It's been a while - so I've bought another Renault

[Renault18]

After thinning out one or two cars and having been preoccupied with other things, I finally gave in and stuck a bid in on a new old piece of French tat. I probably need my head seeing to as it wasn't exactly the usual cheap bargain that I've spotted before, but in my eyes it's worth taking the risk.

 

 

It's a November '89 19 TSE, which means top spec with the 1.4 Energy unit.

 

It's done 28k with full history

 

 

I travelled down from Crewe this morning to collect it from Storrington near Bognor. I travelled first class, as for some bizarre reason a standard ticket was going to cost £44 - or first £38!! How does that work? Anyway, having negotiated the Underground for the first time in my life, I discovered that first class on Southern Trains is different than it is on the Virgin service - i.e. Southern first consists of the same seating as all the others, but with warning stickers that threaten you with a £1000 fine for being bad if you abuse anyone and a huge extra bill if you sit in the first class that aren't seats. Anyway - I got there, paid and when the 19 felt like running on all 4, I drove off.

 

 

It didn't take long to realise that the normal firm brake pedal sinks to the floor every time you lift off the throttle but don't brake immediately - rev it again and without fail, the pedal is normal again. It stops normally, but every now and then there's a brown trouser moment if I let it coast or gently press the pedal. Fluid level is normal - I'd like to tell myself I can hear a hiss from round the back of the engine that sounds like a servo leak, but it was too late by the time I got home. I'm suspecting something of that nature and will need to get investigating.

 

However, apart from that it's good. The sunroof works, but a small plastic bit which ensures it slots into place when it shuts has broken, so it doesn't close properly. The heater only works on the first two speeds and a rear door doesn't work off the central locking, although it does try. It'll need new tyres and the rear silencer is supported by cable ties (sort of) - the rest of the exhaust is 25 years old and in pretty decent condition. I'm a bit worried that the cambelt (and water pump) might be the same age, as there's no bill in an otherwise fairly extensive history file. The crap starting this morninng was almost certainly caused by old plugs.

 

So there it is, a decent old 19 (all I need now is to find one for spares) At least I thought it was decent - about half an hour after I collected it I filled up in Chichester for the journey home. As I went back to the car after paying, there was an old guy looking at it - he said hello and then proceeded to point out his immaculate grey H-plate TXE behind. Maybe there are more out there than I thought.

[R9UKE]

Good man, that looks brilliant! Top spec and still black bumpered.

 

Enjoy!

[hhhugues]

I posted a chamade automatic with similar spec on the ebay thread only about an hour ago ! looks class that, congratulations !

I've really warmed to the phase1 19 of late, especially the higher spec ones, i think it's those cheeky yellow fog lights that do it for me!

[worldofceri]

That's a beauty that there. I've a major soft spot for all Renaults of that era.

[Lord Sterling]

That is simply beautiful in how clean and tidy it is. Something that confuses me though, did the early 19s come with 'orange' tail lamps instead of tinted ones? I am sure I have seen some 89' model with orange lights instead of tinted ones.

[Renault18]

Something that confuses me though, did the early 19s come with 'orange' tail lamps instead of tinted ones? I am sure I have seen some 89' model with orange lights instead of tinted ones.

 

For some reason they fitted two types. The TSE and TXE had these smoked tail lights, whereas the lower TR/TS and midrange GTS/GTX/GTD cars had the brighter rear lights. This was done up until the phase two cars were introduced in '92. I was never a fan of the later 19s, as they just looked as though they'd put on weight.

 

The 19 - voted several years on the run as Germany's biggest selling imported car AND the most reliable! Good to see that the powers that were at Renault took heed of this and obviously fired anyone responsible in preparation for their aspirations in the new millennium. They must have been so embarrassed making (comparatively for the French) reliable cars during the 90s

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Whoa, that's tidy! Did it do those 28 thousand miles in a carcoon?

[hhhugues]

Yeah as far as i remember, the higher spec models were always fitted with tinted tail lights. Highly desirable detail in the day !

The 19 - voted several years on the run as Germany's biggest selling imported car AND the most reliable! Good to see that the powers that were at Renault took heed of this and obviously fired anyone responsible in preparation for their aspirations in the new millennium. They must have been so embarrassed making (comparatively for the French) reliable cars during the 90s

I think the 19 was very much developed with the purpose of attaining quasi-german like levels of built quality. You could tell as soon as you stepped in one really, it had a really sturdy feel compared to the flimsiness of renault 11's. My aunty replaced one with the other, they were worlds apart.

When I think back on the amount of 19's and 21's you'd see on the road in France all through the 90's, its a sign they were doing things right then. It's a shame they didn't keep it up, I did actually quite like the Lag / Megane 2, they both looked a lot more interesting than their 1st versions. Same story for all french makes really, they had a bit of inspiration in the early 00's but the build quality wasn't up to scratch, then it REALLY went to pot on all fronts. Although Peugeot haven't even made a tasteful car since the 406 really...

[garethj]

That looks like a cherished example, top work!

 

I have a soft spot for the 2 door ones (in blue) because they look a bit like a Scirocco, only nicer. Probably the first hatchback that had the style of a coupe, something that manufacturers are trying to do nowadays too.

[25v6turbo]

That looks fantastic!!!

