started squealing (was almost empty lol) - no more squeals and been fine since. Have driven it offroad extensively and across Australia. Does decent fuel economy (gets average 12l per 100km but on long highway drives over flat terrain, have seen as low as 7s) and never broken down. Radiator cracked after plastic end tanks got brittle but super easy to switch. Ive gone through a few lower control arm bushes and front shocks - probably because of offroad stuff. My engine mounts need replacing but I don't really care. The entry and exit angles are good for offroad unlike some other soft-offroaders. I have used the tow hook for recovery when needed. The 4WD system has a 'lock' feature which puts car into a split and works great in sand/mud. Cup holders are cooled. Its been such a great car, I have considered replacing it with a lower km T31.
Hands down one of the most practical vehicles. I have a T30 but pretty much similar to the T31 minus the tech. 4wd system is very good and very capable offroad. I take mine where no one would take theirs. It has not broken down and is still in good nick. Lots of offroad footage in my channel. You won't believe how capable they are.
Bought a t30/2.0 automatic 2 months ago because of your channel 😁 still some nasty stuff to handle e.g some weird vibration on idle (when d/r is engaged... Or car tilted. To e.g. Left...) also some rattle from the passenger airbag... But other than that very good and capable indeed!
I have a T30 2.2 dci 4x4 and its by far the best car I've ever driven. never lets me down and handles offroad very good even tho it doenst have lower gear. the T30 feels like the swiss army knife in the car world but actually good :D
A quick spec that most X-trail T31 don't know is the headlights. Leave your headlights on when you stop the engine and leave the car. make sure you lock the car and the headlights will switch off. When you unlock the car, you can open any door but once the drivers door is opened the headlights will come back on.
I still have my T31 2009 until this moment, I have changed control arm, brakes, fuel filter. The rest are just normal wear and tear maintenance. Its 250k on the clock. I can’t let this car go. You can sleep inside, can carry a double mattress inside, massive room, very strong. Very practical.
I bought a 2nd hand T31 CVT auto Ti (2009 build) just over a year ago @ 200,000 Kms (approx). I paid $10,000 for it, and it's given me a good run so far, I love it. Thanks for the low-down on this model too by the way.
I owned one of these for a few years. 2012 ST-L 2.5 petrol 4wd. We went on many many adventures all around New Zealand fully loaded with our camping gear in the back, kayaks/ boards on the roof, mountain bikes on the back and our big dog in the back. Heaps of room. Very very practical. Also great up the the mountains in the snow. I had a good set of Toyo AT tyres on it and it really would go anywhere. Very very hardy and always cleaned up nice. Loved it. I always felt the only thing that let it down was the CVT which I never liked. It gave me no issues at all and I did get that fluid changed during my ownership as I did a lot of towing and hill climbing. I would highly recommend owning one if you enjoy being able to get out exploring with your mates or family. Only sold it to change to a diesel Ute to tow our caravan. Fuel economy was reasonably good. Around 9l per 100km fully loaded on our camping trips. The only issues I had was the drivers window button would sometimes stick or fault and my stereo steering wheel control annoyingly stopped worked. Other than that I couldn’t fault it. (And boy did we use it a lot).
I love my 2.0 diesel 2012 X-Trail. So practical, yet will do over 40 mpg on long runs. Pulls my 4 wheel trailer with ease too. A good all round workhorse. The cushions of rear seat are removable, and that gives a flat load area of almost 2M. I have done over 40K miles in it now without any serious problems. Great cars!
I have a 2009 2l petrol. Been through 5 African countries. No issues at all. Loaded it with construction materials a few times and it took it with no fuss. Just had to do suspension a bit early because of the heavy loads. Sitting on 160k km now. The 2l can move if you just get it up in the revs. But it's a great car. Great video 💪🏻
We had these as fleet vehicles in Port Moresby, the diesel inparticular was pretty bloody bullet proof. Had to gutter jump at speed a few times to escape hairy situations, the X took it like a champ an got me to safety. Good cars for what they are.
@tsubadaikhan6332 when you come off the road at speed an mount the gutter, an keep on driving, generally with no brakes involved. Car jackings are common in Port Moresby, avoiding them can damage the car to the point it becomes immobile, an then you're kinda screwed.
I bought a year ago this model, T31 2.5L CVT, and it's amazing. Was pretty well treated, 109k Kms, now 20k Kms later it's still the same unstoppable beast. Had gone to different cities and even some off-roading (with no mods) and no complaints at all. I feel like I found a hidden gem, and hope it will last another couple of years!
My aunt has about 340k km on hers, everything except for the panoramic sunroof works. Absolutely rock solid, take care of the gearbox and it will run forever
a fun feature about this car is that the cup holders on the dash and in the back can be chilled or warm with a press of a button in all specs of the t31 and yes u should buy one I've owned one of these for 13 years and haven't had any problems with the engine I love it to bits its the best xtrail I love the look of these and was so disappointed when nissan decided to change everything about it and follow all the other car manufacturers I love this video as well I really enjoy their content
@@suzannnetendyke9272 so when AC is switched to cool then cup holders button should be pushed down and same way for heater? Correct The same goes for glove box?
I've had two T31 / Manual / Diesel (2008 models) - the first one had to go at 290k because i accidentally put petrol instead of diesel. I loved it so much, i brought an identical one again....with 140k on the clock. It now has 290k + and only had one problem - clogged DPF which put the car into limp mode and wouldn't "burn off". I found a way to fix this and cleaned it out and restored power etc. Air Con compressor went recently as well. Both my T31s have been great. I loved both of them. Love to drive them. Take them to the bush all the time...and they are ok to go offroad. Good space throughout!
I've got a fun one for you guys. W164 Merc ML-Class. It amazes me that these are still so, so popular in the used car market. They're bloody nightmares.
We have a 2009 T31 turbo diesel manual. These are fantastic cars, practical and reliable. No mechanical problems experienced and up to 260,000kms currently except and engine light for the glow plug. You didn't mention the diesel auto are detuned compared to the manuals which is another reason to buy a manual turbo diesel Xtrail. Great cars. Great video.
@@vicentepallamare2608 T31 there are petrol with Engine MR20, and QR25 has Manual as well, and Diesel M9R engine they come with Manual or Automatic. And the Automatic are not CVT.
I had a 2.2 DCI t30 I had for 7 and half years ( best car I've ever had). I only swapped to the newer 2.0 DCI 150 bhp because of a road accident and was written off. I had that for 7 years until timing chain snapped at 157000 miles. Currently driving a 2009 2.0 DCI koleos 150 privilege.
I have the 2013 2L petrol automatic and while it's no race car, as a result, the fuel consumption is really so low and worth it in my opinion. Thought it was worth a mention.
2011 TL Diesel Auto. Great car. 140k on clock. A few things… Being a diesel with a DPF, make sure you don’t baby it around and it HAS to have a regular highway run, say monthly, so it does it’s burn off. If you’re buying one of these diesels just to go put putting around town, you will have DPF issues. Don’t be afraid to put it into manual mode every now and then and make the engine work. They hate being driven like a tractor at low revs. Also mine on its last service, the mechanic said the auto gearbox didn’t even have a drain plug on it! Interesting! Keep on top of servicing with the diesel with a good mechanic that KNOWS these M9R engines and you’ll have a great run in them. Yes, the auto diesel won’t shift into 6th until above 115km/h, you may have to select manual mode and select 6th on the highway. Yes, I had to get my speedo recalibrated as it’s was way under at highway speeds. Don’t get stuck somewhere and have to be pulled out from the front as it will bugger your car due to the box type chassis. Only get pulled out from the rear and ideally from a tow hitch on a tow bar, not from the tow ball either! Very capable off road but limited ground clearance. The 4WD system in these works amazingly and leave it in AUTO on the selector for the best results. Rear bumper can act as a sand scoop and be ripped off if not careful. A bash plate recommended for underneath before getting too off road. The satnav maps in the TL were able to be updated years ago from Nissan for a lot of coin, not sure still can. Use your Google maps on phone in a holder if worried or update head unit. Sunroof can be a problem. Drainage tubes will block up causing water build up into interior. Clean drains every now and then at service. My sunroof noisy in operation so advised not to use as whole headlining needs to be removed to access rear part of sunroof. Headlights can be rubbish too. Mine are halogen(?) and couldn’t see shit until mechanic adjusted them! Rear top taillight can leak water into, be aware. But all in all, I love it! Drives great, goes great, tons of room, practical, good visibility, easy to get in and out of. I’ve just had a injector clean done and has improved the performance and diesel consumption, recommended. Like driving a new car now. If you’re doing lots of k’s get a diesel, the servicing costs are more in a diesel which one has to consider and all what I’ve said above in DPF issues.
