Renault 19s - esp. phase 1 and TSE

BrianD3

Anyone here own a 19 or have a fetish for them. Are they starting to appear at classic car shows - many phase 1s are now old enough for classic status.

The 19 16v "valver" was one of the most well regarded hot hatches of the 90s but I only ever saw a handful on the roads in this country and am not sure if they were ever officially sold here.

The 1.7 8v and 1.8 8v were also not sold here. So here it was basically 1.4s and diesels.

The highest spec phase 1 1.4 was the TSE, I always thought these were very nice especially as a Chamade and in a nice metallic. They had the all important yellow foglights, velour armchairs, electric sunroof, dinky 13 inch Zenith alloys :cool:. I wonder do any survive. Chamades/4 doors were uncommon in the UK due to their preference for hatchbacks. Howmanyleft suggests that 4 door TSE and TXEs (1.7) are virtually extinct in the UK with 5 door cars not far off it.

There was an Irish brochure on ebay recently, pics below.

colm_mcm

ba_barabus has just restored his, it’s a ph2 though.

BrianD3

colm_mcm wrote: »

ba_barabus has just restored his, it’s a ph2 though.

Yep, saw that - black RSi. Phase 2 discussion is welcome in this thread too and attached is a mini brochure for the Irish RSi

BrianD3

Last page of brochure

colm_mcm

http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/Garage006.pdf

Period advert for long gone Limerick Renault dealer. Looks like the 19 TSI was £13,200

Oops!

I had a Phase 2 95 saloon one almost 19 years ago. It was green, front fogs, side skirts, boot spoiler. alloys. 1.4 8v.

Didn't have it very long as a mate took a shine to it and i sold it... But it was a very comfortable car.... Great for the old Sunday morning tour of the parish pubs.

Rob Thomas

My first car was a 1994 1.4 RSI saloon - in the same blue as below. I loved it



Ive always kept an eye out for them but they seem to be virtually extinct now. I imagine rust was a factor and the residuals were terrible so they were not that well minded.

kev1.3s

My first car was a 1990 supervan, absolutely loved it and if it could tell stories! My neig9had a black phase 1 16v which I used to drool over. Never really swayed by the phrase 2 but I'd kill for a supervan.

colm_mcm

I used to see supervans being driven quite fast, never drove one but had a few spins in Megavans and they were dead slow.

What impressed me about the 19 was how little was needed to morph it into the Megane 1 which kept going til 2002

kev1.3s

colm_mcm wrote: »

I used to see supervans being driven quite fast, never drove one but had a few spins in Megavans and they were dead slow.

What impressed me about the 19 was how little was needed to morph it into the Megane 1 which kept going til 2002

Mine was plenty fast for me but it was only a N/A engine, there was a turbo diesel van as well

colm_mcm

Yes, now that I think of it a lad at schools dad had a turbo diesel ph2 in red, he changed it for a Megavan when they came out. quite a step down looks wise with the silly back doors

kev1.3s

The phase 1 turbo diesels had an extra little air intake at the base of the bonnet just under the badge, it was the only distinguishing feature AFAIK. Not many of them around even back in the day.

Oops!

1st gen Megavan appeared in 96 here anyway.... Not much of a change from the 19 van.... In 1999 the second gen Megavan had a lot of changes....

kev1.3s

https://www.flickr.com/photos/112961191@N02/33286098118/in/photostream
You can see the extra grille between the number plate and badge here.

BrianD3

kev1.3s wrote: »

The phase 1 turbo diesels had an extra little air intake at the base of the bonnet just under the badge, it was the only distinguishing feature AFAIK. Not many of them around even back in the day.

Yes, the "Turbo DX" grille. Same as the cabrio I think but without the double optic headlight of the cabrios. So that means there were four different front ends for the phase 1 R19. The 16v had the double optic headlights but didn't have the little intake.

As you say, there were very few ph1 turbodiesels about back in the day. I saw a few of them around 1992. I don't recall seeing any vans with the intake.

edit: already mentioned above as I was typing

skibum

My first brand new car was a phase 1 supervan, loved it, really comfortable, good on fuel and was quick enough. got up to lots in it... one abiding memory was pulling up in front of "Club Apres" at the Kilternan sport hotel, all the lads piling out of the back, and the bouncer cracking up, comparing it to a clown car, he had never seen so many bodies pour out.... wouldn't get away with it today....:pac:

BrianD3

Just as a follow on to the geeky stuff about grilles and spec, does anyone notice a subtle difference between this TXE below and the TSE that I posted in the OP. Aside from the very obvious LHD, colour and rear spoiler

pale rider

I had several 19’s finishing with a 1994 R19 Baccara, hatchback 1.4 petrol I. Metallic black with full black leather interior. Sports seats in the front, a/c, 15 inch alloys, loved that car.

I saw one for sale in Cork last year, they came in hatch and saloon and were the last run of the 19’s as I recall as I went to a Megane in 1996.

