Can't decide between Qashqai and Fluence

Altbiz

I've posted here before and with your help have narrowed my search down to either a Qashqai or a Fluence, budget of €4k or thereabouts.

I'll be doing a lot of motorway driving, but also some narrow country roads with my daughter in the car also, so I'd feel a bit safer in the Qashqai with the car being bigger and higher up. I'm not sure how the two would compare in terms of overall safety but from I've read the Qashqai is rated pretty highly.

The fluence would be more economical on fuel, but not sure if it'd be significantly so?

Other factors are negligible ie insurance and tax.

Would appreciate your thoughts, thanks v much

alias no.9

With a fixed budget of €4k, you will probably get a better Fluence than Qashqai. Mechanically, they share a lot of components.

This Fluence looks decent enough:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-fluence-tom-tom-dci-110-bhp-nct-tested/25954569?campaign=3

I have a Megane, and I am not really sure what the difference is between the Fluence and Megane. Similar external styling and almost identical interior.


This Qashqai looks alright from the ad, too: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/car-absolutely-stunning-car-1-owner/26020133?campaign=3

AMKC

The fluence is the better car and more modern too with a much nicer interior than the Qushqui.
If you want something a bit higher that will also drive nice and be in your budget a Ford C-Max is nice.
A MK1 Peugeot 3008 is also nicer than a Qushqui inside and out.

bobbyy gee

get low mileage from owners as dealer can meds with digital odometer look for service paperwork

Mad_Mike

Have you tried a drive in either of them yet?
I was the same a few years ago, between Skoda Octavia or VW Passat and spent ages looking at them, and pricing them etc
Eventually I went and drove both and immediately I decided the Passat was for me and ruled out the Octavia

colm_mcm

AMKC wrote: »

The fluence is the better car and more modern too with a much nicer interior than the Qushqui.
If you want something a bit higher that will also drive nice and be in your budget a Ford C-Max is nice.
A MK1 Peugeot 3008 is also nicer than a Qushqui inside and out.

Controversial opinions there!

beggars_bush

AMKC wrote: »

The fluence is the better car and more modern too with a much nicer interior than the Qushqui.
If you want something a bit higher that will also drive nice and be in your budget a Ford C-Max is nice.
A MK1 Peugeot 3008 is also nicer than a Qushqui inside and out.

I'd go for a megane over either of them

beggars_bush

beggars_bush wrote: »

I'd go for a megane over either of them

I always was lead to believe the Megane was promoted as a more premium offering than the Fluence. And although I've never actually drove a fluence, the 2011 Fluence I linked above looks almost identical (inside and out) to my 2015 Megane.


I'm actually not sure what the differences are (bar some exterior styling).

bazz26

The Fluence is a saloon version of Megane, that's also made and sold in other regions outside Europe. It wears a Samsung badge in Asia.

road_high

Neither would set the world alight but having briefly driven both as hire cars I’d definitely pick the Fluence. Its an unpretentious comfortable solid car that’s good value. At that budget the car itself will matter a whole lot and you’ll get more as the Quashqui would tend to be more in demand used- a car I absolutely loathed for the day I had it. The handling was awful I thought and the performance just gutless. Could not wait to hand it back and into my Insignia SRI!!!

Hurrache

You had a loaner I think from the last time it came up didn't you? Like all cars it can all be down to trim level, and a decent spec'd Qashqai can be a pretty comfy driver, just like a miserable Fluence can be manky.

Altbiz

Thanks all. To be honest I think a few of the Qashqais out there look quite nice and the extra boot space with the folded down seats would be handy for me as well. There does seem to be a lot more of them on donedeal than fluences. This Fluence popped up though which looks pretty decent..

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-fluence-irish-edition-2011-nctd-amp-taxd/26057411

beggars_bush

Altbiz wrote: »

Thanks all. To be honest I think a few of the Qashqais out there look quite nice and the extra boot space with the folded down seats would be handy for me as well. There does seem to be a lot more of them on donedeal than fluences. This Fluence popped up though which looks pretty decent..

