Mazda CX-5 Money Pit..... keep going or cut losses

Big Lar

Daughter does 25Km a year, has 2016 4WD 2.2D Mazda CX-5 180Km, suits her down to the ground as its an automatic and she has a horsebox, but we are just should never have bought it.

Cost price €12K, have spent close to another €3k on the below.

Have replaced

• Back suspension L & R control arms changed
• Engine Decarb
• Cam shaft and worn tappets replaced

Turbo rattling on it now, another potential €2k.

Do we keep going with it or try and get rid of it ?

bcklschaps

A really nice looking 2016 mid sized diesel SUV 4wd automatic with 180kms for €12k. That's a smashing bargain. I can see why you bought it.

But, here's the kicker.

There's a known design issue with the Mazda 2.2D of that era. Its to do with the DPF and a fault that allows oil come into the engine chamber and causes Camshaft/tappet failure.

It sounds like your car has been another victim.

The rear suspension is just wear & tear, 180k km's, and its a 4WD with a towbar, not too surprising really.

The turbo rattle wouldn't bother me unnecessarily.

What would I do in your case??

Well the DPF issue is fixable by removing/deleting the DPF and that 's what I would do. (ask an independent Garage for a quote its probably about a grand) Then you should have a great car for many miles.

BlakeS94

DPF deletes are only a couple 100 quid, including software mapping which is the vital part when deleting the DPF.

But yeah, scrap the DPF, you'll have no end to your troubles if you don't.

bazz26

That engine is a disaster and has a major design flaw that results in many needing to be rebuilt or replaced. Deleting or removing the DPF won't prevent it.

OP, your daughter did well to run that car to 180k without it imploding so if I were her and she has the money, I'd get shot of it now while it's running and still worth a few quid.

Larbre34

They say the cheapest car is the one you have,but in the case of the Mazda 2.2, I wouldn't be convinced. Maybe get the bare minimum done and flog it.

littlevillage

As others have said, there is a well known issue with that diesel engine. Plenty of discussion around it on the Internet and even here on other threads on boards.

I was in the market for exactly that type of car in 2021, mid sized diesel 4wd SUV and noticed the diesel CX-5's were often absolute bargains. The petrol CX-5 was far more expensive which got my curiosity antenna up. Glad I steered clear now.

Maybe have a chat to a trusted mechanic and see if the DPF removal/delete really does solve the problem.... otherwise you need to get it fixed up some sort of way and out the gate. Bye bye!!

Otherwise imagine your daughter is towing her horsebox and she has a breakdown on a busy road.

Big Lar

Thanks for all the answers, she is thinking about trading it in but there seems to be little or no interest, which is understandable.

As above the camshaft has been replaced but the new issue is that the turbo has worn bushes causing noise and the car to go into limp mode every so often, if the car was to be remapped, is it the case that we could end up having to get a whole new engine should the turbo have a catastrophic failure ?

coolbeans

"...if the car was to be remapped, is it the case that we could end up having to get a whole new engine should the turbo have a catastrophic failure ?"

Short answer is yes, there's a reason it was such a "bargain".

goochy

Is an engine rebuild that expensive and also will replacement parts be more reliable than the original parts ? I.e can you iron out the design flaws ?

Big Lar

Done calculations and mileage is going to be 40Km a year and that's asking a lot for the Mazda to keep up with that kind of mileage. If the car was to be used by someone doing 15Km a year I do believe that it would be well worth while putting the money into it but not for us, so the Mazda is advertised with faulty turbo up on DoneDeal for handy money.

Mehaffey1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121541601#Comment_121541601

Hope it shifts quick, wise to walk away even if the cost does sting.

Firblog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121541613#Comment_121541613

Yeah, have to agree, OH had one that engine went in TWICE - out of 16mths got using it for 2 or 3, in getting repaired / laid up the rest of the time, arguing with garage & mazda over who was paying for what, after last repair she got rid of it to the garage that had repaired it. Saw it for sale in independent dealers - touting FSH, and 6mth warranty with last repair.