Mazda BT-50 Feedback

So looking at one of these, 2014 BT-50. Anyone have one or have much experience with them? From what I've read they have the same drive line as the Ranger and both get good online reviews. I do a lot of highway driving and would be towing trailers and boats once a week from central NI to a variety of places. Some on and some off road. Most loads would be well under 2.5T so not overly stressing things or running it at max. Would also need to handle general around town, hunting and boat launching duties.

Seems this would be a good model with the rear diff lock, 4x4, pretty comfortable interior, etc.

Open to any feedback that may be floating around out there including problems or upgrades worth discussing.

Talk to @mikee .......

Beat me to it by 3 seconds :thumbsup:

Mine was a 2009 model and low Ks but I would still say Run, run fast unless you have a good warrenty with it and don't mind being with out it for a bit each year while being repaired, every year.............................................

Ours had a new Computer, 2 EGR Coolers, Boost sensor and wiring loom, + 2 new injectors. Left missus stranded 3 times on the side of road. A new BT50 was the cheapest when we ditched ours but not ever going there again
We brought it a 97000kms and sold it 5 yeas later at 118,000kms so it didnt do much work while we had it.

Oh and it also had the head off it as well as the first egr cooler failure was mis-diagnosed as head failure by the independent garage.

lesson learnt, always go to the dealer at least when they ream your wallet they cant say they didn't have the correct service manuals/parts/training when they cock it up

@BeeMan has a couple.

Yea had one as our work ute think it was a 2015 model and had no issues brought it new only went in to get serviced then sold the businesses but it still going strong for the new owner.
Also my sister and hubby have 4 of them for there farm workers down south and no issues with them.

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Mikees came off the Mazda Assembly line at 4.55pm on a Friday go figure

All the advice I have had since ( from mechanics and salesmen is "what ever you buy make sure you get a warrenty or extended warrenty and then before it is due to expire, either extend the "warrenty" ie pay some more money or sell the vehicle and buy another one either with or still under warrenty.

Apparenty its not possible to make a reliable vehicle that actually lasts more than 100k now.

FWIW when ours was having its last repair there was a 2012 beside if being serviced (company vehicle which had done over 400K with only regular servicing and beside that was a 2016 one which was on its second motor and gearbox, go figure

There's always a shitter in a production line regardless of brand. This applies to many things, like Remington for instance :XD:

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Originally Posted by mikee

All the advice I have had since ( from mechanics and salesmen is "what ever you buy make sure you get a warrenty or extended warrenty and then before it is due to expire, either extend the "warrenty" ie pay some more money or sell the vehicle and buy another one either with or still under warrenty.

Apparenty its not possible to make a reliable vehicle that actually lasts more than 100k now.

FWIW when ours was having its last repair there was a 2012 beside if being serviced (company vehicle which had done over 400K with only regular servicing and beside that was a 2016 one which was on its second motor and gearbox, go figure

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That can be pretty typical. I really am not impressed with modern cars/utes. For pretty much any application, I wish I could get some 90's thing via a time machine instead of the more modern equivalent, and utes are a prime example.

Cheers fellas. Hard to compare to a 2009 as it's a completely different vehicle. Replacing my 2007 Ranger which would be near identical to Mikee's BT-50 and it's just hit 200,000kms with almost nothing besides servicing, brake pads and a wheel bearing.

Seem to be some pretty mixed reviews out there. Anyone on here driving a Ranger of about the 2014 vintage? Same motor, trans, axles, etc. Just a different body. From what I've read the Ranger had some mild improvements in 2015 but mostly cosmetic.

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Originally Posted by Tommy

That can be pretty typical. I really am not impressed with modern cars/utes. For pretty much any application, I wish I could get some 90's thing via a time machine instead of the more modern equivalent, and utes are a prime example.

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I love my '93 SWB Pajero for a reason, It may not have all the wizzy bits but it works

Gearbox and diff problems with the 5cyl ranger...doesnt worry the boss tho he only puts 50 odd km on them and gets a new one....its the poor barstard down the line that sufferes the wallet hit.

I've had my 2013 BT50 4wd GLX for a month and about 5,000 kms (107,000 on the clock now). It was a lot cheaper than a Ranger of similar age/kms and while its not as refined as the Rangers mechanically I can't fault it yet (early days). Its economical on long trips and tows my 2.5 tonne digger on its trailer (3.5 T all up) with ease. One line of my thinking went like this - since its the same engine/trans as Ranger, if I save $3-5K on the purchase price that'll go a some way to fixing things if I happen to get a dud - which has to be the same odds for both.

