Hi Guys,

Just got an Iriz 2019 1.6CVT Premium on July 3, did my 1000km service on July 19. It does fix a whole lot of issues with the previous generations, especially on the performance: press the accelerator pedal and the car moves, no lag (not at initial 0km/h though, Punch CVT is a hassle to drive in traffic jams - slow initial pick up (because it releases its clutch), then moves, and if you let go, it jerks like a manual car on gear 1). Well, just have to get used to that. My thoughts are:

Pros:
1) Good acceleration, and stable chassis
2) FC is OK for a 1.6. Basically, RM73 for 380KM - 70% "slow moving" traffic jam, 30% cruising - I'm mainly on the MRR2/Besraya and sometimes KL-Seremban.
3) Seats are comfortable, and spacious
4) I really like the new infotainment system and the speakers' sound quality
5) Noise levels from the engine to the cabin has really reduced (a lot)
6) CVT gearbox is quieter comparatively
7) Comfortable but sporty suspension (glad they no longer use Multi-link, really difficult to get a good mechanic that understands this system)

Cons:
1) The Silverstone tyres are just rubbish - I've used Continental CC5 (very bad experience with braking on slight wet surface, but quiet), Goodyear Assurance (really helps with braking, but noisy after some time), and Bridgestone Potenza (very good performance tires, but slightly noisy) on my previous Proton Gen-2 (2004). I plan to change to Michelin XM2+ by end of the year, it's a good overall tyre.

2) Build quality. For RM53,000... many say I should not complain, but we're in 2019. I honestly think many reviewers like PaulTan give too much positive feedback for Proton. The 2019 facelifted model has a good build quality when compared to the older models, but compared to the new Myvi - it's a big difference. My dashboard still has some "tikus" sounds when I pick up on the highway (120km/h), and on rough roads. Plastic quality for the AC knobs and the plastic panel behind it is rather bad. You will always hear some crackling plastic sounds, so I switch my AC blower to "2" every time, to reduce the sounds.
- I'm sending it back to Proton Edar Chan Sow Lin for the dashboard problems - they need 3 days.

3) The brake sounds. Sounds like my sister's Proton Saga FL. Press the brake, and let go a little slow? Prepare for metal shrieking. I used to use Brembo brake discs with Bendix brake pads on my proton gen-2, waiting for warranty to end to change to better brakes.

4) Compressor sound. It's cold, but it sucks too much power and makes too much noise. Have they never improved on the aircond since 2004?

5) 2.5k to 3k RPM is unstable (shake on steering, and little noisy), after 110km/h no problem (except for the current tikus in my dashboard).

Overall, is this a good car for the price? It's far from being "good", Proton has failed to improve much from the 2017/2018 model but says they have made 300+ changes. So, they have improved on marketing, and I've been suckered in. For those who wants a better car right off the bat, get the Myvi. As for me, I'm sticking to the Iriz, and hoping Geely's Proton actually improves.

For those complaining about the Campro engine, I clocked 185,000KM on my previous Proton Gen-2, with minimum repairs on the engine. Major repairs was always on my suspension since I played with them a lot

Haha... I've been to 4-5 mechanics for the suspension, until I settled at Doris Shah Alam - who truly understands a campro.

New Gen Myvi has much better safety features compared to the previous Myvi though. It's heavier, and more well-built. Maybe those people prefer a zip-zap tin-can on wheels, but I sure like the new Myvi. I just couldn't agree with the Myvi's power and noise, Iriz is better on that. 4 adults sat in the Iriz when I did a test drive, and I barely felt any shortage in power. the gear:torque distribution is what amazes with the Iriz - one other reason why I bought the car.

Proton Chan Sow Lin entertained me la. Even they agreed the dashboard needs to be re-fixed and added insulation. I was kinda happy they agreed to in the first, and didn't tell me "biasa la". But, then I read in the forums in 2015 that one owner complained it became worse after sending it the SC Hopefully, they have improved.

At times I feel the tikus sound might not be the dashboard but something else. The Grab driver in a Peugeot 3006 (2016) complained about a squeaky noise from the dashboard while driving on bumpy roads - but when I heard it, it seems more like an absorber bush (or mounting, depending on the car) issue. I wonder if it is something else, anyway I'll report back if Proton managed to fix the issue.

I'll take the Myvi anyday for traffic jams, my feet hurt trying to gently accelerate in traffic jams - Clutch-based CVTs gotta be gentle, don't wanna ruin the clutch.

Is the aircond switched on?

My 2019 Iriz has a shriek sound when I turn on the aircond, it's because of the tensioner. Could be that, or something else.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but the "black stains" looks like carbon build-up.

Could be dry start since you mentioned the 2nd and 3rd time is okay.

As @khairilyazit mentioned, probably a leaking valve cover gasket. Please don't send to just any mechanic for this, because if not done properly, it'll just happen again in a year or two.

But 2017 Iriz, that's just 2 years of use. Hopefully the last owner actually changed the engine oil on schedule. I never heard of this happening in just 2 years. Lol

I'm at 1,600KM now, and the tikus sounds over uneven roads is becoming worse.

