2013 Mazda BT50 twin cab

SuzanneD · Member

2013 Mazda BT50 twin cab

Cupie · Guru

Hi Sue.

Welcome to the forum .... Your first post?

I'll watch this thread with interest.

One of my friends is doing exactly the same thing as you. He is adding a fiberglass canopy to his BT50 twin cab style side. I think that he blew the turbo on his 2006? Nissan waggon.

Must be the week for Mazda. I am awaiting delivery of an 'All New' Madza 3 sedan to replace my 2005 Hyundai Getz town car. I'll be keeping my old tug, a 1996 Nissan Patrol 4.2EFI. It's a beauty!

cheers .. G

exa41 · Guru

Sorry I am a Nissan man (although I own a coaster) but what I heard , may be right or wrong, that they have engine problems . not sure what it is though. The Nissan Navara had a problem with No 4 cylinder leaning out and burning pistons but I think that it is cured now.
Hope someone else can enlighten you , good luck.

scottynbulldog · Senior Member

Bob says don't hesitate, just get it. We bought ours last year and did 4 months from SA to WA and back with not one problem. It is economical, tows well and is comfortable to ride in. We put on a bullbar and canopy with windows opening out the way not sliding. There was recall for a knocking noise in the dash but that was only for the acctuators? in the air conditioning. Did not affect the cooling though. We had a Pajero before which we liked but needed more towing power. The service fees are much cheaper too on the BT50. As you can see we love it. I am only 4'11'' and I am comfortable driving it. The only fault we find is the turning circle but it is a large vehicle after all.

Get the automatic if you can because it is programmed for towing. We spoke to a guy in WA who had bought the manual and wished he had got the automatic because it is a hassle going through 6 gears!

Hope this helps.

Hendo · Guru

I'm in the same boat, have been looking around for a replacement tug. I like the BT50, haven't heard any bad reports todate, also like the D-Max. One drawback with both is sealing the canopy to keep the dust out. Have a relo with a D-Max and dust is a major problem. Also like the Pajero. Trouble is I have a Nissan Patrol, 1998 2.8 with over 300,000ks and I have a modified Roof rack to take the tinnie so will most likley buy another Patrol, 2008 upwards, the early 3ltr's had major motor problems.
If you listen to everyone out there it seems that all the newer 4 x 4's have some issues or another, Toyota's using excessive oil, breather pipe issues with the Pajero, Navara cylinder problems etc etc. Guess they just don't build them like the did in the past.

uncle wombat · Senior Member

I have a BT50 2012 new and I would not go pass anything else I had a look at others but the bt50 has more to offer and priced well

uncle wombat · Senior Member

I have a canopy on mine and have no dust problems

SuzanneD · Member

We drive a Nissan Patrol 02 been rebuilt once.. yes they had problems. Been around Aussie, then to W.A from Vict. no problems..
Just looking to replace...and reading the reviews. Thankyou for the input. Happy travelling.

SuzanneD · Member

Any 2x4 inputs compared with 4x4. Test drove the 2x4 thanks Sue

SuzanneD · Member

Hi Guru,

Yes first post.. mainly to get some reviews from trusted people. We all love travelling. Our Nissan has done us well. Love how it stays on the road and carries the van behind. But time has come to replace this. Happy travelling and thank you for your reply.

Cheers Sue

milo · Guru

not that its a bt 50 but i have had my 2004 mazda 2 for 10 years now, not a problem!
bar the odd flat tyre or battery..

my niece's faience has a bt50 from last year and loves it!

topender · Member

We pull a 9 mt 5th Wheeler. Recently sold our DMax and set up a BT50' auto, very good at towing. Only modification we made was putting a 3 inch exhaust on to help with breathing. Very impressed and enjoy the drive even around town.

The Phantom · Guru

I bought my BT50 in January last year. Left the SW of WA in June and have done a tick under 30,000k's since leaving home. About 20,000k's towing our 21" Paramount Classic. Vehicle hasn't missed a beat including the Gibb River Road and Bungle Bungles as well as many dirt roads in the Territory.

It's not as impressive to look at as my ex Effy but it's a damn side more economical and comfortable.

I don't regret it one bit.

The Phantom

oldboar · Senior Member

Just in the throes of replacing our 2012 BT 50 Freestyle cab chassis after 54000km around Qld, NSW & top end of Victoria towing our 22' Coromal van over the past 11 months. Unreal vehicle, not a scrap of trouble other than beefing up the rear suspension due to the load. Nearly broke our hearts to have to get out of it but unfortunately we need to carry significantly more than it is approved for & as we are on the road full time we're not interested in arguments with the scalies. We'd highly recommend them as being equal or superior to most other tugs, but suggest that towing be done in 5th gear as not only does it remove any stress from the gearbox lay shaft but actually provides better fuel economy in our experience.

Darrell & Sandra

SuzanneD · Member

Thank you for your reply. We also did this for the Nissan Patrol..big difference with the 3" exhaust right through.

Safe travels

SuzanneD · Member

Thanks Sandra. We are now finding it hard to get away from the Patrol. Glad to have your input.

deb-gary · Senior Member

have said it before and will say it again as a car dealer I cant go past the d max absolutely bullet proof (I don't work for an Isuzu dealer btw but a holden dealer) check out forums you will find little or no negatives

SuzanneD · Member

Thanks guys, seriously taking this on board. We shall test drive this weekend. Safe travelling. S

Phillipn · Guru

I have two air vents, one on each side at the front of the canopy. The air flow creates positive air pressure greatly reduces dust entering around the tail gate, they can be closed to keep out rain.

Also helps reduce the temperature under the canopy in hot weather.

Phillipn · Guru

Hendo wrote:
I'm in the same boat, have been looking around for a replacement tug. I like the BT50, haven't heard any bad reports todate, also like the D-Max. One drawback with both is sealing the canopy to keep the dust out. Have a relo with a D-Max and dust is a major problem. Also like the Pajero. Trouble is I have a Nissan Patrol, 1998 2.8 with over 300,000ks and I have a modified Roof rack to take the tinnie so will most likley buy another Patrol, 2008 upwards, the early 3ltr's had major motor problems.
If you listen to everyone out there it seems that all the newer 4 x 4's have some issues or another, Toyota's using excessive oil, breather pipe issues with the Pajero, Navara cylinder problems etc etc. Guess they just don't build them like the did in the past.

We have a BT-50 with a canopy. I have two air vents fitted to the front of the canopy, one on each side. They give you a positive air pressure inside the canopy greatly reducing any dust ingress around the tail gate. the vents can be closed for washing or rain. The temperature is reduced, which helps portable fridges.