Rangers and BT50's have outsold everything else for a long time, and given the sheer numbers of units out there some are bound to be lemons . . . but you hear the same "level of noise" if not more about the oppositions problems so statistically you might be "safer" - who would know

Yeah all good Gibo, BT 50 Mazda. Nothing but good news from me. Just had one run in at 250,000kms was still getting better until a little mishap ( driver error ) killed it. I have bought another since and clocked up 50,000kms in a year, safe comfortable and trouble free motoring. I have 2 BT50s 2 different models , various usage one story. Safe, sound, reliable, economical and affordable motoring. Hope this helps huntgatherrepeat. And I aint a mazda salesman. :thumbsup:

My 2013 Ford Ranger 2 wheel drive has 130 k on it now, if I was replacing I’d have the same again thanks. The 5 cylinder motor is awesome. Make sure you get an auto, a joy to drive, economical and comfortable :cool:

I've got the 2012 bt50 with 135k on the clock. No major dramas so far. Towes 3.5t boat piece of piss. Rear diff lock is handy off road.

A workmate of mine when I was in aussie had a 2wd highboy (2wd on 4wd chassis) singleish cab. Would drive nearly 1000k's to work for the week and then drive home-week on week off roster. Did that for the 14 months I was there with him and he still does a bit of it now. had nealy and extra 200 litre of fuel tanks fitted (the aussies like that shit) under and on top of the tray he built.
Had a windboost controller on it that makes the fly by wire throttle come on a bit quicker. It hauled.
He even put a massive profile tyre on it-the speedo was miles out. still hauled. Bought it in January 2015 so not sure if it was a 2014my or it snuck into 2015.
He had one before that and had a heap of drama after the engine went due to a crap rebuild but he still bought another one.
He thought the BT50 was better appointed in the cab compared to the Ranger, only thing was the crappy smiley face grill. He was happy when he put a massive bull bar in front of it.

Local farm consultant has one it's in the shop again transmission issues, he's had issues from 60000km through to 215000km 1st one left him and his family on the side of the road at 11pm with a thermostat issue.
He's going to go either Toyota or mitsi now.

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Originally Posted by von tempsky fan

Local farm consultant has one it's in the shop again transmission issues, he's had issues from 60000km through to 215000km 1st one left him and his family on the side of the road at 11pm with a thermostat issue.
He's going to go either Toyota or mitsi now.

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Not surprising really

About to put 100k on my 2014 Ranger. Never had any issue with anything other than the ironic fault that my AC has shat itself. I'm getting over 60K on tyres. Fuel economy is good and it rides bloody well.

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Originally Posted by Mauser308

Would not touch a toymota, bar none absolutely out of the question. Way worse than the Mazda or Ford for reliability, know of two with completely worn out engines at under 130,000Km's. Toyota appear to have discovered the point at which things are made too light!

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The 3 liter or the 2.8?

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Originally Posted by Mauser308

Got a 2013 Ranger XLT, only real gripe is the farking aircon actuators fucking out and sounding like the entire dash is going to explode for about 30 mins. Electronics are generally what kills these things, engine problems and trans problems are likely related to something electronic screwing the pooch further up the food chain...

Service regularly, be aware of any odd sounds or happenings and don't leave the bastard idling for long periods of time seems to be the go forward. Would not touch a toymota, bar none absolutely out of the question. Way worse than the Mazda or Ford for reliability, know of two with completely worn out engines at under 130,000Km's. Toyota appear to have discovered the point at which things are made too light!

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Even in the Landcruisers??

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Originally Posted by Mauser308

Got a 2013 Ranger XLT, only real gripe is the farking aircon actuators fucking out and sounding like the entire dash is going to explode for about 30 mins. Electronics are generally what kills these things, engine problems and trans problems are likely related to something electronic screwing the pooch further up the food chain...

Service regularly, be aware of any odd sounds or happenings and don't leave the bastard idling for long periods of time seems to be the go forward. Would not touch a toymota, bar none absolutely out of the question. Way worse than the Mazda or Ford for reliability, know of two with completely worn out engines at under 130,000Km's. Toyota appear to have discovered the point at which things are made too light!

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Yep that dash sound is shit aye. Ford can apparently do a reprogram of the stepper motors that drive the aircon system, so they told me :ORLY: Which I'll get done when mine is in for its next service @ 240000kms. Currently at 235000kms and theres a diff whine when its about an hour into a trip now, other than that its been pretty reliable.