We compare the subcompact Nissan Micra and March. Driving the car Interior decoration

Girls, the car is for you! It is dangerous to buy a new car for studying, but this car is just the thing. Even if you buy a younger car, you still need to invest in it, because a used car is a used car, and here the option is great. The car is small, very comfortable, it is very convenient to learn to “feel” the dimensions of the car, to learn to understand the car. The salon is very simple, nothing superfluous, but everything is very comfortable. The stove is simply magnificent.

Nissan Micra, 2001

The Nissan Micra is an easy-to-drive car, convenient for suburban residents, despite the small size of the trunk, it can easily transport long loads, and is lightweight in technical conditions. service. A car for residents of big cities, suburbs and novice drivers. For comfortable driving, there is everything you need: power steering, ABS, air conditioning, power windows, and adjustable steering wheel. Advantages of the car: Economical, high seating position, easy to drive, including parking. Disadvantages: Two doors.

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Nissan Micra, 2009

I'll be brief: maneuverability and controllability are very good, excellent visibility for the driver, the automatic transmission amazed me with its performance, in a good way. Economical both in fuel consumption and maintenance. In a big city, where parking spaces are in high demand, you can park in small lots almost anywhere that is allowed. Overall, I’m very pleased, for the entire period there were no problems pah-pah-pah))), neither with the chassis, nor with the suspension, nor with the transmission, nor with the engine!!!

The compact three-door hatchback Nissan Micra began selling on the European market in 1983 (the Japanese version debuted a year earlier). The car was equipped with 0.9 and 1 liter engines paired with a manual or automatic transmission. In 1989, the car was modernized, a five-door version was added to the lineup, and a 1.2-liter engine with 60 hp appeared under the hood. With.

2nd generation (K11), 1992


The second generation Nissan Micra was introduced in 1992 and won the European Car of the Year title in 1993 - the first for a Japanese car. Cars for the European market began to be produced at a plant in the UK. The Micra was equipped with new petrol fours 1.0 and 1.3 with a capacity of 55 and 75 hp. With. respectively. After restyling in 1997, a modification with a 1.5-liter Peugeot turbodiesel appeared on sale.

3rd generation (K12), 2002


The third generation Micra, model 2002, was still produced in Japan and the UK. The car received an expressive, recognizable design and became a little larger. This model was officially sold in Russia with engines 1.2 (80 hp) and 1.4 (88 hp), and in other countries there were also versions with gasoline engines 1.0, 1.5 and a 1.5-liter Renault turbodiesel. In 2005, the “charged” Micra 160SR with a 1.6-liter engine producing 113 hp was launched. With. Also based on this model, a coupe-convertible was created.

4th generation (K13), 2010


The fourth generation Nissan Micra hatchback has been produced since 2010; the model was restyled in 2013. The cars are made in factories in China, India, Thailand and Mexico. Micra is not officially supplied to Russia.

The car is offered only with a five-door body. The Nissan Micra for the European market is equipped with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine, which in the naturally aspirated version develops 80 hp. s., and in the turbocharged version - 98 “horses”. An alternative to a manual transmission is a continuously variable variator.

In other markets, the Micra is equipped with 1.5 (99 hp) and 1.6 (108 hp) gasoline engines, as well as a 1.5-liter turbodiesel.

Nissan Micra - photos, technical specifications and prices. Reviews of the Nissan Micra by its owners.

The Nissan Micra is a series of compact front-wheel drive cars that are available as hatchbacks with three or five doors or as convertibles.

The first car of this family appeared in 1982 and was a three-door hatchback. In 1987, the world saw the five-door version. The second generation of this model, which differed only in minor changes, appeared five years later. But in 1997, a model with a folding roof was introduced.

The new Micra received three types of engines: two gasoline units with a volume of 1 and 1.3 liters, the power of which is 54 and 75 horsepower, respectively, and one diesel engine with a volume of 1.6 liters and a power of 57 horsepower. The car was capable of reaching speeds of up to 170 km/h, which is quite a lot for such a miniature hatchback.

As for the latest generation of the model, it was created for lovers of avant-garde design. It is quite compact, and is considered the smallest car in the entire Nissan line. But its small size does not mean that there is little space inside the cabin.

