2026 Proton Saga MC3 upkeep prices – 4AT lower than CVT; each cheaper than previous Saga 1.3, P2 Bezza 1.3

The closely revised Proton Saga MC3 was launched in late November this yr with some huge modifications, certainly one of them being its powertrain. Gone is the 1.3 litre CamPro engine and in comes a 1.5 litre mill that serves up 120 PS and 150 Nm of torque.

With these figures, the brand new BHE15PFI engine, which is of course aspirated and comes with port gas injection, makes 25 PS and 30 Nm greater than the departed CamPro unit. That’s not all as a result of not like the CamPro engine, the brand new one instead makes use of a timing chain as an alternative of a belt.

Relying on which of the three variants supplied you select, the Geely-derived mill is paired with both a Punch VT3 clutch-based CVT (Premium) or an Aisin-sourced four-speed computerized (Customary and Govt) – the latter was already launched for the MC2 since 2023 and replaces the earlier Hyundai-sourced computerized gearbox.

So, how have all these mechanical modifications affected the Saga’s upkeep value? Nicely, Proton has up to date the aftersales web page of its official web site with the related numbers, so let’s undergo them.

Saga 4AT variants’ upkeep prices in contrast

Trying purely on the grand totals, we will see that the brand new Saga with a 4AT is cheaper to keep up over 5 years in comparison with its equal predecessor by RM656.69. Whereas each are Aisin gearboxes, the price of the transmission oil and associated alternative components are cheaper for the newer mannequin.

Going via the remainder of the service schedule, the service intervals for sure parts are additional aside for the brand new engine. For example, the engine air filter for the CamPro engine must be modified each 20,000 km/12 month, which is extra usually than the Geely-derived engine that requires modifications each 40,000 km/24 months.

Engine coolant modifications are additionally much less frequent for the latter at each 60,000 km/36 months as an alternative of each 30,000 km/18 months. There are additionally some service gadgets that aren’t current for the newer Saga MC3 4AT akin to energy steering fluid (the brand new automotive has electrical energy steering) and a N95 cabin filter (a pollen filter is listed as an alternative).

The swap to a timing chain for the Saga MC3 4AT means there’s no want for a timing belt alternative, which prices RM334.68 for the older Saga and occurs on the 110,000 km/66 months mark. A drive belt for ancillary methods (air-conditioning and energy steering) remains to be required for each on the identical value of RM67.

The decrease upkeep value for the newer Saga additionally stems from the removing of the 1,000 km break-in service that was a part of the older mannequin’s service schedule. As earlier than, free labour for the primary three service intervals is included with every buy.

One factor to notice is the newer engine makes use of totally artificial engine oil, which prices greater than the semi artificial oil utilized by the CamPro engine (RM169 vs RM116), and its spark plugs value extra (RM131.60 vs RM56.68) as nicely. Even so, over a five-year/100,000-km interval, the general value is much less for the Saga MC3 4AT.

Saga CVT variants’ upkeep prices in contrast

The Saga beforehand dropped its CVT and used a 4AT completely when it obtained its first facelift (MC1) again in 2019. Previous to the MC3, the final time the Saga was supplied with a CVT was when it entered its third era in 2016.

As we reported on the time, the 2016 Saga used the Punch VT2, additionally a clutch-based CVT, that’s older than the newer VT3+ within the MC3. It seems the swap to a more moderen CVT has helped the MC3 when it comes to upkeep value.

In the identical vein as its 4AT counterpart, the newer Saga MC3 CVT is cheaper to keep up over 5 years in comparison with its older equal by RM286.91, with each utilizing the identical transmission oil filter and drain plug priced at RM129.52 and RM21.95 respectively.

Nearly all of the financial savings, so far as we will inform, is from the decrease value of changing the CVT oil (RM143.78 for the MC3 vs RM181.61) – identical service inner of 60,000 km/12 months – with the diminished upkeep value of the brand new engine additionally utilized right here.

