[jayendra]

Hey there,

My dad is looking at buying and he's got some questions if you could help us.

Is the diesel strong enough to pull a small camper?
Are the maintenance costs high when car gets older? i.e. injectors
Should we get a automatic for an elderly person? i.e. is the fuel economy worse? but is automatic better for older person?
Is the Czech built one as good as the Korean one?
Know of any second hand ones available?
Active vs Elite?

Really the main thing he is interested is the Engine and mechanics, which is hard to find reviews on.
 

[Phil №❶]

It's hard to give information on a new model car. However,

The Diesel will easily pull a small camper. Look at member Asterix avatar, that is his car towing a caravan in Europe. Don't buy a Diesel if you're predominately going to do very short trips <5 minutes, they don't like to much of that.

A new car is warranted for 5 years, so it depends on your definition of "old". Injectors are about 5k to replace, but so far, it's been an extremely rare occurrence, (happened to one of my cars).

Auto is nice but will consume slightly more fuel. In the old model, (FD) there have been failures of the control valve in a few instances, so if you're going to tow a lot, I'd go manual. We have 2 FD autos and never had a problem with the trans.

The Czech model is new in Australia, so can't speak about quality.

[Dazzler]

  + my Take 

How old is your Dad and does he do a reasonable mileage (say 20,00o a year or more)

I am 57 and do close to 30K per year so I would get a Manual CRDi for sure (If I was getting a tourer)

The diesel had enough oomph to pull a small camper for sure. The Manual gearbox has been generally more reliable than the Auto and saves about 1 Ltr per 100 kms  according to the official figures + cheaper to buy unless there is a special on Autos.

I couldn't easily tell if the Elite was available in a manual (if it is then worth the extra)

My impression from Member feedback is that the Euro Built GD i30 models are at least as well built as the Korean ones.

[Just Rick]

All I can add is if your going to be towing I would recommend an Auto,don't let the injector change freak you out,I had mine done in Cyril,the U1 motor,replaced em with the U2 motor injectors (slightly Larger injectors)as it was not a necessary repair,but a approved one by Hyundai,it cost me $900 with labor,not sure where Phil got $5K from plus I kept my warranty.

But they are a brilliant to car,when set up correctly,I tow a six berth Dog trailer,when loaded totals just a tad over the recommended tow weight of 1200 kg you hardly know it's there,my tow car is the older 2011 FD SLX harch, but there is not much difference between that and the newer GD's same motors and running gear

[Phil №❶]

I think you mean to recommend a manual, don't you Rick-p.

The 5K figure was the cost of replacing all 4 in Lila, the 2008 car. Hyundai's price of course. It was warranty, so it didn't bother me too much.

[jayendra]

Thanks so much for the info and experience.


Seems like the manual 6 speed diesel is the best option then

Will the new CRDi engines, being a light weight diesel engine, last a long time as did the old style ones.

[Phil №❶]

Petrol engines use petrol, a solvent, which detracts from the condition of oil.


Diesel engines are fuelled by Diesel oil, which until burnt, is an oil in itself, thereby increasing the life of engine components. This is why industry obtains huge distances between engine failure.

[Just Rick]

I think you mean to recommend a manual, don't you Rick-p.

The 5K figure was the cost of replacing all 4 in Lila, the 2008 car. Hyundai's price of course. It was warranty, so it didn't bother me too much.

Yes after re-reading it I meant to type I WOULDN'T recommend an AUTO for towing.yes 5k would be a highly inflated Hyundai quote,as under warranty the dealer sends the cost back to Hy head office,Like I said I was only charged $120 + GST for the later U2 injectors to put in Cyril,then a bit of labor to put them in

[elantraelite]

I personally think the new 6spd Auto on the i30 Diesel would be fine for towing a camper. It is a very new transmission design and has been around while Hyundai was using diesel motors.

Unlike the FD auto which was a 4 speed that dates back as far as the J2 / RD Lantra which was only a 1.8 and 2.0 beta petrol and was adapted to be used on the diesel.

The 4 speed transmission has been a problem even on the XD Elantra, which I read about the same issues we have here with the FD i30. Back in 2005 I didn't buy the auto for the exact same reason.

So my opinion would be to go with the auto, it will use more fuel, but driven properly it will still pull decent numbers.

I recently moved house and used my  i30cw CRDi with an 8x6 trailer FILLED with heavy boxes, tools, no name it and it was barely even noticable it was towing something behind it. I can't praise the 1.6 Diesel enough.

[Asterix]

I have no experience with the auto gearbox, but my Little 1,6 CRDI tows our 1400 kg caravan with ease.

Car filled to max weight + caravan = 3200 kg (at least)