Technical characteristics of Nissan Micra

In our market, the Nissan Micra is available with two gasoline engines of 1.2 and 1.4 liters, the power of which is 80 and 88 horsepower, respectively. The design of the engines includes a system responsible for changing the valve timing.

Three-door and five-door models are available for sale. The main configurations presented are Luxory and Comfort.

Due to its compactness, the Nissan Micra has fairly low fuel consumption. With mixed driving, both in the city and in the suburban sector, consumption is about 5.9 liters per hundred (1.2 liter engine), and when equipped with a 1.4 liter engine, the figure exceeds 6 liters per 100 km.

The braking system of the Nissan Micra is quite reliable. It provides fast and smooth braking using electronic brake force distribution. The car is also equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and an emergency braking system (Nissan Brake Assist).

The car itself has many auxiliary systems. Among them are high-quality power steering, fail-safe security systems, unique chip keys, all kinds of sensors, in general, everything that is inherent in more expensive Nissan models.


The main feature of the Micra is its “resourcefulness”. The turning radius of this car is only 4.5 meters. This gives the car the opportunity to “get out” in any situation on the road, and there are no problems with parking.

This car has many advantages. Firstly, he has an original appearance, which makes him unique. Secondly, the car is very easy to drive and behaves correctly when cornering, without unnecessary movements. Thirdly, given its dimensions, there is a lot of space inside the cabin in the front row of seats for both driver and passenger, although the rear seats are a little lacking in space. Fourthly, it is perfectly adapted to city driving, as evidenced by its low fuel consumption. But the most important advantage is excellent service in Russia. The service of this car deserves the highest praise.

By the way, the presence of a chip key is a very convenient function, especially for ladies who are constantly looking for the necessary thing, even in small bags. In order to start the Micra, all you need is a key in the car and nothing else.

Although the Nissan Micra also has disadvantages. The harsh suspension is a little confusing, forcing you to “crawl” over bumps on the road. As already mentioned, the rear seats are greatly neglected. Sometimes, after a certain time of using the car, a slight rattling of the glass is noticed - although this defect can be easily corrected at any service center.

Nissan Micra configurations and prices in Russia

Drawing a line under all the above facts, we can draw a definite conclusion that the Nissan Micra is a fairly pleasant car in its class. Its design will certainly lift your spirits. This car is perfect for the fair sex. The small size of the car allows you to immediately feel all the dimensions and calmly park even in difficult situations. Micra will make any woman fall in love with it, thanks to its ease of operation, predictability and a variety of colors.

As for prices on the Russian market, they vary depending on the configuration. For example, the most affordable Comfort package can be purchased for 440 thousand rubles. But the Luxory package, where “all inclusive”, starts at 575 thousand rubles.

The third generation Nissan Micra debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2002. The silhouette leaves no doubt - this car is designed with the fair sex in mind. Three years later, the model underwent a facelift. Changes occurred mainly at the front: the bumper and headlights were retouched, and the direction indicators changed color - from orange to white. The rear bumper is decorated with a decorative strip.

However, Nissan was not satisfied with the results of the update and therefore carried out another restyling in 2007. This time, only the most meticulous could notice the changes. The most obvious innovation is the radiator grille.

A year later, a special version was presented, created in honor of the 25th anniversary of the model’s production. And in 2010, the next fourth generation Micra appeared in showrooms.

Engines

Gasoline:

R4 1.0 (65 hp)

R4 1.2 (65-80 hp)

R4 1.4 (88 hp)

R4 1.6 (110 hp)

Diesel:

R4 1.5 (65, 68, 82-86 hp)


Gasoline engine with a displacement of 1.4 liters.

The gasoline engines that Micra inherited are very successful. The best choice would be a 1.4-liter engine. It is quite economical, practically does not break down and provides quite decent dynamics.

You should not consider specimens with smaller volumes - 1.0 and 1.2 liters. The 1-liter unit is too sluggish, and the 1.2-liter consumes the same amount of fuel as the 1.4-liter, but is less dynamic.

The 1.6-liter naturally aspirated engine, like the 1.4-liter engine, has a long service life. The only small drawback is fuel consumption, sometimes reaching 9-10 l/100 km. Of course, if you are very careful with the gas pedal, your appetite will sharply decrease.

