Anyone own a Renault Fluence?

ScarletFeather · 13-01-2014 06:07PM #1

Looking at upgrading to a family car from a 3 door which is not suitable now with baby on the way.
I am swaying between a few cars but the best 'value' we can find is a 12 Renault Fluence. We have test driven it and it seems like a good car (bearing in mind we are kinda clueless about cars) and meets criteria we need (a very big boot)

I have read a few negative reviews and just wondering if any current owners of a Fluence can give me some feedback (good and bad)

Thanks a million

toyotaavensis · 13-01-2014 08:11PM

what sort of warranty comes with the car and how long do you plan to keep it.
Remember that a vw or toyota will hold its value better when you come to sell it.

ian87 · 13-01-2014 08:20PM

My mother had one for 2 years, bought it brand new. Never gave her an ounce of bother. They are slow as Christmas. A 1.5 is a small engine to haul around a large body but it was good on juice all the same.

She always gave out about the quality of the interior. She felt it was very plasticy and the quality of said plastics were cheap and flimsy. She came out of a 06 primera into her fluence in 10 so what she was coming from wouldnt have been the best to start with so really highlighted how cheap they are inside.

I sold it privately for her and the phone rang just the once, thankfully the same guy bought it, but she took a bad enough hit on residuals.

All in all, a comfy car, with loads of space but interior can be a bit of a let down and you're not going to set the world alight.

El Kabong! · 13-01-2014 08:28PM

If family is on the way the I recommend you get a large hatch or estate. The megane estate would be similar to the fluence but a bit pricier.

JimmyChew · 13-01-2014 08:31PM

2010 Avensis or a verso is the budget allows..

repsol · 13-01-2014 08:32PM

If you are clueless about cars, I suggest you get a friend or relative with a bit of knowledge to guide you. I would avoid anything with a Renault badge like the plague. If you are looking at 12 plates, you obviously have a reasonable budget which should get you a decent car. A Focus or Golf is a much nicer car and will easily sell on for you in 2 or 3 years. Qashqais and Corolla Verso are worth a look if you prefer more headroom Try selling your by then 5 year old Fluence and see what you will get for it.

GusGus · 13-01-2014 08:46PM

My dad is on his second and my sister has a 2010. Neither have had any trouble with them. My sister had three young kids and they are on a farm. Loads of space . Very good on fuel but don't be expecting a fast car . It's slow .try very hard not to buy basic model go for at least a dynamique version. The basic version is awful in my opinion

rovoagho · 13-01-2014 08:51PM

Dumbest car name since the Carisma that had none.

ABajaninCork · 13-01-2014 08:55PM

I'd recommend a Focus. With the new shape model, the boot space is huge and the interior roomy enough to accommodate all your needs.

I wouldn't touch a Renault with a barge pole!

coolbeans · 13-01-2014 09:04PM

repsol wrote: »

If you are clueless about cars, I suggest you get a friend or relative with a bit of knowledge to guide you. I would avoid anything with a Renault badge like the plague. If you are looking at 12 plates, you obviously have a reasonable budget which should get you a decent car. A Focus or Golf is a much nicer car and will easily sell on for you in 2 or 3 years. Qashqais and Corolla Verso are worth a look if you prefer more headroom Try selling your by then 5 year old Fluence and see what you will get for it.

This isn't right at all. Renault have been pretty unbreakable since about 2008 when they had a massive quality overhaul beginning with the new Laguna and then the Megane. Sure the Fluence isn't a charismatic ball of excitement but they're cheap and reliable. I'd look at a Laguna if I were the OP. Lots of value, peerless safety and the 2008 on is one of the most trouble free cars in its class.

For Forks Sake · 13-01-2014 09:36PM

rovoagho wrote: »

Dumbest car name since the Carisma that had none.

I was very disappointed they didn't call the electric version ....the eFluence

naughtysmurf · 13-01-2014 09:56PM

Have one since May 2011, +70K on it now, no issues, frugal on fuel. Always found Renault very comfortable on long drives

I don't find it slow tbh, tips along nicely at 125km/hr with cruise control on, it will be fine as a family car, rallying not so great

They come with a 5 yr manufacturer warranty so you would still have what remains of that

Don't listen to those about Renault reliability issues, yes between 03 & 08 there were plenty of lemons but there has been a huge improvement since then

Agree the Dynamique level is the minimum you want, decent spec.
I'd have no issue buying another one, you will take a hit on resale value but if you plan to mind it & hold onto it for a good few years this won't matter so much so if it ticks most of your box's and suits your budget, then I'd say work away

Just to add as is mentioned a lot on here, modern diesels may not / don't like lots of short trips so make sure a diesel is what you need

Jesus. · 13-01-2014 10:55PM

Its a nice looking car IMO but I've heard so many people say its dog slow. Is there a more powerful unit available with them, like a 2 liter or something?

