The Chinese passenger car BYD F3 was presented at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2005. The model debuted on the Russian market in 2007 as part of the World of Automobile 2007 auto show. It took a little more than a year to develop and put into production this model. Its appearance on the market caused a real revolution - in less than a year, more than 55 thousand BYD F3 appeared on the roads of China, which increased the total sales of BYD Auto by more than 4.5 times.
This C class sedan (overall dimensions 4533x1705x1490 mm) was originally created with an eye on the foreign market, and therefore taking into account the tastes of Europeans. The Toyota Corolla Altis, widely known in Southeast Asia, was taken as the basis.
The exterior is distinguished by chrome moldings, door handles and a radiator grill are in harmony with alloy wheels. Salon BYD F3 is distinguished by a decent level of assembly, trimmed with light-colored materials. Ergonomics of the driver's seat at the proper level. Complaints can only cause a lack of height adjustment of the steering column. The rear row of seats is designed more for passengers of small stature, for taller headroom may not be enough.
However, in the back row, the seats of which are folded in a ratio of 70:30, there are all the attributes of comfort: a retractable armrest, an ashtray, a lamp is installed. On the way, passengers are entertained by an audio system with a CD changer, the climate control system takes care of comfort, and parking sensors help the driver. The arrangement of the BYD F3 cabin as a whole is modest, but solid, and is distinguished by a well-thought-out organization. Visibility is good, except that the side mirrors bring objects very close.
BYD F3 is equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder sixteen-valve gasoline engine with a capacity of 100 hp. at 6 00 rpm. This power unit, created by Mitsubishi, has a moderate appetite of up to 7-10 liters. fuel per 100 km. But in order to quickly accelerate the car, you need to constantly turn the engine and often switch gears of a fuzzy manual gearbox, and the steering of the car does not please with high levels of information content. The chassis copes with small irregularities confidently and does not create discomfort in the cabin. Particularly easily and imperceptibly, tremors from all kinds of bumps and patches are extinguished. But on larger ones, for example, a speed bump, excessive elasticity affects - the back of the car throws up. It brakes the car well, thanks to disc brakes on all wheels, ABS does not doze off and works on time. And yet, you can and should ride the BYD F3 calmly and smoothly, since this type of ride is what this model provides.
The BYD F3 sedan model is available in three trim levels: BYD F3 1.6 MT GLX-i, 1.6 MT G-i, 1.6 MT GL-i. The engine is only mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
The basic modification includes: interior in velor trim, air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors, power steering, ABS with EBD, front airbags, central locking with remote control, seat belts with pretensioners. In addition, protection for passengers is provided by a reinforced body with energy-absorbing zones located on it. More expensive modifications are equipped with a full package of security systems, have leather interior trim with wooden inserts (top modification), CD player, climate control system, parking sensors. For a surcharge, a navigation system and an electric sunroof are offered.
December 27, 2007 in the laboratory of the Dmitrovsky test site (FSUE NITSIAMT) a crash test of the car was carried out according to the EuroNCAP methodology. According to the results of the test, BYD F3 scored 10.2 points out of 16 possible.
A spacious interior, a huge list of options, decent workmanship combined with a more than affordable price - these are the reasons why the F3 has become a bestseller in China.
you can hardly hear the motor, go 140 one allowance. the car goes smoothly and even when going into a side wind - it is almost not noticeable. easily goes further, but ... 6th gear is not enough. when I took everything they tried to dissuade, they say the Chinese - I don’t regret that I made a choice and bought it. spare parts: chassis - toyota king and engine - mitsubishi lancer, electronics - similar to cherry (relays, sensors xx and ds)
BYD F3, 2008
I bought my Bid b / ear from a friend of my grandfather. The car looked like it. I've been driving for a year now and I'm happy with my choice. On the way to me, only the front struts and music were changed, everything else is native. Personally, I put a good casting, completely glued the interior with soundproofing. Cons of the car: I have already changed all the native Chinese bulbs in the headlights, it’s hard to climb to some nodes, the candles are badly unscrewed. Pros: fast rushing, eating little, large interior and trunk, very stable on the road, and most importantly for me - excellent ground clearance. I advise people to buy such a car, only to have a purely Chinese assembly, not TAGAZ! She is worth her money.
