Would you?

[Ratdat]

Here's a tough one. I've got the chance of a Vel Satis at a very (and I mean VERY!) good price. Similar to this one....

 

 

The car has a full service history from Renault and two owners (current one since it was a few months old). It's a 2002 with the 3.0L DCi diesel and 118k on the clock. Most of the things that go wrong with these have already been done on it and as it stands it's in fine fettle. So far as I can see the pros are quirky Frenchness and it's undoubtedly true future autoshite. It's mega comfortable and has decent performance but also not bad on fuel. Tows car trailers well! The Cons are most likely parts and servicing costs and complexity beyond a lot of DIY-ing, especially electrical stuff. They tend to go through tyres a bit fast and they are pricey (18's). Road tak might be pricey before too long but I believe these actually have quite a low CO output.

 

However, I'm unlikely to many miles in it... maybe 5000 a year at the most and possibly down as low as half that, so servicing and tyres wouldn't be very often. It's an extremely good deal for me so I'm highly tempted but just interested to hear other peoples opinions.

[Jason A]

I would, for sure, if the price is right.

[mouseflakes]

I think you should go for this Ed - but I've got no practical experience of them to help you in your choice - just love the madness of it.I've been eyeing up the one on the RCCC forum!

[Volksy]

I would!

[Mr Average]

What have you got to loose bar your sanity!

[reallyloud]

Certainly worth considering as a long haul cruiser, but as you cover 5k a year you would have to have several long distance journeys to make it viable. Even if you do just 3 300 mile journeys a year then its got to be worth considering. Either that and just buy it, store it and let the moss grow and pimp it on this forum in exactly 12 years.The 3.5 top of the range model has the same engine as the Nissan 350Z, so in theory you could take this engine out and put it in a 350Z. Which is a bit mental but perversely fun.

[25v6turbo]

Is it the one thats been doing the rounds for around £1500???,parts are MEGA expensive,i know for a fact,but they are different,always fancied a manual V6 Avantime....any proof of a cambelt change??

[58classiccars]

go for it, if you dont you will wish you had, and you can say, had one of them

[pogweasel]

I would, like a bloody shot. Beautifully wierd to look at, sumptuous interiors, bloody awesome stacked-with-toys motorway hauler. Even if it's only for a year until a window regulator breaks and the stealers want £5000 for a new one, heck it'd be worth it. Better regret the things you do rather than those you don't.

[Ratdat]

Is it the one thats been doing the rounds for around £1500???,parts are MEGA expensive,i know for a fact,but they are different,always fancied a manual V6 Avantime....any proof of a cambelt change??

No, I know the car and owner and it's definately been well serviced and has always had top quality tyres fitted. I'd absolutely love an Avantime but it's out of my league price-wise and the Vel Satis is a good alternative I think. It's still just as quirky and unloved This one is an auto but a top of the range with Sat Nav etc.

Better regret the things you do rather than those you don't.

Very good point... I think I'll go for it.

[pogweasel]

Super.I shall enjoy the experience by proxy.

[pompei]

I saw one in Scunthorpe on Friday, parked on the same street as a W reg RS1600.

[reallyloud]

I saw a white one with a body kit in Coventry when the car was still in production. It was a little more subtle than this one, with neater colour coding and split rims, but you get the idea.

 

 

Sourced from here:

 

http://www.renaultvelsatis.nl/forum/

 

http://www.elia-ag.de/index2.html

[Spottedlaurel]

Certainly still something of note when you see one of these around, isn't it?When are you changing your username to Ratren?...

[Ratdat]

Certainly still something of note when you see one of these around, isn't it?When are you changing your username to Ratren?...

Hehe, not quite yet. Datsuns still outnumber Renaults here by more than two to one. The car count is still diminishing. Down to 22 now including parts cars and lost causes and will be down to 20 soon, as the Javelin is sold and the 323 GT will be going up for sale. By next summer I'll be down to 14 or 15 cars not counting the parts donors so I'll at last be able to garage everything with room to spare.

[binhoker668]

No doubt has fun toys too?Have it!

[nigel bickle]

No view -but I'll be interested to hear....

[Chris_W_Q4]

I think that's the Isuzu 3.0 V6 diesel also used in the Saab 9-5 Tid and Signum / Vectra?

[Mr Lobster]

Definately, without a doubt, DO IT!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Get on it RD! Whats the worst that could happen? Erm.....

[25v6turbo]

Its a Nissan P9Q engine,pretty solid,but there has been the odd alternator pully,aux belt tentioner problem,lissen carefully for noises when cold on startup,but if your 100% happy go for it!

[MrRegieRitmo]

Better regret the things you do rather than those you don't.

Very good point... I think I'll go for it.

That's how I feel about the Alfa, it might not have gone the way I would have liked but I'm glad I did. The Vel Satis will certainly be high up the Autoshite Top Trumps desirability list in years to come!

[Daniel R25]

No,

do not buy a Vel Satis with the 3L Dci engine. Never-ever, unless it has had a new engine fitted a few thounsand miles ago...

 

They have notorious problems with the Common Rail Pump. Another problems are the piston liners that seem to move downwards- you get the same symptoms as with a blown head gasket but you will need a new engine block...

 

The problems are so severe that Saab has stopped selling this particular engine. Both, Renault and Saab were pretty tolerant and replaced engines even after the guarantee period. However, Renault refuses to do this if the car was not mantained in one of their workshops.

http://www.saabscene.com/forum/index.ph ... ry31686085

 

Regards,

Daniel

[chaseracer]

Here's a tough one. I've got the chance of a Vel Satis at a very (and I mean VERY!) good price. Similar to this one....

 

I've had two Citroen XMs, so yes... I would...

[25v6turbo]

Sorry i mean,t P9X engine!! interesting comments from Daniels,ive never heard of these problems,interesting.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Whats the crack with this engine then, is it a renner job or a Isuzu or something else or what?

[Daniel R25]

Hi,it is an Isuzu Engine used by Renault and GM: You can get it in the Espace, Vel Satis, Saab 9-5 and Opel Vectra and Signum. The German wikipedia site says that Opel and Saab have stopped selling this engine in 2006.The problem with the dropped liners might be a typical Autobahn Problem. They seem to have set the redline much too high.But it is a typical problem - even my uncle that runs a small dealership has replaced more than one of these engines...Daniel

[VWPowered]

if cheap cheap yes, if not proberley no till they get nearer my 200e bracket

[Ratdat]

It's had the engine replaced so it shouldn't be a problem hopefully with the few miles I'll do. Anyway, the deal is done now and I now have a '52 Renault 4CV to weld and repaint next year which is my end of the deal. Okay, so I have a bit of work to do in trade but I prefer that to laying out cash, because for me, at the this price I think it's cheap enough to be worth taking the chance on any future problems. It'd make a nice garage ornament if it all goes pear shaped

 

Here it is. It won't be in my possesion until Gary, who owns it gets his new car... which will probably be a Koleos.

 

 

A classy tat hauler if ever there was one!

[reallyloud]

Perfect prefix on the plate for this site too. Congratulations! This must be the most modern car you've owned since that bubble micra?