Rediscovered this thread after being away for a couple of weeks and just wanted to put in my 2 cents...
I now have owned my Xfire for a little over a year... Just passed 7,000 miles... So far, no - repeat NO - major issues. It has performed flawlessly.
Only issues are the driver's seat heater is out (since I bought it) and the "rattle" in the back hatch. On the first item... I took it into the dealer - they kept it a day to confirm the diagnosis which seemed silly, but I just work a block away. When the part came in they arranged for installation - took it in early one day - at the end of that day, I get a call: "we can't find the part"!?! So... Another parts order placed - it is in now and they have called again to set up install, but I may pass after reading about some of the issues with installation (they did NOT get the entire seat bottom and I fear it will just lead to a poorly fitted seat cover).
The rattle has about driven me nuts - took it to the dealer to have the TSB performed only to discover that the "new" latch mechanism was already in the car according to them. They couldn't find anything except the noise after a day. I have totally disassembled the hatch lock mechanism myself - twice - without influencing anything. I have driven around the neighborhood with my mechanic friend in the trunk... still unable to locate. He thought it might be a loose baffle in the muffler, but it still sounds to me like it is in the vicinity of the latch... Oh well...
Have changed the oil (from the top) x2. Will do again soon from the bottom end when I also plan to install Rotex Gold brake pads. Just removed the K&N filters to clean today - filthy. Will let them dry out a day or two and use paper filters until can re-oil and re-install.
Am getting about
< 20 MPG as I can't keep my foot out of it... The times that I have behaved, I have passed 20 MPG...
The Inazma HyperVoltage System continues to be a valuable addition to the car, I believe. The car definitely runs better with it in place - smoother, no voltage dips, no lag time in acceleration, etc. Highly recommended. This also continues to work well in my friend's RX-8.
Tried SpiralMax inserts - couldn't tell any effect (yes, they were installed correctly - at least 3 times), so wouldn't waste $.
Tires still in great shape (Contis) - no bent rims - no body issues (interior or out) - no squeaks, rattles, or pops. No headlight "haze" since polishing last year with 3M Plastic Polish...
Summary: a great little car - one of the best I have owned - definitely was a "steal" at c. $23-24K... I don't mind driving a "half-price", better looking Mercedes at all!