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-fluence-irish-edition-2011-nctd-amp-taxd/26057411

Megane estate if you need more boot space

FrankC21

Fluence hands down, I owned a 141.

Pros -
huge boot for its size fits a buggy and groceries same time no problem, comfy, decent driving on the motorway and really great on fuel.

Cons -
You must do a good amount of mileage or else you will run into diesel problem. Noisy engine will surely wake the estate when your out driving at 6am.

bazz26

FrankC21 wrote: »

Fluence hands down, I owned a 141.

Pros -
huge boot for its size fits a buggy and groceries same time no problem, comfy, decent driving on the motorway and really great on fuel.

Cons -
You must do a good amount of mileage or else you will run into diesel problem. Noisy engine will surely wake the estate when your out driving at 6am.

Lol, it's a 4 cylinder diesel engine, not a Panzer tank.

bazz26

bazz26 wrote: »

The Fluence is a saloon version of Megane, that's also made and sold in other regions outside Europe. It wears a Samsung badge in Asia.

There already is a saloon version of the Megane isn't there, though?


2008:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-megane-2008-tested-until-10-2021/25887457




2018:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-megane-gc-dynamique-s-nav-dci-110/25157235






Unless it was discontinued and the fluence replaced it, and then they scrapped the fluence in favour of the megane again?

bazz26

Those are different generations of Megane:

Mk1 Megane saloon 1997 to 2003 > Megane
Mk2 Megane saloon 2004 to 2009 > Megane
Mk3 Megane saloon 2009 to 2016 > Fluence
Mk4 Megane saloon 2016 onward > Megane Grand Coupe

They are all just saloon versions of the Megane.

Altbiz

I've seen Qashqais listed with about 45mpg displayed on the dash which seems pretty good, not sure if you'd get way more with a Fluence?

Henry Ford III

Sad state of affairs when a Fluence is aspirational

Ta ceist agam

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Sad state of affairs when a Fluence is aspirational

We can't all aspire to drive Fords

GustavoFring

FrankC21 wrote: »

Fluence hands down, I owned a 141.

Pros -
huge boot for its size fits a buggy and groceries same time no problem, comfy, decent driving on the motorway and really great on fuel.

Cons -
You must do a good amount of mileage or else you will run into diesel problem. Noisy engine will surely wake the estate when your out driving at 6am.

Sold already?

dar83

Ta ceist agam wrote: »

We can't all aspire to drive Fords

Base spec Fords. At least be accurate! :P

ba_barabus

dar83 wrote: »

Base spec Fords. At least be accurate! :P

Dealer special at the very least.

Ta ceist agam

Would you try an electric Fluence ?


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2012-renualt-fluence-z-e-electric-nct-2022-/25099135

Strumms

Never owned or driven a Renault but two family members who have would be hesitant to want to own one again all be it they weren't a Fluence.

I’ve had two Qashqai’s, 10 & 14 and both were bullet proof, comfortable and never a problem to report. Always got it serviced from a reliable dealer when or before the service was due. Couldn’t complain about any aspect of them whatsoever.... pure reliable, comfortable, spacious and an overall nice drive.

bazz26

You do realize that the Qashqai and Fluence share similar DNA?

Ta ceist agam

bazz26 wrote: »

You do realize that the Qashqai and Fluence share similar DNA?

Shhhhhh!!!.......they probably currently drive a Mercedes GLA with a Renault 1.5 dci engine and plan to upgrade to an A class , again a Renault 1.3 petrol engine!

cpoh1

Very different body shapes surely to compare the cars? Fluence is a saloon, qashqai SUV lite shape? I know as a family car with young kids the ride height of the qashqai would have me pick it over the fluence. Other than that they are basically the same car.

colm_mcm

FrankC21 wrote: »

Fluence hands down, I owned a 141.