The glove box being airconditioned is cool. But a thing you have missed is that the upper cupholders can be air conditioned as well. There are little tabs on mine that you lift up or push down to control the airtflow to the cup holders.
We have the same car as the one that you’ve featured there (except its pearl white) the wife & L plate daughter have driven the wheels off it for nearly 300K. Bloody awesome car that’s cheap to fix & easy to work on! Great vid!
Im from Mexico, My dad still have his t31 2011 Xtrail, 2wd and fully loaded. Extremely durable, even with the CVT, we just had an issue with the alternator around 95,000 kms, the little SUV is now 220,000 kms and still going strong on long trips, lots of space, a real and usable trunk, good amount of power and great ground clearence, im looking for a 2014 4wd.
I’ve got the 6 speed auto diesel - - it’s never missed a beat from new - just coming up to 100k ! - it’s my second trail - I’m more than happy with them
Had my T31 2.5l 4wd Manual for 5 years, almost 200k travelled in that time, lots of ks offroad chasing rally cars around the stages, very capable offroad, locking diff is handy on fire trails. It ain't pretty but it's utilitarian style is it's appeal. Trouble free motoring. Not much you can't fit in a T31. Plus the plastics in the boot and draws mean you can throw your wet muddy clothes in the back and just wipe it down when you're done.
I also previously had a t31 manual ti spec. The one other big practical upside from the boxy look is how easy is to squeeze in big things for outdoor adventures or bulky items from Ikea trips. The rear tie down points and fold flat rear seats help here a lot too!
Nissan X Trail (2007-2009) or Land Rover Freelander (2007-2009) for everyday car? I go to mountains and to my village few days a week where the road is rough but also i travel to work in city and i want car that is capable of both. Which one is better? It will be diesel and manual.
Best car I ever owned, bought it six years ago with very low milage, manual diesel, 2.2lt, tows like a dream, very roomy, hard to park though bit of a tank, tough vehicle only had one breakdown in that time. Got the model before they put the carbon filter in, 2007, will definitely be getting another x trail the best vehicle I ever had, hope the newer ones are as good.
I am not a mechanic but I would recommend to change gear box oil/ transmission fluid/ oil on any car automatic gear selector , CVT or manual after at least 35k and don’t forget to change differential oil/ fluid (for 4x4) either every time to change gear/ transmission oil. I think this has to be done on or after every 3rd/ 4th service. This is will naturally come on to 30-40k mark. The reason for this (IN MY OPINION) oil loosing its viscosity after getting hot and cool over the time. (Some oils have shelf life{5 years I guess} think about that) if it looses it’s quality on the shelf why would it not loose it’s quality with every day’s use. When it looses it’s viscosity it increases wear and tear of components of transmission and puts pressure on the engine even if you service it regularly. This is generally taken as ‘it’s an old/ used car’ what would you expect? But in my logical mind they both (engine and gearbox) play their part to keep you going but we feed the best to the engine but neglect the transmission 😢. The most important thing is that please please DO NOT go for cheaper fluid for the transmission and MAKE SURE it matches the specifications of your car or try to get it from car manufacturers original so you are absolutely sure it is the right one or get an advice from an oil engineer or Machnic. Best of luck 🤞
i have a 2009 model. Great car. Have had it for 11 years. I have the 2.0l diesel manual with 270 000 on the clock. average about 8.1 lt/100km. Great car. Had to change the harmonic balancer twice. Just a weak design but overall very happy with it. Main likes are Ride height - You see everything. Space - you can fit 3 car seats in the back. Storage. Cup holders everywhere. Steering - Feels so tight and stable on the road. The turbo diesel has a nice kick in it for overtaking. Great off road too especially in sand because it is light as but its lower clearance won't handle deep ruts.
had a T30 since new... 253,000km ago manual.. just had to renew the clutch, engine mounts rockercover gasket but it will keep going reliably for another 200,000km -- very happy with it - a comfortable cost efficient utilitarian workhorse
Still having one. Totally love it and can reccomend. Despite being left-hand could be relevant for owners from UK or Australia too. It's 2007 2.5L SE with 335k km on odometer. Just recently (approx 330k) had to repair both CVT and Engine within short timespan. Now, in dynamics it feels like a brand new. However I'm dreaming to replace it by next-gen when it would be possible in 🇺🇦🥲
Hi, we brought ours new in 2008 T31 STL 2.5 cvt. My wife gave it to our son in 2018 with 125k on it. It had just had a big service. He still has it. Used it a lot to take our daughter snowboarding at Ruapehu NZ. We brought a T32 in 2018. I actually like the T31 to drive. The T32 seems to be more economical.
I had one of these as a hire car in Zimbabwe. Off road it was brilliant. I had no doubts it would get me out of trouble and where we stayed was 25 miles from the nearest town. On the highway though it was terrible overtaking. As soon as you hit the gas pedal, the revs went through the roof and it didn’t get any quicker. Easing off the gas made it go quicker. Drawer in the boot was handy for empty bottles too.
Had a T30 and i loved it. Up to 330000 kms on it and I miss it. The T31 also looks fantastic. They are like baby patrols. The T32 and newer xtrails are crap.
Hi there, I have put 250000km on my 2012 2,5 Manual. It has been awesome, I serviced it regularly at the OEM, the only issues I had with the vehicle is the control arm mountings with I have replaced relatively cheap. The clockspring on the steering wheel was also replaced for about 200 AUD. All in all it a beautiful car
Hi I've got a 2012 xtrail with the 2.5 petrol and 6 speed manual, another common issues are the front cv's and the lower control arm bushings, and a mechanic mate of mine has said that the radiator is also a common issue especially if the coolant hasn't been changed on the regular basis
This is a epic re review and spot on !!! All facts 100 percent true. I discovered the xtrail not that long ago. 2010, 170tho on the clock perfect body and interior. 2.5l with a 6 speed. Not a single leak or issue. Great for the school run, camping but of light 4x4 work.. it's no land cruiser but a great solid little softroader. The cup holders on the dash and in the rear are cooled with the aircon too 😜
I had one of these. The size of the boot was brilliant and also the design of how the seats folded down etc. it was a little cheaply put together, but then I withstood my thrashing for 4 years to can’t complain too much
We had one for 11 years from new. An absolute weapon, little to no issues I can recall. Aircon went at 220k. Can't complain though, it was an awesome car
I still have my 2008 T31 with Auto (notCVT) it still looks new and has been hassle free. Just a dream car to own. If handed it over to my daughter and she loves it.
17 jan 2025: bought my 2012 2.5 CC T31 CVT new and now about 126,000 km driven to date. The roads in Jamaica very bumpy/rough. Not much off-road done. Most service done by dealer over the years on regular basis. Had one complete change of shock absorbers to date including front end parts probably twice. Very reliable vehicle with no unexpected breakdown and good fuel efficiency. The issues were mainly interior: plastic fittings (front seats floor bracket, rear view mirrow plastic trim, driver door handle, sun roof embellishments) needing replacement. The leather seats did nor wear well in the extreme hot summer months (serious cracking) so a better quality leather could have been fitted. CVT excelllent, no problem, same for sun roof and entertainment system (I now hardly use CD's), roofing and hard plastic panels (grey contrast trims started fading early). Overall a reliable, drivable, safe and decent SUV with plenty of storage space in trunk area to transport many things easily.
My T31 xtrail 2.0 DCI AWD is super reliable. It gets used as my daily and family holiday car. Over all sorts of terrain and its very capable. Ground clearance is a issue. The engine guard is attached with plastic pins which is profoundly stupid. AWD system works really well. Bought it with 88K km on. Now at 142K. It does have turbo lag of note.
Loved this video. Have recently sold our 2012 ST and moved into a 2022 Outback. After the practicality of the Xtrail it was imperative we retained something with similar space and size. Outside of the underpowered 2l engine, we couldn’t fault it. The only other thing was the display on the radio / cd player crapped out not long after we bought it (second hand) but we lived with it.
Bought a Pearl white T31 with 90,000kms. Had it 8 years and now it has 190K on the clock. I love it as much as I did when I bought it and it still looks great against all the other SUV's.
