Renault cars?

Rooneysdaman

I'm on the lookout for a reliable lightly-used car that will cope well with my 270km daily commute to work. I have 2 requirements - automatic and diesel. I see some Renault cars advertised for what appear to be quite reasonable prices but know nothing about Renaults, any advice?

bazz26

What models and what year are you considering otherwise it's bit of a how long is a piece of string type question?

Toyotafanboi

Slightly off topic but that's a serious commute!

Rooneysdaman

bazz26 wrote: »

What models and what year are you considering otherwise it's bit of a how long is a piece of string type question?

Yeah I realise that. I'm looking for 2015 or later with low mileage. I've seen some Meganes and Captures advertised but I know nothing at all about Renault in general....

Rooneysdaman

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Slightly off topic but that's a serious commute!

I know right! It's the bane of my life but at least I like my job

bazz26

Renaults and Nissans share alot of common parts these days similar to the likes of VW and Skoda. The Capture is the sister car of the Nissan Juke but being honest if I was doing that sort of daily mileage I'd be looking for something with a bit more comfort and refinement. Megane would probably offer more of both than the Capture.

1.5 dci engine has been around for a good number of years now and it's used across various Renaults, Nissans, Dacias and smaller Mercedes cars so it's a well proven unit. You would be better off with the 110bhp version as it has more poke for overtaking.

A Laguna is worth looking at too, they were discontinued in 2014 but there are a few 2015 models around. The 2.0 dci would be more suited to it but it would offer more comfort and refinement along with being nicer to drive especially on long commutes.

EPAndlee

I'd personally go with an Initiale Laguna 2.0 litre 150bhp. By far the nicest of that era Renaults to drive. 1.5 dci in automatic are not nice to drive atal

AMKC

I agree with what bazz said. A Laguna or a Megane from 2014 or 15 should be very reliable. The ride in the Megane and Laguna are much better than the Captur. Renaults come with 5 year warranty,s now as well so if if you get a car from around them year,s there should still be some warranty on it.
Renault make great diesel engines as well and the 1.5 is one of the best. The 2.0 is good too.

Leonard Hofstadter

For maximum reliability and painless ownership I'd still go with Toyota. While I don't subscribe to the theory that all French cars are junk and unreliable, at the same time I'd have quite a bit more confidence in a Toyota lasting the distance without going expensively wrong.

We've got a Mk3 Avensis that's as boring as hell and not an especially nice car to drive or be driven in but from a reliability standpoint it's done nearly 185,000 miles and is still on the original clutch, DMF and DPF - I don't know of any other modern diesel that's capable of doing that, replacing any one of those is an expensive job as many modern diesel owners will testify.

And before anyone says it, if we're looking at 2014-2015 cars then they'll still be using Toyota's own diesel engines and not the BMW engine with its well known timing chain problem (incidentally, Toyota still uses their own diesel for the 1.4 diesel Auris, Corolla and Yaris). By 2014 the problem with the check strap for the doors in the Mk3 Avensis should have been resolved, too.

colm_mcm

While auto diesel was an option on the Avensis, they're super rare.

Leonard Hofstadter

colm_mcm wrote: »

While auto diesel was an option on the Avensis, they're super rare.

You're right, I completely skipped over the part where the OP said he wanted an auto!

I think the diesel auto Avensis uses the same 2AD-FHV engine that's more commonly found in the Lexus IS220d (just with less power)?

In that case, it won't be reliable at all!

In which case, fire ahead with the Reno - assuming it's a proper automatic not one of those automated manual things as I know some 'automatic' Renaults have something similar to Toyota's MMT box and automated manuals aren't anywhere near as smooth as a traditional automatic.

PGE1970

Skoda Superb auto would be my choice.

irishgrover

I drive a manual Initiale Laguna 2.0 litre 150bhp.... 160km commute.. it's a very comfortable and very well spec'ed car... sat nav, heated / power / leather seats... really good bose stereo etc.... also has very very good reliability....
it's not the most excising car I've ever driven, but exciting cars are for short commutes, reliability and comfort are more important for longer commutes

road_high

You need something big and comfortable on the commmute. If it were me I'd defectively be looking at Laguna Mondeo class cars. The Captur is definitely not worth it as that's based on a clio I think.

alan partridge aha

Captur is not a very nice drive.

737max

I've covered 150k km between two high specification 1.5 litre EDC Meganes since 2011. I found both to be extremely comfortable and have been averaging 5l/100km consistently.
They may not be dynamically the very best car in their class but they handle well and are about the most comfortable with good seats and a good driving position.

Stallingrad

What kind of budget OP?

Reliability is almost a given on most modern cars, with that length of commute comfort and refinement would be top of my list.

kurant

Dacia Logan MCV - cheap simple reliable quiet comfortable.

