Nissan Cefiro Owners Club

chech01 SG

Since they started Altis, I am starting a Cefiro club here.

Driving my blue 230 which is less than a month old. Previously on a BMW 520 (model year 2000).

Hope owners can join this and share experiences. BTW, I am using Michelin Pilot Sport 225x55R16 tyres instead of the original Bridgestone 205x65R16. I will also be getting my 1K service on April 5th and will drive up to Penang on April 9 and be back on April 11.

So, I will have info to share on its ability to cruise on the highway and its reliability. Quietness is not possible as the Michelin's are quite noisy but cannot be beaten in the wet.

Cheers

33_Cars SG

Hi Chech01,

Congrats on getting your keys to your new cefiro, must certainly say that it is a very nice car. Any advice on the petrol consumption so far? Thanks.

NsxBleam SG

currently i’m driving the cefiro 200jk.. quite a gd car but have some problems with the exhaust… rattling sound.. fuel wise… not very gd… about 8-9 km/lit…

chech01 SG

Before the 1000km service, I did a compare in terms of how often I need to top up with my 520. It seems that I can last one day longer. This is not exactly a scientific answer but then I usually know that I need a top (full) up each week with my beemer. In this case, it seems to last one day longer.

Now after the service (done on April 5), it seems to be still behaving the same (even after 3 days from then only) even though I am pushing it - went 6000rpm on ECP to hit 120kmh from a side road.

I think I will have more to say on this after my Penang trip. However, I am the type that does not count the mileage in terms of km/l but more on do I need a full tank every week.

P.S. The service centre in Kaki Bukit should be more careful when getting in and out of new cars. They left their dirty toe print (dirty boot cap mark) on my nice beige interior!

chech01 SG

I read that your dad chose the GOLD coloured one, right? At least you do not need to have the embellishment now plated to gold - saw one LS430 doing that - what a waste and so beng.

So, far no issue with the car. But when it rains, it brings back memories of how it sound when rain hits the zinc roof of old houses.

Wonder whether the v6 engine will have a consumption difference. It sounds so much sweeter when you pull the v6 compared to the 4 cycl (during test drive).

chech01 SG

NsXBeam

Are you using the original Bridgestone? I changed them to Michelin Pilot Sport 225x55R16. I think the noise of these 2 are the same but I feel so secure now when I go through a puddle (there were a number lately with the rains).

chech01 SG

Penang Trip Report
--------------------------
The TP was out in force. Could not get past the toll after the immigration checkpoint (Msian side) on 2nd link before being flagged for speeding. Was told that my speed tagged was 136kph. Reckon it was a fair deal as I hit 160. "Paid" the settle now amount instead of settle later ;-)

Good Points of 230JM
==================
1. Nice V6 response when you floor the throttle. Nice sound too.
2. The salesman was wrong. The limit is still capped at 180pkh although the speedo says max is 240. Instead of a cut off, it just stays at 180
3. Air-con was very good even under the hot sun
4. Passengers felt the car was very comfortable
5. A lot of admirers as it seems this model is still not available in M'sia

Bad Points of 230JM
=================
1. Insulation is very poor. Besides the car sounding like a zinc hut during a rain, the tyre noise from the Michelin Pilot Sport is very jarring.
2. The driver seat is not as good as the old 520 BMW
3. Steering is over sensitive. Slight movement causes car to move in response. Should put in some damping to cut off slight accidental movement
4. Consumption is a bit on the high side. But then this is 2300 cc, so I guess it is expected to drink a bit more. I think about the same as my 520 BMW.
5. Brake not so elegant as the one on BMW. But can live with it
6. Car movement on winding roads is quite an affair. Even with better tyres you cannot take it too easy on the winding downhill roads near Ipoh/Taiping.
7. 180 kph limit is a wee bit too much as the protons are doing 200 now.

Others
======
Going up North is tricky. Got lost trying to find highway out of KL. Ends up in Sg Buloh. It is not me only as a group of SG bikers were lost too.

Anyway, all is well and we reach Sheraton in Penang at 4.30 pm and we started in East Coast Singapore at 6.10am. Delay was due to getting lost in KL and also due to trying to be a good boy doing 110 and 90 kph after the paying the "fine".

Return was better as we left hotel at 6.00 am approx. and we were able to get to Kulai (had to run an errand there) at 12.30 pm. Average speed was 150kph. Paid another "fine" somewhere in Negri Sembilan - doubtful that they caught me - reason was the way they greeted me. Told me I was speeding but did not tell me what speed I was caught.