We had the diesel and it ran great, no issues. I will say that we drove it to Wollongong from Adelaide a few times return and I don’t know if it was an issue, or just the gearing but it wouldn’t kick into 6th gear at 110kmh. I had to do it manually or speed to 115kmh before it would kick into 6th
A good review as always guys and gave me a couple of really good laughs that I needed. Thought Hullsy was about to start a Naked Vicar Show or Goon Show or something like that when he started talking about the CVT in the X-Trail lol 😆. Was honestly suprised at the size of the glove box as it almost seems like Nissan made it that big after seeing old cartoons or something lol 😆. I had a boss many years ago that bought an X-Trail (T30 I think) without doing a pre-purchace and when it hit 180k kms the engine totally seized. Good video as always guys and have a good weekend and I look forward to next week's batch of videos as always and I have a feeling I know what next Friday's car you're going to review is too lol 😆 👍.
My 2013 is my first car, manual 2.5L with 300 000km, having driving it for about 20 000km. Had to put a new clutch in cos of blown slave cylinder and replacement of front steering column, but other than that uts been a gem of a car. Considering I travelled mostly on dirt roads and hilly roads, it's using 8.5L per 100km with 98 petrol. It does use a little bit of oil but not a concern.
Had the 2010 4x4 2.5 Petrol Manual. Was an excellent car until 100,000 k's when the clutch went. Needed to replace the dual mass fly wheel along with it which was really expensive. ($4K to $5K ). I do still have a soft spot for it though, just wished it had a bit more power.
Get back home from buying a Delica to replace my 2008 Xtrail and see this video. They are fantastic cars, mine hasn't missed a beat and its been put through its paces. Surprisingly capable, pulled my mates Jeep out of a few tough spots. Hope I made the right choice 😂
2011 Model X-trail user here. Passed 650.000km right now. Only left side door handle cracked. 95% of the parts are still original. Only changed parts are periodical parts.
Great work horse, diesel automatic. Good tow car for caravan and trailer. 8.5 l per 100km consommation. Getting a bit untidy but well loved. Front driveshaft failed around 250k kms needing gearbox replacement. Expensive but new lease of life. Engine bulletproof. Easy DIY servicing. Parts available and not expensive. Love it and cannot find a like for like replacement.
I bought an old used Nissan XTRAIL ( year 2004 ) for £1500 two years ago and use it for my small business as a decorator....best car I have ever had.....just keeps going 132000 miles so far
We've got ourselfes a t31 of the last production month. With the Diesel engine, manually driven, upgraded to 240 hp it serves just everything. Space for the kids, sports stuff incl boat, offroad in the mountains and on the building site. It even takes our 2ton "living room" on the Autobahn or into the mountains. You just cannot find a car like this in the newer models today.
I have the same 2012 2.5L T31, great car, its not boring, mines actually moves when I press, the gas consumption isn't bad either for a 2.5L, best feature for me is the big sunroof, rides very comfy, good pretty leather interior, the car just works and do what its meant to do, Tip, change to A/T tires at lease and add a nice big touchscreen radio and enjoy, also remember to service and take care of the car and you'll be fine, I've never have any issues I've only change front end parts and the strut mounts.
I had an X Trail as a hire car up in the Gold Coast for a week or so back in the early 2010s during a group golf trip. A couple of us almost left an unhealthy amount of personal possessions in one of those drawers. Drove OK from what I recall...I'm exactly 1 AK Morris tall and have an aversion to possibly cramped back seats, so put my hand up to do the driving.
Looking for a used car is a nightmare for so many of us. Like this video was great and helpful in many ways, I always end car videos with more questions, it's the never ending rabbit hole of google searching and it's driving me nuts! (pun intended).
The cup holders on the dash have a small un noticed slide or push switch on it. It opens a air vent to the air conditioning so will keep a cold drink cold for longer or a hot drink hotter for longer.
I've gone from a 1998 VW T4 Transporter to a really well kept 2008 X-trail T31 Adventura and with all the tech and luxuries. I still miss everything about the Transporter and would have one again in a heartbeat if the rules for vans weren't being changed in the city that I live in.
I lived in Europeand Australia, driven for years many different cars. t32 Xtrail is literally the best car I have ever drove. - SUV spacious familycar - 4*4 and all wheel drive. - 1000km o one tank!? mine has 250k and going strong. Hands down the best car you can buy by the cost BUT.. DO NOT buy anything that is not manual, let me repeat that onemore time DO NOT buy abything automatic and then compain about it.
They are great cars but keep an eye out for the prop shaft bearing and dodgy UJoints. You can't replace the centre prop shaft bearing and when it goes you'll need to buy an entire new prop shaft. The propshaft spins even in 2wd (front wheel only) causing unessential wear on the centre bearing and uJoints.
Had a 2009 ST 2.5 AUTO CVT. was always loaded to the gunnels with work gear and tools etc. did 170,000 ks with no major probs. i was always worried about the bad reputation CVT, but never gave an issue. big tick from me, wouldnt mind having one again. enjoyed the space and storage too.
Have driven a 2008 xtrail since new, still driving it and love it. Just keep them maintained and they will not let you down. Also great for towing. 👍👍👍
i have t31 m9r turbo diesel with manual gearbox and a bit of chip tuning and its really fun to drive, with the age only the engine is getting tired of towing 2 tonns pretty often and for years now.
Following on from my initial comment about woes with my T31 (manual) with the M9R motor - I bought a heavy duty clutch kit with single mass flywheel out of Australia and intended to buy my own hoist but on a business trip, I came across a Nissan trained mechanic who runs his own small operation out in a semi rural area of NZ. He was happy to put the clutch kit in for me, investigate the issue of power loss and gave the car a standard service at 135,000kms while he had it on the hoist($1700 total for service and clutch change). Clutch and service were done on day one but the mechanic suggested first looking for other simpler issues before going to the extent of DPF/EGR valve delete, which they are not yet equipped to do due to cost to set up for this work. By the way, on dismantling, the dual mass flywheel was almost in pieces, the clutch plates were in pretty good condition still. There were no fault codes showing and no lights on the instrument panel, so they took another day to find a faulty exhaust gas pressure sensor on the turbo boost circuit($500 fix) The car then ran fine for 400kms to get me home and two days later, the turbo does not work anymore. The car will rev past 3000 RPM very lazily, but misfires like a petrol engine with crappy spark plugs as you pass 3000rpm, then smoothes out as you approach 3500rpm plus. No guts at all due to no turbo kicking in. I don't do much short range driving - currently putting 3500 kms per month on the vehicle as I travel for work from town to town. I am not sure at what point I will realise I am throwing good money after bad?
I drove these cars extensively when they came out, all rentals and the same cars, but different every day due to allocation, over significant distance daily, both on road and also soft roading. I am a Nissan fan boy so I wanted to love them but as far as ergonomics went for the driver, I always felt like I was sitting on a milk crate inside a car cabin on all of those trips. The car was competent, but it wasn’t a family car you could feel at home in. It was a tool, not endowed with land cruiser levers of ability and in my opinion, less comfortable long range. I wanted to love it I just couldn’t.
yea my t31 xtrail is a beast. awesome for going to the snow and light camping. i've even done some small river crossing near Lithgow and she held up strong. my mates have given her the nickname "billy goat", she rides up 4WD hills with ease. only down side is the driving lights are dull and a after market light bar is a must.
If you know how to use diesel it's the best option. Manual transition is ubrakable if you compare it to CVT (hard to make a damage - I know many people using this car and don't know anyone who has a problem with it), low fuel consumption like 6-7L, it's smaller if you compare to land cruiser or defender, or pathfinder, but very practical to drive somewhere far (cupholders are absolutely great) and generally it's doing a good job as a SUV. Very practical, utility car... And awesome huge sunroof. Great to sleep in it during offroad expedition 😀
I have a 2008 T31 2.5l with a six speed manual, It has done two hundred and ten thousand kms without skipping a beat. Would be loathsome to give it up.
I have a 2009 X trail sport 2.2 l . Solid vehicle. Three years ago I did nineteenth loads with the seats down towing a three ton plant trailer loaded with our possessions, plus my tools and various building materials The only problems I have experienced has been a blown turbo and E.G.R. valve clogging up three times.
We have had T31 2.5 manual 4x4 since new. 301ks at present. Minor issues only. Has been a good solid car. Tows well, haven't been stuck yet off-road although we don't get too adventurous.
