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Hands on with Renault?

  • 17-05-2008 10:41am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17


    I am thinking about buying a SH Renault Scenic 1.4 from 2001 or 2002 but have never owned a Renault.

    Anyone had any "Hands On" experience with these Cars?
    Max. mileage before its too old?
    Typical breakages with Scenics?

    Any guidance / hints / tips would be great.


Comments

  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,796 ✭✭✭GERMAN ROCKS


    nice looking car lots of toys. u will get one very reasonable. i really cant fault one


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,423 ✭✭✭pburns


    Pretty much everyone on this forum will advise you to avoid like the plague. (Although there is one misguided zealot who will point you towards a Renault forum with lots of advice for patching back together with some gaffer tape, glue and a hammer:D)

    Reliability-wise there are just too many problems. If you don't believe me read this: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=847&

    Anecdotal evidence backs this up. A guy at work can't wait to be shot of his. His wife is so sick of the money they have spent on it that she has given the green light to a much less practical replacement!

    It's a pity because by all accounts the interior is well laid out and very practical. But it really is a bag o'****e...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,615 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    pburns wrote: »
    Pretty much everyone on this forum will advise you to avoid like the plague. (Although there is one misguided zealot who will point you towards a Renault forum with lots of advice for patching back together with some gaffer tape, glue and a hammer:D)

    Reliability-wise there are just too many problems. If you don't believe me read this: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=847&

    Anecdotal evidence backs this up. A guy at work can't wait to be shot of his. His wife is so sick of the money they have spent on it that she has given the green light to a much less practical replacement!
    Are you trolling or stupid or both? First of all the OP asked for "hands on" experiences of the Renault Scenic 1.4 2001-2002, you don't have any hands on experience of this car and neither does "pretty much everyone on this forum".

    The very ones who'll tell you to avoid like the plague generally haven't a clue what they're talking about. Or maybe their Da owned a Renault 18 in 1978 and it rusted so every Renault (and every French car) ever made is a bag of sh1te :rolleyes:

    The Renault forums website is excellent - infomed opinions from people who actually own and work on Renaults. Specific, constructive advice not some nonsense that someone heard down the pub or from a taxi driver. If anything, reading that website you'd get an overly pessimistic view of Renault reliability as many posters only seek out the site when they have a problem. You will find similar websites for every other make of car, because lo and behold, other makes suffer from problems too. And judging by the latest statistics on http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/ there are at least 10 makes that are worse that Renault including Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, Saab, Chrysler, Landrover and others.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    The reliability index is not a great comparison, as it takes the cost of repair into account, so if 2 cars have the exact same problem and one car costs more to fix then the car that costs more to fix is "less reliable".

    So I wouldn't be getting too excited about some cars like Porsches doing "badly". A Porsche is probably more reliable than a lot of brands, but the high cost of repairs drags their score WAY down.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,423 ✭✭✭pburns


    BrianD3 wrote: »
    Are you trolling or stupid or both? First of all the OP asked for "hands on" experiences of the Renault Scenic 1.4 2001-2002, you don't have any hands on experience of this car and neither does "pretty much everyone on this forum".

    A calm, dignified response I see:rolleyes:...

    My late da had a Megane for about 6 years which he bought 'nearly new'. It was the worst cars ever brought about the place - various electronic glitches and it was pretty much spent by 100,000 miles (although as the odometer had stopped working at this point the mileage was a bit of a guess:rolleyes:). This is despite having been well maintained and was in stark contrast to Japanese, German and even British cars he'd owned previously.

    I think that counts for 'hands on' experience...

    In addition, I can think of at least 6 friends, neighbours and colleagues who have had similar experience with Renaults over the last 10 years. So I'm not talking about a 1978 Renault 18 from my toddling days as you infer... There's plenty of evidence - online, offline, anecdotally - to suggest the marque is WELL BELOW AVERAGE when it comes to reliability. Even Renault top-brass themselves admitted it at the launch of the Laguna III. To try and claim anything else indicates that you are the one who is either 'trolling or stupid'...
    BrianD3 wrote: »
    The Renault forums website is excellent - infomed opinions from people who actually own and work on Renaults. Specific, constructive advice not some nonsense that someone heard down the pub or from a taxi driver.