Rooneysdaman

Stallingrad wrote: »

What kind of budget OP?

Reliability is almost a given on most modern cars, with that length of commute comfort and refinement would be top of my list.

€15-20k

Rooneysdaman

Thanks for all the replies. I've been on a few test drives in the past couple of weeks and I keep coming back to the Hyundai i30. I'm a 5ft 0 inches female and while I agree comfort is important, big cars like Mondeo etc are just too big for me

EPAndlee

You'd pick up a 2015 or 16 Peugeot 308 for that budget

Leonard Hofstadter

Rooneysdaman wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I've been on a few test drives in the past couple of weeks and I keep coming back to the Hyundai i30. I'm a 5ft 0 inches female and while I agree comfort is important, big cars like Mondeo etc are just too big for me

I believe there can be issues with the reliability of the Hyundai diesels. Certainly the last time I spoke to my cousin (who is in AGS) she said they weren't impressed with them, they can't handle life as patrol cars.

Might something specific to the 1.7 diesels, though (after all AGS use i40s and the diesels would be different to the engine in an i30) - I don't know.

Hopefully someone else will be able to help you as I'd be lying if I said I knew whether they're a good buy.

colm_mcm

Rooneysdaman wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I've been on a few test drives in the past couple of weeks and I keep coming back to the Hyundai i30. I'm a 5ft 0 inches female and while I agree comfort is important, big cars like Mondeo etc are just too big for me

Have a look at the Kia Ceed too.

JohnBoy26

captainspeed wrote: »

I believe there can be issues with the reliability of the Hyundai diesels. Certainly the last time I spoke to my cousin (who is in AGS) she said they weren't impressed with them, they can't handle life as patrol cars.

Might something specific to the 1.7 diesels, though (after all AGS use i40s and the diesels would be different to the engine in an i30) - I don't know.

Hopefully someone else will be able to help you as I'd be lying if I said I knew whether they're a good buy.

The i30 uses the 1.6crdi engine which I've yet to see giving any major issues(not saying they don't) but it appears they are one of the more reliable modern diesels.

The 1.7 seems to be a good engine too and it's main criticism seems to be that it is underpowered for the i40.

Casati

Focus 1.5 is a lovely drive and good car for long commutes

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Ford/Focus-STYLE-1.5-TD-120PS-POWERSHIFT--EXCELLENT-FOCUS-STYLE-1.5-TDCI-WITH-AN-AUTOMATIC-GEARBOX-ALLOY-WHEELS-AIR-CONDITIONING-BLUETOOTH-LOW-ROAD-TAX-200-euro-PER-YEAR--/133698213052796

Volvo - private sale but looks nice

https://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Volvo/V40-V40-1.6-D2-ES-112BHP-5DR/126090974418396

listermint

I personally would not drive an i30 on such a commute. It sounds like a very unenjoyable experience.

appledrop

I have a long commute + drive a ford focus. Not very exciting but reliable. Personally I wouldn't touch a renault. Resale value is crap + not very reliable.

listermint

appledrop wrote: »

I have a long commute + drive a ford focus. Not very exciting but reliable. Personally I wouldn't touch a renault. Resale value is crap + not very reliable.

They are reliable, enough with the bar stool stuff.

Leonard Hofstadter

appledrop wrote: »

I have a long commute + drive a ford focus. Not very exciting but reliable. Personally I wouldn't touch a renault. Resale value is crap + not very reliable.

That was true 10-15 years ago (Megane II and Laguna II were shocking really), but anything from 2007-2008 onwards is every bit as reliable as anything else out there.

DaveyDave

My mam has had two i30s with the 1.6 CRDI, which I drove daily for most of this year, no issues with it whatsoever. Regarding the 1.7 i40, her fiancé has done between 80,000-100,000km on it in a year, only issue was the clutch going.

I've heard nothing but good things about the 1.6 CRDI. If you're looking at the i30 go to the i30 owners club forums and have a look there. Plenty of people driving then especially in the UK and Australia.

In terms of driving though the suspension on the second generation i30 isn't great, it doesn't handle bumps well and handling is a bit floaty on 15" wheels. I didn't have any particular issues on a 260km return trip but it lacks the comfort of the suspension on a VW/Audi for example. Hyundai suggest 32psi on 15/16" wheels on both petrol and diesel, despite the extra weight. Diesel owners run their front tyres at 38-40 or else you'll lose fuel economy, it does make driving quite rough though.

If you're looking at an automatic make sure it's a 2015 7 speed DCT model as the 6 speed torque converter automatic is awful on fuel. You'll be lucky to get 45mpg on a long motorway journey with the 6 speed. Also keep in mind the i30 is a budget car, the interior isn't anything to write home about and road noise is a bit of an issue as is the noise of the engine.