Let me know about it, its Automatic transimission doesnt force the car into limp mode, making whining noise at higher speed like CVT model? When you carry people on board 5 people and their luggages, you dont experience a decrease in power like CVT models? Climbing up hills with decrease power like CVT models?
I am in New Zealand and recently bought a T31 with the 2 litre M9R diesel motor tied to the 6 speed manual box. Had two pre-purchase inspections done and the car looked in pretty good shape so I committed. Nice to drive when it behaves itself but am kicking myself now! I bought it off the JDM with about 100,000 kms on the clock and have done almost 30,000 kms in it now. I have had it serviced regularly but the car is plagued with EGR and DPF problems - always going into "limp mode" and being restricted to under 3000 RPM. Please do not believe any hype about the towing or off road capabilities - the clutch is hopeless, don't try to tow anything heavier than a light trailer - and without low range it is just a "play play" 4x4. Quotes from various garages for a clutch change range from NZD 4200 to NZD 6000. Every mechanic just about begged me not to give them the job because it is a nightmare - my local Nissan dealer said they allow a minimum of 20 hours labour to do a clutch changeover because they have to drop the whole sub frame - a major job! I cannot sell the damned thing and at that price for a clutch job, I decided to buy my own workshop manual, electronic diagnostic tool, a two post hoist and a clutch kit out of Australia and do it myself(total approx NZD 7000) - but I am fantasizing that maybe if I get it down pat, I can start doing X-Trail clutches for a living and become a millionaire because apparently lots of owners end up chucking the car away when they find out the cost of a clutch job. Anyway - worst money I ever spent.
There are places who 'fix' DPF/EGR problems permanently. They trigger a burn, and reset the margins to 1. The DPF is removed and replaced by a straight though pipe. The EGR is also removed. The car thinks it has just done a burn and is happy. The DPF doesn't get congested as it doesn't exist. There was no requirement for a DPF during the T31 build (it came later but it was easier to fit it worldwide). As for the clutch??? Remove left wheel, remove driveshafts, remove transaxle. There's your clutch. It's no more difficult to change than a front wheel drive hatchback.
If you only do short trips then the DPF and EGR will clog up regularly. Highway driving is better for them. I have the diesel version with 6 speed automatic transmission. Drives like a charm. I did have a T30 diesel for 10 years. It had the 6 speed manual transmission and I had to replace the clutch once. It was no more difficult than any other clutch job I've done. Although it is recommended to replace the dual mass flywheel, mine checked out ok so I left it in. The vehicle drove absolutely fine up until I swapped it for the T31. I really liked the T30 and I'm very pleased with the T31. There are certainly worse cars out there.
I just bought a 2011 2wd 2.0L with a extremely good service book. One thing I noticed that wasn't mentioned in the video or the cheat sheet is that Nissan and Jatco had some serious issues with their CVTs in the cars that were pre 2010 models, and maybe have included 'some 2010' models. They finally acknowledged that the CVTs had problems and so, they revised them. The ones in the 2010/11 models have the updated CVTS and should not really have the unreliability issues that the previous ones did. If those were going to die, they did it well under 100,000 km. Nissan replaced a lot of them.
@@davegardner5672 lol probably but a year later its going great! Yeah sure its not fast on take off but i really don't mind. It's comfortable, I don't go offroad for that( I also own a Toyota Landcruiser for that). It's great for what I need
I'm planning to drive round OZ next year (I've spent 25 years in rural and remote Oz, so I know the conditions from north to south, east to west even though I now i live in kiwiland. Well I haven't done the Gunbarrel but that's not gonna happen). So my research is increasingly focussed on the X-trail and this has confirmed it. Currently in NZ I drive 2014 Triton. So thanks for this, and any hints appreciated from X-trail owners - like where I could get a spare spare wheel and how to avoid getting stuck between Borroloola and Normanton!
True. I was very interested to see the minor differences between them on this video. Basically it's less cupholders, different console layout, smaller (less square) backend, same L/100km and Bose sounds system with a subwoofer
@@krzysztofhurbiszewski6539 smaller yes, but not impractical. The small woman who Daily drives it loves the layout for whatever reason. Plus with the tailgate style opening she can keep loose items back there that won't fall out when the boot is opened.
@elli481 I've got the Renault Koleos from 2010. Any of them up to that year are a xtrail clone. They should be cheaper due to lack of name recognition, but probably will have the Jatco CVT which famously sucks.
My partners sister has one; bought new. ST 2.5L AWD CVT, 2011. It has been a bit of a bomb. Three of the four exterior door handles have spontaneously fallen off; it's presently missing two. The CVT shat itself at around 170K and was a $5500 repair. Alternator died resulting in being stranded on the side of the motorway. Suspension problems too. There are probably other things too. A side note; I wouldn't buy a manual one either as they have a dual-mass flywheel, making clutch replacement far more expensive than it should be. I personally own a 2013 CX-5 which is so so much better.
The 2013 diesel autos have a 6 speed auto transmission, not a CVT transmission which makes it probably the best option for an auto t31 xtrail. I own one and have taken it from about 140,000-190,000kms and it has been awesome so far
The T31 petrol 2.5 CVT is an excellent family car, got a 2012 model, never missed a beat, secret? good continual servicing and no thrashing it....applies to most cars!..
Motor mechanic here, only common issue with the T31 QR25 is the oil cooler leaking. I've replaced a few. Totally not a reason not to buy one though, they're a great car.
Do you have something on the m9r one ?
I have a neglected and abused T31 CVT with 300,000km. I have missed heaps of services and really just done DIY oil changes at home for the past 200,000km. Car feels healthy and powerful still. Pretty torquey when floored. I changed the CVT oil at 220,000km for first time after it started squealing (was almost empty lol) - no more squeals and been fine since. Have driven it offroad extensively and across Australia. Does decent fuel economy (gets average 12l per 100km but on long highway drives over flat terrain, have seen as low as 7s) and never broken down. Radiator cracked after plastic end tanks got brittle but super easy to switch. Ive gone through a few lower control arm bushes and front shocks - probably because of offroad stuff. My engine mounts need replacing but I don't really care. The entry and exit angles are good for offroad unlike some other soft-offroaders. I have used the tow hook for recovery when needed. The 4WD system has a 'lock' feature which puts car into a split and works great in sand/mud. Cup holders are cooled. Its been such a great car, I have considered replacing it with a lower km T31.
2013 xtrail with CVT， 310000 traveled，no any problems so far！loved！
Hands down one of the most practical vehicles. I have a T30 but pretty much similar to the T31 minus the tech. 4wd system is very good and very capable offroad. I take mine where no one would take theirs. It has not broken down and is still in good nick. Lots of offroad footage in my channel. You won't believe how capable they are.
Man I have one too I recently found out there is an xtrail gt I can't believe it turbo lol
Bought a t30/2.0 automatic 2 months ago because of your channel 😁 still some nasty stuff to handle e.g some weird vibration on idle (when d/r is engaged... Or car tilted. To e.g. Left...) also some rattle from the passenger airbag... But other than that very good and capable indeed!
@Bruce Wayne mine doesn't have a dpf. DPFs are DPFs at the end of the day 😀
Might check out your vids.
I have a T30 2.2 dci 4x4 and its by far the best car I've ever driven. never lets me down and handles offroad very good even tho it doenst have lower gear. the T30 feels like the swiss army knife in the car world but actually good :D
A quick spec that most X-trail T31 don't know is the headlights. Leave your headlights on when you stop the engine and leave the car. make sure you lock the car and the headlights will switch off. When you unlock the car, you can open any door but once the drivers door is opened the headlights will come back on.
Nope. They won't. You will have a flat battery when you return. I own one too.
I still have my T31 2009 until this moment, I have changed control arm, brakes, fuel filter. The rest are just normal wear and tear maintenance. Its 250k on the clock. I can’t let this car go. You can sleep inside, can carry a double mattress inside, massive room, very strong. Very practical.
I bought a 2nd hand T31 CVT auto Ti (2009 build) just over a year ago @ 200,000 Kms (approx). I paid $10,000 for it, and it's given me a good run so far, I love it. Thanks for the low-down on this model too by the way.
