likely new UK CX-5 owner

[Nighthaunt]

Hi ALl,

Thought I would pop in to say Hi. I wasn't planning on changing my 07 reg Honda Civic but was winding my father up who sold his BMW 5 series to downsize after retirement about how downsizing didn't mean a SUV with about 30 mpg (forgive my ignorance)

Anyways had the Mazda book thrown my way and honest johns and what car real mpg figures pointed out and realised its a lot more fuel efficient than my 1.8l petrol lump and 0.8s slower 0-60 ( too much of a cautious driver to really use all the power - mostly ).

But having seen the brochure and that it would mean could easily fit in another 3 adults letting me join the car pool run for work ( not great when myself & 1 other are over 6'1" tall - in 2 door civic getting tall colleague in not an option ) - I went and had a look at the local Mazda dealer and was blown away.

I've compared all other crossovers ( Kia Sportage - too slow and not good mpg, VW Tiguan - no space, Rav 4 - not got good reviews, BMW X1 - cabin too small arm pushing against door, Audi Q3 - could only afford 1.4 turbo petrol and would lack all sorts of options within budget - no leather seats / fuel economy ) I still can't believe how good the Mazda seems - both in performance, space, equipment and mpg.

Will book a test drive for a couple of weeks time (first opportunity as moved so no licence till DVLA posts new one out) and will post order after that.

Looking at the 2.2 Diesel 2wd 150ps Sport model (19" alloys, rear camera, Bi-Xenon headlights, leather, power adjustable seats, Bose speakers and keyless entry) in Soul Red. Picked out from mazda official accessories the illuminated steel sill protectors, steel boot lip protector, welcome lights for front footwells and auto close / open upgrade for wing mirrors.

Is it worth getting aftermarket mats or are the OEM luxury mats from Mazda quite good? I've read on here a very mixed response to the Bose system - I mainly listen to music in the car so sound quality is important but I'm well past aftermarket kits - How will the Bose system compare to the Bass works OEM Honda speaker upgrade in the 07 civic? Same basic setup - woofers in front doors, 2 tweeters in dash and 2 midrange in rear. I'm pleased with how good the Honda sounds so I'm hoping the Bose will be an improvement over this - but it would be good to hear from anyone who knows

Sorry for such a long post

Regards

Alex

 

[Nighthaunt]

Well just a quick update:

Ruled out Audi Q3, about only car left in contention is 3 series 320i Gran Turismo, (nearly new) but fuel economy is appalling (gov 42 mpg) so think can happily rule that out within budget.

Had another sit in CX5 yesterday - still offers the most front and back room of any vehicle I've tested and is most comfortable.

Linked my Nexus 4 phone up and listened to some music through the Bose speakers - sounds much better than my civic upgraded stereo so put my mind at rest on that count.

Would have had a rest drive (away for a break) but only had automatic demonstrator so will get a test drive next Monday in the manual 2.2 sport at my local garage and barring hating how the car drives should then be putting order in.

Have explored after reading on here about the nano paint protection - been quoted 500 for either the Opti Clear pro coating (seen that on here) or Liquid Elements Shield (3 stage should last lifetime).

Still loving the soul red although debating on the crystal white - will be having the standard black leather interior with red stitching - both look very nice but the red seems a rarer colour in UK as most SUV's over here seem to be white unless going Expensive German.

Any thoughts guys? I would be aiming for 2015 model which has the sorted audi so resumes rather than restarts.

Alex

 

[IronMan0737]

Far as I know, audio issues have not been resolved.

I *think* there are also very nice OEM floor mats available for right-hand drive vehicles (not Weather Techs) also, with 15mm recessed edges for ice and debris, for about $95USD.

 

[alex1706]

From one Alex to another.

Leading up to my purchase I tried everything in regards to SUV's: Hyundai, Kia, VW-Tiguan, Skoda-Yeti, Ford-Kuga. None of them ticked enough boxes. I looked closely at the BMW X-1, which despite being the most expensive was the worst of a bad bunch.

I spent nearly a year looking into the possibility of the CX-5, I looked at every you-tube review I could find, looked at loads of magazine reviews and settled my mind on the Mazda.

