Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel?

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Wed 21 Oct 2015 20:18
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - alienmuppet
Hi,
Long story short.. I'm looking at getting a Mazda 6. I don't drive many miles, mostly local, long trip once a fortnight maybe.

I found a red Mazda 6 2.0 Takuya 2011 that I really took a shine to. Good price, local garage, 3 year warranty thrown in (1 year Mazda, 2 Ford Gold Protect).

Now.. I test drove it, and it felt a bit sluggish lower in the rev range. I figured this was just due to me being used to a TDI (1.4 polo 14 years old.. still felt nippier!).

I put a deposit down as I did enjoy driving it, but this did play on my mind. If it was like that with 2 of us in the car, what about 4 people and fully loaded?

I test drove a 2.2 diesel. The low down torque was great, but it felt heavy in comparison, and ... I am slightly averse to the sound and smell of diesel, but I can perhaps get passed that.

So I'm confused what to do. Has anyone else tried a 2.0 petrol Mazda 6? How did it feel? Regret buying?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
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Wed 21 Oct 2015 20:32
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - Engineer Andy

By all accounts the Mazda 2.2 ltr diesel is a good engine in terms of performance, but given you say you don't do that many miles, then the petrol engined version will do fine. Unless you're lugging heavy loads regularly or doing well over 20k miles (more like 25k or more) per year and mainly short journeys, petrol engined cars are better and cheaper to run, if you include the cheaper price, fuel and higher reliability over the life of the car. Note that on short journeys, diesels won't be warmed-up for a good portion (the petrol will be) and thus the mpg will be far lower for the journey than that given in the tests.

Its quite a big car, so other than top speed, the two cars (Mazda6 2ltr and Polo 1.4 TDI) may perform quite similarly under normal driving around town. The Mazda will, however, be probably smoother on the motorway.

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Wed 21 Oct 2015 20:58
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - alienmuppet

Thanks Andy.

Its the seemingly low torque I'm mostly worried about; not too worried about running costs at the mileage I do. I just wonder if I will feel completely underwhelmed when I have 4 or 5 people in the car having just spent about £8K... And them wondering why the car has no power ;-)

I don't know, maybe I'm being daft.

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Fri 23 Oct 2015 10:08
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - Engineer Andy

I suppose the other question is - do you really need a car the size of the Mazda6? I can understand it if you've got 2 kids and take everything but the k****** sink on British holidays, but if not, why not think about the next size of car down?

Many good Focus-sized cars around these days, and you may be able to get (not necessarily - often larger cars from non-premium brands end of up cheaper as second hand than mid-sized cars because they are less popular due to the higher running costs) a newer/higher-specced car for your money, and don't forget if you get one with the same size engine as the bigger car, it'll be nippier too. Similarly for the mid-size MPVs.

As with any car purchase (as most of recommend to prospective buyers), think about what exactly you want from a car (don't pidgeon-hole yourself into buying a car from one particular make or size) - not just performance/handling/looks, but comfort (never buy a car without finding out whether the driving position and ride comfort is acceptable over long journeys - always get at least an hour's [try for more] test drive on all types of roads), practicality (is it cheaper to buy a small runabout [just for you to go to work/the shops and the occasional trip with the family out-and-about] and hire a big car for the annual holiday to the coast with the family?) and safety/reliability. Don't rush to buy - take your time so you make the best informed choice, so you don't end up regretting it later (especially it it hits you in the wallet).

PS. I agree with Avant - you get used to driving in a different way with a petrol to a diesel, similarly with the small petrol-turbo engined cars.

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Fri 23 Oct 2015 01:39
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - Avant

Don't get a Mazda diesel: there have been many expensive failures, and it isn't clear enough whether the problems have been resolved on newer modedls.

In any case, as you do a low mileage, it's best to stick with petrol. Most people seem very happy with their petrol Mazda 6s: you need to use the revs to get the best out of this engine, but you should get used to it. Agree - it's a different driving style to a diesel.

There are some petrol engines with good low-down torque, such as the VW Group 1.4 and 2.0 TSI. I have the 2.0 and it's brilliant - lots of performance all the way through the rev range and over 40 mpg on a long run.