Stopped for breakfast (some town in Penang) and lunch at the Ayer Keroh stop in Malacca. (3 other stops for restroom breaks)

Re-fueled 4 times - total RM 180 - full when I left and full when I got back.

malathione SG

Thanks for the great write up on the trip up M'sia. I have a black 200JK. Got the side mirror indicator lamps from the salesperson tho. Making about 9-10 K / L driving conservatively. Anyone has probs with the centre arm rest? Mine creeks after the car is being in the sun for long time. Think the plastic expands or something. It's ok after the interior temp comes down.
Anyway, was driving along nicol drive last sunday and was promptly overtaken by another black cefiro..... only to realise it was a 350jk....

eutjin SG

what made you change from a beemer to a nissan? cost?

chech01 SG

The beemer was year 2000 model. Looks good and is the one that won a lot of awards. No question that the handling and brakes is far superior to the Nissan.

It was near 4 years old when I sold off for the cefiro. Several incidents made me give up on bmw. Service quality - the car is a regular at Kampong Arang centre. Items that are not suppose to go seems to be going in my case. Even if they claim warranty for you, you still ending up paying for the workmanship which is more than the parts. Changing an item means exactly that. They do NOT check related items. Example, they change the steering pump. A few weeks later they change the hose that leads out from the pump. Then they tell me to change the rod after a month. Why can't they give the whole steering system a once over and recommend all at once! Maybe each job there is a base charge? They like to see my car in their workshop more often?

In a way it is cost (repairs and loss of use) and in a way frustration that I got a "lemon".

So, far (touch wood) the cefiro is performing as expected - the 180 kph cap was what I told the salesman but he says that not for this car - now the truth is known.

Forgot to comment that the Kenwood stereo is kind of "ah beng" with its coloured backlit. Anyone feels that way too?

A friend who went to the showroom over the weekend was told that changing the tyres will void warranty. That must be the BIGGEST bs EVER! Just because you wanted better tyres for the price, they tell you this story. The original tyres is a joke. And if you treasure your life and wanted something becoming to the quality of the car, change it.

Cheers

chech01 SG

Did not know someone will pay for a 350. Wonders whether he get capped at 180kph too?

My arm rest is OK. Wonder how much care I need for the beigy interior. Looks so comfortable now but wonder what it will be like after one year.

Cheers

malathione SG

I use cloth soaked in 70% ethanol to clean off any dirt I see that I cannot get rid of with soap and water. Then I clean off the ethanol with clean moist cloth. Works very well.
The center arm rest only creeks when the car has been in the sun for a long time. Guess it shouldn't be of any prob if my workplace parking facility is covered!! Sigh. Thank god I have a car porch to park my car in after work.

chech01 SG

Someone told me to use the home leather seats cleaner. Where do you get ethanol? is it the stuff ladies use to remove nail polish?

While I was in Penang, I parked mostly in open spaces and it gets pretty hot in the afternoon there. So, far no creaking sound. Is it making noise when you are moving or even if left alone (you know like it is haunted or something)? Rolling Eyes

malathione SG

Well, I get them in whole bottles. Using them for disinfection of skin.

The creeking comes when I rest my arm on it.... Have to confess I am very much a single hand driver. Got TC at ToaPayoh to tighten it but still creeks when it's very hot

chech01 SG

Maybe they should put some rubber washers in to take expansion?

Disinfection? Sounds like a lab experiment. You must be in the medical line to get them by the bottles.

besides the creaks, I guess all is oK for you.

chech01 SG

malathione SG

Generally ok. Haven’t really tested the true prowess of the engine as I have been driving in S’pore only. I guess the 2L has nothing to shout about. Otherwise have been quite happy

chech01 SG

One good test is the filter road that joins ECP going to airport via the beach road entry point. That is quite steep. Rev it up and see whether it pulls up the slope comfortably.

I just came back from another Cefiro test drive (a friend is interested to upgrade from Corolla to this). The 200 sounds like it was farting when my friend accelerated into the ECP. However, the 230 was sweet. Power also is substantially different as I understand it.

Anyway, you have bought the 200 so just enjoy it as it stands 'cos it is never possible to be satisfied. I felt that I should have bought the 350 but then I also understand that in Singapore it would be a waste to get a 350.

Good news is that both of us can only hit 180kph so I cannot brag that I can go faster. lol

lensherr SG

I've been driving the cefiro 230 for quite some time now, didn't experience that 'creeking' handrest. Mine's black so it looks relatively well suited for younger drivers.

Exterior wise, i was thinking of adding one of those lower spoilers at the rear. And maybe change the wiper ( put it to full speed and fell the car shake ), as well as changing the rims. Rims wise, 15 inc for front and 16 for rear seems fine, too bad its hard to get those chrome ones they sell over in the states over here.

Engine performance is what most people look at though. I only managed to kick the engine to 140-160 on singapore roads. Could tell the v6 could be stretched a little further.

All in all, i think the new cefiro is a decent sedan with good performance. Only gripe i have about it is the god damn fuel consumption. Shocked

malathione SG

Anyone has the new versions with the VCD player? Any comments about it? Heard from my SE that it will only work if you have the foot brake on. Is that true? Also can it be modified to become a GPS set? Thanks