Proton S16 BLM (2009-2017)

Waist of money – I got a 2012 Proton S16 FLX even through the sales man told me it would be a 2013 make. First thing is the road noise horrible and loud very load. After 2 days the steering wheel peeled away and my dealer Melbourne city protons there dogs. Told me warranty doesn't cover cosmetics even if it says 3 years in the brochure. I have no badges left on my… Read more

car the back moulding came off closing the boot battery's keep dying for no reason and worst of all a feature my 98 vt commodore had when you leave the lights on there's no noise or anything to let you know my vt turned off by its self. Services are cheap 300 for major. No after sales service. I work for Toyota now we supply a full customer service before and after sales. Please know what your buying before you buy it. I am going to look at the knew suprema I like it alot very nice car the salesman told he would give me 1500 for a car with 45000kms no even 2 years after I got the car they don't even want the s16 flx why would I buy the suprema. Do your research about proton that's the best advice and don't expect much.

Excellent no frills motoring – I bought a 2010 Proton S16 manual that had done 120k last year from Melbourne City proton. I used it for about 8 months in and around Melbourne before trading it in for a Holden as the missus preferred an automatic, actually making some money in the process. It was a nice and perky little car, fun to drive and never missed a beat despite… Read more

the high Kms. Build quality was better than some of the Hyundais and Suzukis I have owned overseas.

The only persistent problem I faced was with the erratic behaviour of the remote locking.

Three negatives I will like to mention are:

1) no sound proofing in the cabin, uncomfortably noisy motor at freeway speeds, and the cheap tyres make it worse,

2) proton ought to rework the gearing ratios for some real drivability, current ratios don't to justice to the engine power on tap

3) lack of airbags and stability control gets me jittery on the freeway

For perspective, I previously owned a

Suzuki alto, Fiat punto, Hyundai i20 and Chevrolet spark (matiz M250), so that is what I benchmark the proton s16 against. I find the Spark and Punto better built than the proton.

Hope this helps.

2008 Proton S16 has been reliable and cheap to service maintain. Great fuel ecomony too – Bought my 2008 Proton S16 with 41000 ks on the clock. After 6 years and 115000ks it was time to sell as we needed a wagon with our second child due soon. Our S16 was a reliable, comfy car with plenty room especially for rear passengers. Best car on fuel I ever had and it never missed a beat.

Stunning little car – 150000 klms and no problems at all!. S16 2009 model is so fantastic on fuel,nippy comfy ride. All I've done is put new tyres on and service it myself. Cost me only $70 for all the service parts!. I've recommended s16 to my friends who have also bought them with no problems also. Yes I'm sure there are dodgy ones but you can say that to most cars. My advice test drive one Handling and fuel economy 150000klms and so far nothing!! Show details

2009 model worst ever!! – i have had nothing but trouble since i brought my proton. from bits of the car just breaking(like mechanics to assist in opening my boot), electic problems to even strong fuel smells inside car. taken it in 5 times with strong fuel smell and they beleive its fine, absolutely useless. think i must have got lemon of the bunch cos even my paint job… Read more

is just peeling of! no.it wasnt left in sun. once, the piston cap FELL OFF because it was faulty and they tried saying i knocked it of while driving.my stereo controls on steering wheel constantly get replaced cos they cannot find where exactly the faulty wire is. same with my auto windows! grr just terrible car for me and poor customer service from their team in helping. there is so much more wrong with it it should be re-called!!!!!!

Do not touch!!! – I purchased a Proton S16 Brand new from Ross Starkey SsangYong north Brisbane and had nothing but head aches. I suggest if you want a cheap throw away car then go for it but be warned of where you purchase it from and don't expect Proton to supply any sort of after sales care. I had a few upgrades done eg, rear wing fitted by the dealership, wheel… Read more

upgrade and privacy tint added in to the purchase. After three months I started getting rust on the boot lid and rear window due to poor fitment. I returned the car three times to the dealership to have it fixed only to have an independent fix it in the end because the rust got that bad. Proton Head office was no help at all and didn't want to know about it! VERY DISAPPOINTED to say the least!! I sold the car after owning it for six months and lost at least $5000 doing so but worth not having to deal with Proton again!

Customer care for aftersales, Proton dealership not fixing issues

Almost but not quite thanks to Regents – We bought our S16 sedan from Regents in Osbourne Park, and found it to be a nice, honest car, but had a couple of minor problems. Paint on the sills under the doors is very thin and chips easily from roadworks blue metal - right down to raw steel, solved it myself with a good coat of underbody sealer. The other problem harder to solve - found out… Read more ·  1

the hard way that you cannot fit a towbar to a S16! We made it clear to the Regents sales rep that we intended to have a towbar fitted by Regents at the first service - he quoted us around $500.00, but then we later found it would void all warranties if I had a towbar fitted! Protons Australian HQ couldn't care less - stating their staff are all trained and would not offer a bar for an S16 - and the reps at Regents deny offering to have one fitted to our car.

If the Regents sales rep had told us about the no-towbar, we would have happily upgraded to a model that could- so he missed out on a bigger commission and probably another couple of sales from ourselves. Reliable No tow bar is a pain in the bum for us!