ScarletFeather · 14-01-2014 12:01AM

Thanks to everyone for opinions. We are not too worried about future trade in value as my husband drives an 03 Nissan Almera and our plan is to buy a family car now (the Fluence is looking most likely for our budget) and use for next few years and then upgrade again in 3-4 as a cash sale and give the Fluence to my husband as his Almera will be worthless.
Nice to hear that people who have one haven't had any major issues. I have driven it and don't find it slow or sluggish. Yes internally its not the most amazing looking car but I don't mind that as its functionality as a car with a baby is more important to me. I actually like the external look. I do prefer the external look of the hatchback insignia but I just dont know can I justify the extra money at this time
It had a 5 year warranty which has 3.5 years left on it so thats a good bonus.

Kristopherus · 14-01-2014 12:12AM

ScarletFeather wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for opinions. We are not too worried about future trade in value as my husband drives an 03 Nissan Almera and our plan is to buy a family car now (the Fluence is looking most likely for our budget) and use for next few years and then upgrade again in 3-4 as a cash sale and give the Fluence to my husband as his Almera will be worthless.
Nice to hear that people who have one haven't had any major issues. I have driven it and don't find it slow or sluggish. Yes internally its not the most amazing looking car but I don't mind that as its functionality as a car with a baby is more important to me. I actually like the external look. I do prefer the external look of the hatchback insignia but I just dont know can I justify the extra money at this time
It had a 5 year warranty which has 3.5 years left on it so thats a good bonus.

Don't take much notice of the car snobs that are posting here. The Renaults on sale now are centuries ahead of the pre '09 models. The Fluence has the best 1.5 diesel engine on the market. The same engine is also in the Nissan Qashqai and Juke as well as across the Renault, Citroen and Peugeot ranges. So it has a pristine pedigree and is very frugal on fuel. I'm getting over 60mpg on mainly urban driving.

Thats my 2 cents.

bazz26 · 14-01-2014 12:20AM

Kristopherus wrote: »

Don't take much notice of the car snobs that are posting here. The Renaults on sale now are centuries ahead of the pre '09 models. The Fluence has the best 1.5 diesel engine on the market. The same engine is also in the Nissan Qashqai and Juke as well as across the Renault, Citroen and Peugeot ranges. So it has a pristine pedigree and is very frugal on fuel. I'm getting over 60mpg on mainly urban driving.

Thats my 2 cents.

Citroen/Peugeot do not use Renault engines or vice versa.

Fluence was co-developed with Samsung primarily for the Asian market where it is sold as a Samsung and rebadged as a Renault in Europe.

toyotaavensis · 14-01-2014 03:55AM

bazz is right. Also the 1.5 hyundai/kia engine is better than the nissan/renault dci engine in my opinion.

Henry Ford III · 14-01-2014 10:35AM

bazz26 wrote: »

Citroen/Peugeot do not use Renault engines or vice versa.

Fluence was co-developed with Samsung primarily for the Asian market where it is sold as a Samsung and rebadged as a Renault in Europe.

Absolutely correct. Fluence is a low quality model, built to a price.

I've no idea what it's like to own, or drive, or even sit in. I'm in no hurry to find out either.

Oafley Jones · 14-01-2014 11:01AM

Kristopherus wrote: »

Don't take much notice of the car snobs that are posting here. The Renaults on sale now are centuries ahead of the pre '09 models. The Fluence has the best 1.5 diesel engine on the market. The same engine is also in the Nissan Qashqai and Juke as well as across the Renault, Citroen and Peugeot ranges. So it has a pristine pedigree and is very frugal on fuel. I'm getting over 60mpg on mainly urban driving.

Thats my 2 cents.

I really don't think it's snobbery. Just people operating on woefully outdated info. I'd pay as much attention to their input as someone in a financial forum going on about how good the books of Irish banks are.