All petrol engines feature a typical Nissan design, which is highly reliable and durable. The valve clearance adjustment is mechanical, and the timing drive is chain driven. As a rule, the timing belt does not require attention, but sometimes owners notice extraneous noise after 200-300 thousand km. Mechanics diagnose timing chain wear. In some cases, the chain tensioner fails much earlier. Problems with the timing belt were typical mainly for individual copies with a 1.2-liter engine during the initial production period. The cost of replacing a timing chain is about $200-300.

The range also includes diesel. This is the famous 1.5 dCi made by Renault. The French unit has a timing belt drive and hydraulic valve clearance compensators. Many people probably think that a diesel engine in such a small car is a real misunderstanding, because gasoline engines are already quite economical. Yes, but diesel consumes even less fuel. However, such specimens are very rare on our market, and sometimes are not in the best condition. Savings at gas stations for diesel units end with the replacement of injectors, which cannot be avoided even after 150-200 thousand km. In addition, the EGR valve often requires mechanical intervention.


Problems with manual transmissions were encountered only in diesel versions.

Regardless of which engine you choose, you should carefully inspect the car's underside for oil leaks. They are found in samples with long runs. In addition, sometimes the crankshaft and camshaft position sensors fail.

Design features

The car was offered in three body styles: a 3- and 5-door hatchback, a convertible with a hard folding top. The latest version was assembled exclusively at the German Karmann plant. Other modifications were manufactured in Japan and England (for the European market).


It’s hard to believe, but K12 is 1 cm shorter than K11, but wider and higher by 7 and 12 cm, respectively.

Like most competitors in the segment, the subcompact has front-wheel drive. There are two gearboxes: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. The gearboxes are quite reliable and there are no complaints about them.

The little Japanese has MacPherson struts on the front axle and a torsion beam at the rear. These are simple, reliable and cheap to operate solutions.

In EuroNCAP crash tests, the Nissan Micra K12 earned 4 stars.


Typical faults

The weakest point of this model is the electric power steering. Not only does it not last forever, but it is also assembled with the steering column. It may cost up to $500 to repair it. The cost of a used steering column with built-in electric power steering is at least $200.


The steering column with built-in electric power steering is the biggest miscalculation of Nissan engineers.

Some of the suspension elements are also unstable: stabilizer struts, steering tips and silent blocks of levers. The upper support bearings also wear out quite quickly. Many of the chassis elements are borrowed from the Renault Clio III, making spare parts cheap and easily available.


The average life of the front arm is about 100,000 km. Ball joints can be replaced separately.

Some owners complain that the rear suspension is too loud. The cause of the knocking should be sought in the rubber bushings of the lower shock absorber support and the silent blocks of the beam.


The shock absorbers and rear wheel bearings are quite durable.

A faulty ignition switch (the key gets stuck in the start position) quickly kills the starter. The lambda probe, trunk door lock and power windows are also not durable components. In addition, from time to time errors are observed in the airbag control system or moisture is detected in the rear light contact connector.


The ignition switch may get stuck in the “start” position, and...

... burn the starter (photo below).


A rapidly corroding exhaust system is a typical problem with this model. However, the defect is typical for many cars operated primarily in the city. Fortunately, the car body is well protected and is not prone to corrosion. However, red spots can sometimes be found on the bottom of older specimens.


Surface rust on exhaust system elements remains “benign” for a long time. A good muffler will cost $40.

Micra owners complain about the low life of pads and brake discs - about 30-50 thousand km. The interior, especially the seat upholstery and steering wheel braid, is not particularly wear-resistant. Many people notice the shaking of the front windows - poor design of the guides.


The old plastic base of the air conditioner control knob becomes so fragile that it cracks under slight pressure.

On versions with Intelligent Key, the green key icon will flash from time to time on the dashboard. This means that you need to replace the battery in the remote control as soon as possible. In some cases, the immobilizer may lose the key - in this case, you will need the help of a dealer.

Dirty braiding and abrasions in the grip areas are common.

Conclusion

Nissan Micra K12 has its own special style that cannot be confused with any other. The car fits into traffic very easily, especially in large cities. Its advantages: active head restraints, high durability of gasoline engines, a stylish storage compartment under the front passenger seat, an adjustable rear sofa and decent dynamics with “big” engines.

