Nissan Primera 1.8 S

Mine's a 2002 P12 1.8S Estate. Bought it with FSH and 80k on the clock. Reason for purchase was that I wanted a safer car with multi airbags than the one airbag Berlingo MPV I was using. Also realised the value of chain driven camshaft.

Am not too keen on the central control panel myself but it all works ok. Drivers electric window mechanism fell to bits thus I have it sealed up shut at present. Can manage with the aircon on hot days anyhow. Have been troubled with a rattle from the back end. Have practically taken to pieces the back door and inner rear wings and still cannot locate. I believe it's one of the door dampers rattling when closed. Also nearside rear brake slightly binding at start off and slight bearing noise. PAS pipe joint has minutely leaked onto hot exhaust causing awful smell. Doors have no rubber bump strips thus can dent easily.

The car passed it's MOT without as much as a verbal advisory let alone a paper advisory of failure. It's a lovely body design, but somewhat let down by niggles. Good reliable workhorse and fairly cheap to insure for such a large estate. MPG is nothing like the manufacturer's claims. I drive very sedately and am lucky to get 33 mpg (1.8 petrol). The estate boot is HUGE and has good load anchorage points, cubby holes and storage tray and a FULL SIZE spare wheel. The ABS brakes are amazingly responsive. I've never known ABS like this on other cars.

It's ok you know - but I'm not madly in love with it. But it's reliable and sensible.

Nissan Primera 1.8 Sport in Silver

2000 X reg

What I like:

Price. These cars seem very well engineered but incredibly cheap and this was the best car available for the money I had saved at the time (£2000). The car cost £16,200 six years earlier and had been owned successively by three guys who worked at the same company. Similar age and mileage Ford Focus at the time were £4,500 and BMW 3 series £8,500.

Reliability. Japanese cars have a good reputation and this car was the 10th most reliable of it's era according to Fleet News Survey 2001. It was also the only large family car recommended by Which? Magazine in 2000.

Ease of DIY as I intend to do as many jobs myself as possible.

Good online forum NissanPrimera.net for owner support.

No cambelt change is needed as it has a camchain which is designed to stay on for the life of the car.

There are only a small number of known faults on this model and they are all fixable including:

Timing Chain can stretch if oil is neglected (causes poor running)

ABS rings on the driveshaft break (causing the ABS to come on at low speed)

CV gaiters can go

Driveshafts can break (usually where the balance weight is attached)

Front wiper pivots wear (causing squeaky wipers)

The MAF (airflow meter) can need replacement (causes poor running/engine light)

Coils can break down under load (causes misfire)

Top link bush on front suspension can wear (causes knocking)

Crankshaft and Camshaft position sensor fault may cause car to stall and not restart - this was subject to a recall.

Generous equipment level includes:

4 airbags (other cars at this price had only a driver airbag)

Climate Control which allow you to set the temperature of the interior digitally

Alloy Wheels that look great and are dead easy to clean, unlike some

The ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution and Nissan brake assist are great (the car came with all new brake discs and pads)

Comfortable and supportive front sports seats with adjustable lumbar support

Leather Steering Wheel (feels good)

Sheer number of small thoughtful touches in the cabin e.g. glasses holder, electronic boot release, internal lights front and rear, illuminated vanity mirror etc. etc.

Silver Colour and colour coordinated subtle sports bodykit (looks great and always looks clean)

Ability to seat five with 3 rear headrests and rear belts

Feels good to drive, the action of the controls is pleasant including the important gearchange

The driest car I have owned - the door seals are a clever design to keep out water and the climate control acts as a dehumidifier so it never steams up inside.

Handling and grip benefit from stiff multi - link suspension, anti-roll bars and wide low-profile tyres

Engine, though not especially powerful, is very refined with ample low down torque and economy a bit better than the mondeo we had

Large interior, but smaller than Mondeo on the outside

Large boot means little need to use the excellent rear split seat folding mechanism

The white - faced instruments light up attractively.

Local suppliers (B&C Car Parts) and eBay for cheap service items

Stainless exhaust I had fitted looks good and is guaranteed for the life of the car

Conservative styling has grown on me and I now consider it elegant

Intermittent wipe has a variable speed control

This car is British, having been built in Sunderland by British workers!

The replacement Falken FK-452 tyres I fitted have eliminated the road rumble present on the original fit Pirelli P600s, have a sidewall feature to protect the alloy wheels, perform very well and are reputed to be hard wearing.

What I don't like:

Always something minor wrong with it (down to age to be fair), latest problem is a high in gear idle speed which is proving difficult to track down

The suspension is firm around town

Poor turning circle

Insurance a group higher for this Sport model

Some rust beginning on wheel arches, tailgate and doors

Squeaky drive belt(s) (eliminated by brushing on oilatum bath formula)

Overall I would recommend this car .

Overall good quality car loads of space for passengers and comforable drive the boot version is a little small for my liking you can not get big items in small apperture.

Extremely reliable - never went wrong.

Very tough - gave excellent protection when someone drove into the back of me.

Very underpowered with a auto box - frighteningly slow when overtaking on the motorway.

Very noisy at motorway speeds.

The most uncomfortable driver's seat in any car I've ever driven.

High fuel consumption - averaged 23 mpg.

Took several months of therapy and a change of car to relieve the awful back pain caused by the poor seats in the Primera.

Superb car for little money. Engine more or less bullet proof. Electronics reliable and more or less trouble free. Only down sides rust and dents very common. Diesels are normally high mileage and heavily used. Other than this, this model of Nissan is excellent.

The Nissan Primera 1.8 S has unbeatable reliability, no hint of rust and an easy car to drive on long distances. The dash layout allows use of the many facilities without taking your eye too far from the road. Good a/c and sound is fair. The 1800 engine is a little underpowered but has no problem keeping up with motorway traffic. The large boot is often not quite wide enough to allow wider objects to pass into the fold down seat space. Brakes are more sensitive than many cars, leading to over fierce braking until you get used to them. Will I buy another? Perhaps not, for when I recently tried out the latest new Primera, it was no better than mine except it now has Satellite navigation. I have a Tom Tom and do not need it.