I was sold the "diamond-brite" body protection, and was a waste of money. Better off giving a good old fashioned polish twice a year.

Had issues around the Tom-tom Live traffic where along with many others were stuck in a lop of blame culture, mainly propagated by Tom-tom themselves but was finally resolved.

Getting just under 42 mpg, which is good for an auto on such a big car.

Have the standard entertainment unit, and booms a bit on the bass on certain tracks so could be better. The blue-tooth is good, plus I-Pod & USB functionality is excellent, but the later cars seem to have a track loading issue.

I do not regret the decision at all. Done around 16,000 miles and in fact I enjoy every trip I make.

Alex

 

[Nighthaunt]

Thanks both Ironman and Alex,

Ironman - going to get the luxury mats, as well as the OEM stainless steel illuminated sill guards, boot guard and welcome lights for front footwells (in red both illuminated sill guards and welcome lights). Will probably also get the auto close on lock / open on engine on wing mirror fold unit - also OEM but only 65.

Alex - wouldn't touch the diamondbrite type dealer applied coating - real waste of money. The opti coat pro is recommended by Tesla and seen one CX5 on here done with it - slightly paranoid after black pearl metallic paint in current civic about swirl marks.

From what I had read on here about Bose was a bit apprehensive but actually quite impressed with it for a OEM system.

Thanks guys

Alex

 

[CC58]

Hi ALl,

Thought I would pop in to say Hi. I wasn't planning on changing my 07 reg Honda Civic but was winding my father up who sold his BMW 5 series to downsize after retirement about how downsizing didn't mean a SUV with about 30 mpg (forgive my ignorance)

[snip]
I've read on here a very mixed response to the Bose system - I mainly listen to music in the car so sound quality is important but I'm well past aftermarket kits - How will the Bose system compare to the Bass works OEM Honda speaker upgrade in the 07 civic? Same basic setup - woofers in front doors, 2 tweeters in dash and 2 midrange in rear. I'm pleased with how good the Honda sounds so I'm hoping the Bose will be an improvement over this - but it would be good to hear from anyone who knows
Alex

I just sold my 2007 Civic EX for a 2014.5 CX-5 Touring /w Bose. The 350 watt Civic EX is hard to beat. The CX-5 225 watt Bose system has pros and cons. If one were to judge on just the CD quality, the Civic would win hands down. However, the CX-5 has a lot more to offer than just CD. The CX-5 FM radio is digital and far better than Civic's tinny fading FM reception. The CX-5 has bluetooth that works well, but not implemented entirely perfectly. The CX-5 has USB, but implementation has many problems for day to day usage.

IMO, as a whole, the CX-5 Bose audio system is a step up to the 2007 Civic EX. I listen to the CD primarily, and bluetooth secondarily. FM digital radio is pleasant, listenable, and seeing song titles is nice. I use the USB with its shortcomings for long trips only with a large 16gig stick and more songs than I could ever listen too.

The Civic sound quality is very good, while CX-5 Bose is only good. The base CX-5 sound quality is terrible, so Bose or aftermarket upgrade is mandatory. The CX-5 Bose sound is not well balanced and lacking in bass. The center front speaker dominates while the rear speakers are weak. Overall, the CX-5 Bose sound quality is acceptable, but not stellar.

Every day it amazes me that the CX-5 2.5L is getting same city 25 mpg as my old 2007 1.8L Civic while having better acceleration. The CX-5 is 30% heavier, 30% bigger engine, much bigger interior, can tow 2000#, but doesn't feel that much bigger than a civic while driving. I'm very happy going from the Civic to the CX-5.

If you are going for the CX-5 diesel, be aware of the rising oil level problem. I don't know much about it other than fuel seems to be getting into the oil system. Others here can inform you better than I on this issue.

 

[alex1706]

.......If you are going for the CX-5 diesel, be aware of the rising oil level problem. I don't know much about it other than fuel seems to be getting into the oil system. Others here can inform you better than I on this issue.

Not the problem it used to be. There are a few modifications or tweaks, which have either sorted it or perhaps masked the issue, who knows. I needed an oil change at 6,000 miles, but no appreciable rise in oil level since I had the changes in software etc.

