Hey Scotty
I bought a 2017 Nissan Micra S 1 year ago in Canada with 27000 km on it. I've put on 68000 km during the one year of ownership and have had no problems. I run full synthetic 5W30 and keep up with top ups and oil changes. My reason for buying is because of the simplicity of the car. Manual locks, manual windows, electric power steering, a 1.6 litre 4 cylinder engine and a standard 5 speed transmission. I'm not a fan of Nissan but because simple cars are becoming hard to find I gravitated towards the Micra. Also knowing it's a manual even being a Nissan I'm hoping that Nissan's standard transmissions are better built than the CVT's they produce. Any knowledge or thoughts on the overall quality of the engine, transmission etc?
Thanks
Sol
You are around 50k miles which isn't much. The manual transmissions are much better than the junk CVT units. It should last you a while honestly its only 4 years old as well less stuff to go wrong. I say take care of it and keep it for a while.
As for the engine, I think it should last you at least(of course this is an estimate) 150k miles (250k km)
Its a design from the mid 2000s designed by Nissan/Renault, is multi-port fuel injected and naturally aspirated.
Here is what I found on engine-specs.net:
The Nissan HR16DE is reliable and durable. This engine sometimes has problems with the alternator belt (whistle noise). It needs to tighten or replace the old belt with a new one. Sometimes the engine may shut off. The problem is in the relay of the ignition unit. Nissan officially recalled a batch of cars with that issue. This problem fixes by replacing of ignition unit complete.
In addition, HR16DE-H4M engine is difficult to start in the cold weather (below 5 F (-15 C)). To make it easier, you can replace the spark plugs and start with the open throttle, it may improve the situation.
The engine has a timing chain, their service life is about 150,000 miles of mileage (200,000-250,000 km). The valve clearance needs to be adjusted every 60,000 miles of mileage (90,000 km). The HR16DE motor life expectancy is 200,000 miles of mileage (300,000 km) or more.
For more info: https://www.engine-specs.net/nissan/hr16de-h4m.html
41,000 kms in 1 year is some serious driving, in a Micra!
Nissans are bulletproof with manual transmissions. The weakest link will be the electronics, but you have nothing to worry about for atleast the next 5-6yrs. Just keep up with maintenance & you shouldn’t have to worry too much.
Good luck!
