My ladys looking at a renault.....

[JAYGURNEY]

Hi guys, going tomorrow to look at a 2003 renault espace, the boss (missus) wants a second car that we can all fit in safely, im keeping the merc and this is what she wants....its 1.9dci engine 38k with service history, anything i should look out for or anyone using one now that can give me any inside info?

the seller has it advertised at £2500 for quick sale.

thanks

 

[trapperjohn]

I have heard the electrics are pants on the Espace, older Scenics suffers the same malady.
Certainly the auto electrician round by us seems to be making a small fortune from Espaces. See if anyone else coming up with the same comment though.

 

[mbenz76]

As a previous Renault owner, all I can say is for God's sake don't buy one. They suffer horrific build quality and the dealers are VERY poor - even the good ones.

Mine was a 2003 Laguna and it spent more time in the garage than on the road! And the amount of times I came out of the garage with the original problem fixed but a new one from their meddling are too many to count.

They are generally cheap second hand because they are known for being rubbish.

This I'm afraid goes for most French makes in my experience. They design fantastic cars but they can't build a reliable one for toffee!

 

[JAYGURNEY]

cheers, was told this to.....and im in ireland, dont like the sound of it. hopefully someone has had first hand experience on here.

 

[mbenz76]

As said, I have personal experience of the Laguna and know others with experience of the Megane (and Scenic) but not the Espace. However, all the models I mention were as bad as each other so unfortunately I doubt the Espace will be any better.

 

[bennesspipers]

Renault parts are sooooo expensive !

 

[mbenz76]

Renault parts are sooooo expensive !

I had the gearbox replaced 3 times (under warranty) and was told that if it weren't under warranty I'd be looking at a bill of around £4k each time!

Other than usual wear and tear items, the only part I replaced out of my own pocket was the clutch which including fitting came to just short of £1k . Why it needed replacing at 26k miles and why I had to pay are another rant entirely!

 

[oilit]

as long as you look only - all will be well - huge depreciation, poor cabin quality and vulnerable electrics and when anythong goes wrong its REALLY expensive (unless you live in France and you are fluent in French then the parts are apparently a lot cheaper.

 

[ewans]

i had a 54 plate Megan - worst car ive ever owned. mostly eletric problems but lots of issues with engine coils and ECU also. also there was a particular serices of engines desile engines that were famous for the turbo blowin, and the corresponding petrol version had problems too - renault refused to do anything about either.

the keyless unlokcing and engine start was cool though

google for the owners club forums, there willl be one common thread - problems and lots of them, all Renaults are the same!

 

[JAYGURNEY]

Not so good so far then.....has anyone anything positive to say about renault....its 100% no so far.

 

[renault12ts]

Renault?? No no no.

 

[mbenz76]

Not so good so far then.....has anyone anything positive to say about renault....its 100% no so far.

They make nice looking cars

 

[ewans]

has anyone anything positive to say about renault....

Nicole' was HOT! YouTube - nicole et papa

 

[JAYGURNEY]

i know...i quite like the look of the espace.

 

[davidjpowell]

We have a 2007 Espace 2.0 dci. It makes a nice family car, and has been fairly reliable, just having hit the 50k mark. It had an early gremlin with the immobiliser, and recently suffered a broken spring (MB's have this problem too I think). Just had the car back from the dealer with a new radio and battery (which the faulty radio killed in the cold).

Have not noticed any serious build problems, although there is the odd rattle. Handing is very good for the size of car.

Ours is a 2.0 dci. The 1.9 Dci is I think the same as in the Laguna. This suffered from Turbo failure. Unfortunately the seal goes and feeds the engine with oil, and consequently the engines can rev until they go bang. Last advice I saw was if you hear any turbo noise stop and call breakdown service.

1.9 can also be expensive for a cambelt change, so check if it is needed and has been done.

Lat comment. I cannot under estimate how bad the dealers are. I start with the basic expectation that they will be crap. But still end up being disapointed.

I'd still go for an Espace over the competition though...

Some pics here of ours... http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/other-marques-gallery/68059-renault-espace.html

 

[Diesel Benz]

.....has anyone anything positive to say about renault....its 100% no so far.

I'd say it is better that she is looking at a Renault instead other men. Or is it actually? Just tried to find something positive about it.

 

[mbenz76]

I cannot under estimate how bad the dealers are. I start with the basic expectation that they will be crap. But still end up being disapointed.

So true

When I collected the car from the dealer after it had been delivered, the sat nav disc (factory fitted nav) was missing as were the mats (listed in the brochure).

The salesman refused to replace either as he claimed it wasn't his fault and they must have not been put in or gone missing along the way.

After much wrangling and chat with the dealer principle he told me that he would replace the sat nav disc but not the mats. These mats are classed as luxury mats and cost almost £200 to buy from parts.

I asked him if he had any idea about customer service, and was gobsmacked when he told me that customer service had a cost and in this instalce he didn't think it worth the cost as he doubted I'd be back so he wouldn't make it back!

In the end I spent days arguing with Renault on the phone who ended up sending the mats out, but they were blaming the dealer for losing them as they had signed to say everything was OK on delivery, and dealer was blaming Renault for not putting them in.

Very unpleasant experience from the start.

And yes, it went downhill from there

 

[trapperjohn]

This Galaxy is up at exactly £2500. OK its in England - Prices may be similar in N Ireland.
290389125171 Sorry cannot do the linky thing.
There may be horror stories about the Galaxy too but I'm not aware of any.

 

[bennesspipers]

Not so good so far then.....has anyone anything positive to say about renault....its 100% no so far.

Its ONLY a 4 hour job to change a megane headlamp bulb

 

[stevieb15]

Not so good so far then.....has anyone anything positive to say about renault....its 100% no so far.

I have, the last one I owned was in 1985