Went to Proton Edar Chan Sow Lin, and asked them what guarantee can they give me that the car will not come back worse after fixing the dashboard. Their answer: "Your car still new, still have warranty, if can please drive first". I started laughing as the point was "my car is still new", how the heck does it have rattling sound?

Anyway they informed me they are trying to find a fix for the dashboard without removing the dashboard, since they are many methods to access the dashboard without opening it, i.e., from the head unit, speedometer, underneath the glove box, etc. Supposedly a customer was okay with them removing the dashboard, so they're using that car as a "guinea pig" to see if they can fix the sounds without removing the dashboard. Personally, it sounds like bull****, but let's see. I'll wait for my next service, but I might not go Proton Chan Sow Lin anymore, since their customer service is really bad (i.e., screwed up my schedule, gave useless explanations, never bothered to wipe their dirt of the car's interior after service, etc.)

Unless Proton has a parts list with serial numbers for a specific car that can be cross examined between the car and list, it will be difficult to prove who is right in this case. His horn could just have malfunctioned at that particular time, but I read his Google review and it was smart of him to ask if they had stock for the horn, which they did not; thus, it became fishy. No reply from Proton CoSE for this comment which was published 6 months ago.

Well, expecting Proton to change after Geely taking over for barely 2 years is too optimistic, I guess.

I'll try to record it one of these days.

I might check out Proton Pesona Mahir (Cheras) - it's within my work-home route. Seems new, and so far good google reviews. Open 7 days a week.

My HU area has rattle sound, but I think can fix that when I have the mood (lazy with trial and error). The "tikus" sound I cannot figure out (maybe at speedometer area), but now less often. I reduced the air in my tyres to recommended 30 PSI/210 kPa. It was ~35 PSI previously (since I took from the sales centre).

I might actually change the tyres before trying to figure out the dashboard sounds. The Silverstones are really bumpy.

Here's the video for the tikus noises. It's not really clear thanks to my phone's mic quality which is mainly picking up the tyre noise. Lol.

SC acknowledged there was a problem. I have it printed on my receipt for my 1000KM service that the dashboard needs to be "re-fix and put insulation". Problem is that they want to remove my dashboard and re-install. I disagreed with them simply re-fixing the dashboard. So, they told me they're trying to find a solution without removing the whole dashboard - I think there are definitely others with the same problem. My SA told me she's pushing this issue to HQ.

So, now I'm just waiting, while turning up my earphone volume

I have some questions:

1) How do I close the aircond vents? I don't like the aircond blowing from the right side of the steering wheel, so I usually shut it off. I can't seem to find a way to close the vent for the Iriz.

2) Can I use the Persona's LED third brake light for the Iriz? Is it the same size? I'm really wondering why didn't Proton just use the same third brake lights with the Persona.

Yeah, the sensors have a slight delay. Just reverse a little slower.

That noisy stock tyres are not a compromise - with the bulk of tyres they buy, there should be barely a difference if they change them from Silverstone to Goodyear. Adding another one to two hundred RM is negligible for better tyres. I believe crony culture in Proton is still very much there.

You have any issues with dashboard rattles?

Right now, Proton Saga, Iriz and Persona (std,exec,pre) comes with Silverstone; there's quantity there - though I'm not sure about the Preve and Suprima S. And like I said, paying a little extra for getting better tyres would offset whatever additional cost incurred - don't tell me that Proton needs to add RM1,000 just to use better tyres.

I don't really have much wind noise at lower speeds, maybe because I installed door visors (I park under the sun whole day). One thing about door visor is that is that is makes wind noise at higher speeds (>120km/h), especially if low quality double sided tape is used. Maybe some sort of rubber insulation can be used between the door and frame, or just check if the existing rubber insulation is proper?

I used to just bend my door on proton gen-2 to reduce wind noise. Basically to tighten the gap between rubber and door. Lol.

If you notice loud tyre noises from other cars, I recommend adding a rubber between the driver-passenger door, but it makes the door a little harder to close but made a big difference for me. I bought this: https://shopee.com.my/product/6635901/124088854

End of the day, I found my AC Knob panel is making most of the rattle sounds in my car - I push it up, and the sounds disappear. I plan to open it up according to this: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=88130702 but it seems much more difficult than it sounds. I'll try again soon.

Anyhow, going over uneven roads produces the most rattling sounds, but I don't mind because it's not all the time.

My sister's Saga FL had a lot of rattling sounds, but after changing the tyres, the car became quiet. I'm still pondering that.

Power steering fluid is ok? Could be pump failing also.

Sorry, forgot Iriz uses Electric Power Steering

Can't really help with electronics/motors, since there's usually a list of diagnostics for them. Anything can be at fault in the circuit, even fuses at times.

I have the problem of my headlight dimming, and aircond fan slowing down for a second; it happens often actually, especially the aircond fan. Used to happen a lot on older cars. Is this normal for a 2019 Iriz? Did Proton not use the right battery?