The CVT remains to be extra expensive to keep up in comparison with the 4AT as a result of the previous requires a transmission oil filter (RM129.52). Even inside the new Saga MC3 vary itself, there are a couple of variations between variants geared up with the 4AT or CVT.

The Bezza enters the image

Through the launch of the Saga MC3, the corporate claimed its providing was the most affordable to keep up within the A-segment sedan market. The one different competitor on this house is the Perodua Bezza, so we pulled the numbers for that mannequin to check too.

Over 5 years, the Bezza with the 1.3 litre engine, which is nearer when it comes to displacement to the Saga’s 1.5 litre unit, prices RM3,531.36 to keep up. That is greater than each the 4AT and CVT variations of the Saga MC3 by RM204.45 and RM93.78 respectively, regardless of the Bezza’s fewer service gadgets.

Sure, the Saga MC3 is cheaper to keep up in comparison with the Bezza, though the variations are negligible if we unfold them out over 5 years. If we add in all of Perodua’s Professional Care service gadgets which are optionally available, the discrepancy grows even bigger.

Widening the scope for the sake of it, the Bezza with a smaller 1.0 litre engine prices RM3,319.74 to keep up over 5 years, which is lower than the 4AT and CVT variations of the Saga MC3 by RM7.17 and RM117.84 respectively. Once more, negligible variations over a protracted interval.

Different issues price mentioning

As all the time, the price of proudly owning a automotive goes far past simply upkeep, as there are different issues to think about like gas consumption, which the Saga (4.9 l/100 km CVT and 5.1 l/100 km 4AT) is now nearer to the Bezza 1.3L (4.76 l/100 km or 4.55 l/100 km with Eco Idle) regardless of the elevated engine capability. The Bezza 1.0L wins on this side with its 4.69 l/100 km.

There’s additionally the matter of consumables (brake pads, shock absorbers, batteries and tyres) that may differ relying on an proprietor’s use case. Decrease-end variants of the Saga MC3 and Bezza include 14-inch wheels and share the identical tyre profile of 175/65. Increased-end variants of each include 15-inch wheels, though the Saga’s tyres have a distinct profile (185/55) in comparison with the Bezza that makes use of narrower 175/60 profile tyres.

The Bezza additionally has an idling cease system that requires a dearer 12-volt battery to perform, whereas the frameless wipers on the Saga are costlier to exchange. Then there’s the yet-unknown value of alternative components of the brand new Saga’s engine after the guarantee interval ends.

This being a much more superior design in comparison with Perodua’s older however tried and examined engines, it’s honest to imagine its components shall be dearer down the street too. One proof of that is the dearer spark plugs utilized by the Saga MC3 that are modified each 40,000 km/24 months, with the overall value much like that of the Bezza that modifications its spark plugs at 100,000 km/60 months for RM263.60

The Bezza’s street tax is RM70 for its 1NR-VE 1,329 cc inline-four, whereas the Saga MC3’s 1,499 cc unit prices RM90, so solely a fully-loaded plate of kandar rice separates them – the Bezza 1.0L’s street tax is simply RM20. As for the matter of buy worth, the 1.3L variants of the Bezza begin at RM43,980 OTR with out insurance coverage and peak at RM49,980.

By comparability, the Saga MC3 is from RM38,990 to RM48,990, with an early fowl rebate (legitimate till the tip of 2025) decreasing the costs by RM1,000. Nevertheless, the 1.3L variants of the Bezza include photo voltaic and safety window movie from the manufacturing facility, so that you don’t must pay out of pocket such as you would with the Saga MC3.

So, the brand new Saga MC3 is priced lower than its comparable rival and is cheaper to keep up, even when in comparison with its predecessor. As normal, issues usually are not all the time as clear lower when you think about issues past the usual service prices, however this nonetheless looks as if a step in the precise course for Proton, however what do you assume? Share your ideas within the feedback beneath.

AD: Drive the Proton mannequin of your desires. Submit your particulars and Proton PJ will get in contact with you.

Seeking to promote your automotive? Promote it with Automobile.