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Fri 23 Oct 2015 07:31
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - skidpan

I have the VAG 1.4 TSi in a Seat. Drives better than any diesel I have owned with almost the same economy and no DPF to worry about. No smell of diesel or diesel clatter either.

Its a win-win.

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Fri 23 Oct 2015 10:06
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - kiss (keep it simple)

I have an earlier Mazda6 2 litre petrol. It certainly doesn't pull like a diesel from low revs, but if you crank it up it will still go pretty well. We've done plenty of family holiday trips fully loaded and it doesn't make a great difference having the extra weight. Driven sensibly it will return nearly 40mpg, the newer model should be even better.

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Fri 23 Oct 2015 10:32
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - slkfanboy

We are all most suprise that the VAG owners admit owner the car, seeing as it seams the VAG is single handed responsable for global warming according the the press anyway.

The OP would be well worth carfully considering a Mazda which in the customer satifaction serveys comes well ahead of VW/Ford as you would expect from any Japanise producer. Further size wise the Mazda direct rival from VAG is the Skoda Superb.

Answering the question the 2.2l diesel was the best option in the diesel line, but not 100% it still available as the trend to small continues. The pertrol is also still very good.

As a foot note, I am think the VAG diesel option is a risk until they get them selves sorted as there seems no published solution to there problems right now.

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Fri 23 Oct 2015 13:57
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - skidpan

We are all most suprise that the VAG owners admit owner the car, seeing as it seams the VAG is single handed responsable for global warming according the the press anyway.

Nothing wrong with VAG products. But there has been a long term hatred of them on this site that has only got worse since the emmisions scandal.

I personally find it disgusting that VAG have cheated the rules with diesel vehicles but that would not stop me buying another VAG petrol car today.

As for the press any bad news story sells papers so they simply hammer it until a better one comes along.

Remember 6 years ago and the Toyota recall, did them no harm. But to be honest it did become clear later that there was actually little wrong in the first place, it was simply fat stupid Americans who did not know how to drive.

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Fri 23 Oct 2015 21:24
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - alan1302

it was simply fat stupid Americans

Nothing like a generalisation!

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Fri 23 Oct 2015 22:11
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - scot22

Regrettably typical of skidpan. This is an excellent site from which I have benefitted greatly, but I dislike a lack of courtesy.

Contributions with differing views stimulate discussion. Hopefully with people better informed at the end. Fortunately nearly all posters are polite. It is a shame when a few others are not.

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Sat 24 Oct 2015 01:24
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - Avant

"Nothing wrong with VAG products. But there has been a long term hatred of them on this site that has only got worse since the emmisions (sic) scandal."

No, it's only a minority, just as it's only a minority who make unnecessarily offensive remarks. But they tend to be vociferous, as minorities often are.

VW UK haven't helped in the past by their lack of goodwill towards customers, although this may be getting better. You can now send them an E-mail which they will respond to, often by phone. Possibly an indirect result of the emissions scandal will be this improvement continuing.

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Sat 24 Oct 2015 01:30
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - Mr Carrot Cake

VAG make some good cars. imo the current Golf is a very nice car indeed. I hired one recently and it was a joy to drive. I even liked the electronic hand brake.

Edited by Mr Carrot Cake on 24/10/2015 at 01:30

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Sat 7 Nov 2015 13:18
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - KevinS

To get back to the point, I have a CX7 2.2 Diesel (same engine I believe in the 6) and can speak from 100% experience of Mazda's customer service and the engine.

Firstly the engine (diesel).. Not a bad lump, bit agricultural but bags of torque and reasonably economical. If its the circa 2010-14 lump....... BEWARE.

Oil starvation problems caused by oil pick up filter (strainer) blockages causing catastrophic engine failure (like mine) at mileages from 40k > with Full DSH.

Mazda (UK) were not as expected with regard to their assistance in the matter (choosing my words carefully) in spite of a full DSH and 20k below the warranty (40 months old too) they tried to suggest I was my responsible for 80% of the £8k bill to replace the engine and associated costs.