    Now this is the bit that makes me laugh - the saddos on the Renault forums. The mere fact that such forums exist is damning enough. When was the last time you came across a forum dedicated to DIY fix-its for Toyotas, Mazdas, Hondas, Skodas?
    BrianD3 wrote: »
    If anything, reading that website you'd get an overly pessimistic view of Renault reliability as many posters only seek out the site when they have a problem.

    :D ...that's really clutching at straws and sounds like an ass-covering exercise because you know if I bother loooking up a Renault forum it will be full of desperate Renault owners proving the very point I'm making!.:D


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭junkyard


    Well said pburns, I couldn't agree more. OP, you'll need to be hands-on with Renault a lot more than you'd think, my advice, don't buy one they really are sh1te, ask anyone in the motor trade.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,534 ✭✭✭SV


    Funny that I haven't heard one bad thing about them except from people who are saying
    "ehhh yeah renaults are crap...."
    "why?"
    "just...really bad reliability..yeah"


    Renaults are excellent.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭junkyard


    ClioV6 wrote: »
    Funny that I haven't heard one bad thing about them except from people who are saying
    "ehhh yeah renaults are crap...."
    "why?"
    "just...really bad reliability..yeah"


    Renaults are excellent.

    Try selling one of the f**king things with warranty and you'll soon wise up.:rolleyes:


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,891 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    You honestly couldn't script this any better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,244 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    resale vaues have little to do with it. If resale is the guide then the Golf is the best car ever brought into Ireland.


    pburns wrote: »
    Now this is the bit that makes me laugh - the saddos on the Renault forums. The mere fact that such forums exist is damning enough. When was the last time you came across a forum dedicated to DIY fix-its for Toyotas, Mazdas, Hondas, Skodas?

    It's an owners forum with a section for asking questions, whats the problem with that? All the makes have their own forums for owners. EDIT.Funnily enough the first Toyota forum I came across (UK owners club or somesuch) has a section broken down into 5 or 6 forums for issues)

    As for the OP question. The misus had a 00 1.4 Scenic for two years. She was originally looking for a focus but much preferred the Scenic when she looked at it. She traded it in for an 05 Scenic in Feb. I was getting her to hae a look at a few differnt cars at the time but she like the old Scenic so much she was alays leaning towards another one. The first one gave no trouble at all. There was a slight issue wth the the new one when we got it, there was a bit of a grinding noise the odd time on startup. The garage ( Finn Reddy) sorted it out the following day and done the timeing belt while they were at it. Happy days.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭junkyard


    Stekelly wrote: »
    resale vaues have little to do with it. If resale is the guide then the Golf is the best car ever brought into Ieland.

    VWs in general aren't much better than Renaults, there's a myth that VWs are reliable, they were, once upon a time, up to the mid to late eighties but it's been all down hill since.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,534 ✭✭✭SV


    junkyard wrote: »
    Try selling one of the f**king things with warranty and you'll soon wise up.:rolleyes:

    Ok, when I sell my current clio I'll give a year warranty.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭junkyard


    Believe me ClioV6 after a month you'll wonder why the idea of warranty ever entered your head.;)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    AFAIK the Clio doesn't give much trouble. It's the rest of the Renault range that goes wrong and gives them the reputation they have(the Mégane II and especially the Laguna II are useless).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,244 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    E92 wrote: »
    (the Mégane II and especially the Laguna II are useless).

    Honest john reckons the facelifted Laguna is much better so it seems to be 01-05 mainly.

    Honest john : QUALITY VASTLY IMPROVED FROM 2005 FACELIFT AND LAGUNAS SINCE THEN HAVE HAD LITTLE TROUBLE. (caps are not mine, I copied/pated fo honestjohn)
    http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=331&


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,423 ✭✭✭pburns


    E92 wrote: »
    AFAIK the Clio doesn't give much trouble. It's the rest of the Renault range that goes wrong and gives them the reputation they have(the Mégane II and especially the Laguna II are useless).

    This is true to a degree. I knew a girl with an oldish Clio, didn't give too much trouble. It seems the further up the range you go, the bigger the problems because Renault threw (still throw?) all these 'surprise-and-delight' electronic gizmos on for showroonm appeal without proporly testing them like the Japs would. Best example I can think of was the early 'keyless entry' which was an unmitigated disaster.

    I have to laugh at this thread...

    Junkyard and I are probably the most anti-Renault guys on this forum and the other guys are equally passionate about the marque...

