Nissan Note 2008: an honest review of a used compact van

Nissan Note The 2008 model year is a compact minivan that has gained popularity due to its practicality, efficiency and unpretentiousness. The car belongs to the class B+, offering more space than standard hatchbacks while maintaining compact dimensions for easy city parking. In Russia and CIS countries Note often chosen as a family or first car due to its affordable price on the secondary market and low maintenance costs.

Released as part of the first generation (E11), Nissan Note 2008 was offered with gasoline engines of 1.4 And 1.6 liter, as well as diesel options for the European market. Transmissions - manual 5-speed or 4-speed automatic (depending on the configuration). Despite its modest dynamic performance, the car is valued for its reliability, simplicity of design and good maintainability.

In this review we will look at technical specifications, typical problems, pros and cons Nissan Note 2008, and we will also give recommendations on choosing a used copy. If you are considering this car as a budget option for the city or family, this article will help you avoid mistakes when purchasing.

Technical characteristics of Nissan Note 2008

Under the hood Nissan Note In 2008, two main gasoline engines were installed:

• 🔧 HR15DE - 1.5 l (109 hp), appeared later, but restyled versions of 2008–2009 are often found on the secondary market. with this motor.
• 🔧 HR16DE - 1.6 l (110 hp), the most common option for the Russian market.
• ⛽ K9K — 1.5 liter diesel (86 or 106 hp), rare in the CIS, but found in Europe.

The transmission depends on the configuration:

• 🔄 5MT — mechanical 5-speed gearbox, reliable and repairable.
• 🔄 4AT — automatic 4-band, requires timely oil changes (every 60,000 km).

Suspension - classic for the class: front McPherson, at the rear there is a semi-independent beam. Ground clearance is 155 mm, which is sufficient for urban conditions, but not designed for off-road use. Combined fuel consumption:

Engine	Transmission	Consumption (city), l/100 km	Consumption (highway), l/100 km
1.4 (90 hp)	5MT	8.2	5.5
1.6 (110 hp)	5MT	9.1	5.8
1.6 (110 hp)	4AT	10.3	6.5

Important: Automatic transmissions on the 2008 Nissan Note are sensitive to overheating - when towing or long traffic jams, it is recommended to install an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator.

Pros and cons of the 2008 Nissan Note

Like any used car, Nissan Note has its strengths and weaknesses. Let's look at them in detail.

Benefits

• 💰 Low cost of ownership - cheap spare parts, simple design, affordable maintenance.
• 🚗 Spacious salon for class B+: high ceiling, convertible rear seats (60:40), large trunk (350–1350 l).
• 🔧 Reliable engines — HR16DE with proper maintenance it works 300,000+ km without capital.
• 🛡️ Good corrosion resistance — the body is galvanized, rust rarely appears (provided there are no chips).

Disadvantages

• 🐢 Weak dynamics — acceleration to 100 km/h takes 12–14 seconds (depending on the motor).
• 🔊 Noisy suspension — on uneven surfaces you can hear the knocking sounds of the shock absorbers and stabilizer struts.
• 🔋 Electronics problems — ABS sensors, dashboard lights, and power window control units often fail.
• 🛠️ High cost of original spare parts — for example, stabilizer struts cost 2–3 times more than non-original analogues.

Among the owners Nissan Note There is a joke going around: “This is not a car, but box on wheels“—and this is both a plus and a minus. On the one hand, the car does not pretend to be sporty or premium, but on the other hand, it honestly fulfills its role reliable urban transport.

Typical problems and weaknesses

Despite the simplicity of the design, Nissan Note 2008 has a number of “diseases” that you should know about before purchasing.

Engine and transmission

• 🔥 Oil leak from under the valve cover - a common problem on runs beyond 150,000 km. Solved by replacing the gasket and sealant.
• 🔊 Knock of hydraulic compensators on a cold engine - requires flushing or replacement.
• 🔄 Automatic transmission jerks when switching - often associated with contaminated oil or worn solenoids.

Chassis

• 🚗 Wear of rear beam silent blocks - Manifested by squeaks when driving over uneven surfaces.
• 🔧 Cracks in suspension springs - found on cars with mileage over 200,000 km.
• 🛑 Jamming of guide supports — leads to uneven wear of the brake pads.

Electrics and interior

• ⚡ Window failure - the motors or control unit are to blame.
• 💡 Burnt-out dashboard lights - Requires disassembly of the dashboard for replacement.
• 🔊 Interior plastic creaks - especially noticeable in cold weather.

Most expensive problem to repair - failure variator (if it was installed instead of automatic transmission on restyled versions). Replacing it costs 150 000–200 000 ₽, so be sure to check the service history when purchasing.

How to check the automatic transmission on a Nissan Note 2008?

1. Warm up the box to operating temperature (drive 10–15 km).

2. On a flat surface, switch the selector to all modes (P-R-N-D-2-L) - there should be no jerks or delays.

3. During a test drive, pay attention to kicks when switching from 1st to 2nd gear - this is a sign of wear on the solenoids.

4. Check the color and smell of the oil in the automatic transmission: if it is dark with a burning smell, the gearbox requires repair.

Options and equipment

In 2008 Nissan Note offered in several trim levels, differing in the level of equipment:

Equipment	Engine	Key options
Visia	1.4 or 1.6	Power steering, front electric windows, CD player, 14" steel wheels.
Acenta	1.6	Air conditioning, central locking with remote control, electric mirrors, 15" alloy wheels, heated front seats.
Tekna	1.6	Climate control, cruise control, leather steering wheel, fog lights, audio system with 6 speakers.