I owned one of these for a few years. 2012 ST-L 2.5 petrol 4wd. We went on many many adventures all around New Zealand fully loaded with our camping gear in the back, kayaks/ boards on the roof, mountain bikes on the back and our big dog in the back. Heaps of room. Very very practical. Also great up the the mountains in the snow. I had a good set of Toyo AT tyres on it and it really would go anywhere. Very very hardy and always cleaned up nice. Loved it. I always felt the only thing that let it down was the CVT which I never liked. It gave me no issues at all and I did get that fluid changed during my ownership as I did a lot of towing and hill climbing. I would highly recommend owning one if you enjoy being able to get out exploring with your mates or family. Only sold it to change to a diesel Ute to tow our caravan. Fuel economy was reasonably good. Around 9l per 100km fully loaded on our camping trips. The only issues I had was the drivers window button would sometimes stick or fault and my stereo steering wheel control annoyingly stopped worked. Other than that I couldn’t fault it. (And boy did we use it a lot).
I love my 2.0 diesel 2012 X-Trail. So practical, yet will do over 40 mpg on long runs. Pulls my 4 wheel trailer with ease too. A good all round workhorse. The cushions of rear seat are removable, and that gives a flat load area of almost 2M. I have done over 40K miles in it now without any serious problems. Great cars!
I have a 2009 2l petrol. Been through 5 African countries. No issues at all. Loaded it with construction materials a few times and it took it with no fuss. Just had to do suspension a bit early because of the heavy loads. Sitting on 160k km now. The 2l can move if you just get it up in the revs. But it's a great car. Great video 💪🏻
I've found that when you rev it around 2 to 3k revs you can get some good speed out of it. Have you had to change the cvt fluid?
We had these as fleet vehicles in Port Moresby, the diesel inparticular was pretty bloody bullet proof. Had to gutter jump at speed a few times to escape hairy situations, the X took it like a champ an got me to safety. Good cars for what they are.
Was it manual or automatic??
What's a gutter jump?
@tsubadaikhan6332 when you come off the road at speed an mount the gutter, an keep on driving, generally with no brakes involved. Car jackings are common in Port Moresby, avoiding them can damage the car to the point it becomes immobile, an then you're kinda screwed.
@@wackpaddyknickknackaha mounting the kerb
@robertb7643 yes, but that's not what we call it in this part of the world.
I bought a year ago this model, T31 2.5L CVT, and it's amazing. Was pretty well treated, 109k Kms, now 20k Kms later it's still the same unstoppable beast. Had gone to different cities and even some off-roading (with no mods) and no complaints at all. I feel like I found a hidden gem, and hope it will last another couple of years!
I’ve had my fair share of cars and the mrs. 2012 T31 is probably my favourite to drive, such a practical and good looking car
My aunt has about 340k km on hers, everything except for the panoramic sunroof works. Absolutely rock solid, take care of the gearbox and it will run forever
Is ir manual or Automatic CVT??? And is ot diesel or petrol????
@@edwinalexander1170 2.5 petrol and CVT
@@saraleon97 waoh 340,000 with CVT ??? What transmission fluid are you using??? After how many miles are you changing the transmission fluid???
a fun feature about this car is that the cup holders on the dash and in the back can be chilled or warm with a press of a button in all specs of the t31 and yes u should buy one I've owned one of these for 13 years and haven't had any problems with the engine I love it to bits its the best xtrail I love the look of these and was so disappointed when nissan decided to change everything about it and follow all the other car manufacturers I love this video as well I really enjoy their content
I forgot to mention that I'm going on to 310000km with the 2009 manual 2.0l petrol xe model
I average about 8.7 -9.0 in the city and down to 8.3 or 8.0 on the highway
Can you help with which button and my cool glove box does not work any ideas for same?
@@manishmohite8119 Front seat cup holders have a lever in them which you lift up or down.
@@suzannnetendyke9272 so when AC is switched to cool then cup holders button should be pushed down and same way for heater? Correct
The same goes for glove box?
I've had two T31 / Manual / Diesel (2008 models) - the first one had to go at 290k because i accidentally put petrol instead of diesel. I loved it so much, i brought an identical one again....with 140k on the clock. It now has 290k + and only had one problem - clogged DPF which put the car into limp mode and wouldn't "burn off". I found a way to fix this and cleaned it out and restored power etc. Air Con compressor went recently as well.
Both my T31s have been great. I loved both of them. Love to drive them. Take them to the bush all the time...and they are ok to go offroad. Good space throughout!
I've got a fun one for you guys. W164 Merc ML-Class.
It amazes me that these are still so, so popular in the used car market. They're bloody nightmares.
We have a 2009 T31 turbo diesel manual. These are fantastic cars, practical and reliable. No mechanical problems experienced and up to 260,000kms currently except and engine light for the glow plug. You didn't mention the diesel auto are detuned compared to the manuals which is another reason to buy a manual turbo diesel Xtrail. Great cars. Great video.
@Rz no problem with Automatic diesel model they are powerful.as the diesel manual as both have turbo. And their automatic transmission is not CVT.
The t31s are with CVT
... T30 are not.
@@vicentepallamare2608 T31 there are petrol with Engine MR20, and QR25 has Manual as well, and Diesel M9R engine they come with Manual or Automatic. And the Automatic are not CVT.
Here in euroland we got two versions of the turbo diesel with 150 and 170-something horses
I had a 2.2 DCI t30 I had for 7 and half years ( best car I've ever had). I only swapped to the newer 2.0 DCI 150 bhp because of a road accident and was written off. I had that for 7 years until timing chain snapped at 157000 miles. Currently driving a 2009 2.0 DCI koleos 150 privilege.
The cvt has a screen and a paper filter in it they should both be changed every 80k and oil every 40k . Cost is about $60 plus fitting. New cvt $9k
Should i mention to mechanic
I have the 2013 2L petrol automatic and while it's no race car, as a result, the fuel consumption is really so low and worth it in my opinion. Thought it was worth a mention.
2011 TL Diesel Auto.
Great car. 140k on clock.
A few things…
Being a diesel with a DPF, make sure you don’t baby it around and it HAS to have a regular highway run, say monthly, so it does it’s burn off. If you’re buying one of these diesels just to go put putting around town, you will have DPF issues.
Don’t be afraid to put it into manual mode every now and then and make the engine work. They hate being driven like a tractor at low revs.
Also mine on its last service, the mechanic said the auto gearbox didn’t even have a drain plug on it! Interesting!
Keep on top of servicing with the diesel with a good mechanic that KNOWS these M9R engines and you’ll have a great run in them.
Yes, the auto diesel won’t shift into 6th until above 115km/h, you may have to select manual mode and select 6th on the highway.
Yes, I had to get my speedo recalibrated as it’s was way under at highway speeds.
Don’t get stuck somewhere and have to be pulled out from the front as it will bugger your car due to the box type chassis. Only get pulled out from the rear and ideally from a tow hitch on a tow bar, not from the tow ball either!
Very capable off road but limited ground clearance. The 4WD system in these works amazingly and leave it in AUTO on the selector for the best results. Rear bumper can act as a sand scoop and be ripped off if not careful. A bash plate recommended for underneath before getting too off road.
The satnav maps in the TL were able to be updated years ago from Nissan for a lot of coin, not sure still can. Use your Google maps on phone in a holder if worried or update head unit.
Sunroof can be a problem. Drainage tubes will block up causing water build up into interior. Clean drains every now and then at service.
My sunroof noisy in operation so advised not to use as whole headlining needs to be removed to access rear part of sunroof.
Headlights can be rubbish too. Mine are halogen(?) and couldn’t see shit until mechanic adjusted them!
Rear top taillight can leak water into, be aware.
But all in all, I love it! Drives great, goes great, tons of room, practical, good visibility, easy to get in and out of.
I’ve just had a injector clean done and has improved the performance and diesel consumption, recommended. Like driving a new car now.
If you’re doing lots of k’s get a diesel, the servicing costs are more in a diesel which one has to consider and all what I’ve said above in DPF issues.
The glove box being airconditioned is cool. But a thing you have missed is that the upper cupholders can be air conditioned as well. There are little tabs on mine that you lift up or push down to control the airtflow to the cup holders.
I’ve had my x-trail for 3 years and never knew. You’ve changed my life
We have the same car as the one that you’ve featured there (except its pearl white) the wife & L plate daughter have driven the wheels off it for nearly 300K. Bloody awesome car that’s cheap to fix & easy to work on! Great vid!
Im from Mexico, My dad still have his t31 2011 Xtrail, 2wd and fully loaded.
Extremely durable, even with the CVT, we just had an issue with the alternator around 95,000 kms, the little SUV is now 220,000 kms and still going strong on long trips, lots of space, a real and usable trunk, good amount of power and great ground clearence, im looking for a 2014 4wd.