Alex

 

[Nighthaunt]

Been doing a lot of reading about the particulate filter problems causing the rising oil levels.

I don't do small trips - smallest is 20-25 minutes down dual carriageway 3 times a week and 4th trip will be about an hour with about 10 minutes of that through town - rest 50mph to 70 - most of the oil rises seem to be linked to short journeys where engine can't get or stay hot enough to recharge the filter - hopefully my journeys should avoid any danger (this occurs with most diesels with filters for town driving). I also travel 120+ miles (240 total) journeys once a month which is all motorway so plenty of opportunity to refresh filter.

Mazda reduced the rate filter tries to recharge so shouldn't occur too often which was also apparently a cause of oil rise as recharge was occurring much more often than was needed.

I'm hoping to maybe get a test drive Wednesday afternoon

Alex

 

[katman]

Those "paint protection" scams are just that. When buying my CX5 last week, was surprised that the fianance guy was hard selling one for $900!
He came down to $800 but I wouldn't want it for free. I don't like the idea of a lot monkey washing or waxing a car as it is easy to scratch/put swirls in the paint.
These treatments are nothing more than a polymer sealant applied like anything else. They do wear out as anything that thin will. They are NOT, as they might claim, an extra layer of clearcoat! Clear coat is sprayed on and baked with the paint.
I have used everything in the sun and I think the best combo is a coat of Klasse (polymer sealant) followed with a coat of Collinite (tough wax) This combo looks great and lasts six months, the snow just keeps sliding off.

 

[Nighthaunt]

Hi Kaman,

With the diamondbrite etc very true - the nano quarts has been getting very good write ups on detailingworld - wouldn't use dealer services tbh.

http://www.krystalkleendetail.co.uk/Detailing(2710197).htmis the guys I'm looking at doing the sealant - so light machine polish to remove any scratch or swirl marks from the dealer then protected.

I work shifts so I sadly can't always wash my car every week and live on the coast so blown sand etc can be a real problem and being kept on the road overnight means I'm looking to protect the paint as much as I reasonably can. The guys on detailingworld can be a bit OTT in regards to waxing and paint care so if they seem to like something I'm assuming that its got to be pretty good. Krystal Kleen generally do work like this on Bentleys and supercar - Ferraris etc...

What I was thinking was have the car paint made perfect and protected and then take over care myself - did buy a pressure washer, snow foam lance and snow foam for initial rinsing off of sand and dust.

Hardness rating of the LE Shield is 9.2H - so should offer fair bit of protection for paint hopefully.

Thanks

Alex

 

[dad of jon]

Been doing a lot of reading about the particulate filter problems causing the rising oil levels.

I don't do small trips - smallest is 20-25 minutes down dual carriageway 3 times a week and 4th trip will be about an hour with about 10 minutes of that through town - rest 50mph to 70 - most of the oil rises seem to be linked to short journeys where engine can't get or stay hot enough to recharge the filter - hopefully my journeys should avoid any danger (this occurs with most diesels with filters for town driving). I also travel 120+ miles (240 total) journeys once a month which is all motorway so plenty of opportunity to refresh filter.

Mazda reduced the rate filter tries to recharge so shouldn't occur too often which was also apparently a cause of oil rise as recharge was occurring much more often than was needed.

I'm hoping to maybe get a test drive Wednesday afternoon

Alex

The diesel is a peach. as is soul red (wasn't out when I bought mine) Excessive re-gens were blamed for the oil rise. to clear the DPF filter diesel is injected I think into the engine on the exhaust stroke to the exhaust temp to burn the deposits in the dpf.

Mazda did a 'recall' campaign to check exhaust pressure sensors. If these were faulty the car would think the dpf was clogged and do regens more often.

I'm due to check my car oil level this week to see how the oil is, but I'm pretty confident it's sorted. I bought the official Mazda cx-5 car mats they are fine.

Re paint protection, the showroom option paint protection is poor value. I know someone who spend 300 on it and wished they hadn't.