The most common versions found on the secondary market are Acenta - they offer the best balance of price and equipment. Tekna a rarity, but if you come across it, pay attention to the condition of the electronics (climate control and cruise often break down due to oxidation of contacts).

In basic Visia there are no even basic amenities like air conditioning, so it should be considered only as budget option for a taxi or courier service.

Operation of all electric windows|Condition of seat upholstery (often wiped on the driver's side)|Operation of the heater and air conditioner|No plastic squeaks when driving|Operation of all dashboard backlights-->

Cost and analogues on the secondary market

Price Nissan Note 2008 on the secondary market depends on mileage, condition and configuration:

• 💰 250 000–350 000 ₽ - used versions 150,000–200,000 km, manual transmission and minimal equipment.
• 💰 350 000–450 000 ₽ - cars in good condition, with automatic transmission or equipment Acenta.
• 💰 450 000–550 000 ₽ — copies with mileage up to 100,000 km, full service and no accidents.

When choosing analogues, you should pay attention to:

• 🚗 Toyota Yaris Verso - more reliable, but more expensive to maintain.
• 🚗 Honda Jazz — better to drive, but the interior is less spacious.
• 🚗 Kia Venga — more modern, but spare parts are more expensive.
• 🚗 Renault Modus - cheaper, but worse in build quality.

Nissan Note compares favorably with competitors spacious interior And unpretentiousness, but loses in dynamics and comfort. If you need practical city car without pretensions to luxury - this is one of the best options in its class.

Tips for operation and maintenance

To Nissan Note served for a long time, follow these recommendations:

Engine and transmission

• 🔧 Change the oil every 7,000–10,000 km (even if the manufacturer specifies 15,000 km).
• 🔥 Use oil with viscosity 5W-30 or 5W-40 (For example, Mobil 1 or Liqui Moly).
• 🔄 Change the oil in automatic transmission every 60,000 km, in manual transmission - every 90,000 km.

Chassis

• 🚗 Check the condition of silent blocks and ball joints every 30,000 km.
• 🔧 Change shock absorbers in pairs (front or rear) to avoid imbalance.
• 🛑 Brake pads and discs serve 40,000–60,000 km — do not skimp on quality spare parts.

Body and interior

• 🔧 Treat the bottom regularly anticorrosive (especially if you drive on roads treated with chemicals in winter).
• 🚿 Wash your car at least once every 2 weeks in winter to avoid corrosion.
• 🔊 To eliminate plastic squeaks, use silicone grease.

⚠️ Attention: If the dashboard lights up ABS badge, don't ignore it! Most often the problem is in the sensors on the hubs, but sometimes the control unit is to blame. Diagnostics costs 1 500–3 000 ₽, and failure to comply may result in brake failure in an emergency.

Owner reviews: real experience

To form an objective opinion about Nissan Note 2008, we analyzed owner reviews from forums and car websites. Here are the most common opinions:

Positive Feedback

• 👍 “In 5 years of operation it has never let me down. Engine 1.6 pulls normally, consumption in the city 9–10 l. The trunk can even accommodate a baby stroller!” — Alexey, Moscow.
• 👍 “Great car for a family. My daughter goes to classes, my wife goes shopping, I go to work. Everyone is happy, except for the noisy suspension.” — Igor, Ekaterinburg.
• 👍 “Cheap to maintain. Spare parts are cheaper than Toyota or Honda, and the reliability is almost the same.” — Sergey, Novosibirsk.

Negative reviews

• 👎 “The automatic transmission started kicking after 120,000 km. The repair cost 80 000 ₽.» — Dmitry, St. Petersburg.
• 👎 “Weak interior heating in winter. The stove barely blows, even after flushing the radiator.” — Olga, Kazan.
• 👎 “The plastic in the cabin creaks so much that you can hear it even with music.” — Anton, Krasnoyarsk.

Many owners note that Nissan Note - This is a car “for every day”, which does not require special care, but does not spoil comfort. If you need unpretentious and practical car - this option deserves attention. If you're expecting performance or a premium finish, though, it's best to consider alternatives.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan Note 2008

❓ Which engine is better to choose: 1.4 or 1.6?

If efficiency is important to you and you drive mostly around the city, 1.4 will be sufficient. For a highway or a loaded vehicle (for example, with a trailer) it is better 1.6 - it works less hard at high speeds.

❓ How much does it cost to replace a clutch on a Nissan Note 2008?

The average cost of replacing a clutch (kit + labor) is 15 000–25 000 ₽ depending on the region. The clutch is moving manually 100,000–150,000 km, but with aggressive driving it may wear out earlier.

❓ Is it possible to install gas equipment on a Nissan Note?

Yes, but only for the engine 1.6. On 1.4 installation of HBO is impractical due to its small volume and the risk of overheating. Average installation cost 4th generation — 35 000–50 000 ₽.

❓ Which tires are better to choose for Nissan Note 2008?

Optimal sizes: 185/65 R15 or 195/55 R15. Suitable for winter Nokian Hakkapeliitta or Michelin X-Ice, for summer - Continental ContiPremiumContact or Goodyear EfficientGrip.

❓ How often should the timing belt be changed on a Nissan Note 2008?

The manufacturer recommends replacement every 120,000 km, but in practice it is better to reduce the interval to 90,000–100,000 km, especially if the machine is operated in difficult conditions (frequent traffic jams, high loads). Replacement cost (belt + rollers + labor) - 8 000–12 000 ₽.