    I do get exasperated by the defense of the indefensible though...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 66,402 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    pburns wrote: »
    I have to laugh at this thread...

    Junkyard and I are probably the most anti-Renault guys on this forum and the other guys are equally passionate about the marque...

    Don't get overly excited. Most posters here are neither in the "anti-Renault" nor in the "Renault fanboy" league...

    Lotus Elan turbo for sale:

    https://www.adverts.ie/vehicles/lotus-elan-turbo/35456469

    My ads on adverts.ie:

    https://www.adverts.ie/member/5856/ads



  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,891 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    The Clio is fine folks. Well regarded in the trade. The issues apply to Meganes and Lagunas,
    and also to a few non volume sellers such as the Espace (Espastic - not too p.c. there :D).

    The keyless thing has been nailed perfectly by other manufacturers incidentally.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,505 ✭✭✭macnab


    I have owned a few Reno's, the Clio is a good car alright, but stay away from from the Espace, and dont go near an automatic, Renault turbos seem to give problems too but I never had 1 with a turbo. I have always had a soft spot for them but I wouldnt buy another Renault.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    Wasn't the Espace voted most unreliable car more than a few times? I think I read in one of those reliability surveys by WhatCar? that 77% of them covered by Warranty Direct needed a claim in a one year period, which is truely appalling.


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  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 16,661 CMod ✭✭✭✭faceman


    Some people have no problems, some people had woeful experiences. Like anything if you are buying one make sure it comes with a warranty.

    Get it checked out before you buy and make sure it comes with the 2 key cards.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,891 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    Agreed, although more have ongoing problems than other volume brands.

    You're better off without those poxy keycards, which caused nothing but trouble. As I said earlier other makers have perfected the keyfree system.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,305 ✭✭✭Green Hornet


    pburns wrote: »

    I have to laugh at this thread...

    Junkyard and I are probably the most anti-Renault guys on this forum and the other guys are equally passionate about the marque...

    I do get exasperated by the defense of the indefensible though...

    Yep. Its got to be said that almost every other day there is a new Renault related thread and the feedback is almost always negative. I know the Renault huggers out there are quite passionate in the defence of the indefensible but surely the fact that there are not very many Ford, Honda or VW complaint related threads must say something. By the way I'm not saying other brands do not have occasional issues but it certainly appears that the probability of buying a bad Renault is greater than that of other manufacturers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,244 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    Yep. Its got to be said that almost every other day there is a new Renault related thread and the feedback is almost always negative. I know the Renault huggers out there are quite passionate in the defence of the indefensible but surely the fact that there are not very many Ford, Honda or VW complaint related threads must say something. By the way I'm not saying other brands do not have occasional issues but it certainly appears that the probability of buying a bad Renault is greater than that of other manufacturers.



    You either drop in and out of the motors forum every few months or are blind. Theres usually a "my golf/Passat etc is doing XXXXXX what is it/how do I fix it" on the first page of threads. The Renault ones come along at 2 or 3 together every so often. I can only think of 1 offhand over the last couple of weeks that was there yesterday about a Megane.


    Theres a difference between a thread asking about opinions on Renaults/ people that are thinking about buying one and people coming on and posting about how to solve a problem.

    Theres been plenty of focus related threads. The corsa seems to spring up a bit too iirc.


    At the end of the day Renault might come near the bottom of the surveys but are not bottom, save for the odd one (think the espace might have but in fairness its a limited enough segment and the motoring journos seem to love them so they have to be doing something right) but people on here go on like they are the worst make by a country mile and there are piles of them on the verges of every road in the country.


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,891 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    Let's keep this on topic eh?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,575 ✭✭✭junkyard


    Stekelly wrote: »
    but people on here go on like they are the worst make by a country mile and there are piles of them on the verges of every road in the country.

    Piles of them in every garage in the country though.;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,654 ✭✭✭kyote00


    here is one for Toyota's - http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/

    problems posted on the mighty Avensis in the last month range from brakes, turbo, overheating, head gaskets, low revs & stalling...

    toyota's --- pure rubbish ....

    pburns wrote: »
    A calm, dignified response I see:rolleyes:...

    My late da had a Megane for about 6 years which he bought 'nearly new'. It was the worst cars ever brought about the place - various electronic glitches and it was pretty much spent by 100,000 miles (although as the odometer had stopped working at this point the mileage was a bit of a guess:rolleyes:). This is despite having been well maintained and was in stark contrast to Japanese, German and even British cars he'd owned previously.

