Comments on: 2009 Mazda BT-50 review

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 26 May 2011 05:35:23 +0000

I have a 2008 BT50 dual cab (purchased new) only thing I have found is the lack of ground clearance. Shame they don’t make them a little more “off road ready” when they come off the show room floor. The cost compared to the amount of ground clearance I would gain with an after market I can’t justify spending the money on it.Of course the fact that 80% of 4wd’s never go off road dictates the way they are built a real shame.

By: rustymazda

rustymazda — Thu, 12 May 2011 01:18:45 +0000

Someone forgot to mention the RUST problem.
Want to see a pic of one thats rusting before its even on the road.

visit http://www.rustymazda.sitew.com for pics and story.

By: Ross W

Ross W — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 02:02:40 +0000

I have owned my Ford Ranger spacecab since new Oct 2007, it is now approaching 75k. Touch wood it has been very reliable and other than the hood catch recall has only been to Ford for its warranty services.
Two points I have noticed as design flaws, the gearing is too high in first for a heavy load or towing on a hill start, Low range gearing could be a little lower as well.
Some drivers will ride the beautifully smooth dual mass clutch to get moving!….wrong!!! these units don’t like heat. My solution was to fit a cut out switch to the firewall relay that activates the front drive axle, described in detail on an Australian 4WD webste, this diallows the front axle to engage meaning two wheel drive low range can be utilised to do any steeper or heavy manouvering on a hard surface. Very simple modification!. Drive the clutch smoothly as an on /off device. As a professional heavy vehicle driver I see many styles of driving out there and some commercial tradies utes come in for more than their fair share of abuse particularly IMHO by younger drivers in the companies vehicle!! Also some of the loads placed on light commercial vehicles are unrealistic and the overhang of some traybacks on especially dual cab utes is looking for trouble ie the bent chassis that have occured in virtually all brands, although I think the Ford is beefy enough in this area. Also I would not fit airbags to these types of vehicle, uprate the leaf springs if more load is required, the chassis is designed with leafs and the strength is where the springs attach spread over a wide area not pivoting on one point at the crest of the curve of the chassis. I also own a locked and lifted Cruiser, love it and it is a quality built vehicle, but the new cost is easily double and more that of the base range of current 4WD utes out there! The Hilux is a good vehicle but not a Cruiser and its cost is not competitive in my opinion and it has also a number of complaints against it ie the auto over- heating issue. It has lost its lead over the current crop of trade utes around today.
I have added an aftermarket power chip sourced from O/S for considerably less than being supplied here in Aus and it has picked the torque up in the 1600-2500rpm range by a fair bit. Already one of the smoothest and economical 3 litre turbo diesels around the Mazda/Ford has very little turbo lag compared to the new Mitsibishi 2.5 (we have one at work) and with the chip will outrun the standard torque leader Nissan Navarra (405nm Navarra vs 380 nm Ford) effortlessly in my experience. (a good mate has the Navarra). Point being all these engines are capable of more reliable grunt if driven appropriately!
Features I would have liked, Tritons optional diff lock,
and maybe the auto all wheel drive capacity ,Hilux resale value! Front coil springs Triton/Navarra.
Features I like.
Excellent supportive front seats, quality
fabric
.Handbrake often critisised underdash unbrella type, allows more room in center console and is easy once you’re familiar with it.
Suicide doors on spacecab,Excellent rattle free, easy access once you have them hard to live without.
Good ride comfort although I do have tools and stuff in the back!
Reasonable turning circle.
Room for the fitment of 2nd battery box in engine compartment
Good economy average 10 per 100. (I live in a rural area).
Smooth grunty motor, puls quite steep long hills in 5th

Dislikes
Front shocks OK but will replace with a more controlling foam cell due to fitment of ECB alloy bullbar .Rear shocks have held up so far however will replace soon.
Original leaf springs have held up well so far!
A center dash panel that allows fitment of a second DIN
sized peice of equipment ie uhf radio. An aftermarket peplacement panel is available but a bit pricey.
Headlamps are large and have good reflectors however not up to the brightness of others, replaced looms and bulbs with higher rating.Fitted long range driving lamps
lloy wheels pretty average replaced with aftermarker alloys.
Original tyres very average, replaced at 40k with A/T type, much better grip and wear so far at 75k.
Fuel capacity at 70 litres is a bit less than I would prefer, living in a rural area 90 would have been possible looking at the space provided.
All in all though I have been happy with the Ranger and it has provided me with comfortable, reliable, economical and purposeful transport for a competitive price.

By: Colhard

Colhard — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:35:49 +0000

Yep, I agree, the Nissan is the best looker. Pity about the turbo lag, lack of low end grunt, unreliable common rail, crap axles, gearboxes, etc

By: Colhard

Colhard — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:29:46 +0000

How long will your falcon last towing 3 tonne…

By: tone

tone — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 13:06:30 +0000

Man, who ever comes up with the ltr/100km is full of it. My last vehicle the Nissan Patrol likewise….grossly understated. My new BT-50 is an SDX 4×4 Auto and at BEST on highways will only give 13.9L/100….No way 9-10!!! even 11-12 and other owners of the same model too. That’s 430kms per tank (70L) 60 usable litres

By: rob

rob — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 09:16:46 +0000

Service is the key to all cars regardless of make

By: JabbaTheHutt

JabbaTheHutt — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 09:15:48 +0000

They have zero legal obligation once out of warranty. Potest with your wallet and buy a different brand next time.

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 06:59:25 +0000

I have a 2007 BT 50 with 78,000ks and 2months out of warranty..diff seal gone and oil ran out also oil leak on turbo. Mazda dont want to know. Has anyone had similar trouble? AND IM LADY DRIVER. hasnt been thrashed//

By: Avanti7320

Avanti7320 — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 04:25:28 +0000

IT’s a pity that the BT50 is not as good as the older B2600. I had a 2WD dualcab B2600 with matching canopy for eighteen years and 240,000km. It travelled from Port Hedland in WA to Cradle Mountain in Tasmania and all places in between, and never let me down. In all that time, total replacements were limited to radiator at 150,000 and brake overhaul at 210,000 km. You can’t kill them with an axe !