Don't like the Fluence personally. Hate the look of it and really don't like the standard seats. My father owns one and while he doesn't love it it, it's never given him any bother, is fuel efficient and has decent space. My wife has a gt line grand megane and its a much nicer car. Feels more solid, great seats and fantastic space. Can be had for little more than what you'll pay for the fluence. 6 speed makes a big difference too.

naughtysmurf · 14-01-2014 11:05AM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Absolutely correct. Fluence is a low quality model, built to a price.

I've no idea what it's like to own, or drive, or even sit in. I'm in no hurry to find out either.

How can you say it's a low quality model & in your next breath clearly state that you have no idea what it's like to own or drive or even sit in and be taken seriously :rolleyes:

Current owners have given their opinion, we actually know what they are like to own, drive & sit in

Henry Ford III · 14-01-2014 11:30AM

naughtysmurf wrote: »

How can you say it's a low quality model & in your next breath clearly state that you have no idea what it's like to own or drive or even sit in and be taken seriously :rolleyes:

Current owners have given their opinion, we actually know what they are like to own, drive & sit in

Because it's true. Read what Baz said in post #16.

MidlandsM · 14-01-2014 11:34AM

OP, look at a Kia Ceed Wagon ....better engine and gearbox - 7 year warranty too. Might suit your needs better.

naughtysmurf · 14-01-2014 11:53AM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Because it's true. Read what Baz said in post #16.

bazz26 wrote: »

Citroen/Peugeot do not use Renault engines or vice versa.

Fluence was co-developed with Samsung primarily for the Asian market where it is sold as a Samsung and rebadged as a Renault in Europe.

bazz26 made a comment in #16 to clarify who developed & does/doesn't use a Renault engine
Don't see how it backs up your opinion based on your own admitted total lack of knowledge on the Fluence tbf

I'm no expert either, but I do have one for nearly three years so have some knowledge of it & a non Renault main dealer who was servicing my one recently told me himself that it was a pretty decent engine & very good on fuel, which I knew anyway from experience

el pasco · 14-01-2014 12:13PM

They are cheap and reliable know one with over 320k km on the clock
I have driven it a lot
The seats aren't the most comfortable for long journeys and the bend to one side if your heavy!!
But they are cheap and not the most comfortable car with hard to clean seats
The heater isn't great but if you bought it for €15k with scrapage deal then great
Not the most powerful car but its does the job
A to b car
There can be a problem with the rear lights connector but apart from that they're grand

Henry Ford III · 14-01-2014 12:16PM

This is what Baz said.

bazz26 wrote: »

Citroen/Peugeot do not use Renault engines or vice versa.

Fluence was co-developed with Samsung primarily for the Asian market where it is sold as a Samsung and rebadged as a Renault in Europe.

I've highlighted the important bit.

The Dagda · 14-01-2014 12:22PM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

This is what Baz said.

I've highlighted the important bit.

Do you think the involvement of Samsung is a negative?
If anything I'd see it as a positive, they're a world leader in all the fields they operate in.

Henry Ford III · 14-01-2014 12:24PM

The Dagda wrote: »

Do you think the involvement of Samsung is a negative?
If anything I'd see it as a positive, they're a world leader in all the fields they operate in.

A car developed for the Asian market and sold here as a cheap afterthought wouldn't be up to much if Banksy himself hand painted it.

The Dagda · 14-01-2014 12:25PM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

A car developed for the Asian market and sold here as a cheap afterthought wouldn't be up to much if Banksy himself hand painted it.

Do you think all cars developed for the Asian market are inferior?

TBi · 14-01-2014 12:32PM

The Dagda wrote: »

they're a world leader in all the fields they operate in.

World leader at copying the actual leaders you mean?

What exactly are they the world leaders at (apart from TV's)?

riverrock1 · 14-01-2014 12:52PM

OP:My mother has owned one for 3 years.She finds it very economical and reliable. The only minor niggles are the glove box and door pockets are tiny,and its not very comfortable, seats are very hard.

If you're looking for a family car you should have a look at the interior space
in a scenic or something similar. The extra stuff you carry around for a child is unbelievable-nappies, wipes, pushchair, spare clothes. And when they get older its toys,bicycle etc

Oafley Jones · 14-01-2014 01:18PM

TBi wrote: »

World leader at copying the actual leaders you mean?

What exactly are they the world leaders at (apart from TV's)?

Off topic, but you've got to be ****ting me. This is a company that has a ridiculously vast experience in product innovative. There's not many out there that can claim the depth of their product portfolio. I'm not a fan, but look at their phones for example , almost every aspect is designed and built in house. How many other companies can you say that about.

Anyone own a Renault Fluence?

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