I iz mega tempt. Renault 4!

[raggerminder]

Mega brilliant cars! One of my first cars in the early seventies was one of 1966 vintage, and it was an old banger even then. My dad had an even earlier one with, I believe, a 750cc engine. We went to Cornwall for a family holiday in it - very slowly. I did own a couple of others in the seventies but they generally collapsed after a few months due to voracious tin worm. Would love another but their prices have gone through the roof.

 

Sold my first one to an Australian backpacker in Gosforth; he paid for it with travellers' cheques. Replaced it with a R10 - when was the last time anyone saw one of those in the wild?

[wuvvum]

I've never had a go in a 747cc 4.  The 1967 845cc 4L was "interesting" enough, with its 3-speed 'box (crash first on a dogleg) and 6-volt electrics.  That would do about 60 flat out.

 

Of course the true shiter's choice would be the 603cc Renault 3.

[Andrew353w]

This one's still available....

 

 

On offer on carandclassic.co.uk

 

Beautiful!!!

[forddeliveryboy]

I like the R4 a lot, but I'm not blinded in the same way as Junkman is with his Renault-love. I'd probably save up a bit more and get a 16. But I like the fact that they're cheap and largely forgotten and don't come with scene tax. I like the airiness, the visibility, the punchy and smooth (for an inline 4) 1108 and the general simpIe happy feeling they usually have, even when rotten. I've made my less praiseworthy comments difficult to read, since I don't like being unkind to the 4, it's such a happy little thing. Perhaps you should skip the less kind bits - no car is perfect.

 

I don't like the timing chain which always rattles (the adjuster is poorly situated and soon runs out of travel). When it breaks, it's engine and box out time. Don't like the steering rack mounted near the front of the engine bay (best not to have a prang) or the faf involved in changing a clutch. At least you can do the timing chain when the engine and box are on the floor.

 

They were Reggie's response to the 2cv, which was a runaway sales success. How do you compete with such a mould-breaker? Renault's answer was to make something which looked similar-ish to l'Escargot and they copied other Citroëns in many other respects - mainly the Traction Avant, with a bit of DS-style construction in the rear chassis for resto-nightmare.

 

You feel Renault ticked all the boxes to make sure it won motoring mag comparisons with the Tin Snail - ostensibly quieter, better turning circle, slightly higher top speed, your mechanic wouldn't need to have had experience in Grand Prix racing to understand it, standard size wheels, bearings, comforting things like an engine you could see, a distributor, plenty of cylinders, a head gasket, a water pump, thermostat, hoses and a cuddly radiator - all of which the 2cv lacked.

 

So they're tough and with none of the fear-factor a 2cv creates in many people - it feels conventional, more like a car made by a car designer rather than an aircraft designer's vision of the personal transport future project for his PhD.

 

You always feel as if you're going on holiday in one - why can't modern cars be made to give you this feeling?

[Andrew353w]

I don't like the timing chain which always rattles (the adjuster is poorly situated and soon runs out of travel). When it breaks, it's engine and box out

 

That's interesting!  The 1108cc engine went in the Daf 55 & 66 cars & all the ones I owned sounded "rattley", which would explain it!

[forddeliveryboy]

Surely most of these are good things? My last R4 was nearly twice round the clock when I sold it and still drove fine with it's original clutch and timing chain intact.

 

Yea, in some ways. But the old What Car style of giant test was farcical (you remember the star system? - no doubt the mass market motoring press in France were little different)... knowing the only way you'll win the press over is by working to their methods of judgement is not always the best way of going about designing a bit of engineering.

 

I'm not surprised the 4 will do these sort of mileages - they feel pretty tough to me. No doubt regular oil changes kept the chain going on and on - so many people have a car for years then suddenly stop servicing it because they've already had to spend a bit of cash on repairs. I suppose this is why nobody makes cars to last anymore.

[forddeliveryboy]

That's the answer, frequent oil changes. The filters on those cars are about an inch and a half deep! Was that intended or because they forgot about an oil filter when designing the car?

[DSdriver]

Not nearly enough pictures in this thread (apart from that it is tops) so here are a couple that I papped in France. You may have seen these pics before but I am sure you will revel in the oportunity to see them again.

 

Renault 4 by DSdriver, on Flickr

 

Lembeye Renault 4 by DSdriver, on Flickr

[Andrew353w]

That's the answer, frequent oil changes. The filters on those cars are about an inch and a half deep! Was that intended or because they forgot about an oil filter when designing the car?

You're almost right! The early Renault 4 cars didn't have an oil filter at all! The servicing schedule recommended oil changes every 1,500 miles, though! Even later on, when filters were fitted to the engine the oil changes were every 3,000 miles, although oil technology has improved since then! 

[forddeliveryboy]

There would be a 'screen' to filter out the bigger lumps, no doubt! I'm always amazed at how long engines without modern filters last. I wonder if the massive thing on the current dizzle - almost as big as a big cafetiere for coffee - is actually a cooling device, masquerading as a filter.

[barrett]

The real difference between a 4 and a Dyane/Ami is that it has a real engine, cooled by a real medium, thus offering a real heater.

It also has real seats, a real suspension, real roadholding, real car sound, really drives better and really is superior in every single aspect.

 

Yes, I'd love to have an Ami, too.

But an Ami has one of the best heaters ever! Better than any water cooled nonsense I've driven, plus it won't explode and piss water all over your shoes. See also: best seats of any car, and absurdly stylish and chic (which the R4, much as I like them, simply isn't)

[DSdriver]

Wanted: Ami heater for fitting to DS Safari.

[dollywobbler]

Wanted: Ami heater for fitting to DS Safari.

 

Plenty of room in the boot for an Ami engine. Just plumb it in and job's a good'un!

[forddeliveryboy]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2418455/Francis-takes-delivery-new-Popemobile--29-year-old-Renault-4-190-000-miles-clock.html

[MrFarkinBasz]

 

 

Sold my first one to an Australian backpacker in Gosforth; he paid for it with travellers' cheques. Replaced it with a R10 - when was the last time anyone saw one of those in the wild?

 

The last time I saw a Renault 10 was when I got a lift in one - in September 1993, in the Dordogne.  I am fairly sure it was a R10TL in dark green with tan colour vinyl seats.  I also got a lift in a Citroen BX and a VW Corrado on that holiday.

[Fabergé Greggs]

Holy thread resurrection.. 

 

Just opened up carandclassic and this was somehow on the front page. 

 

It's been for sale on the Renault 4 forum for a while so he might take a cheeky offer,  and it's 10 minutes walk away. 

 

I'm on my way. 

 

[tooSavvy]

My Ex's dad was on War Vet pension [bitd] and was issued one >> the pensions people got all sorts of reject batches on the cheap! >> the cars were left with the vet until shagged/reviewed SO he went underneath with a rough file/scraper and fuckked all the chassis paint = it was rusted like a t bag within 18months and recalled... He then got a 1100 Escort 'Popular' black [*iirc Doom Blue] 2door and trim glue all over the rooflining and edges >> likely another 'govt surplus barg'

[Cleon-Fonte]

Seems good value for a restored, useable one although I'd have to bin the front seats and put R4 ones back in right away. GIB, man.

[barrett]

White Renault hatchbacks best. Would be up for a compare and contrast session if you get it.

[schonker]

Have you bought it yet?

[Skizzer]

Holy thread resurrection.. 

 

Just opened up carandclassic and this was somehow on the front page. 

 

It's been for sale on the Renault 4 forum for a while so he might take a cheeky offer,  and it's 10 minutes walk away. 

 

I'm on my way. 

 

Renault 4s are ace. Go go go!

[Fabergé Greggs]

I'm having a big old think. It seems to run pretty nicely, didn't get to drive it but had a lengthy passenger sesh including a spin up the dual carriageway at motorway speeds- it's seems a lot more relaxed than the same engined Daf. 

 

It's a bit rusty here and there- the curbside rear wing bottom and boot is ragged, as is where the rear wings, boot and boot floor meet. Chassis seems pretty good though from what I could tell. Photos deffo flatter it a bit. My main problem is that I think I'd rather a Dyane or Ami. 

[Marm Toastsmith]

I'm having a big old think. It seems to run pretty nicely, didn't get to drive it but had a lengthy passenger sesh including a spin up the dual carriageway at motorway speeds- it's seems a lot more relaxed than the same engined Daf. 

 

It's a bit rusty here and there- the curbside rear wing bottom and boot is ragged, as is where the rear wings, boot and boot floor meet. Chassis seems pretty good though from what I could tell. Photos deffo flatter it a bit. My main problem is that I think I'd rather a Dyane or Ami. 

 

You should buy it.

 

Well priced, local, looks practical, and will be dirt cheap to run.

 

I don't see how you can lose.

 

I've always wanted one too...

 

...dibs on your Saab? Maybe...

[Ghosty]

Can't say much other than GIB. Junkman will be able to advise on the rot.

[Marm Toastsmith]

Did you sound him out re having a haggle?

[Fabergé Greggs]

Did you sound him out re having a haggle?

 

Yeah I did the old, "I'm gonna have a think, it's up for 2 bags aye?" 

 

To which he responded, "yes, I'm open to offers though as long as they're not silly".. 

 

I shook his hand, thanked him for his time and retreated for a think. Which brings us up to now..

[djoptix]

My first car was a R4, and we've still got it.

 

Also got another one which would be a very brave resto, and one with a roll back sunroof. All 845cc because that's for winners. The 1108 carbs tend to be a fucking nightmare.

 

All for sale too...

[Marm Toastsmith]

Yeah I did the old, "I'm gonna have a think, it's up for 2 bags aye?" 

 

To which he responded, "yes, I'm open to offers though as long as they're not silly".. 

 

I shook his hand, thanked him for his time and retreated for a think. Which brings us up to now..

 

I think you should buy it.

[artdjones]

Look very carefully at the rear torsion bar mountings.If they check out well,buy it.

[ChinaTom]

So what was the Renault 3 then? Saw one once in Spain.