BYD F3 debuted in China in 2005. The model reached Russia in 2007. Along with the sedan, dealers also offered a hatchback, designated the F3-R. In November 2010, the assembly of the sedan started at the Taganrog Automobile Plant. Subsequently, the hatchback disappeared from the showrooms.
The appearance of the Bid F3 sedan is very similar to the Toyota Corolla e120 series, the design of which formed the basis of the Chinese car. The similarity can be traced inside.
Unfortunately, heated seats were not available in any of the trim levels, even for a surcharge. But the cheapest F3 was equipped with electric mirrors, an audio system and air conditioning. Front airbags were included in the list of mandatory equipment from June 1, 2008.
According to the results of two crash tests conducted independently by the official distributor Irito and Autoreview magazine, the F3 sedan showed good results. Of course, the deformation of the body turned out to be more significant than that of the Japanese original. But, in comparison with fellow countrymen, the consequences of a frontal impact were less frightening than, for example, Chery Amulet and Geely Otaka.
Engine
Under the hood of the BYD F3, licensed Mitsubishi gasoline engines predominate: 1.5 / 98 hp. (4G15S) and 1.6 / 100 hp (4G18). In 2009, a 1.5-liter unit with a return of 109 hp diluted the engine range. It received the designation BYD473QE and was a licensed copy of the Honda engine. Taganrog cars were content exclusively with 1.5-liter engines.
The gas distribution mechanism of the 109-horsepower unit is driven by a fairly reliable timing chain. The rest of the engines use a toothed timing belt, with a recommended replacement interval of 60,000 km. "Lucky" checked - in the event of a broken timing belt, the valves meet the pistons. Valve clearance is adjusted using adjusting bolts.
Owners periodically experience engine malfunctions. The idle speed starts to float or fall. In this case, you have to clean the throttle and change the idle speed controller (400-600 rubles).
Interruptions in work can also be caused by faulty ignition coils (from 1,500 rubles). When replacing candles, oil is sometimes found in the candle wells. So, it's time to change the seals of the wells (140 rubles apiece). Over the years, a radiator may leak (from 5,300 rubles for the original).
4G18 in Mitsubishi Lancer IX cars became famous for a noticeable increase in oil consumption by 150-200 thousand km. The oil burner was eliminated by replacing the valve stem seals and piston rings. In a Chinese copy of a 1.6-liter engine, this phenomenon is not so common. However, after 150,000 km there are episodes with increased oil consumption and subsequent repairs.
Transmission
All engines were mated exclusively to a 5-speed manual transmission. The service life of the clutch is more than 100-150 thousand km. The cost of a new set is 4-5 thousand rubles.
Quite often, the clutch master cylinder (1,000 rubles) and the speed sensor (1,200 rubles) fail. You also have to deal with CV joints - more often with external ones (from 1,000 rubles). Over 3,000 rubles will be asked for the drive shaft assembly in the store.
After 100-150 thousand km, a howl or noise often appears. This is due to the bearings of the primary and secondary shafts. In addition, gears, shift forks and synchronizers may require replacement. For the restoration of the box in the service they will ask for more than 10,000 rubles. A new box is available for 51,000 rubles.
Chassis
The BYD F3 suspension is almost completely copied from Toyota. A rigid beam is used at the back, and classic MacPherson struts are installed at the front.
Chassis is not durable. The owners encountered the first repair even in the segment of 50-100 thousand km, or even earlier. Ball bearings (from 600 rubles) and silent blocks (from 800 rubles) of the front levers wore out. Soon it was the turn of the front shock absorbers (from 3,000 rubles).