If sand is a problem you could try a clear plastic wrap to protect the paintwork. I have 3m ventureshield on the front bumper and bonnet. It is more expensive but it does give good protection from stone chips.

diesel pdf links below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNO-oUHmKXU

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/diesel-particulate-filters.html

enjoy your test drive!(drive2)

 

[rimsy]

I went from an '09 Civic (2.2 CDTI) to a CX-5 2.2d sport 2wd last june and generally speaking I'm very very happy with the move.

Initial problems were: oil level rise (now fixed as previously commented), tomtom live not working consistantly (now fixed) and USB port killing memory sticks (gave up trying so no idea if that works now or not)

Ride quality in comparison to the civic is significantly better which on our ever deteriorating roads is quite important. Sound quality from the Bose speakers is imo great (i play my music via my phone over BT and aside from the frustration of not being able to browse folders it works brilliantly).

Fuel economy has just increased significantly after its first service at 12k miles which was quite a relief (from around 44mpg to 50 ish).
I drove from surrey up to the lake district a few weeks ago with cruise control stuck on 70mph for majority of the journey and the average at the end of the round trip was 51mpg which i was very happy with.
Worth noting that unlike the civic the fuel economy nosedives massively as soon as you push the engine over 2k revs. Might seem obvious given the aerodynamics of cx-5 but its quite a startling decline. if you like to cruise around 80mph on the motorways then you'll only be getting around 40mpg from my experiences which is well worth taking into consideration and this is the one big downside of the car imo.
cant think of too much else to say right now but if you want any other civic>cx-5 comparisons let me know

 

[Nighthaunt]

Thanks for that you two - much appreciated

Hopefully can get a test drive this afternoon - which I have no doubt will go well then ordering car Monday - along with my dad ordering his as he was very pleased with his 2l petrol test drive

Alex

 

[rimsy]

No problem. one other comparison against the civic worth mentioning is due to the lack of turbo (and increased bulk) in the cx5 diesel it accellerates noticeably slower than the civic (but again probably pointing out the obvious)

 

[Nighthaunt]

very rare accelerate at a fast pace

Sadly Sunday looking like earliest test drive barring a micracle.

 

[Nighthaunt]

Well had my test drive today, went down A roads and then some motorway before back via winding country road.

Couldn't be more pleased - its the most comfortable car to drive I've ever come across - soon as started engine felt happy and set off - normally quite a nervous driver so the experience couldn't have gone better.

Hopefully will be ordering on Tuesday - test drive really made my mind up and the fuel economy for hour of driving was 48.9 mpg on 4wd version - so should be slightly better on my 2wd.

Will update when order placed.

Alex

 

[Nighthaunt]

Well Guys,

Order placed this afternoon:

2.2 Sport in Soul Red - option wise gone for illuminated scuff plates for doors, Welcome lights, boot Step plate guard, auto fold mirror kit, luxury mats and rubber boot liner.

Oddly my dad ended up ordering the same but the 2.0l Petrol engine and he went with the sand colour leather interior.

Delivery is looking like the end of August / September - as that's dealer has said is the first date they can get a new March factory build model over.

Now the long wait begins

Alex

 

[daveyhampton]

I have all the options you have and very impressed. Got the life shine also but its not worth the money I dont think. Who knows really. I will try and claim if something goes wrong paintwork wise. Its an awesome car! You wont regret it!

 

[Nighthaunt]

Thanks Davey,

Just the long wait now dealer offers Guard X but done a lot of research on detailing world and seems like the best ceramic coatings (which are worth the money) are Opti-Clear Pro or Liquid Elements Shield - there's a detailers (Krystal Kleen) in Oxford who can do either - from what I've seen where its been done on Bentleys and Aston Martins both give a deep shine and add what amounts to a harder additional clear coat to the paint - so should protect it quite well.

Seems for 500 should be well worth it - as keeping car for 7+ years works out as 1-2 per week - avoiding swirl marks after my experience with the black pearl on Civic would be well worth it

Regards

Alex

 

[daveyhampton]

All sounds good mate and I feel your pain on the long wait! We waited 3 months for ours and they were the longest of my life so far!

FYI The new infotainment system works fine. The stereo resumes playback on BT and USB correctly.

We dont have a bad word to say about ours.

We got our first 3 services for 499 all in also which was a very good deal I reckon.