    I think that counts for 'hands on' experience...

    In addition, I can think of at least 6 friends, neighbours and colleagues who have had similar experience with Renaults over the last 10 years. So I'm not talking about a 1978 Renault 18 from my toddling days as you infer... There's plenty of evidence - online, offline, anecdotally - to suggest the marque is WELL BELOW AVERAGE when it comes to reliability. Even Renault top-brass themselves admitted it at the launch of the Laguna III. To try and claim anything else indicates that you are the one who is either 'trolling or stupid'...



    Now this is the bit that makes me laugh - the saddos on the Renault forums. The mere fact that such forums exist is damning enough. When was the last time you came across a forum dedicated to DIY fix-its for Toyotas, Mazdas, Hondas, Skodas?



    :D ...that's really clutching at straws and sounds like an ass-covering exercise because you know if I bother loooking up a Renault forum it will be full of desperate Renault owners proving the very point I'm making!.:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,654 ✭✭✭kyote00


    bla bla bla....but surely the fact that there are not very many Ford, Honda or VW complaint related threads must say something.....

    perhaps it says that Ford, Honda and VW owners cant use the internet or don't have computers....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,305 ✭✭✭Green Hornet


    kyote00 wrote: »
    perhaps it says that Ford, Honda and VW owners cant use the internet or don't have computers....
    Nice one :rolleyes:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 105 ✭✭GTC


    kyote00 wrote: »
    here is one for Toyota's - http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/

    problems posted on the mighty Avensis in the last month range from brakes, turbo, overheating, head gaskets, low revs & stalling...

    toyota's --- pure rubbish ....

    Avensis for US and UK/Ireland built in those respective countries, hence the reliability issues.

    I had a Renault Megane (son's car) a few years back, dreadful heap. My dad has had a string of unreliable Scenic garbage that has put him off the brand for good. He's gone back to Japanese-built machines lately, bought a Mazda 6 petrol a few weeks back. (Mazda 6 diesels however seem to be dreadful, I hear they have used designs similar to some Ford TDCi engines (no surprise there!))


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    Avensis not sold in the US and besides all Avensi are made in Burnaston, Derbyshire.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17 skdb


    Many thanks for all your opinions guys in regard to the Renault.

    Reading through this thread, I think the general census of a car opinion if its good or bad has general contributary factors that form that very opinion;

    Way of the Driver
    Car maintenance
    Knowledge of what you drive
    Or just plain Luck

    At the end of the day, I think its a matter of just trying it out. If its a good experience, great, if not, move onto something else.

    Thanks again.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 17 BM_318i


    Some go wrong some don't, simple as that.

    My parents had a 04 Megane, which gave no trouble bar an electric window switch.
    I had a 00 Megane which suffered almighty abuse and never even faltered.
    My girlfriend has a 96 Megane and its only stopped once in 2 years for no real reason.

    The only major problem with those engines is that the coils can go, nothing massive to get done. They're also comfortable and nice to drive, a lot more plesant to sit in than equlivant japanese stuff.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,083 ✭✭✭skibum


    The missus has a 2000 scenic, 1.4 16v. Bought it second hand 5 years ago, and so far (touches wood) have had no major problems with it.

    Being a 1.4 I find it under powered, the boss dosn't have a problem with it, it's her car...
    having said that we have just come back from a week in france covering over 1100 miles with out a bother.

    It is great as a family car, individual rear seats, great for runs to the dump, take out the seats and you can really pack in a lot of rubbish :D
    Twin sunroof, air con, nice relatively high driving position, comfy long distance car, but soft in the bends. The onboard computer says that it averages 39.8mpg at the moment.

    The only nasty shock we got was when we got the timing belt / service done, renault wanted over €1300, got it done by an independant for €850.

    We don't expect to get much for it at this stage, 8 years old with over 90,000miles, was hoping to change it for a Corolla Verso this year.

    Had a slight problem with restarting the car once warm, mechanic couldn't find any faults on his diagnostic equipment, so i had a look at a renault forum saw it was a common enough problem with a very easy and cheap fix.