A little later, the front wheel bearings also gave up. The design allows you to update only the bearing (from 1,100 rubles). The rear bearings are replaced with the hub and generally last longer.
The steering uses a hydraulic booster. The steering rack begins to leak or knock over time. After the restoration, the rail does not go for a long time. It is easier to replace it - from 7,000 rubles.
Do not go unnoticed and the brakes. Often the rear brake mechanisms turn sour, and in some cases the master brake cylinder fails.
Other problems and malfunctions
Bid F3 Chinese assembly poorly resist corrosion. After 4-6 years, rust actively attacks the sills and rear wheel arches. A new threshold can be purchased for 7,000 rubles, and a rear wing for 17,000 rubles. Plus work and painting - in the region of 10,000 rubles. It is noteworthy that the Bids of the Taganrog assembly do not rot so quickly.
Sometimes the motor fails (600 rubles), or the wiper mechanism turns sour. Problems with heating (it blows cold on the right) are often associated with a faulty thermostat (500 rubles).
Electrician
Most often, problems with electrical equipment are caused by poor contacts in the connectors of the fuse box located behind the glove box. On occasion, the contacts begin to burn, and the smell of melted wiring appears in the cabin. As a result, the fuel pump, radio and lighting equipment may fail.
If the starter is silent, then the contact at the starter terminal is most likely lost. Or the positive wire of the fuse box located in the engine compartment has melted.
Due to poor contacts and poor soldering of the board, the backlight of the instrument panel may disappear. Sometimes the airbag malfunction indicator lights up - the contacts of the steering column connector are dirty, which can be cleaned. But sometimes you have to change the entire cable (from 1,500 rubles).
Often the generator also fails - slip rings, brush assembly and bearings wear out, or the diode bridge and voltage regulator fail. They will ask for a new generator in the region of 10,000 rubles, and for repairs - about 4,000 rubles.
What car?
BYD F3 is a typical representative of the Chinese auto industry in the second half of the 2000s. Don't expect miracles. This is a budget car with a good set of options, poor corrosion protection and mediocre reliability. Fortunately, spare parts are not expensive and readily available, and repairs are not difficult.
To Chinese-made cars, each driver has his own and sometimes not always unambiguous opinion. Speaking of the BYD F3, the differences of opinion have become more and more definite in recent times.
On the way to individuality
This sedan owes its birth to 2005, when its world presentation took place at the Shanghai Forum of Automotive Innovations. Just a year later, the car was launched into mass production and almost immediately became a bestseller. In confirmation of this, we can say that over 55 thousand buyers gave their preference to this car in the first 12 months of sales. There were good reasons for this:
- The exterior was copied from the Toyota Camry;
- The interior has become a repeat of the Toyota Corolla;
- The car was installed, which proved its reliability, an engine from.
Of the indirect reasons for the popularity of F3 can be called: good build quality and the original color and quality solution of finishing materials. However, first things first.
Appearance
The manufacturing company Build Your Dream (“Build your own future”), and this is how the abbreviation “BYD” is translated from Chinese, can easily be accused of auto plagiarism.
The external contours, as well as the dimensions of his offspring, are a copy of the flagship of the sedan line - the more eminent Toyota. Of the differences from the Japanese original in BYD F3, select only head optics and taillights. The chrome finish of the grille and the inserts on the trunk are nothing more than a desire to give the car a share of charm.
Manufacturers from the Celestial Empire did not hesitate to assign a large share of similarity in the design of the emblem. By the way, the brand nameplate, as well as the antenna in the form of a “shark” fin, were borrowed not from the Japanese, but from another eminent brand, but already from Europe. But the rear-view mirrors, both in shape and in size, are clearly our own development, although relative to the dimensions of the car itself, they are clearly too small.
There should be no complaints about body contours, the shape of bumpers and the shape of door glasses, because the best artists and technologists of the country of the rising sun have been working on this design for more than one year.