I’ve got the 6 speed auto diesel - - it’s never missed a beat from new - just coming up to 100k ! - it’s my second trail - I’m more than happy with them
Does it have a bigger transmission cooler than CVT models?
Had my T31 2.5l 4wd Manual for 5 years, almost 200k travelled in that time, lots of ks offroad chasing rally cars around the stages, very capable offroad, locking diff is handy on fire trails. It ain't pretty but it's utilitarian style is it's appeal. Trouble free motoring. Not much you can't fit in a T31. Plus the plastics in the boot and draws mean you can throw your wet muddy clothes in the back and just wipe it down when you're done.
I also previously had a t31 manual ti spec. The one other big practical upside from the boxy look is how easy is to squeeze in big things for outdoor adventures or bulky items from Ikea trips. The rear tie down points and fold flat rear seats help here a lot too!
Right! 😅 that's the a big reason I like to stick with these older models!
Nissan X Trail (2007-2009) or Land Rover Freelander (2007-2009) for everyday car? I go to mountains and to my village few days a week where the road is rough but also i travel to work in city and i want car that is capable of both. Which one is better? It will be diesel and manual.
@@Lec_Go_Klemplooking forward for people to response your question.
Best car I ever owned, bought it six years ago with very low milage, manual diesel, 2.2lt, tows like a dream, very roomy, hard to park though bit of a tank, tough vehicle only had one breakdown in that time. Got the model before they put the carbon filter in, 2007, will definitely be getting another x trail the best vehicle I ever had, hope the newer ones are as good.
But that's not a T31..
@@davegardner5672 T30?
@@loredelore7286 The only diesel T31 is 2,0l. T30 has a 2,2 diesel. The video is about the T31.
Been waiting ages for this one! Mad
Great video guys. It really helped cement my decision to buy a 2009 turbo diesel xtrail. 😃
We recently got a 2012 manual 4x4 in excellent condition.
We love it
Just the review I have been waiting for. Thank you ReDriven team.
I am not a mechanic but I would recommend to change gear box oil/ transmission fluid/ oil on any car automatic gear selector , CVT or manual after at least 35k and don’t forget to change differential oil/ fluid (for 4x4) either every time to change gear/ transmission oil. I think this has to be done on or after every 3rd/ 4th service. This is will naturally come on to 30-40k mark. The reason for this (IN MY OPINION) oil loosing its viscosity after getting hot and cool over the time. (Some oils have shelf life{5 years I guess} think about that) if it looses it’s quality on the shelf why would it not loose it’s quality with every day’s use. When it looses it’s viscosity it increases wear and tear of components of transmission and puts pressure on the engine even if you service it regularly. This is generally taken as ‘it’s an old/ used car’ what would you expect? But in my logical mind they both (engine and gearbox) play their part to keep you going but we feed the best to the engine but neglect the transmission 😢. The most important thing is that please please DO NOT go for cheaper fluid for the transmission and MAKE SURE it matches the specifications of your car or try to get it from car manufacturers original so you are absolutely sure it is the right one or get an advice from an oil engineer or Machnic.
Best of luck 🤞
i have a 2009 model. Great car. Have had it for 11 years. I have the 2.0l diesel manual with 270 000 on the clock. average about 8.1 lt/100km. Great car. Had to change the harmonic balancer twice. Just a weak design but overall very happy with it. Main likes are Ride height - You see everything. Space - you can fit 3 car seats in the back. Storage. Cup holders everywhere. Steering - Feels so tight and stable on the road. The turbo diesel has a nice kick in it for overtaking. Great off road too especially in sand because it is light as but its lower clearance won't handle deep ruts.
Hi,I have the same model and it shakes in 1-2 gear when acelerate.
Did yours had that problem?
Nissan did the same with the Pathfinder. Was once a pretty decent 4WD and now the lastest model is a 'soft roader'.
had a T30 since new... 253,000km ago manual.. just had to renew the clutch, engine mounts rockercover gasket but it will keep going reliably for another 200,000km -- very happy with it - a comfortable cost efficient utilitarian workhorse
Still having one. Totally love it and can reccomend.
Despite being left-hand could be relevant for owners from UK or Australia too. It's 2007 2.5L SE with 335k km on odometer. Just recently (approx 330k) had to repair both CVT and Engine within short timespan. Now, in dynamics it feels like a brand new. However I'm dreaming to replace it by next-gen when it would be possible in 🇺🇦🥲
Dont! Next gen was awful!
Hi, we brought ours new in 2008 T31 STL 2.5 cvt. My wife gave it to our son in 2018 with 125k on it. It had just had a big service. He still has it. Used it a lot to take our daughter snowboarding at Ruapehu NZ. We brought a T32 in 2018. I actually like the T31 to drive. The T32 seems to be more economical.
Hi I'm also looking for T32, what badge is it? And how much?
I had one of these as a hire car in Zimbabwe. Off road it was brilliant. I had no doubts it would get me out of trouble and where we stayed was 25 miles from the nearest town. On the highway though it was terrible overtaking. As soon as you hit the gas pedal, the revs went through the roof and it didn’t get any quicker. Easing off the gas made it go quicker. Drawer in the boot was handy for empty bottles too.
Had a T30 and i loved it. Up to 330000 kms on it and I miss it. The T31 also looks fantastic. They are like baby patrols. The T32 and newer xtrails are crap.
Love my 2008 Turbo diesel manual T31. Its a beast
Bloody great cars. We had a second hand 2004 TI for 10 years, it’s now my mates sons first car and he loves it also.
My mum had / has 3 xtrails, two T30 models and a T32. All good cars.
You forgot to mention the heat/cooled cup holders. While not super effective, Pretty cool, to tell your mates!
I have a T30 05 never had any issues with it, brilliant car, very quiet for a 2.2 diesel
Hi there, I have put 250000km on my 2012 2,5 Manual. It has been awesome, I serviced it regularly at the OEM, the only issues I had with the vehicle is the control arm mountings with I have replaced relatively cheap. The clockspring on the steering wheel was also replaced for about 200 AUD. All in all it a beautiful car
Hi I've got a 2012 xtrail with the 2.5 petrol and 6 speed manual, another common issues are the front cv's and the lower control arm bushings, and a mechanic mate of mine has said that the radiator is also a common issue especially if the coolant hasn't been changed on the regular basis
This is a epic re review and spot on !!! All facts 100 percent true. I discovered the xtrail not that long ago. 2010, 170tho on the clock perfect body and interior. 2.5l with a 6 speed. Not a single leak or issue. Great for the school run, camping but of light 4x4 work.. it's no land cruiser but a great solid little softroader. The cup holders on the dash and in the rear are cooled with the aircon too 😜
I had one of these. The size of the boot was brilliant and also the design of how the seats folded down etc. it was a little cheaply put together, but then I withstood my thrashing for 4 years to can’t complain too much
We had one for 11 years from new. An absolute weapon, little to no issues I can recall. Aircon went at 220k. Can't complain though, it was an awesome car
@Degreaser was it diasel or petrol ? Manual or Automatic or CVT ?
@@edwinalexander1170 TXI petrol manual
@@degreaser1263 what a super model.
I have a 2004 (T30) 2.5L petrol automatic. I love the car, and it has no rust. 😎
I still have my 2008 T31 with Auto (notCVT) it still looks new and has been hassle free. Just a dream car to own. If handed it over to my daughter and she loves it.
Is it automatic or manual?????
17 jan 2025: bought my 2012 2.5 CC T31 CVT new and now about 126,000 km driven to date. The roads in Jamaica very bumpy/rough. Not much off-road done. Most service done by dealer over the years on regular basis. Had one complete change of shock absorbers to date including front end parts probably twice. Very reliable vehicle with no unexpected breakdown and good fuel efficiency. The issues were mainly interior: plastic fittings (front seats floor bracket, rear view mirrow plastic trim, driver door handle, sun roof embellishments) needing replacement. The leather seats did nor wear well in the extreme hot summer months (serious cracking) so a better quality leather could have been fitted. CVT excelllent, no problem, same for sun roof and entertainment system (I now hardly use CD's), roofing and hard plastic panels (grey contrast trims started fading early). Overall a reliable, drivable, safe and decent SUV with plenty of storage space in trunk area to transport many things easily.