But there are also disadvantages: poor sound insulation, mediocre driving performance, high cost of some spare parts, mediocre interior, poorly profiled seats and problems with copies of the first years of production.

Contrary to popular belief, replacing headlight bulbs is not that difficult. It is necessary to unscrew the screws and move the housing slightly.

It is worth noting that, despite the large list of possible faults, the third generation Nissan Micra is considered a completely reliable car with low operating costs. For this, men also liked him. However, in terms of reliability, it cannot be compared with its predecessor.

Technical specifications Nissan Micra K12

Version

1.0 16V

1.2 16V

1.2 16V

1.4 16V

1.6 16V

1.5DCI

1.5DCI

Engine

Petrol

Petrol

Petrol

Petrol

Petrol

Turbodiz

Turbodiz

Working volume

998 cm3

1240 cm3

1240 cm3

1386 cm3

1598 cm3

1461 cm3

1461 cm3

Cylinders/valves

R4/16

R4/16

R4/16

R4/16

R4/16

R4/8

R4/8

Maximum power

65 hp

65 hp

80 hp

88 hp

110 hp

65 hp

82 hp

Torque

90 Nm

110 Nm

121 Nm

128 Nm

153 Nm

160 Nm

185 Nm

Dynamic characteristics(manufacturer's data)

Maximum speed

154 km/h

156 km/h

167 km/h

172 km/h

183 km/h

155 km/h

170 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km/h

15.7 sec

13.9 sec

13 sec

11.9 sec

9.8 sec

17 sec

12.9 sec

Average fuel consumption, l/100 km

14.01.2017

Nissan March/Micra) has its own unique style that cannot be confused with any other. The name of this car fully corresponds to its size; the design of this small car is funny and is intended mainly for a female audience. The main advantage of this little car is that it does not have a large number of electronic systems and complex solutions, so its cost is not high. Now let’s try to figure out what to expect from this small and inexpensive car, and what to look for when buying a used third-generation Nissan Micra on the secondary market.

A little history:

The first generation of this model debuted in 1982. At first, the car was available only as a three-door hatchback; a five-door version appeared on the market in 1987. The debut of the second generation took place in 1992. This version was in good demand almost from the start of sales and lasted on the assembly line for 11 years, more than once becoming the best-selling car in its class (more than 2.5 million cars were sold). The third generation of the car debuted in 2002 at the Paris Auto Show. Compared to its predecessor, the current Micra has become shorter by 21 mm, but wider by 65 mm; also, the car has grown by 100 mm, and the wheelbase has been increased by 70 mm. Thus, the reduction in the length of the car did not come at the expense of interior volume, but due to the front and rear overhangs.

The design of the car was developed by Japanese designers and engineers, but the interior was developed by European designers from the studio. In its homeland, the car is sold under a different name - Nissan March. Despite its compact size, the car is quite roomy, plus, the car has good comfort and handling. In 2005, a charged version of the Nissan Micra “160SR” with a 1.6-liter engine (113 hp) appeared on the market. Also, based on this version, a convertible coupe was created. During its time on the market, the car was updated several times, but the most significant restyling took place in 2007 - the design changed slightly, equipment was added that was not previously available for this model. For the European market, the car is assembled in the UK. In 2010, the fourth generation of the model premiered at the Geneva International Motor Show.

Reliability of Nissan Micra with mileage

The body of the Nissan Micra withstands our winters and copes with the onslaught of the red disease without any problems. The only thing you can find fault with is the thickness of the metal; here it is quite thin and bends even with slight contact. Also, the paintwork is not famous for its durability, as a result, chips and scratches on the car body are a common occurrence. Before purchasing, be sure to check the condition of the exhaust system; the fact is that it does not have good anti-corrosion protection and quickly becomes covered with rust.

Engines

Officially, in the CIS countries, the third generation Nissan Micra was sold only with gasoline power units - 1.0 (65 hp), 1.2 (65, 80 hp), 1.4 (80, 88 hp) and, mentioned earlier, 1.6 (113 hp). On the European market you can find Micra with a 1.5 liter diesel engine. You need to take the purchase of a car with the most powerful engine very seriously, since such an engine turns this small car practically into a sports car, which is not bought for a quiet and careful ride. Also, you need to be careful when buying a car with a diesel engine. The fact is that this type of power unit has a very sensitive fuel system, and, as you know, our diesel fuel quality is far from ideal. Because of this, owners of such cars often experience failure of fuel injectors, injection pumps and EGR valves.