Interior
An analogy between the Japanese Toyota can be drawn on the interior of the car. Ergonomics, layout and overall design will be recognized here by any Corolla owner. The steering wheel is comfortable, but the adjustment for its reach is clearly not enough. The BYD F3 front seats can also cause complaints. They stand a little high and therefore inconvenient for those whose height exceeds 180 cm.
Pleasantly surprised by the decision with the color of the finish. Light colors (both fabric and leather) visually expanded the interior, although the minimum gap between the driver's head and the roof of the car was not increased.
But the passengers of the rear row of seats - do not have to complain. There is a margin there in terms of height, and with the front seats pushed as far as possible, there is enough space for the legs. The transformation of the backrest in the ratio of 30 to 70 makes it possible to increase the volume of the luggage compartment, which will be appreciated by those who like to travel with a large "arsenal" of necessary and not very things.
Initially, BYD F3 was conceived as a budget car. In this regard, the manufacturer has chosen the path of using fairly cheap finishing materials. At the same time, the imitation of inserts for precious woods fell into place both on the door handles and on the center console (how similar it is to the trim in the Camry!)
These means of giving the cabin a more expensive look, as well as pseudo-leather upholstery, are available only in the most expensive configuration.
The electronic filling of the cabin is quite consistent with the price category of the car. The not always correct operation of the air conditioning system and the frankly weak audio system, as they say, are fully justified by the indicated cost for them.
As an additional option, the machine is equipped with an electric sunroof, but this is at the discretion of the potential buyer. Already in the initial configurations, there is a sufficient set of electronic assistants:
- Anti-slip system;
- exchange rate stability;
- Two airbags;
- Power windows.
Specifications BID F3
The main and currently the only engine used is a four-cylinder in-line engine. 4G18 from Mitsubishi. It was this Japanese auto giant that, since 1998, put it first on its Space Stars and until 2012 on the Lancer.
Engine capacity is 1584 cu. cm. With a torque of 134 Nm, it is capable of developing a power of 72 kW or 98 l / s.
- 5W20;
- 5W30;
- 10W40.
The volume of BYD F3 oil for periodic replacement is 3.3 liters, and to update the antifreeze, you will need at least a full 6-liter canister. The mileage between overhauls indicated by the manufacturer is 250 thousand kilometers, although in fact Japanese engines for BYD “nurse” even 400.
Paired with them, the Chinese sedan is helped to conquer kilometers of roads by five-speed manual gearboxes. Alas, today this is the only transmission option that Chinese engineers have long promised to update.
It is impossible to call a frisky motor, because 13 seconds for which it accelerates the car from “zero to hundreds” is a rather mediocre result among classmates. At the same time, the contribution of the CPP to this result is more than significant. Although the gears are included clearly, they are clearly tightened.
Suspension and brakes
The BID suspension is its own design and this becomes clear when driving on roads with surface defects. If the front axle absorbs bumps relatively tolerably, then the BYD F3 rear suspension is quite stiff and can spoil the pleasure even for an inexperienced motorist.
There are certain problems with the car and with the steering. This is especially noticeable at high speeds. Test tests revealed the need for constant steering, as soon as the speedometer needle passes the “110 km / h” mark. However, traffic rules are not everywhere allowed to move at such a speed.
The Japanese motor is “not capricious” to gasoline and therefore it is “quite satisfied” with the AI-92. The fuel consumption declared by the manufacturer is in the range of 7.2-10 liters per 100 kilometers.
It is not correct to compare real and laboratory conditions for measuring this indicator here.
There should be no complaints about the braking system. Disc brakes on both axles, where the front ones - also ventilated - are predictable and adequately cope with the driver's commands.
Weaknesses of BYD F3
Already at the stage of launching the car into a series, the manufacturer's plans included not only vigorous sales in the domestic market of China, but also export deliveries. Such ambitious plans were built not only on the modern appearance, attractive price, but also on the quality of their offspring.
