“Debriefing” - all the shortcomings and weaknesses of Lifan Breez

Lifan Breez is a subcompact car produced from 2006 to 2012. Available in sedan (520) and five-door hatchback (520i) body styles.


Breez became the first car produced by Lifan Motors. In 2007, the model received a slight restyling, and the changes affected mainly the exterior. Lifan Breez is built on a 1991 Citroen ZX chassis. What shortcomings are characteristic of this “Chinese”? We analyze the main problems and weaknesses.

Lifan Breez engines

The cars were equipped with 1,3 and 1,6 liter petrol engines. The units were paired with a manual transmission; automatic transmissions were not provided for the Breez. Let's consider the disadvantages and weaknesses of each internal combustion engine.

LF481Q3

The engine was installed on Lifan Breez and Solano 620, and this is a Chinese copy of the famous Toyota 4A-FE. The 1,6 liter engine with a power of 106 “horses” is equipped with a distributed injection system. The internal combustion engine corresponds to Euro ¾ class, and its approximate service life is 300 thousand km.

Overall, this is a reliable unit, not without its shortcomings. A typical problem is a malfunction of the oxygen sensor, which will lead to incorrect engine operation. Failure of the DPKV (or poor power contact) will cause problems with starting the engine. In severe frosts, the cooling system pipes quickly wear out and crack, which can lead to antifreeze leakage. Worn-out internal combustion engines consume oil, usually due to stuck rings.

LF479Q3

The LF479Q3 engine, installed on Lifan Breez and Smiley cars, has proven itself to be reliable in design. In fact, this is a clone of the Toyota 8A-FE engine, but it is not without its drawbacks, which are important for potential buyers to know about. Among the main disadvantages are the low quality of components and weak wiring. Owners often complain about sensor failures: oxygen, crankshaft position.


One of the typical problems of Lifan Breez is the rapid wear of the cooling system pipes. As on the LF481Q3, they begin to leak, which causes loss of antifreeze and overheating of the engine. Replacing the timing belt is necessary every 60 km, but its breakage does not lead to damage to the valves, which can be considered a plus. After 000 thousand kilometers, oil consumption also occurs due to the occurrence of rings.

The LF479Q3 is not equipped with hydraulic compensators, so manual adjustment of the valve thermal clearance is required every 40 - 000 km. Ignoring this process can lead to burnout of the latter.

Disadvantages and weaknesses

The short-throw gearbox, according to some Breez owners, does not provide comfortable driving at high speeds. In general, this is not the most reliable box: breakdowns are possible, especially with intensive use.

The interior trim is made of cheap plastic, which may begin to creak over time. An important drawback is the poor fastening of the door panels. They can rattle while driving, which adds to the discomfort while driving.


Unfortunately, poor build quality is considered the norm for the Lifan Breez and other Chinese cars of the time. Sloppy gaps, uneven joints of body elements, squeaks - this cannot be avoided if you buy a car on the secondary market. Breez electrics can’t be called a strong point either. When installing xenon, the speed sensor often burns out due to power surges in the car network.

Separately, it should be said about ergonomic miscalculations:

✅ Inconvenient location of controls
✅ Poor interior layout
✅ Lack of steering wheel reach adjustments

Weak corrosion resistance is a “disease” of many “Chinese” people. Rust may appear after just a few years of use, especially in areas of chips and scratches. The most susceptible to corrosion are wheel arches, sills, hood and trunk. The body and underbody must be treated with anti-corrosion agent once every two years, or better yet, annually.

Poor quality door handles are a widespread problem. At low temperatures they wear out and break quickly. Window lifters are also not particularly reliable in frosty weather; they operate with glitches and jams. The standard speakers are not of high quality, and wheezing may appear when the volume is increased.


Breez owners also often complain about poor handling. Fuzzy steering, rolliness when cornering. The disadvantages of the transmission include a tight clutch. The gearbox as a whole is noisy.

The chassis is “delicate” and is not designed for bad roads. Because of this, suspension elements may require replacement ahead of schedule. Wheel bearings rarely last more than 30 thousand km, stabilizers - 40 thousand km, front struts can leak at 50 km. It is not recommended to frequently use the vehicle off-road or on steep slopes. The rear beam is weak and susceptible to deformation when the sedan is used in such conditions. Another weak point is the wheel fastening. If the bolts are over-tightened, the hub begins to pull.

Access to nodes can be called the weak point of Lifan Breez. Changing bulbs in fog lights is inconvenient; access to the oil filter is difficult, so replacing it yourself will require a pit or a lift.

Are there any pluses?

Lifan Breez is positioned as a budget sedan and has certain advantages that will make it attractive to a certain group of buyers. Despite the lack of liquidity, this model has a low value on the secondary market. As for a “Chinese” of that time, the “Breeze” has a quite nice design, a simple and practical interior, although not without its shortcomings.

Good geometric cross-country ability allows you to overcome unevenness and obstacles without problems. Although this car is not intended for regular off-road use, primarily due to the low quality and rapid wear of chassis components. The manufacturer offered rich configurations, including air conditioning, electric windows, electric mirrors, an audio system and other options.


The engine and manual transmission, although not without flaws, have proven to be reliable. The service life of components and assemblies is 200-250 thousand km. The spacious interior allows the driver and four passengers to comfortably accommodate.

Prices

Copies of 2008-2010 production in satisfactory condition can be found for 180-200 thousand rubles. “Fresher” cars, fully equipped, with an overcooked body and a non-rotten bottom, will cost 300-400 thousand rubles.

Among the closest competitors of Lifan Breez in the same price category are Haima 3, BYD F3, TagAZ C10. If you are interested in something more expensive, pay attention to FAW Besturn, Nissan ALmera, Zotye Z300. Lifan Breez is a relatively good car, which is characterized by the disadvantages of Chinese-assembled cars. As a vehicle, the sedan copes with its tasks, and aesthetic disadvantages and weaknesses are compensated by the availability of spare parts and low maintenance costs.