    Have heard of other horror stories but so far so good :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 809 ✭✭✭woop


    hey op
    our family had one and in its time it was very well equiped very good for families and this is the reason they were quite popular at the time and why we got one
    as another poster refered to the car was a nice place to be

    however the 1.4 engine is just about enough to bring the car along and we had problems with it(coils) a family friend had the exact same problem and we got rid of it quite quickly because of these issues but Im not slating frenchies once I would have wrote them all off but it just seems that you can get more varying quality some dont have problems some do


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  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,891 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    The usual "I drove one and it was fine" crew are now out in force.

    So are the "other brands have issues too" possee.

    Any chance we can keep this on topic?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,837 ✭✭✭S.I.R


    scenics are ok , for safetys sake go for a 2001+ but mechanically , 1994-1999 where the best



    renaults are Very relyable its only the driver who isnt.... see the main issue is back in the days ( pre 2000 ) where certins models ( like the clio ) where manual choke and such and people who couldn't use this destroyed the engines in them by stalling all day long.



    but yeah pre-2000 renault is the best bet because you can buy litterally 2 and use one for parts if you need them.


    the max milege id go for on a renault is around 400k. haven said that , id probbaly only use it for parts with that kinda milage but dont let the badge put you off , Most of these cars where built to last.... if they dont, make em !


  • Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators Posts: 17,891 Mod ✭✭✭✭Henry Ford III


    S.I.R wrote: »
    scenics are ok , for safetys sake go for a 2001+ but mechanically , 1994-1999 where the best



    renaults are Very relyable its only the driver who isnt.... see the main issue is back in the days ( pre 2000 ) where certins models ( like the clio ) where manual choke and such and people who couldn't use this destroyed the engines in them by stalling all day long.



    but yeah pre-2000 renault is the best bet because you can buy litterally 2 and use one for parts if you need them.


    the max milege id go for on a renault is around 400k. haven said that , id probbaly only use it for parts with that kinda milage but dont let the badge put you off , Most of these cars where built to last.... if they dont, make em !

    Very good post :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,817 ✭✭✭Stevie Dakota


    Not often I agree with you Henry, but that post has some primo gibberish.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I'm on my second Renault - had a Renault for the last 6 years. They do have problems, but nothing beyond the ordinary if you get them serviced when you are supposed to. Did have ongoing issue with starter motor once and main dealer couldn't detect the issue on "their computer" - ended up cutting out and blocking one of the main exits to the M50 and getting pushed by a load of gardai! Made the 9.00 am news so I did!
    Even after that, the main dealer couldn't detect an issue on "the comuter".
    Resolved in the end ...

    New car - issues with the driver window not opening - pain in the arse when trying to pay toll. Resolved!!

    New car also sounds like a rattly CIE bus when starting in the morning.
    Still to resolve.

    Thats 3 problems in 6 years of driving. In general, I like Renault and would buy one again. I think every manufactuer has issues with cars ! Lets not be fooled. Don't start me on the Opel story!

    :pac:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,305 ✭✭✭Green Hornet


    bubby wrote: »
    I'm on my second Renault - had a Renault for the last 6 years. They do have problems, but nothing beyond the ordinary if you get them serviced when you are supposed to. Did have ongoing issue with starter motor once and main dealer couldn't detect the issue on "their computer" - ended up cutting out and blocking one of the main exits to the M50 and getting pushed by a load of gardai! Made the 9.00 am news so I did!
    Even after that, the main dealer couldn't detect an issue on "the comuter".
    Resolved in the end ...

    New car - issues with the driver window not opening - pain in the arse when trying to pay toll. Resolved!!

    New car also sounds like a rattly CIE bus when starting in the morning.
    Still to resolve.

    Thats 3 problems in 6 years of driving. In general, I like Renault and would buy one again. I think every manufactuer has issues with cars ! Lets not be fooled. Don't start me on the Opel story!

    :pac:
    Hmmmm. I dont think thats really a good sell story for Renault.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 195 ✭✭(CH3)2CHOH


    Don't knock the Espace, best car ever..... pre 03 of course.

    Apparently the newer ones are quite poor as far as reliability goes and we know of 2 families who have got rid of the new shape Espace.


    Back to the OP our best friends are onto their 3rd Scienic since they come out. Never had any problems.

    If your going for a 01 or 02 then nothing else really comes close for cost, practicallity and safety.

