advice on nissan xtrail

Hello Amara, 

Either engine option should have enough power to tow your proposed outfit, but you may find it more relaxing (not sleep inducing) to have the higher powered unit.

I am sure others will post their views adn experiences.  

Some Xtrails have low towing limits on automatic versions.

We had a Renault Scenic and Citroen Picasso and I was very pleased with the improved performance from the engines after I had them chipped

We then got the first model XT when it was launched and I felt no need at all to have it chipped as the 114 bhp towed well

Nissan then increased it to 136bhp but I personally felt it was OK before

It depends on driving style and willingness to change down on hills really

We then had 2 more Xts old shape and one new shape 2 litre all diesels

They were all excellent towcars   

As Roger says the autos have towing limits as against the 6 speed that you are looking at

The 6 speed is rated at 2200kg max tow by Nissan but the auto only 1350 kg and nose weight is reduced from 100kg to 75 kg

hi all thanks for the advice weve brought a 2003 on a 52 plate  2.2 sdi plus 112bhp manual and off course diesel

I know this is an old posting, but would like to point out the XTs have a few faults, check for oil leaks particularly down the front of the engine this is a sure sign that the intercooler is leaking. they suffer badly from turbo failure and if that happens the engine will continue to run on its own engine oil and full rpm until the engine goes pop and you wont stop it by turning the ignition off or pulling the battery leads off, and just in case you think of stalling it, well impossible with an auto and potential gearbox / clutch damage with a manual, other problems include egr failures and boost sensors, i had my XT for 18 months a 2.2 dci 136, and i have to say it was the worst 4x4 i ever had, in that short time the intercooler cost £600, egr £400, boost sensor £60, and the turbo was on its way out when i got rid, they eat tyres and mine went through 2 batterys, oh and avoid supermarket fuel as the fuel filters dont like it, i wouldnt have another one and have now bought a vw passat tdi, just google xtrail problems and see what comes up, i have also got a mitsubishi shogun thats nearly 20 years old with nearly 200.000 miles on the clock that is more reliable, and will deffinately pull your house down.

You really were unlucky.

First point, the 2003 xtrail had no intercooler leaks, in fact i don't think it even had one, nor did it surfer from turbo failure.

Inter coolers were fitted from the introduction of the 134 bhp version.

The early inter coolers were a crimped version, which leaked oil from the crank, on the lhs bottom front of the intercooler.

The replacement was a different design, not crimped, and didn't leak.

Turbo failures on some cars from 2004 resulted in a recall, this required the boost sensor changing, and in some cases a ECU remap.

It sounds to me like your car didn't have the sensor replaced?

I had a 2004 model for 4 years, and apart from the inter cooler being replaced in the first year, it was totally faultless, i also ran it totally on supermarket fuel.

I now run a T31 model with a Renault engine, that's just sailed through its test, and has been totally reliable.

Again run on super market fuel, I've actually had a best fuel consumption of 48mpg, computer reading, from a 171 bhp engine.

my XT was a 53 plate 136 suffered from intercooler leaks from front corners which meant oil ran down the front of the block on one side, and dripped onto the top radiator hose the other, the 136 was introduced in november 2003 the 136 was a 2.2dci motor and was nissans own unit not a renault engine as some believe, my vehicle had full nissan dealer history and looking at the history i found that it had 2 turbos in its 80k life with the second about to go according to an independant dealer, also invoices for an intercooler in that time, speaking to a diesel specialist i was told the Turbo on an XT 2.2 dci had life expectancy of 30k miles if lucky . my vehicle had all recalls etc and the new boost sensor was fitted ecu remap etc.

Have a look at www.honestjohn.co.uk , there lots of info on the turbo/intercooler failures on the 2001-2007 X Trail's

The OP bought a 112bhp version.

The faults you describe were on the 134bhp versions.

The revised intercooler didn't leak, sometimes a crimp version was fitted as a replacement which again leaked.

I was also told my Audi turbo would need a overall at 30K, it was still going strong at 40K when i sold it, methinks your expert, isn't very expert.

My son finished with the 2004 xtrail after two years ownership, so that was 4 with me, a total of six years, still on the same turbo.

Yes a know it was a Nissan engine on the T30, my reference was to the 173bhp Renault engine.

It was the 134bhp versions fitted with a variable vane uprated turbo that suffered, Nissan extended the warranty to 5 years for the turbo as a result.