My T31 xtrail 2.0 DCI AWD is super reliable. It gets used as my daily and family holiday car. Over all sorts of terrain and its very capable. Ground clearance is a issue. The engine guard is attached with plastic pins which is profoundly stupid. AWD system works really well. Bought it with 88K km on. Now at 142K. It does have turbo lag of note.
Get it tuned on a dyno.
They are detuned to the buggery. A rolling road and some CPU adjustments and these Renault diesels fly!
Loved this video. Have recently sold our 2012 ST and moved into a 2022 Outback. After the practicality of the Xtrail it was imperative we retained something with similar space and size. Outside of the underpowered 2l engine, we couldn’t fault it. The only other thing was the display on the radio / cd player crapped out not long after we bought it (second hand) but we lived with it.
Bought a Pearl white T31 with 90,000kms. Had it 8 years and now it has 190K on the clock. I love it as much as I did when I bought it and it still looks great against all the other SUV's.
We had the diesel and it ran great, no issues. I will say that we drove it to Wollongong from Adelaide a few times return and I don’t know if it was an issue, or just the gearing but it wouldn’t kick into 6th gear at 110kmh. I had to do it manually or speed to 115kmh before it would kick into 6th
!!
A good review as always guys and gave me a couple of really good laughs that I needed.
Thought Hullsy was about to start a Naked Vicar Show or Goon Show or something like that when he started talking about the CVT in the X-Trail lol 😆.
Was honestly suprised at the size of the glove box as it almost seems like Nissan made it that big after seeing old cartoons or something lol 😆.
I had a boss many years ago that bought an X-Trail (T30 I think) without doing a pre-purchace and when it hit 180k kms the engine totally seized.
Good video as always guys and have a good weekend and I look forward to next week's batch of videos as always and I have a feeling I know what next Friday's car you're going to review is too lol 😆 👍.
My 2013 is my first car, manual 2.5L with 300 000km, having driving it for about 20 000km. Had to put a new clutch in cos of blown slave cylinder and replacement of front steering column, but other than that uts been a gem of a car. Considering I travelled mostly on dirt roads and hilly roads, it's using 8.5L per 100km with 98 petrol. It does use a little bit of oil but not a concern.
Had the 2010 4x4 2.5 Petrol Manual. Was an excellent car until 100,000 k's when the clutch went. Needed to replace the dual mass fly wheel along with it which was really expensive. ($4K to $5K ). I do still have a soft spot for it though, just wished it had a bit more power.
EXEDDY do a far better than stock DMF, and at a fraction of the cost, just so potential buyers are aware of this.
Get back home from buying a Delica to replace my 2008 Xtrail and see this video. They are fantastic cars, mine hasn't missed a beat and its been put through its paces. Surprisingly capable, pulled my mates Jeep out of a few tough spots. Hope I made the right choice 😂
This is interesting.
My mate is going for a Delica while am eyeing this xtrail.
Would be interested to know your ownership review of both.
Thanks.
Delica's are great cars. My mate had one. Went everywhere.
2011 Model X-trail user here.
Passed 650.000km right now.
Only left side door handle cracked. 95% of the parts are still original. Only changed parts are periodical parts.
Great work horse, diesel automatic. Good tow car for caravan and trailer. 8.5 l per 100km consommation. Getting a bit untidy but well loved. Front driveshaft failed around 250k kms needing gearbox replacement. Expensive but new lease of life. Engine bulletproof. Easy DIY servicing. Parts available and not expensive. Love it and cannot find a like for like replacement.
The Renault Koleos of the same year is a like for like replacement.
I bought an old used Nissan XTRAIL ( year 2004 ) for £1500 two years ago and use it for my small business as a decorator....best car I have ever had.....just keeps going 132000 miles so far
I still like the X Trail more than most other SUVs
We've got ourselfes a t31 of the last production month. With the Diesel engine, manually driven, upgraded to 240 hp it serves just everything. Space for the kids, sports stuff incl boat, offroad in the mountains and on the building site. It even takes our 2ton "living room" on the Autobahn or into the mountains.
You just cannot find a car like this in the newer models today.
I have the same 2012 2.5L T31, great car, its not boring, mines actually moves when I press, the gas consumption isn't bad either for a 2.5L, best feature for me is the big sunroof, rides very comfy, good pretty leather interior, the car just works and do what its meant to do, Tip, change to A/T tires at lease and add a nice big touchscreen radio and enjoy, also remember to service and take care of the car and you'll be fine, I've never have any issues I've only change front end parts and the strut mounts.
Is yours a cvt? If yes, have you had to change it before?
@@cainmarkov yes and no i haven't changed it before
I had an X Trail as a hire car up in the Gold Coast for a week or so back in the early 2010s during a group golf trip. A couple of us almost left an unhealthy amount of personal possessions in one of those drawers.
Drove OK from what I recall...I'm exactly 1 AK Morris tall and have an aversion to possibly cramped back seats, so put my hand up to do the driving.
Looking for a used car is a nightmare for so many of us. Like this video was great and helpful in many ways, I always end car videos with more questions, it's the never ending rabbit hole of google searching and it's driving me nuts! (pun intended).
The cup holders on the dash have a small un noticed slide or push switch on it. It opens a air vent to the air conditioning so will keep a cold drink cold for longer or a hot drink hotter for longer.
So true. Pull to open and push to close. Very useful. 👏
I've gone from a 1998 VW T4 Transporter to a really well kept 2008 X-trail T31 Adventura and with all the tech and luxuries. I still miss everything about the Transporter and would have one again in a heartbeat if the rules for vans weren't being changed in the city that I live in.
I lived in Europeand Australia, driven for years many different cars.
t32 Xtrail is literally the best car I have ever drove.
- SUV spacious familycar
- 4*4 and all wheel drive.
- 1000km o one tank!?
mine has 250k and going strong.
Hands down the best car you can buy by the cost
BUT.. DO NOT buy anything that is not manual, let me repeat that onemore time DO NOT buy abything automatic and then compain about it.
They are great cars but keep an eye out for the prop shaft bearing and dodgy UJoints. You can't replace the centre prop shaft bearing and when it goes you'll need to buy an entire new prop shaft.
The propshaft spins even in 2wd (front wheel only) causing unessential wear on the centre bearing and uJoints.
Cupholders in the corners could be cooled or heated. There is an opening in the bottom which connects them with the climate system
Had a 2009 ST 2.5 AUTO CVT. was always loaded to the gunnels with work gear and tools etc. did 170,000 ks with no major probs. i was always worried about the bad reputation CVT, but never gave an issue. big tick from me, wouldnt mind having one again. enjoyed the space and storage too.
Have you had to change the cvt fluid?
@@cainmarkov just once. And no problems!
Have driven a 2008 xtrail since new, still driving it and love it. Just keep them maintained and they will not let you down. Also great for towing. 👍👍👍
I run a T31. I get about 9-10L/100km suburban driving and some weekend day trips. No stop start city driving.
The glovebox heating and cooling you brought up the cup holders on the dash have vents too.
I’ve just brought a 2011 2.5 4x4 manual love it!!!!
i have t31 m9r turbo diesel with manual gearbox and a bit of chip tuning and its really fun to drive, with the age only the engine is getting tired of towing 2 tonns pretty often and for years now.
and its 2007
Following on from my initial comment about woes with my T31 (manual) with the M9R motor - I bought a heavy duty clutch kit with single mass flywheel out of Australia and intended to buy my own hoist but on a business trip, I came across a Nissan trained mechanic who runs his own small operation out in a semi rural area of NZ. He was happy to put the clutch kit in for me, investigate the issue of power loss and gave the car a standard service at 135,000kms while he had it on the hoist($1700 total for service and clutch change). Clutch and service were done on day one but the mechanic suggested first looking for other simpler issues before going to the extent of DPF/EGR valve delete, which they are not yet equipped to do due to cost to set up for this work. By the way, on dismantling, the dual mass flywheel was almost in pieces, the clutch plates were in pretty good condition still. There were no fault codes showing and no lights on the instrument panel, so they took another day to find a faulty exhaust gas pressure sensor on the turbo boost circuit($500 fix) The car then ran fine for 400kms to get me home and two days later, the turbo does not work anymore. The car will rev past 3000 RPM very lazily, but misfires like a petrol engine with crappy spark plugs as you pass 3000rpm, then smoothes out as you approach 3500rpm plus. No guts at all due to no turbo kicking in. I don't do much short range driving - currently putting 3500 kms per month on the vehicle as I travel for work from town to town.
