[ARSENAL04]

can any sifu here give me a review on the kia optima?
a 2002 car is elling for 38000...is it worth it to buy?

[Vemaltech]

can any sifu here give me a review on the kia optima?
a 2002 car is elling for 38000...is it worth it to buy?

I have Intension to buy Second-Hand Optima which so cheap with good stuff. But i having a friend who is a Kia Expert and now he is under KMC(Korean Motor Corporation) don't recommend me to buy this Older Generation Kia Optima/Hyundai Sonata because the Engine having Static Current Problem which can Spoil most of Electronic part of vehicle and will cost Rm1k+ to repair. But once repair it, then the problem will be solved since the solution done by Hyundai/Kia. He recommend me to Buy ThetaII 2.0 Engine or GammaII 1.6 Engine type Vehicle which New generation Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Rondo, and Mitsubishi 2.0 GT with Theta and Spectra5 with Gamma Engine. So finally i decide to take Spectra5 and now having it. New Generation Engine now with Timing Chain Instead of Timing Belt. So Low Maintenance cost.

[martinyeoh]

I have Intension to buy Second-Hand Optima which so cheap with good stuff. But i having a friend who is a Kia Expert and now he is under KMC(Korean Motor Corporation) don't recommend me to buy this Older Generation Kia Optima/Hyundai Sonata because the Engine having Static Current Problem which can Spoil most of Electronic part of vehicle and will cost Rm1k+ to repair. But once repair it, then the problem will be solved since the solution done by Hyundai/Kia. He recommend me to Buy ThetaII 2.0 Engine or GammaII 1.6 Engine type Vehicle which New generation Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Rondo, and Mitsubishi 2.0 GT with Theta and Spectra5 with Gamma Engine. So finally i decide to take Spectra5 and now having it. New Generation Engine now with Timing Chain Instead of Timing Belt. So Low Maintenance cost.

hi, is that what you mean is as long as i choose the optima engine wilth timing chain will be new generation and better than timing belt.
which year onwards is new generation engine ???


Martin

[jayraptor]

hi, is that what you mean is as long as i choose the optima engine wilth timing chain will be new generation and better than timing belt.
which year onwards is new generation engine ???


Martin

Hi Martin, allow me to assist.

What Vemaltech advised is to get Hyundai cars that are equipped with Mitsu latest 4BXX series engine. Theta 1998cc square engine first available in Sonata NF being launched here in mid or near end 2007. Gamma engine is the 1591cc engine used in Kia Forte.

You could verify both Theta & Gamma engine by these characteristics:

1) Both engine head & block are made of alloy aluminium. It's mentioned as all aluminium engine.
2) Comes with timing chain
3) CVVT - valve timing

If you are to buy used Hyundai, that'll be only Sonata NF. Hyundai Elantra current 2.0L is equipped with BETA 1975cc engine. Please note the different.

Theta - Sonata NF, Naza Citra II Rondo, Kia Optima
Gamma - Elantra 1.6 (not available here), Kia Forte, Kia Ceed, Hyundai i30

Mitsu provides Hyundai/Kia its latest engines even before fitting on its own cars that are still in development.
Theta i4 2.0L & 2.4L engines are Mitsu 4B11 & 4B12 used in Lancer GT
Gamma engine is suspected to be latest Mitsu all aluminium engine. Designation still unknown 4B1x??

fyi: BETA & ALPHA engines of later batch as in Hyundai Accent too have timing chain & CVVT but not all aluminium engines. Getting Theta & Gamma engines will benefit from way better FC & performance.

[Kevin]

Hi Martin, allow me to assist.

What Vemaltech advised is to get Hyundai cars that are equipped with Mitsu latest 4BXX series engine. Theta 1998cc square engine first available in Sonata NF being launched here in mid or near end 2007. Gamma engine is the 1591cc engine used in Kia Forte.

You could verify both Theta & Gamma engine by these characteristics:

1) Both engine head & block are made of alloy aluminium. It's mentioned as all aluminium engine.
2) Comes with timing chain
3) CVVT - valve timing

If you are to buy used Hyundai, that'll be only Sonata NF. Hyundai Elantra current 2.0L is equipped with BETA 1975cc engine. Please note the different.

Theta - Sonata NF, Naza Citra II Rondo, Kia Optima
Gamma - Elantra 1.6 (not available here), Kia Forte, Kia Ceed, Hyundai i30

Mitsu provides Hyundai/Kia its latest engines even before fitting on its own cars that are still in development.
Theta i4 2.0L & 2.4L engines are Mitsu 4B11 & 4B12 used in Lancer GT
Gamma engine is suspected to be latest Mitsu all aluminium engine. Designation still unknown 4B1x??

fyi: BETA & ALPHA engines of later batch as in Hyundai Accent too have timing chain & CVVT but not all aluminium engines. Getting Theta & Gamma engines will benefit from way better FC & performance.

I would like to further add that the i30 is available with both "old" and "new" engines. The 1.6 is the new Gamma engine while the 2.0 is the same Beta engine used in the Elantra.

Also note that Theta II has effectively replaced the Theta engine which adds on CVVT on the exhaust side (I think!) The Kia Forte/Cerato 2.0 is the Theta II engine and that engine should end the perception that Korean cars come with inferior engines.

[lwlty]

Kia Forte/Cerato 2.0 is the Theta II engine . is better engine?