    If you were shelling out for a 05/06 then a Verso or C-max would be the better option


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,749 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    Well, we've had 3 - an I'm sorry we didn't go again, last time.........buying a Mazda instead (long story...)

    I bought a new Mk 1 Scenic 1.4, a new facelift one (00) - and sold the other one to sister in law - and then an RX 4. The first two were new. The only issue we ever had, was with the 00 one (facelift) - coilpacks. However, the problem is so widespread you can now buy 4 new ones on eBay for peanuts - it isn't even worth taking it to a dealer to tell you what you know already. I got about 2 years out of a set of coilpacks, and cost Eur100 to replace, inside 10 minutes with one screwdriver.

    Timing belt change on it - well here in Galway it cost Eur 350, so paying 850-1350 has nothing to do with the car - it's the garage you're dealing with....

    My sis-in-law did over 90k before killing the first Scenic - not mechanically, but cosmetically -a complete shed...........so it got traded in after 8 years. We did 88k in ours and outside of the coilpacks it needed nothing - 2 sets of tyres, one set of brake pads, and it ran like as swiss watch. We still see it about, and it's still perfect. Ditto a friends 00 reg 1.4 Megane coupe with 100k + on it. Put it this way, the local garage here has no problem trading in Clio's and Scenic's - he tells me he has fewer after sales problems with those than Polo's or Golf's...........

    They use no oil, like loads of revs, and I've never heard of the usual VAG problems like MAF's etc. In 3 Scenic's I never even had to change a clutch in 150k miles. Show me a VAG that's got that far, that cheaply.......

    The RX4 was lovely - but godawful slow. Full leather, etc. Should have kept it and chipped it, but didn't.........instead, bought a spanking new 07 Galaxy TDci Zetec (current model ) to replace it - but it was a nightmare. Lovely car, lovely to drive - but couldn't trust it - lot's of turbo and elec issues with them, so off it went at 3 months old..........and bought an 02 Mazda 2.0 diesel - even with a 85k miles, and a history - it has turned out to be a nightmare. Engine has now officially expired at 88k miles, and I'm 13k out of pocket :mad:

    So far, the 968 has proven cheaper to run than anything bar the Scenic's.

    So, buy a 1.4 Scenic 16v (avoid the key-card models - they're slow as hell), or a 968....simple, really. :D

    Ode To The Motorist

    “And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, generates funds to the exchequer. You don't want to acknowledge that as truth because, deep down in places you don't talk about at the Green Party, you want me on that road, you need me on that road. We use words like freedom, enjoyment, sport and community. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent instilling those values in our families and loved ones. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the tax revenue and the very freedom to spend it that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a bus pass and get the ********* ********* off the road” 



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,083 ✭✭✭skibum


    @ galwaytt, could you PM me the details of the garage, at €350 it would be well worth our time (and a good excuse to spend a day or two in Galway :D) getting the timing belt done there the next time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,558 ✭✭✭kaiser sauze


    OP, the best advice is to check the car out thoroughly and get a decent warranty (assuming you are buying from dealer). A lot of these stories about Renault reliability, or lack thereof, are carried down stories from the 70's.

    I own a Renault myself. This is despite my family, some of my friends, my mechanic (I get servicing done privately in the evenings) and my local Renault garage telling me to get shot of it quick. It gets bad when the Renault garage themselves tell you to sell one of their own make!

    I bought mine privately, but got a great price for it as a result. I intend switching, but will switch up to the next Renault like this, the Vel Satis, after a thorough inspection, of course. ;)

    It's a '00 Safrane, so plenty of electrics that could potentially go belly-up, and in nearly two years it has only had wear-and-tear issues: shocks, bump stops, the bits that go onto your wishbones (x3), a couple of blown bulbs and normal service items. [I get this done every 4,000 miles, the car has 140,000 on it]. It is a 2.0 Petrol auto.

    On a side-note, the car does have a Volvo engine and the autobox is Asin-Warner, not Renault, so maybe I allowed some of my Dad's rabid anti-Renault ethos in somewhere as a compromise. :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 105 ✭✭GTC


    E92 wrote: »
    Avensis not sold in the US and besides all Avensi are made in Burnaston, Derbyshire.

    Sorry, i meant 98-02 model. We had one in D unit before I moved to Traffic. It had the sticker across the cross member, "Made with pride in the USA".

    Worst heap of sh*t we ever had. Worse even than the british-built junk.


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