Mitsubishi Xpander Owner Reveals Secrets After 3 Years of Usage

As one of the first 5,000 Xpander sold in Vietnam, Mr. Hieu’s car is probably the oldest Mitsubishi Xpander in the country. Being used for business purposes, the mileage of this Xpander exceeds the average mileage of an ordinary user.

Until now, after more than 3 years of being a taxi, the car has covered over 216,000 km. That means, on average, the car travels more than 70,000 km per year. However, that distance is still not enough for this Xpander.

In addition to a scheduled timing belt replacement, Mr. Hieu revealed that the Xpander can be described as “just fill it with gas and go”. All other engine details are still completely original without any repairs. Of course, basic maintenance and care, such as engine oil, oil filter, air filter… are strictly followed by Mr. Hieu.

This means that as long as the owner takes basic care and maintenance of the Xpander, the car will serve you reliably and resiliently to an astonishing degree. After 216,000 km, the car has never broken down. This is an extremely important factor for users of business-service vehicles.

Because a breakdown on the road will lead to many consequences, such as towing costs, repair costs, costs of arranging alternative transportation to fulfill contracts, or worse, contract compensation. Even the number of days that the car has to be put on the lift is calculated as a loss, because during the repair period, the car cannot be used for business, while the owner still has to bear the daily interest payments to the bank.

In addition to maintaining the original engine for durability, Mr. Hieu has also upgraded some other accessories for the car. Most notably is the “angel eye” headlight set, which not only improves visibility when driving at night, but also personalizes the car according to the owner’s preferences.

Next, the grille, logo, and front underbody panel have also been customized to the owner’s liking. These colorful details are purely aesthetic upgrades and reflect Mr. Hieu’s personal style.

When it comes to the car body, an important upgrade is the wheels. The face of the wheels still features a double-spoke design, but has been modified compared to the original wheels, thanks to eye-catching yellow and red accents. The tires have also been replaced with Bridgestone Turanza tires to reduce noise and ensure smoothness for passengers.

The unique pair of side mirrors of this Xpander has also been upgraded to be power-folding, adding convenience when parking. Meanwhile, the rear of the car has seen minimal modifications, except for the upgraded rear underbody panel, similar to the front of the car.

Entering the interior of the car, Mr. Hieu has further upgraded the Mitsubishi Xpander with additional useful features, making any passenger feel satisfied.

First of all, as soon as the car door is opened, passengers can easily notice the rubber pads attached in various positions to make opening and closing the door smoother. Inside the doors, the plastic panels have been reinforced with adhesive and rubber materials so that the car does not produce any strange or squeaky sounds when in operation, especially when driving on rough roads.

Next, the largest area in the car is covered by the headliner, which has been wrapped in a simulated leather material with stylish seam patterns. Apart from enhancing aesthetics, this upgrade also makes it easier to clean the car and prevents unpleasant smells, especially in the hot and humid conditions of the Southern region.

Similar to the door panels, the inside of the dashboard plastic has also been reinforced to reduce noise while driving. The top of the dashboard is covered with a heat-resistant carpet to prolong the lifespan of the plastic parts. Some positions are decorated with carbon fiber-like decals according to the owner’s personal taste.

A notable detail in the middle of the dashboard is the central infotainment screen, which can play music, stream YouTube videos, search routes on Google Maps, and display the reverse camera. Next to it is a phone holder for the front passenger.

Especially, although not visible, the entertainment speaker system has been replaced with custom JBL speakers. With a do-it-yourself approach, Mr. Hieu purchased the speakers himself and installed them. Compared to professionally installed audio system upgrades, the “DIY” speaker system in this Xpander may lag behind in terms of finished quality, but it is hidden below the door and works very well, completely meeting the basic entertainment needs of passengers.