RobAMerc

I had a 91 phase 1 16v back in about 95/96 - super car, but it drank juice like it was going outta fashion !

colm_mcm

BrianD3 wrote: »

Just as a follow on to the geeky stuff about grilles and spec, does anyone notice a subtle difference between this TXE below and the TSE that I posted in the OP. Aside from the very obvious LHD, colour and rear spoiler

No indicator repeaters?

BrianD3

colm_mcm wrote: »

No indicator repeaters?

LOL you're right - I didn't even notice that. From googling, Indicator repeaters seem to be absent from some cars sold on the continent, possibly something to do with type approval/regulations.

There is another difference between the pics I posted - is blatantly obvious if you know to look for it but otherwise you just know something is "different" but can't put your finger on it.

colm_mcm

Suspension is lower?

The stripe?

kev1.3s

Plastic covered sill

BrianD3

The answer I was looking for was - the wheels are the same but different. 13 inch Zenith alloys on the TSE, 14 inch Zenith alloys on the TXE. Also wider tyres on the TXE.

I'd never have noticed

BrianD3

Augeo wrote: »

I'd never have noticed

Only something that a geek would notice!

The best non 16v 19s IMO were the TSE/TXEs and the late model phase 2s from 1995/1996 such as the Baccara that was mentioned in this thread. The late Irish Baccaras had a particular alloy wheel design that I haven't managed to find a pic of online. If anyone has any Irish brochures for any model year it would be cool see them posted here.

kaizersoze

Rob Thomas wrote: »

My first car was a 1994 1.4 RSI saloon - in the same blue as below. I loved it



Ive always kept an eye out for them but they seem to be virtually extinct now. I imagine rust was a factor and the residuals were terrible so they were not that well minded.

Adriatic blue. I had it in a 95 Phase 2 5 door hatch. Loved it.
Before that I had a white P2 saloon.
And before that I had a 1990 phase 1 Supervan...and super it was. Rocket and would pull like the bejasus. Savage torque.

I'd love either a P1 or P2 now. Great thread.

colm_mcm

BrianD3 wrote: »

Only something that a geek would notice!

The best non 16v 19s IMO were the TSE/TXEs and the late model phase 2s from 1995/1996 such as the Baccara that was mentioned in this thread. The late Irish Baccaras had a particular alloy wheel design that I haven't managed to find a pic of online. If anyone has any Irish brochures for any model year it would be cool see them posted here.

Not these no?

https://www.adverts.ie/car/renault/19/renault-19-baccara-edition/5178074

road_high

They were very popular in Ireland, they were big enough to offer the same for a family as a Sierra or Vectra class. The spec was decent for the time like electric windows etc
80 bhp in the 1.4l was probably alright for the time too.

Oops!

And used to go through wheel bearings as often as a set of plugs!

BrianD3

colm_mcm wrote: »

Not these no?

https://www.adverts.ie/car/renault/19/renault-19-baccara-edition/5178074

Not sure now - my initial reaction was that those are not Renault alloys but maybe I'm being fooled by the missing? centre caps and my own fading memories.

colm_mcm

BrianD3 wrote: »

Not sure now - my initial reaction was that those are not Renault alloys but maybe I'm being fooled by the missing? centre caps and my own fading memories.

These seem familiar
https://www.adverts.ie/car/renault/19/1994-renault-19/13958622

BrianD3

colm_mcm wrote: »

These seem familiar
https://www.adverts.ie/car/renault/19/1994-renault-19/13958622

Those are phase 2 16v wheels - 15 inch

kev1.3s

road_high wrote: »

They were very popular in Ireland, they were big enough to offer the same for a family as a Sierra or Vectra class. The spec was decent for the time like electric windows etc
80 bhp in the 1.4l was probably alright for the time too.

This was always the case with Renault back then, I remembered my aunt had a renault 18 and it was the first car I remembered to have central locking and electric windows. I even remember the lock pin was red and popped up and down in a clear plastic dome. Ultimate cool to a 10 or 11 year old me.

Corradobri

kev1.3s wrote: »

This was always the case with Renault back then, I remembered my aunt had a renault 18 and it was the first car I remembered to have central locking and electric windows. I even remember the lock pin was red and popped up and down in a clear plastic dome. Ultimate cool to a 10 or 11 year old me.

Must have been a R18 GTL or GTS if it had central locking, we had a base TL at home and I remember being jealous of the higher spec 18,s with the fancy central locking with the red pin lol , they also had electric front windows and headlamps wipers !

BrianD3

I was surprised at how much interest there was in this thread, lots of people have good memories of them and they were a pretty popular van and car (while not selling in the number that Corollas did) back in the day.

Extrapolating from Howmanyleft.co.uk, there are probably less than 20 of all versions combined left on the road here. As with many late 80s/90s cars, rust resistance was good up to point but that point was passed a long time ago. The Megane Mk1, in particular the phase 2 is proving to be considerably more rust resistant than the R19 was at the same age. Even these are becoming an uncommon sight on our roads now.

kev1.3s

Corradobri wrote: »

Must have been a R18 GTL or GTS if it had central locking, we had a base TL at home and I remember being jealous of the higher spec 18,s with the fancy central locking with the red pin lol , they also had electric front windows and headlamps wipers !

