Potential Newbie-concerned about reliability

[Gordonmd]

Hi all,
Greetings from Australia.
I have been lusting after these machines for 3 or 4 years. In my youth I had a hot (!) MK1 Cortina,then 2L Escort, Volvo 142S. Then lots of boring things. I've been eyeing off my mates 205 GTI and thinking. Approaching 60 I'd better get what I actually want before it's too late.
I appreciate that the people who have had problems will make a lot of noise, understandably so.
What percentage of RCZs have major problems? e.g. Timing chain, clutch etc.
I'm not ready to buy yet and I am hoping that when I do the big bug will have been sorted.
Thanks to all who post info on here. Very informative and interesting.
Malcolm

 

[Leeston]

Hi Malcolm

Greetings from another Aussie here, I can relate to your post, having reached 60 I also wanted a car that I could be interested in, I purchased a 2012 RCZ 200BHP 6 speed manual and am absolutely loving it, no issues whatsoever, these are a quality machine, a real drivers car.

Clearly you should carry out due diligence and buy from a reputable dealer etc etc

I came from a 2005 Mercedes C180 which was a excellent vehicle but one that I would describe as a armchair on wheels, forgetting the badge factor, it just started, it went and it stopped, the RCZ is a car that I look forward to driving, much more power, much better grip, better handling and of course it has everything in the way of extras that you would wish for, plus they are different and not too many sold so there is that rarity factor as well.

If I were to have a issue then that will probably be a tad expensive and that should be taken into account, line yourself up a good independent service center that you can trust, one who is cognizant of European vehicles as I have done.

Mine has 50,000 k's on the clock and I would believe that any issues that might have been with the vehicle have been well and truly sorted by now and it does appear so.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Lee

 

[2retro]

Well, compared to your Cortina, Escort and Volvo I really don't think you'll be disappointed with any RCZ!

Just get the newest one with the lowest mileage you can afford and you'll never look back. :thumbup:

 

[DKZ5745]

Most of the issues that people class as "common" faults are restricted to the mk/phase 1 RCZ's from 2013 the Mk/phase 2 versions had just about all those issues sorted. I don't think it was a high percentage of the mk1's that had the timing chain issues etc anyway, as you pointed out, it's just the ones with problems that post on here, and the vast majority of satisfied customers just get in with it.

If you can get a mk2 they do appear to be more reliable, or at least there seems to be a lower percentage of owners with issues on this forum.

Mk1 or 2 you will not be disappointed with your new car, I too am approaching 60, I have had my Z for the last two years, and it's the first time I have ever looked forward to making ANY journey if it involves driving my car.

Good luck with finding the Z of your dreams. :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

How do I know if mine is a mk1 or mk2 mine 8s reg November 2010 auto 156bhp

 

[2retro]

How do I know if mine is a mk1 or mk2 mine 8s reg November 2010 auto 156bhp

Yours is a MKI. MKII's are from 2013 onwards and the front end is different. Cosmetically everything else is the same though.

 

[tianorth]

Notice the lower lights, grille, peugeot badge and surrounding

The one on the left is a mk1,
The one on the right is a mk2,

 

[RCZ1]

It's not just that the front is different on the MK 2. There are small differences which are not present on the Mk1:

 

[tianorth]

As I have not had a mk1 I don't know what they are!

 

[Anonymous]

Is it not true that mk2 sufferedmore problems thanthe mk1?

 

[RCZ1]

Is it not true that mk2 sufferedmore problems thanthe mk1?

No because a lot of the problems with the Mk1 were sorted on the Mk2.