Thread: BT 50 any good ?

My 2001 Nissan caravan has a chain, which I thought was pretty good

Originally Posted by Allizdog

Thought the BT-50's would have chain instead of cambelt? Might be the later ones.

If BT50 not doing well for owners, you'll need to view alternatives.

Reading a pile of aussie reviews/tests lately and they came down hard on Rangers (as does my diesel shop mate) for lack of reliability. Also they made much of late model Toyota problems - bad enough that there is a full class legal action by owners against Toyota in Aus for ongoing problems. Ouch. Reviewers asking why people want to buy them - marketing..

The truck they gave the nod to was the Isuzu D-Max. Still fitted with their light commercial 3.0 truck motor - not dropping to little 2.2 and 2.0 twin turbo high pressured motors which are not expected to last. Latest D-Max their truck of the year, and earlier ones also good reliability. Always a few exceptions but that's the Aussie finding, and mate's experience. What is this above about latest BT50s being isuzu platform - barring body details?

And good luck. with the search

Originally Posted by mudgripz

If BT50 not doing well for owners, you'll need to view alternatives.

Reading a pile of aussie reviews/tests lately and they came down hard on Rangers (as does my diesel shop mate) for lack of reliability. Also they made much of late model Toyota problems - bad enough that there is a full class legal action by owners against Toyota in Aus for ongoing problems. Ouch. Reviewers asking why people want to buy them - marketing..

The truck they gave the nod to was the Isuzu D-Max. Still fitted with their light commercial 3.0 truck motor - not dropping to little 2.2 and 2.0 twin turbo high pressured motors which are not expected to last. Latest D-Max their truck of the year, and earlier ones also good reliability. Always a few exceptions but that's the Aussie finding, and mate's experience. What is this above about latest BT50s being isuzu platform - barring body details?

And good luck. with the search

I had a Hilux and quit it in favour of a D-Max. Yes, D-Max has a small truck motor from my readings. Only reason I traded my 2017 manual in was to get a run out MU-X auto as wifey struggles with manual gearbox due to left leg injury. I’ve been told by several people, including a car salesman, that the new Mazda has Isuzu under the skin. Salesman stated you could read Isuzu codes on the vehicle plate of the firewall. FWIW, I drove the D-Max for just over three years and added another 43000 to the odometer. It was reliable, towed well and comfort level was great for us retirees. I got my money back when I traded it in.
The MU-X (2020 run out) is the same under the skin as the D-Max. I reckon it will see me out having now done a mere 800 Kms. Criticisms are the new vehicle has rear coil springs so tow weight is reduced to 3 tonne. The 3l turbo diesel (130Kw) is a tad loud if I accelerate hard. Otherwise it’s a very quiet SUV.

Mmmm - have an eye open for a Mu-X - nice unit and again has good ratings. Aussies said better motor and stronger drivetrain than competitors - still capable of solid offroading.

Had several isuzus over 20+ years and had very good run from them. Also had various utes in past construction role - they drove well but fortunately I wasn't doing the maintenance. Asked a local Toyota mechanic recently how his 5-7 year old hilux was - "good truck?" His answer was interesting. Didn't say yes at all - and he works on them all the time. Just said "Well...I know what the main problems are to fix them"...

Egr coolers , injector seals are common,injectors when needed (consumable part )the low speed intake runner can block with carbon, rest of motor is good , dual mass flywheel is shit, front diff has a stupid lug on bottom that can get broken if hit, other than that usual ute maintenance and they will Be good

Yeah I think that is my main worry with it. The ute has after market rims and mud tires which says to me it was offroaded a bit or beach driven. Hard to know without looking for telltale rust or bent bits underneath.

Originally Posted by Mauser308

I think part of the issue with the Toyota's is their reputation. Uncaring people drive them like the reputation says you can and find out you can't...

I suspect the BT50 has the same issue, I haven't noted many problems with drivers that treated them relatively gently. The earlier Courier/Bounty package has a similar reputation, treated gently they are very very capable and reliable, but man I have heard of people having massive dramas with second hand ones that were used hard.

Im not sure i would consider egr coolers, injectors etc "consumables" on a vehicle that had just clicked over 100k kms. Much less 2 egr coolers replaced less than 20k km apart?

I have the same model. Started at 109kms and just rolled over 170kms. Been a great work horse but may flog and go for something more work suitable as am a chippy. Like anything if you look after it they should behave.