Proton recently gave the Iriz and Persona their second facelifts earlier this month, with both benefiting from styling updates as well as equipment changes. The national carmaker’s B-segment models also have a more streamlined variant line-up this time around, with the Iriz in particular gaining a new, SUV-inspired Active option.
These revisions are accompanied by price hikes that range from RM1,100 to RM4,100, depending on the model and chosen variant, but there’s more to add as well. Looking at Proton’s latest maintenance schedules, we discover that both models have higher upkeep costs compared to their 2019 predecessors.
As such, we’ve compiled the official maintenance costs for the 2022 and 2019 Iriz and Persona to determine why this is the case. For parity, we’re only comparing variants equipped with a 1.6 litre VVT DOHC engine and CVT, the latter now being the only available transmission for both models.
Given that both cars are mechanically identical, the maintenance costs for the 2019 duo are identical, and this is also the case for the 2022 pair. However, you can see in the prepared table that the 2022 models cost RM3,583.17 to maintain over five years or 100,000 km, which is more than the RM3,051.80 for the 2019 models.
Looking at the itemised list, we find that the 2022 models require their N95 cabin filter to be replaced every 20,000 km. This isn’t exactly new, as Proton previously announced in July last year that all its cars will come with a N95 cabin filter as standard, so the first facelift models had it then.
However, when we reported on the maintenance cost of the 2019 Persona (which extends to the Iriz), cabin filter changes were not mandatory in the maintenance schedule at the time. With five replacements now required over five years for the 2022 models, the total cost of the N95 cabin filters amount to RM295 excluding labour, which makes up the bulk of the total increase here.
It should also be noted that Proton service centres would usually recommend periodic cabin filter changes even for the 2019 models (though not mandatory), so in actuality, the difference here is not as big as it may first appear.
Another variance observed is the 2022 models require more frequent radiator coolant changes, as it now happens every 30,000 km instead of just once at 90,000 km for the 2019 models – a sensible change. These two, more frequent service items, along with their labour charges, form the main difference between maintenance costs for the 2022 and 2019 models, with everything else being the same or just a cent more.
Of course, while it may cost RM531.37 more to maintain the 2022 models over five years compared to the 2019 models, when split across that timespan, it’s only about RM106 more per year. Keep in mind that besides preventative maintenance costs, things like fuel consumption can also affect the cost of your individual ownership. Meanwhile, consumables like tyres will cost more than before as the wheel sizes have gone up (from 15 to 16 inches for Executive and Premium variants), and there are other things such as brake pads, shock absorbers and batteries.
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Gonna get IRiz active as my reward for new gov^^
In this time of pandemic, when Delta is so viral in airborne, it makes perfect sense and perfect cents not to skimp on filter replacements. If people want to gripe about this Rm500 increase, they should ask themselves; are their lives worth less than Rm500?
To be honest, there is something weird about the maintenance period for the engine oil. It is either I was given wrongly about the info or there is hidden info in the maintenance table. Particularly, the engine oil.
Proton authorized service mentioned they have two types of engine oil:
1) Syntium 3000 – fully synthetic (good for 10k km per change)
2) Syntium 800 – semi synthetic (good for 5k km per change)
Here is the problem, if were to use Syntium 3000, the cost is rm180, that is rm75 more than what they have stated in the table. In which, in the span of 100k km, an extra of rm750 (rm75x10).
Okay, what if we were to use Syntium 800? Good. Rm105 as stated, but Proton told this oil is only good for 5k km. If only 5k km, then this table is missing out all the ~5km interval service, if I add on the cost, upon reaching 100k km, I need to service an extra 10 times (for 5k, 15k, 25k, 35k, and etc until 95k). That is a staggering extra of rm1050, which I deemed is a hidden cost.
Both cases stated above were not found in the table given by Proton. Unless Syntium 800 is good for 10k km, otherwise Proton owners are paying extra.
Syntium 800Se are rated for 10k, but some service centre will tell you only 5k
They are not wrong nor hide anything, you just have to read the lines. By right for 10k servicing intervals, all brands would recommend using fully synth engine oil (aka Syntium 3000) however based on each individual car maker, they can specify semi synth (aka Syntium 800) to last up to 10k km tho it is not recommended for daily city usage. This is similar to Honda’s servicing which goes to another extreme by specifying mineral oil use for 10k services, but like me, if you do try ask SC follow the guideline they will warn you that going mineral will void engine warranty. Funny? Yeah I thought so too.
Unless Proton SC warns you with such veiled threats, you can insist to follow what is stated above. Just don’t buy Honda if this pisses you off like it did to me.
https://paultan.org/2016/11/11/petronas-syntium-se-launched-co-branded-with-proton/
https://paultan.org/2016/11/11/petronas-syntium-se-launched-co-branded-with-proton/
The range consists of three lubricants, the fully-synthetic Petronas Syntium 3000 SE 5W-30, the semi-synthetic Petronas Syntium 800 SE 10W-30 and the Petronas Syntium 500 SE 15W-40 mineral engine oil. These products are compatible with the 10,000 km service intervals of all new Proton vehicles.
There’re spike of C19 delta cases amongst grab drivers, in cabin closeup aerosols transferred from the paseengers. Highly recommended to change the cabin filter more frequent.
the hidden maintain cost is on 66th and 72nd month, total needed RM2000 for this two time services that is included placing timing belt. especially the and aircon maintain services Proton didn’t ask to do service or even checking it within the first five years, that causing my entire aircon system totally spoiled after 2months of the warranty…and foreman told me the aircon system replacement works is more completed than most of other types of car.