I have owned a Suzuki SX4 for the best part of a year and really like the vehicle having done 23k miles in it. However on 1st November someone ran into the back of the vehicle and pushed it into the car in front, no major damage mainly front and read fibre-glass "bumpers" and rear crash crumple bars. It did seem to be taking a long time to fix so chasing up with the body shop and following the trail back to Suzuki UK I find the delay is due to parts being awaited from.....yes you've guessed...Japan! It appears that despite protestations to the contrary Suzuki doesn't hold much in the way of stock in the UK, if they did I would not expect a front bumper and a headlamp to be back order items from Japan. So Suzuki owners and prospective purchasers be aware a minor shunt could see you off the road for six to eight weeks (my prediction for my case).
My Suzuki experience, excellent vehicle, good dealer support, appalling manufacturer support.
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IIRC your car is Hungarian manufacture and not Japanese - therefore you would think the parts would be sourced in East Europe rather than the Far East!
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Yes I thought it was designed by Italians built in a Japanese plant in Hungary, but the lady in Milton Keynes (Suzuki UK) says they are on the way from Japan (maybe via Budapest!).
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Trevi.
Have just seen your posting. How do you find the SX4? What version do you have? What is it like at high speed - any noise? Some say Suzukis are plagued by rattles and noises that will not go away and prove difficult to find. Has this been your experience ?Would be interested to learn more of your experiences with the car as I have been looking at them with interest especially the 4Grip. What else did you look at before purchasing the SX4. Many thanks.
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Brian,
I am very happy with the SX4. I have had it for a year, bought pre-reg three months old, from a Suzuki dealer 20 miles on clock. It is the basic 2WD model 1.6 petrol engine. I have covered 23000 miles and find the car very comfortable, and the driving position excellent. If anything my wife likes the car more than I do. My experience is that the engine takes plenty of running in, it is very "tight" when new, and was noticeably smoother after about 11000 miles, and seems even better now. I have not had any major rattles, glove compartment catch that a drop of WD40 cured, and a bouncy parcel shelf that a bit of manipulation solved. When new and cold the engine did have a bit of vibration on start up but this has gone with use. The fuel consumption of my SX4 is remarkably like it says on the tin 41.5mpg or close by. Obviously I don't know about the 4WD aprt from hearing good reports of Suzuki 4WD in general. General handling is excellent as most reviews state, no excessive roll. Regarding noise at high speed, I have just driven 50 miles down the A1 (no hold-ups clear run) at the usual outside lane flow speed and no problem with noise, but as I have said earlier the 1.6 does seem to smooth out with plenty of use.
Regarding vehicle choice, I had a Fiat previously and I had oftern looked at the Sedici when in the showroom of the dealer.Price and no need of 4WD took me to Suzuki. My local dealer is good (smallish specialist business) and after my complaints to Suzuki UK about lack of parts for my recent shunt repair they have given me a free service next time. Let me know if you need any further comments. Trev.
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Trev
Sorry for the time taken to thank you for your feedback on the SX4. I live near a Suzuki garage that also handles the Hyundai i30. When I was there I asked them about comparing the two cars and I felt that that particular salesman leant more towards the Hyundai. However, at some point he will arrange a test drive in both cars. I always find it amusing reading the reviews in the mags - you can almost predict what they are going to say. The noisy engine 1.6 petrol was a major criticism but no one, apart from the drivers like yourself, can actually add the valuable information - in this case that the engine will eventually smooth out. I was impressed sitting in one at the showroom and like the high position. I have an old 97 Megane and have to lever myself out each time - I am only slightly overweight!. If you have any other observations over the coming weeks, I would be glad to hear again from you.
Many thanks
Brian
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