All power units are quite reliable and are equipped with a timing chain drive, the chain resource is quite long - 200-250 thousand km. But the chain tensioner will most likely have to be replaced at a mileage of 100-150 thousand km (replacing the chain and tensioner will cost 200-300 USD). The first signal about the need to replace the tensioner and chain will be a metallic rattling sound during a cold start of the engine. If you are not sure that you can identify this malfunction yourself, ask the service center to check the chain tension level at each maintenance. Also, the thermal clearances of the valves should be regularly checked, as they are mechanically adjusted. The disadvantages of gasoline engines include the short service life of the throttle valve unit (it cannot be repaired and can be replaced entirely), leaking oil seals and failure of the crankshaft position sensor. Replacing spark plugs is expensive; replacing them requires removing the exhaust manifold. The fuel filter is designed together with the fuel pump, and it is not possible to replace them separately.

On high-mileage vehicles, the engine runs unstable; often, the problem lies in clogged fuel injectors (cleaning is required). If the idle speed starts to fluctuate, most likely the idle speed sensor needs to be replaced. Today, these engines are no longer young, and many of them have more than 100,000 km of mileage, therefore, most of them begin to eat up oil. You need to fill in the windshield washer fluid very carefully, as there is a high risk of filling the generator; at best, the belt will whistle, at worst, the generator will short out. Squeaking can also occur when sand and dirt get on the belt. Many mechanics mistakenly think that the belt has stretched and tighten it, which, as a result, leads to the skew of the tension pulley bracket.

Transmission

The Nissan Micra was equipped with one of two types of gearboxes – a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. Both transmissions are quite reliable and rarely present unpleasant surprises to their owners. Investments in mechanics are required on average once every 120-150 thousand km, which is how long the clutch kit lasts. Closer to 200,000 km, it may be necessary to replace the third gear synchronizer (be sure to turn it on during a test drive) and oil seals. The only exceptions can be cars with a 1.6 engine; in such a duo, the transmission life depends on driving style. An automatic transmission, with timely maintenance (oil change every 60,000 km) and careful operation, will last 200-250 thousand km.

Weaknesses of the Nissan Micra

The Nissan Micra's suspension has a fairly simple design: a MacPherson strut is installed at the front and a beam at the rear. If the car is used in normal city driving, intervention in the chassis is rarely required. One of the advantages of this suspension is that most of the spare parts come from, which are slightly cheaper than for Mikra. If we talk about the reliability of the suspension, then, most often, they require replacement of the stabilizer strut and bushing, on average, once every 50-70 thousand km. Shock absorbers and support bearings last a little longer - 80-100 thousand km. The front control arms will last approximately the same amount, 90-110 thousand km. The remaining suspension consumables, with careful operation, last 100-150 thousand km.

The rear suspension can last more than 150,000 km without repair; the only thing you should pay attention to is the condition of the rubber bushings, boots and silent blocks of the beam. One of the weak points of the steering mechanism is the electric power steering. The fact is that the amplifier has a short lifespan and can only be replaced as an assembly with the steering column, and this is not a cheap pleasure (about 500 USD, for a used one they ask from 200 USD). Brake pads last, on average, for 30-40 thousand km, discs - for 70,000 km. To extend the service life of discs, many mechanics recommend lubricating the caliper guides when replacing pads.

Salon

Despite the simplicity of the interior design of the Nissan Micra, the finishing materials used here are of fairly good quality, thanks to which, even on cars older than 10 years, extraneous noise and squeaks rarely bother you. Basically, the source of noise in the cabin is the play of the front door glass (this defect cannot be treated). The only remark regarding the quality of finishing materials concerns the steering wheel braid; it wears out very quickly. Owners often complain about the fragility of power windows, the ignition switch (the key gets stuck in the “start” position) and the trunk doors. In addition, many copies experience malfunctions in the airbag control system, and moisture appears in the rear light contact connector.

Result:

Today, one of the best and most affordable options on the secondary market among cars for city trips.

If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you encountered while using the car. Perhaps your review will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.

Best regards, editor AutoAvenue