Would have been a high spec model alright, my aunt definitely would have been the hyacinth bouquet of the family

kev1.3s

BrianD3 wrote: »

I was surprised at how much interest there was in this thread, lots of people have good memories of them and they were a pretty popular van and car (while not selling in the number that Corollas did) back in the day.

Extrapolating from Howmanyleft.co.uk, there are probably less than 20 of all versions combined left on the road here. As with many late 80s/90s cars, rust resistance was good up to point but that point was passed a long time ago. The Megane Mk1, in particular the phase 2 is proving to be considerably more rust resistant than the R19 was at the same age. Even these are becoming an uncommon sight on our roads now.

The mk1 megane was a horrible looking thing in comparison to the 19.

Oops!

kev1.3s wrote: »

The mk1 megane was a horrible looking thing in comparison to the 19.

It was a horrible thing in every way... It was a step backwards from the 19.

RandomViewer

BrianD3 wrote: »

Anyone here own a 19 or have a fetish for them. Are they starting to appear at classic car shows - many phase 1s are now old enough for classic status.

The 19 16v "valver" was one of the most well regarded hot hatches of the 90s but I only ever saw a handful on the roads in this country and am not sure if they were ever officially sold here.

The 1.7 8v and 1.8 8v were also not sold here. So here it was basically 1.4s and diesels.

The highest spec phase 1 1.4 was the TSE, I always thought these were very nice especially as a Chamade and in a nice metallic. They had the all important yellow foglights, velour armchairs, electric sunroof, dinky 13 inch Zenith alloys :cool:. I wonder do any survive. Chamades/4 doors were uncommon in the UK due to their preference for hatchbacks. Howmanyleft suggests that 4 door TSE and TXEs (1.7) are virtually extinct in the UK with 5 door cars not far off it.

There was an Irish brochure on ebay recently, pics below.

1.7 were badged GTX, they hadthe4 bar rear axel, sold poorly here

RandomViewer

road_high wrote: »

They were very popular in Ireland, they were big enough to offer the same for a family as a Sierra or Vectra class. The spec was decent for the time like electric windows etc
80 bhp in the 1.4l was probably alright for the time too.

Didn't really take many buyers from Ford or Opel, 88 to 95 Vectra/Cavalier was a very good car, most buyers came from the R9/11, Peugeot and Fiat, you'd get the odd Japanese owner but they rarely kept them long

RandomViewer

Oops! wrote: »

And used to go through wheel bearings as often as a set of plugs!

Doorlocks and anti roll bushes were also issues, Diesels ate front brake pads every 15_20 k

RandomViewer

Oops! wrote: »

It was a horrible thing in every way... It was a step backwards from the 19.

Renault big claim at the time was that it had the lowest development budget of any model, the bolted shut doors on the van version were truly tacky

RandomViewer

Oops! wrote: »

It was a horrible thing in every way... It was a step backwards from the 19.

Renault big claim at the time was that it had the lowest development budget of any model, the bolted shut doors on the van version were truly tacky

RandomViewer

Corradobri wrote: »

Must have been a R18 GTL or GTS if it had central locking, we had a base TL at home and I remember being jealous of the higher spec 18,s with the fancy central locking with the red pin lol , they also had electric front windows and headlamps wipers !

TL was 1340cc , GTL/GTS were 1647cc, different head on GTS, American 2 was the big seller in the mid 80s,, 2 tone paint ,alloys and a decent Blaupunkt stereo.Big with farmers, very few jeeps at the time

Oops!

RandomViewer wrote: »

Doorlocks and anti roll bushes were also issues, Diesels ate front brake pads every 15_20 k

Yes, i've fitted some amount of those outer ARB bushes... No amount of grease could stop them knocking. Used to be a lottery to see if the right rear brake shoes was going to turn up for them also.

RandomViewer

Oops! wrote: »

Yes, i've fitted some amount of those outer ARB bushes... No amount of grease could stop them knocking. Used to be a lottery to see if the right rear brake shoes was going to turn up for them also.

As far as I remember there were 3 possible types, you didn't know until you took the drums off which it was, Bendix ones used to drop the self adjuster . Open ended bushes off the R5 cured ARBt problem

Oops!

RandomViewer wrote: »

As far as I remember there were 3 possible types, you didn't know until you took the drums off which it was, Bendix ones used to drop the self adjuster . Open ended bushes off the R5 cured ARBt problem

Yes correct, you didn't know till the drum was off. There was another bush we used to use aswell, a small bit of a trim with a stanley knife and they did the job, Can't remember what the bush was from, almost 20 year ago now...

kev1.3s

RandomViewer wrote: »

Doorlocks and anti roll bushes were also issues, Diesels ate front brake pads every 15_20 k

Door locks were a pain in the ass when they stopped catching, you could slam and slam and they still wouldn't stay shut. I once had to drive back from wicklow town with my passenger holding the door closed.

Rob Thomas

I was browsing the classic pages and this photo reminded me of the little cover for the radio - on the passenger seat here