Yes I know you all don't approve really and its not a proper drivers car etc etc!

I'm looking at changing my car after new year some time and I keep coming across these almeras whenever I search for something.

I don't want/need anything super fast (just a bit more torque than my felly would be great as she dosn't like hills!) and I prefer diesels to petrol really!

It would have to be the 2.2 DCi 136 SVE/SXE... the one with the most power and all the toys (sat nav, air con, climate control, xenons etc).

There's a few low milage 2004/2005 models (19,000 miles) going for under 5k at the moment.

I wouldn't be too bothered about dealer servicing etc and would probably consider under taking most work myself.

Are these engines the renault sources common rail unit? Anyone know if there's any more power to be sqeezed out from anywhere?

AFAIK, the 2.2dCI is actually a Nissan engine which is used by Renault, rather than a joint development. You could certainly get a tuning box/remap put on it to up the fuelling and hence the power, though it's a nice enough unit as is if you decided not to bother. It's not a particularly inspiring car to drive, but in a way that makes it more fun to extract all you can from it...certainly worth your time to go test drive one anyway.

Rob.

Think thats the best thing to do... find one locally and go for a test drive and see what I think.

I've driven a 1.8 SE before and quite liked it. Felt pretty planted but wasn't driving hard and was on a fairly straight road but it got up to speed pretty quick for what it was.

Would maybe look into getting it remaped or similar.

Phil

Drove 1(1.5 SX?) some years ago not that great a car... the secondary controls were confusing.... bought the red fabia estate instead.....

Had a 97 "p" 1.6 slx 4door in 98 had it for 3 yrs great car 1.6i 16v twin cam. went quite well.

not sure about the newer ones.

Been digging around with insurance etc.

Slightly more insurance than my car obvisously but still affordable.

Hadn't realised it had a 6 speed box in it. Seems they changed from the SXE to the SVE in 2004 but its the same spec from what I can make out which includes (plus others):

16" Alloys

Keyless entry (i think)

Air con with climate control

ABS with EBD

Traction control

Sat nav

electric front and rear windows

CD radio with 6 speakers

Active front headrest system (reduces wiplash effects if hit from behind)

blah blah blah...

Good reliable pretty solid car which is all I want.

Any other alternatives with this spec that anyone else can suggest?

Thanks

Phil

There was an extensive 'debate' about the 2.2Di/dCi used in the Almera/Primera etc. It is indeed a Nissan unit with dCi badging to bring the range in line.

If you get a top spec Almera 2.2 SXE you'll get ESP, DVD sat nav, climate control, active head restraints and the usual electrical goodies. I can't recall if the Almera had the parking camera fitted, Bear in mind the 2.2 derv was available in 2 states of tune; 112BHP Di and 136BHP dCi.

Should be fairly reliable seeing as Renault didn't interfere with it too much (unlike the ill fated P12 Primera)

SXEs were available right until the end AFAIK. I think you can get them right up to 2005.

If you can run to it, go for a late 2.2dCi 136 SXE.

It seems the SXE/SVE was only available with the 136 engine.

Already been digging around on ebay... £100 to take it to 165bhp and 375nm apparantly!

Nearly bought the 136bhp model as I wanted reliability and a performance diesel - did lots of searching, enquiring on Nissan forum and here. Finally bought the vRS Fabby which is brill and has suffered one brake light in 16k.

The Nissan is supposed to be bulletproof but, to our eyes, felt quite cheap and nasty inside. Everytime we see one my wife comments that she is glad we didn't buy one.

I think as suggested above... just see about taking one for a little test drive and see what I think...

End of the day its not german built VW/Skoda but they are pretty bullet proof... just without the build quality of other brands.

Will still do the job I want... and allow me to do it quick if the need should take me!

It's also an NCAP 4 star car which is nice

Good luck on the test drive.

IIRC also it has a chain instead of cambelt

For the price I reckon there's a lot of good motor there that should serve well - as I said it was a close run thing as to which we bought.

And 165bhp for £100 should put a smile on your face and certainly upset boy racers etc

IIRC also it has a chain instead of cambelt

I bloody hope so

I had a 2.2Di Primera - 138,000 miles and not a cambelt change in sight

Wasn't it camcogs on that engine?

Either way when i was at uni my housemate had one and i don't think anything went wrong except for the exhaust had rusted through after many years.

Yes they are a chain which is good!

Who knows... I may even be able to keep up with you lot on a drive in it

Looked at the Almera for my missus. My Auntie has one and the drivers door leaks like a seive and they can't locate the leak :eek: I ended up getting her a polo lol

Anyone know how big the fuel tank is on the 2.2dci? I think it's 60 litres but can't find out for sure anywhere?

Hopefully going to test drive an SXE model at the local Mazda garage.

Phil

Friend had a Primera (latest shape) with the 2.2 dci engine. To be brutally honest this engine is a pile of p** I appreciate the primera's a bigger car but he only got 37mpg on a motorway run it was pants and sounded dreadful. He replaced it with an Octavia 2 Vrs petrol and could get nearly 35 mpg on a run.

The Almera will go better and will be better built since it will have no Renault input, but just check with owners what they get to the gallon. Maybe a 1.8 petrol engine would suit better in that car or a used Octavia PD maybe?

Also depending on the year check the emissions as this will have a direct impact on what the car will be worth.

Just looked up the primera with that engine in.

It is slightly slower with slightly lower MPG figures.

From what i understand the engine is alright... obviously doesn't compare to any german built PD even but still reasonable and reliable.

Suppose I will only know by taking it for a test and seeing what I think!

Phil

I sold Primeras and the 136 is so much better than the 112 engine. Don’t forget you get the rear parking camera which is a giggle when you stick your face up close to it (and hopefully don’t get run over). I thought the engine in those days was fairly refined and on the motorway it produced around the same sort of noise levels as an equivalent Peugeot. AFAIK we didn’t have too many people coming back with complaints……….well apart form the depreciation that is. Nice car, loads of toys, pretty well built, looked a bit odd in the early noughties.

I also sold and drove the Almera and it didn't feel as well built or as grown up as the Primera. It was an unbelivably boring car to drive too, which the Primera wasn't.

The older 2.2 is different to the newer one is it not?

The older engine sounded like a cement mixer (I think it had more than 112bhp but can’t remember now) the newer engine was a lot more refined and seemed as economical. We were very impressed my the comprehensive fuel computer in 2002.

Nice car really:thumbup:, but was never a big hit partly because of it's looks. the hatch looks better than the saloon imho.

May have sounded a little negative in my prevoius post. So I am sorry.

At the end of the day its what you are happy with and to be honest it would be a q car with 136 on tap.

Let me know how the test drive went, but, being a Nissan it will never let you down and will be very cheap to service. By buying used depreciation won't be a factor at this age.

Good luck and let me now how you get on.

Thanks.

Will give the garage a bell in the morning and see when I can have a drive!

Phil