I am not sure at what point I will realise I am throwing good money after bad?
I drove these cars extensively when they came out, all rentals and the same cars, but different every day due to allocation, over significant distance daily, both on road and also soft roading. I am a Nissan fan boy so I wanted to love them but as far as ergonomics went for the driver, I always felt like I was sitting on a milk crate inside a car cabin on all of those trips. The car was competent, but it wasn’t a family car you could feel at home in. It was a tool, not endowed with land cruiser levers of ability and in my opinion, less comfortable long range. I wanted to love it I just couldn’t.
yea my t31 xtrail is a beast. awesome for going to the snow and light camping. i've even done some small river crossing near Lithgow and she held up strong. my mates have given her the nickname "billy goat", she rides up 4WD hills with ease. only down side is the driving lights are dull and a after market light bar is a must.
If you know how to use diesel it's the best option. Manual transition is ubrakable if you compare it to CVT (hard to make a damage - I know many people using this car and don't know anyone who has a problem with it), low fuel consumption like 6-7L, it's smaller if you compare to land cruiser or defender, or pathfinder, but very practical to drive somewhere far (cupholders are absolutely great) and generally it's doing a good job as a SUV. Very practical, utility car... And awesome huge sunroof. Great to sleep in it during offroad expedition 😀
The diesel is it manual or automatic?????
I have a 2008 T31 2.5l with a six speed manual, It has done two hundred and ten thousand kms without skipping a beat. Would be loathsome to give it up.
I have a 2009 X trail sport
2.2 l .
Solid vehicle.
Three years ago I did nineteenth loads with the seats down towing a three ton plant trailer loaded with our possessions, plus my tools and various building materials
The only problems I have experienced has been a blown turbo and E.G.R. valve clogging up three times.
We have had T31 2.5 manual 4x4 since new. 301ks at present. Minor issues only. Has been a good solid car. Tows well, haven't been stuck yet off-road although we don't get too adventurous.
The 2.5 litre manual seems to be the go
The auto in the diesel is a conventional 6 speeder. It does NOT use the troublesome CVT and is bulletproof.
Let me know about it, its Automatic transimission doesnt force the car into limp mode, making whining noise at higher speed like CVT model? When you carry people on board 5 people and their luggages, you dont experience a decrease in power like CVT models? Climbing up hills with decrease power like CVT models?
I am in New Zealand and recently bought a T31 with the 2 litre M9R diesel motor tied to the 6 speed manual box. Had two pre-purchase inspections done and the car looked in pretty good shape so I committed. Nice to drive when it behaves itself but am kicking myself now! I bought it off the JDM with about 100,000 kms on the clock and have done almost 30,000 kms in it now. I have had it serviced regularly but the car is plagued with EGR and DPF problems - always going into "limp mode" and being restricted to under 3000 RPM. Please do not believe any hype about the towing or off road capabilities - the clutch is hopeless, don't try to tow anything heavier than a light trailer - and without low range it is just a "play play" 4x4.
Quotes from various garages for a clutch change range from NZD 4200 to NZD 6000. Every mechanic just about begged me not to give them the job because it is a nightmare - my local Nissan dealer said they allow a minimum of 20 hours labour to do a clutch changeover because they have to drop the whole sub frame - a major job! I cannot sell the damned thing and at that price for a clutch job, I decided to buy my own workshop manual, electronic diagnostic tool, a two post hoist and a clutch kit out of Australia and do it myself(total approx NZD 7000) - but I am fantasizing that maybe if I get it down pat, I can start doing X-Trail clutches for a living and become a millionaire because apparently lots of owners end up chucking the car away when they find out the cost of a clutch job.
Anyway - worst money I ever spent.
So you reckon Automatic would be better?
There are places who 'fix' DPF/EGR problems permanently. They trigger a burn, and reset the margins to 1. The DPF is removed and replaced by a straight though pipe. The EGR is also removed. The car thinks it has just done a burn and is happy. The DPF doesn't get congested as it doesn't exist. There was no requirement for a DPF during the T31 build (it came later but it was easier to fit it worldwide).
As for the clutch??? Remove left wheel, remove driveshafts, remove transaxle. There's your clutch.
It's no more difficult to change than a front wheel drive hatchback.
@@68404You give me hope! I'll explore the points you have raised. Thanks very much!
If you only do short trips then the DPF and EGR will clog up regularly. Highway driving is better for them. I have the diesel version with 6 speed automatic transmission. Drives like a charm. I did have a T30 diesel for 10 years. It had the 6 speed manual transmission and I had to replace the clutch once. It was no more difficult than any other clutch job I've done. Although it is recommended to replace the dual mass flywheel, mine checked out ok so I left it in. The vehicle drove absolutely fine up until I swapped it for the T31. I really liked the T30 and I'm very pleased with the T31. There are certainly worse cars out there.
The Diesel Is the one to have…. Very good- no issues. Ours at 145000 still pulls well (173bhp) 47 mpg can get 50.
Is it manual or automatic ?????
@@edwinalexander1170 173bhp is a manual
The 2.cup holders on the dash also have heating cooling vents
I just bought a 2011 2wd 2.0L with a extremely good service book. One thing I noticed that wasn't mentioned in the video or the cheat sheet is that Nissan and Jatco had some serious issues with their CVTs in the cars that were pre 2010 models, and maybe have included 'some 2010' models. They finally acknowledged that the CVTs had problems and so, they revised them. The ones in the 2010/11 models have the updated CVTS and should not really have the unreliability issues that the previous ones did. If those were going to die, they did it well under 100,000 km. Nissan replaced a lot of them.
mie is 2007 and 170k on the clock, still going strong
My goodness. You bought the poverty spec.
@@davegardner5672 lol probably but a year later its going great! Yeah sure its not fast on take off but i really don't mind. It's comfortable, I don't go offroad for that( I also own a Toyota Landcruiser for that). It's great for what I need
Mostly OK except for the terrible Jatco CVT if fitted..
gotta stick with the manuals. Nissan CVT's are known to be arguably the worst in the car market.
I'm planning to drive round OZ next year (I've spent 25 years in rural and remote Oz, so I know the conditions from north to south, east to west even though I now i live in kiwiland. Well I haven't done the Gunbarrel but that's not gonna happen). So my research is increasingly focussed on the X-trail and this has confirmed it. Currently in NZ I drive 2014 Triton. So thanks for this, and any hints appreciated from X-trail owners - like where I could get a spare spare wheel and how to avoid getting stuck between Borroloola and Normanton!
PS ... I don't do automatics, so the CVT not an issue
One can also look at the Renault Koleos, which shares the mechanical underpinnings.
True. I was very interested to see the minor differences between them on this video. Basically it's less cupholders, different console layout, smaller (less square) backend, same L/100km and Bose sounds system with a subwoofer
@@vandur2322 small boot. Cery unpracical. I wouldn't buy koleos.
@@krzysztofhurbiszewski6539 smaller yes, but not impractical. The small woman who Daily drives it loves the layout for whatever reason. Plus with the tailgate style opening she can keep loose items back there that won't fall out when the boot is opened.
What years? I'm looking for an SUV and doing my homework to find the right car for me
@elli481 I've got the Renault Koleos from 2010. Any of them up to that year are a xtrail clone. They should be cheaper due to lack of name recognition, but probably will have the Jatco CVT which famously sucks.
My partners sister has one; bought new. ST 2.5L AWD CVT, 2011. It has been a bit of a bomb. Three of the four exterior door handles have spontaneously fallen off; it's presently missing two. The CVT shat itself at around 170K and was a $5500 repair. Alternator died resulting in being stranded on the side of the motorway. Suspension problems too. There are probably other things too. A side note; I wouldn't buy a manual one either as they have a dual-mass flywheel, making clutch replacement far more expensive than it should be. I personally own a 2013 CX-5 which is so so much better.
The 2013 diesel autos have a 6 speed auto transmission, not a CVT transmission which makes it probably the best option for an auto t31 xtrail. I own one and have taken it from about 140,000-190,000kms and it has been awesome so far
Should have some episodes where you review both an older higher spec version of a car and equivalently priced newer gen of that car.
Great idea, we just don’t have the budget or logistics to do it…..yet! - AK
The T31 petrol 2.5 CVT is an excellent family car, got a 2012 model, never missed a beat, secret? good continual servicing and no thrashing it....applies to most cars!..
I had a T30-Great Car! Another top review and congrats on your 100K! Pls tell me your making some $$$ now??