Pros -
huge boot for its size fits a buggy and groceries same time no problem, comfy, decent driving on the motorway and really great on fuel.

Cons -
You must do a good amount of mileage or else you will run into diesel problem. Noisy engine will surely wake the estate when your out driving at 6am.

Owned?

Changed already?

Altbiz

Strumms wrote: »

Never owned or driven a Renault but two family members who have would be hesitant to want to own one again all be it they weren't a Fluence.

I’ve had two Qashqai’s, 10 & 14 and both were bullet proof, comfortable and never a problem to report. Always got it serviced from a reliable dealer when or before the service was due. Couldn’t complain about any aspect of them whatsoever.... pure reliable, comfortable, spacious and an overall nice drive.

Good stuff. I'm leaning towards Qashqai. The only thing holding me back is I've no idea what MPG they get in reality (ie not what's advertised) as I'll be doing mostly motorway driving - what MPG did you get out of the 2010?

FrankC21

colm_mcm wrote: »

Owned?

Changed already?

I still own it, just wrong grammar.

FrankC21

Altbiz wrote: »

Good stuff. I'm leaning towards Qashqai. The only thing holding me back is I've no idea what MPG they get in reality (ie not what's advertised) as I'll be doing mostly motorway driving - what MPG did you get out of the 2010?

Man, I understand what you are thinking, I was the same position like you 4 months ago, you just want SUV because it is the mainstream, but it is really down to personal choice, I personally prefer the look of a saloon over a SUV.

"as I'll be doing mostly motorway driving"

I am telling you saloon is the way to go, have you not seen most of the cars on the motorway mostly saloons. aerodynamically speaking I have driven the fluence under strong winds on the motorway still doing 130km/h no bother overtaking big bulky SUVs.

At the end of the day it is your choice man but economically, fluence is the way to go.

cpoh1

Its a simple one for me: young kids go with Qashqai for ease of entry, if not take the fluence.

They are the same car at the end of the day from a driving perspective.

Altbiz

Still leaning towards Qashqai here all things considered. Would love to get your thoughts on this?

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-qashqai-2008/26035095

Hurrache

Reg hidden and no mileage on the ad, I wonder what's the point.

Altbiz

I should have mentioned that I test drove it and it seems to be in great condition, but at the same time I know very little about cars. The service book has been stamped for the past couple of years at least, and it's just passed the NCT.

This is it on Carzone with the mileage displayed. https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/nissan/qashqai/fpa/202009244150910?journey=Search

The dashboard shows 43mpg.

Just wondering if there are any red flags there for someone more discerning. It has 5 owners which seems a bit much.

The Reg is 08 D 62328.

FrankC21

Altbiz wrote: »

I should have mentioned that I test drove it and it seems to be in great condition, but at the same time I know very little about cars. The service book has been stamped for the past couple of years at least, and it's just passed the NCT.

This is it on Carzone with the mileage displayed. https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/nissan/qashqai/fpa/202009244150910?journey=Search

The dashboard shows 43mpg.

Just wondering if there are any red flags there for someone more discerning. It has 5 owners which seems a bit much.

The Reg is 08 D 62328.

Just make sure you have some money ready for repairs, with that age, mileage and a diesel there will be plenty of red flags.

cpoh1

Altbiz wrote: »

I should have mentioned that I test drove it and it seems to be in great condition, but at the same time I know very little about cars. The service book has been stamped for the past couple of years at least, and it's just passed the NCT.

This is it on Carzone with the mileage displayed. https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/nissan/qashqai/fpa/202009244150910?journey=Search

The dashboard shows 43mpg.

Just wondering if there are any red flags there for someone more discerning. It has 5 owners which seems a bit much.

The Reg is 08 D 62328.

Paddy spec model with no extras, does it have reversing sensors? Looks like it may have keyless entry and start from the pics.
The engines themselves are fairly bullit proof, air intake prone to breaking but an easy fix. DPFs are particularly sensitive in both 1.5 and 1.6 models so style of driving is important to ensure regular regens. They tend to fill up and either need to be removed and cleaned or new one required, at a certain stage a regen or forced regen wont work.