Really like phase 1 19s,i,ve got a load of 19 press pics,presspacks,brochures etc,really nice cars,well done.

This could be useful for spares....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/restoration-p ... 4ac22bf94f

[Mr Lobster]

I noticed that one and thought it looked a good un so its nice to see its ended up at your Home For Old Renaults.

 

Does look nice though, I do like a nice R19, as there are seemingly no decent, clean and sensibly priced R11s about at present I might have to have a look for a 19!

[Wilko220]

That looks spectacular. Another car that seems to have disappeared from the roads overnight...

Enjoy it!

[ProgRocker]

Looks very tidy.

 

At my parental home since the late 1980s there used to be a pensioner driven F reg R19 1.4 Energy in pale metallic blue. Noticed it until a few years ago I sure hope it's still doing the rounds.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

What a cracker!

 

Yeah as far as i remember, the higher spec models were always fitted with tinted tail lights. Highly desirable detail in the day !

The 19 - voted several years on the run as Germany's biggest selling imported car AND the most reliable! Good to see that the powers that were at Renault took heed of this and obviously fired anyone responsible in preparation for their aspirations in the new millennium. They must have been so embarrassed making (comparatively for the French) reliable cars during the 90s

I think the 19 was very much developed with the purpose of attaining quasi-german like levels of built quality. You could tell as soon as you stepped in one really, it had a really sturdy feel compared to the flimsiness of renault 11's. My aunty replaced one with the other, they were worlds apart.

When I think back on the amount of 19's and 21's you'd see on the road in France all through the 90's, its a sign they were doing things right then. It's a shame they didn't keep it up, I did actually quite like the Lag / Megane 2, they both looked a lot more interesting than their 1st versions. Same story for all french makes really, they had a bit of inspiration in the early 00's but the build quality wasn't up to scratch, then it REALLY went to pot on all fronts. Although Peugeot haven't even made a tasteful car since the 406 really...

 

On Gazoline mag they advertise a French book which is the memoirs of the chap who ran Renner's German sales operation in the 90's, flogging these, 25's 21's and all of that blue-chip renner bilge. Supposedly it was a bit of a golden era for them, I haven't got the book but I imagine its a treat for the serious euro shiter.

[dollywobbler]

That's an absolute delight. I do like the smoked rear lights. Very classy. I always hated the bright orange ones.

[HMC]

That is super clean! Simply cannot recall last time i saw one of the pre facelift ones, never mind such at tidy example! Presumably being top spec it has some super comfortable squashy velour seats in brown?

[hhhugues]

On Gazoline mag they advertise a French book which is the memoirs of the chap who ran Renner's German sales operation in the 90's, flogging these, 25's 21's and all of that blue-chip renner bilge. Supposedly it was a bit of a golden era for them, I haven't got the book but I imagine its a treat for the serious euro shiter.

 

Great, i shall pick up a copy of Gazoline while on the hexagone in 3 weeks time. I'll scan for said ad for the book, then see if i can somehow track it down for cheap.

I always like browsing the mag anyway. Actually there's more and more "modern classics" mags in France, i've noticed. Shame there isn't really room for "shiters" as such, with cars keeping their value so well... It's more for the dedicated restorer or the discerning enthusiast with deep pockets, i guess.

[Renault18]

Presumably being top spec it has some super comfortable squashy velour seats in brown?

 

Super comfortable, super squashy velour - but not brown.

 

Even better - blue! All of the interior is an entire blue-fest and is as super clean as the rest of it. Pics soon.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

On Gazoline mag they advertise a French book which is the memoirs of the chap who ran Renner's German sales operation in the 90's, flogging these, 25's 21's and all of that blue-chip renner bilge. Supposedly it was a bit of a golden era for them, I haven't got the book but I imagine its a treat for the serious euro shiter.

 

Great, i shall pick up a copy of Gazoline while on the hexagone in 3 weeks time. I'll scan for said ad for the book, then see if i can somehow track it down for cheap.

I always like browsing the mag anyway. Actually there's more and more "modern classics" mags in France, i've noticed. Shame there isn't really room for "shiters" as such, with cars keeping their value so well... It's more for the dedicated restorer or the discerning enthusiast with deep pockets, i guess.

 

Heres the book, its not cheap though (well, €22)

 

http://gazoline.net/article2.php?id_article=1648

[phil_lihp]

Very nice, looks like a superb example. These look infinitely better than the Migraine that followed and I got the impression they were better built*

 

I overtook this car's identical clone on the M4 out of Wales last night, apart from being on an H it was the spitting image, same 1.4 Energy spec & looked just as tidy too although in fairness I didn't examine it closely, it was being very carefully driven.

 

*Damning with faint praise etc.

[Shep Shepherd]

That's lovely. Pity that there aren't many 19s around nowadays, especially early ones - not only did they become 'run until it breaks' cars quite some time ago, no doubt many of them copped it when the Crappage scheme was running

[25v6turbo]

Fuck me is that a Safrane V6 on the cover of that book,if so i don,t have that pic,so must buy...

[hhhugues]

To be fair that book looks like it could be a hoot, anyone who can make a living from flogging Renners in Germany and somehow turn his business experience into a book called The Impossible Conquest only to kark it days after finishing the final manuscript deserves a read.