[jayraptor]

I would like to further add that the i30 is available with both "old" and "new" engines. The 1.6 is the new Gamma engine while the 2.0 is the same Beta engine used in the Elantra.

Hi Kevin!
Also note that Theta II has effectively replaced the Theta engine which adds on CVVT on the exhaust side (I think!) The Kia Forte/Cerato 2.0 is the Theta II engine and that engine should end the perception that Korean cars come with inferior engines.

Theta II comes with dual valve timing?? But on the picture of its engine, I could only see 1 actuator on Intake Camshaft. I've recheck the picture of the engine, Exhaust Camshaft has only pulley sprocket, no actuator. Need to find out whether 1.6L Gamma is german engine or Mitsu engine? If it's German engine, which carmaker supply it?

Koreans will try to seal the secret for their own ego, can't stop showing off that they invented and created the engines. Hope some1 could help tear the seal open. Is it true that I30 doesn't come with Theta 2.0L engine? That's not so nice if it's using old BETA engine though its output & torque are still ok.

Hi lwlty,

Definitely Theta engine is superior as its all aluminium, lighter weight, square engine 86.0x86.0 = 1998cc with its tilted throttle body designed for maximising air intake for higher torque. New configuration, exhaust manifold behind and intake manifold in front.

BETA engine 1975cc is older aluminium cylinder head + cast iron cylinder block upgraded to fit valve timing CVVT. Normal, exhaust manifold wrapped the front while air intake near between behind and top.

[Kevin]

Theta II comes with dual valve timing?? But on the picture of its engine, I could only see 1 actuator on Intake Camshaft. I've recheck the picture of the engine, Exhaust Camshaft has only pulley sprocket, no actuator. Need to find out whether 1.6L Gamma is german engine or Mitsu engine? If it's German engine, which carmaker supply it?

Koreans will try to seal the secret for their own ego, can't stop showing off that they invented and created the engines. Hope some1 could help tear the seal open. Is it true that I30 doesn't come with Theta 2.0L engine? That's not so nice if it's using old BETA engine though its output & torque are still ok.

Hi lwlty,

Definitely Theta engine is superior as its all aluminium, lighter weight, square engine 86.0x86.0 = 1998cc with its tilted throttle body designed for maximising air intake for higher torque. New configuration, exhaust manifold behind and intake manifold in front.

BETA engine 1975cc is older aluminium cylinder head + cast iron cylinder block upgraded to fit valve timing CVVT. Normal, exhaust manifold wrapped the front while air intake near between behind and top.

I'm not a technical person.

Am sure that the only difference between Theta and Theta II is the addition of valve timing on the exhaust side. Currently, Theta II is not available in Malaysia yet and I'm hoping that it will appear in the Kia Forte when it is launched here. I know that the Forte sold in Australia comes with the 2.0 litre Theta II engine.

Since i30 and the Elantra are essentially the same car and both have 1975cc displacement, I am assuming that they are both on the Beta engine. Theta 2.0 litre engines have a displacement of 1998cc.

[jayraptor]

I'm not a technical person.

Am sure that the only difference between Theta and Theta II is the addition of valve timing on the exhaust side. Currently, Theta II is not available in Malaysia yet and I'm hoping that it will appear in the Kia Forte when it is launched here. I know that the Forte sold in Australia comes with the 2.0 litre Theta II engine.

Since i30 and the Elantra are essentially the same car and both have 1975cc displacement, I am assuming that they are both on the Beta engine. Theta 2.0 litre engines have a displacement of 1998cc.

No need to be technical person to spot hydraulic valve timing actuator that is located outside the engine block. Refer picture below. For inline4 engine, you look at the 2 pulleys at higher side of the engine with timing chain around it. You can see 1 mini rounded barrel on the right pulley that comes out a bit. The barrel is always chrome either in silver (Toyota/Mitsu/Kia/Hyundai) or bronze(Nissan). Time will tell whether Theta II engine comes with dual valve timing as earlier, they announced that they plan to go dual valve timing in the facelift magentis/optima in the US.

Sonata also Hyundai brand, some more older than Elantra & Coupe. Wonder why the Elantra & Coupe get Beta 1975cc engine instead??? Cheaper maybe?

[Kevin]

No need to be technical person to spot hydraulic valve timing actuator that is located outside the engine block. Refer picture below. For inline4 engine, you look at the 2 pulleys at higher side of the engine with timing chain around it. You can see 1 mini rounded barrel on the right pulley that comes out a bit. The barrel is always chrome either in silver (Toyota/Mitsu/Kia/Hyundai) or bronze(Nissan). Time will tell whether Theta II engine comes with dual valve timing as earlier, they announced that they plan to go dual valve timing in the facelift magentis/optima in the US.

Sonata also Hyundai brand, some more older than Elantra & Coupe. Wonder why the Elantra & Coupe get Beta 1975cc engine instead??? Cheaper maybe?

I think the Sonata NF, although older than the Elantra, got the Theta engine due to it being in a higher category than the Elantra. The Coupe (in its current model) is older than the Sonata NF.

Theta II engines are already found on Sonatas and Optimas around the world. They were introduced in both the facelift Optima and Sonata. Another feature incorporated is the Variable Induction System. A new 5-speed gearbox was also introduced with the Theta II engine. We don't get both facelifts in Malaysia hence we don't see the Theta II.