Ive had issues with the 1.6l model: wiper motor, rear window regulator, suspension consumables, clutch slave cylinder.

Build quality in these is not great but about what you'd expect in a car in this bracket

Altbiz

cpoh1 wrote: »

Paddy spec model with no extras, does it have reversing sensors? Looks like it may have keyless entry and start from the pics.
The engines themselves are fairly bullit proof, air intake prone to breaking but an easy fix. DPFs are particularly sensitive in both 1.5 and 1.6 models so style of driving is important to ensure regular regens. They tend to fill up and either need to be removed and cleaned or new one required, at a certain stage a regen or forced regen wont work.

Ive had issues with the 1.6l model: wiper motor, rear window regulator, suspension consumables, clutch slave cylinder.

Build quality in these is not great but about what you'd expect in a car in this bracket

Thanks very much. It does have reversing sensors and keyless entry.

Would a DPF clean/replacement be a costly job?

The guy at the dealers said it has a timing chain rather than belt, is that correct?

Same dealer has a 2009 which doesn't have the same specs and is a grand more expensive.

punisher5112

Are you fixed on the qash?

Fluence or megane would be better value and that qash looks quite tired.


They aren't the nicest car to drive either to be honest.
Shouldn't be a dpf in that as the 1.5 DCI didn't get them till later on....

cpoh1

Belt on the 1.5 AFAIK, chain on the 1.6 diesel models, not sure on the interval

DPF clean is anything from 200-300 and labour for mechanic to remove and refit. Its a simple enough job on the 1.5 compared to 1.6.

If its driving tighly with no bumps or squeeks from suspension, pads and discs done recently, and its got no flat spots accelerating hard or smokey under full load then you cant go wrong at that price. Would be concerned about the belt history and when it was last done so you could use that as a haggling point.

cpoh1

punisher5112 wrote: »

Are you fixed on the qash?

Fluence or megane would be better value and that qash looks quite tired.


They aren't the nicest car to drive either to be honest.
Shouldn't be a dpf in that as the 1.5 DCI didn't get them till later on....

You are right, didnt realise it was a 2008 from the donedeal add, they got a dpf in 2010.

Ive driven a megane and fluence as a rental back in the day and can honestly say i didnt notice any difference in how they drove compared to a 1.5 qashqai?

Kaybaykwah

I wish these two cars had names that didn't suggest a stomach ache.

punisher5112

cpoh1 wrote: »

You are right, didnt realise it was a 2008 from the donedeal add, they got a dpf in 2010.

Ive driven a megane and fluence as a rental back in the day and can honestly say i didnt notice any difference in how they drove compared to a 1.5 qashqai?

They wouldn't have anywhere near as much body roll.

Altbiz

I noticed a few odd squeaks when either in 1st or reversing, can't remember 100% now.

The car looked fairly pristine in fairness, interior was in good condition.

Here's a picture I took myself;



I'd have to check with them whether it's belt or chain, your man seemed certain it was a chain.

Are you fixed on the qash?

Fluence or megane would be better value and that qash looks quite tired.

They aren't the nicest car to drive either to be honest.
Shouldn't be a dpf in that as the 1.5 DCI didn't get them till later on....

I'm between a Qashqai and a Fluence and am leaning towards Qashqai for a few small practical reasons that I think would make it a more useful car for me. I don't care a tonne about how nice a drive it is so long as it's comfortable enough on the motorway. It definitely felt a bit clunkier than I'm used to on the test drive but these aren't major issues for me.

Henry Ford III

Hurrache wrote: »

Reg hidden and no mileage on the ad, I wonder what's the point.

178000 miles according to the service book

Altbiz

Rang the dealers, timing belt was down at 150,000km so around 25,000km ago. (So obviously a belt rather than a chain).

He also said all diesels have a DPF in them.