Operating experience has shown that the Chinese manufacturer was not mistaken in its hopes. The car is reliable and for its price shows very good results of operation.
- Front and rear stabilizer bars;
- steering rack;
- hub bearings;
- Body paintwork.
In fairness, we should recognize the poor development of the network of service centers specifically for Chinese-made equipment. Note that the lack of free access to original spare parts can play in favor of such F3 competitors, like.
How much and for what
Today, Russian representative offices and car dealerships offer cars in three trim levels. The minimum of these includes:
- Fabric upholstery;
- hydraulic booster;
- Electric control of mirrors and glass doors;
- ABS and EBD systems;
- Air conditioning.
Prices with this set of options start from the mark 389 000 rubles. The maximum level of comfort will cost the buyer 55-70 thousand more.
In recent years, the focus of most Chinese manufacturers on individuality, originality and quality improvement is clearly visible. According to independent experts, at the end of 2018, the total circulation of BYD F3 sold exceeded one million copies. This is a confirmation of the reliability of the sedan, trust in it and, as a result, a guarantee that this car has a future.
Video
As you probably already guessed, our conversation will be about the BYD F3 car, or rather, about the troubles that it can deliver to its owner.
Clothes without fasteners
Decorated like a Christmas toy, the golf-class sedan was created on the basis of the Toyota Corolla Altis. The shine of chrome, with which the Chinese generously flavored the exterior of the car, alas, does not please the owner for long. After the first winter, chrome parts “extinguish”, but spot rust flares up. If they are overlooked, not eliminated in time, corrosion will soon spread to body parts. And bodywork at BYD is not only not cheap, but also carried by dealers exclusively on order. Nice moldings installed on the roof of the car are sometimes blown away by the oncoming air flow already on the way from the store. Also in the line of unfunny curiosities we will write down cases of rearing and explosions of the rear window. Interestingly, it is not possible to calculate the self-destruction algorithm: glass can shatter to smithereens at any temperature and mileage!
humor jokes
Suspension elements are guaranteed to nurse 20 thousand km. By an evil irony of fate (we do not dare to see a malicious calculation in this fact), along with the end of the warranty period, ball bearings, stabilizer “bones” and steering tips fail. With a high degree of probability, shock absorbers will flow by 30-40 thousand kilometers. The really sore point of the chassis is the CV joint covers: they burst with amazing constancy, regardless of the mileage. The case, as you might guess, is also non-warranty. One thanks: covers change separately from hinges. The permanent hum of the power steering is a characteristic feature of BYD. You need to put up with it and, as long as the power steering does not flow, do not pay attention.
Chinese automakers are well-known reinsurers. The item in the service book requiring the replacement of the entire brake system with a mileage of 20 thousand km is from this series. Never mind. In general, the brake mechanisms serve flawlessly and are made with a sufficient margin of safety.
Weather in the house
The car is equipped with a 1.6-liter 16-valve gasoline engine - licensed from Mitsubishi. The motor is aggregated with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The combination is quite reliable (it is the only one). At least so far, the power unit has not caused much trouble. True, even here it was not without dramatic curiosities. So, in 2008, servicemen came across a batch of cars, the cooling system of which turned out to be filled with a chemical substance that literally corrodes hands. Maybe it was for this reason that pipes suddenly leaked on the cars of this batch. The main radiator also leaks regularly. The side plastic tanks are the first to start to snot. The stove radiator is also not reliable ... In a word, it is better to watch the level of coolant in the system regularly.
Unpleasant surprises can present climate control. Often he begins to live his own life, not responding to management. This is due to poor build quality. Jamming dampers, motor glitches and other arbitrariness for the Chinese "climate" are in the order of things. On top of all the troubles, freon begins to leave through under-twisted connections and poor evaporator seals. Note that the repair of climate control is troublesome and expensive.
Approximate cost of some spare parts for BYD F3: