Renault problems?

Question

I am going to buy a new car, I really like the renault megane and espace.

My dad says renault are notorious for being unreliable, but I'm not sure if he's getting this idea from years ago (you know what dads are like!!)

So does anyone have any up to date advice for me? You see a load of renaults around so surely they can't be that bad?....

Answer 1

Renault electrics are notoriously bad. I have an 04 Megane which has been fine up till now. It is now about three years old and I am starting to have trouble with the starter switch, I have just had to replace the ignition coil (under waranty), my drivers window sticks occasionally. On the plus side the engines are very good.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

I have had a Renault Espace for 7 years. Generally, it is very reliable but I have had a few problems with the immobiliser and they have cost me a fortune. A couple of years ago, I came out of a playcentre with the four kids in tow and pressing the button on the key would neither unlock the car or disable the alarm or immobiliser. I opened the car with the key the old fashioned way so that I could put the kids in but then, of course, the alarm was going off for ages. When the car went into Renault - because, apparently, no-one else could fix it, it cost me £595 to have the problem fixed.

This New Year's Eve - less than two years later - it happened again. Luckily though, I now know someone who owns a large chain of autocentres and he got one of his managers to have a look at it. Using his contacts and talking to someone at Renault themselves (who admitted that Espace immobilisers are always going wrong) he managed to get hold of a code that I now have to enter to disable the immobiliser each time I start the car.

Good news in that the immobiliser is unlikely to be a problem to me again but bad news in that it is a real pain the way you have to enter the code !!

Like Lolli, my Dad - when he was alive - always used to tell me to get Fords. He knew what he was talking about ! Most of my cars have been Fords and they have had fewer problems. When things go wrong they are easier to get to - I recently had an alternator problem and they had to take most of the front off the car to get to it !! and the parts are much cheaper and easier to get hold of.

Answer 3

My wife and I are on our 4th Renault in 4 years. All bought out of passion rather than they were unreliable.

We had a Clio 1.5dCi which was then upgraded to a Clio 182 which was then traded in for a new style Clio 1.5dCi which we've just recently changed to a Megane Scenic.

Not one of the cars had a problem apart from the stiches on the 182's seat started coming apart.

Early Mk2 Lagunas had a few electrical niggles that has tarred the rest of the range, but every other car seems to be OK.

Answer 4

Hello
I drive a SKODA! so anyway renaults are fine the renault 5 for example is a very old guard car but great. Also I was amazed to hear Nissan were sold and bought, by Renault!! so there doing something right. just one not on the Renault clio, try and buy rev3 or higher. There is nothing wrong with Renaults my personal number 1 bad car would be a FIAT punto. hope this helps.

Yours
SKODA FELICIA owner!

Answer 5

Renault make a good nuts and bolts basic car, but they have tried to go high tech loading the cars up with unnecessary nonsense which will not work in 5 yrs time, i see loads of electrical and sensor problems on Renault's at my garage (the new shape laguna- run a mile), its a shame because if they stuck to basic affordable cars they would take some beating as it is their repetition is slowly going down the pan.

Answer 6

I currently own a clio, i bought it new in 2003. I went with renault for the looks and safety ratings.
I have not had any major problems with it, so i would recommend renault. Mine is not very good at starting in the cold, sometimes putting petrol in is always fun and games (something to do with an air lock in the fuel pipe, so i have to turn the nozzle 180 degrees then pull the lever). Silly little things that you get used to!
If you go for a finance deal, make sure you read the small print, and make sure you are happy with the total amount you are paying.
Mine cost £10,000 in total, which looking back was a bit silly, the car is probably only worth £4,000 now!
Yes i know what dads are like, my dad wanted me to get a ford!! Nothing against them, i wanted something a bit more girly!!
If you have a few cars in mind, test drive them! i was torn between clio, fiesta zetec and 206, test drove them all and fell in love with the clio!

Answer 7

Hi

The main problem with Renaults is the labour charges incurred for carrying out the simplest of tasks due to the engine ancilliaries being tucked away behind pipes and wires, and each other!!

I've done a few jobs on Renaults and they are a nightmare. I recently fitted an alternator to a Megane and it took forever.

A very common failing on the newer ones is the coil packs, so watch for the emmissions light illuminating on the dash!!

Best regards, and dare I say it, good luck!!

Geordie

Answer 8

I've got a Megane Classic... manufactured in 2001... bought it for new... It still runs perfectly... I replaced only the stuff that needs replacing anyway because it says so in the car's manual... nothing else whatsoever... If you do get a Megane stick to larger engines... minimum a 1.6 16v engine...better the 1.9d.
What you have to do is make sure you go through all the revisions and never miss an oil change... My car, at least, is very sensitive about these things. If you do everything at the right time you'll have no problem and it will go for ages...

Answer 9

ive worked with renault for 8 years and only see the worst of them but actually find them ok ish.lol. i would chose megane over espace,the espaces are a nightmare,ive seen far too many espaces towed in but the meganes not being perfect are better.dont touch the laguna,once a couple of years old they need lots of work done and lose their price very quick.just serviced a laguna yesterday,needed 2 grands worth of repairs,ouch.....hope this helped.ross

Answer 10

modern Renault vehicles are excellent ..its the service you get from Renault and their garages that are terrible.. from my experience stay well clear if main Renault dealers around COVENTRY .. they are the worst i have ever come across . they lie and cheat you . and when you complain to customer service at Renault they back their dealers even when they know they are wrong if you want good service try BMW its a shame its like this at Renault but I'm afraid they wont change so i cant recommend them