I wasn't very impressed... after a protracted 3 months of unnecessary stress and negotiation this reduced substantially but I still paid a large payment to get "my" car back from the dealers (I felt virtully blackmailed). In the end the dealer also took a hit to placate me.....

This all left (Sadly) a very bitter taste in my mouth and the whole saga could have been dealt with better. Shame on you Mazda

So in summary, we still own the car (albeit with a new engine) I now insist all Injectors are torque tested (especially No1) and the sump pan removed and strainer cleaned. As the CX7 doesn't have a cross member to remove the sump pan takes just 60secs (with a power driver) I've timed it and to pop off and clean the strainer takes even less time. I get it part of the service now.

Other wise we like the car.

If the car had had a whiff of a service from a non franchised dealer I recon our claim would have ended in bigger tears....

After reading the forums my problem with the Mazda Diesel is not alone.....

The Petrol: Cant comment leave that to others (though it seems they are far better engineered) but would still be cautious of the Customer service)

If you have a Mazda diesel like mine you may find my advise ringing in your ears if you ignore it :-)

If you read this AFTER the engines gone bang you will know better to read these forums first before you by so you are better informd.

Sadly I am the latter !!

Regards
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Sat 7 Nov 2015 16:58
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - xtrailman

Unless you tow i would buy the petrol, but if you want a quicker car buy a tubo petrol.

Nothing wrong with some vag cars, so lets put that nonsense to one side.

I have been in my sons 2015 Mazda 3 today with the petrol engine power is around 120ps, it coped easily with a car load of three adults and two 5 year olds, petrols non turbo have to be driven differently to a turbo car, but they go just a quickly.

His car also returns over 40mpg so just as economical as my Mazda 2.2 diesel.

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Sat 7 Nov 2015 17:35
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - groaver

I have been in my sons 2015 Mazda 3 today with the petrol engine power is around 120ps, it coped easily with a car load of three adults and two 5 year olds, petrols non turbo have to be driven differently to a turbo car, but they go just a quickly.

This in spades!

People have become so used to the lazy pull of a diesel that they don't think there is anything there in a NA petrol engine.

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Sat 7 Nov 2015 21:10
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - balleballe

I wouldnt touch the 2.2. It's known to have timing chain issues. When there is excessive play then they replace the chain, but the part they replace it with is exactly the same so it will eventually stretch again.

I had a Mazda 6 and a Mazda 3 before my current car. They were both 2.0l petrols and never had an issue with them at all.

VAG have been cheating with diesels and the cynic in me rekons they have tampered with the petrols too. Started off with the 2.0l diesels, then the 1.6 and now the V6 diesels....I wouldn't be surprised if it extends to their petrols

I can understand why VAG installed the cheat device. They wanted to penetrate the US market but the tight emmisions regulations make it near enough impossible. Same reason Mazda and Honda didn't try and push diesels in the US. It was indeed greed that got them in this mess, but when was the last time you came accross an ethical multi billion pound manufacturer?

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Sun 8 Nov 2015 09:24
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - daveyK_UK

I would agree with the above post, avoid the 2.2 diesel in a mazda - far to many horror stories.

However, Mazda petrol engines are amongst the best.

Regarding VAG, I have owned a few and have 2 Skoda Rapid 1.2 TSI for our staff to get around

The Rapid is an excellent value for money car - exactly what Skoda should be all about.

I would assume the frustration with VAG is 3 fold

1. VW dealers in general are arrogant, while Seat dealers in general are useless

2. There ignorance and denial to the DSG problems despite the strong evidence was very poor, I fully understand why my friend will never buy another VAG vehicle after his DSG problems.

3. The VW brand promote themselves as ultra reliable, which is simply not the case. They are overall average, no different to the likes of Ford or Nissan.

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Sun 8 Nov 2015 19:53
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - xtrailman

I havent read of a single timing chain issue with the 2.2 diesel sky active engine.

In fact i'm taking delivery of my second this month.

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Tue 10 Nov 2015 13:51
Mazda 6 - Help! Mazda 6, petrol or diesel? - balleballe

Mazda have had no issues with the skyactive - it was the 2.2D before the skyactive (the one in 2011 mazda 6's)

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