RobT Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 I went to Norfolk today and collected this gallic lovely.The logic* behind the purchase was I wanted something to waft around in over the Christmas period whilst the Jag is broken (fixing that can wait). Common sense said get a cheap Merc C180, but my brain isn't wired that way. I wish it was sometimes!As indicated by the thread title it's an automatic, 2 litre RT, and most of the electrics seem to work. Even though the seller told me the gearbox warning light comes on and the voice synthesiser indicates the 'box is in safe mode, I still went for it, so I must be insane. However, it drives fine and Synth also told me the brake lights are out when they're not so I'll take my chances at 250 quid. Steers and handles really well for a big lump, similar to a 25 I reckon, but with a slightly firmer ride.The 120 mile journey home wasn't without incident. Before hitting the M25 I stopped for a piss and it refused to start. Turned over and spluttered but then died. I left it 5 minutes, tried again but nothing. Convinced it was fucked I called the recovery and typically it fired up when he arrived. The guy said the battery terminals were loose which might not have helped, but it was good to go so I went. He asked what was I doing buying a Safrane, so I was expecting some monologue about shit old cars, but he was a Renault perv himself having a phase 1 Espace Quadra. Who've thought it!Anyway, a few more pics. It needs a wash.A sanitised version of the 25s hooded dash.It took me a few seconds to work out the heater controls. Where are the buttons?Aah, flip the flap. KruJoe, phil_lihp, Jim Bergerac and 46 others 49 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lord Sward Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 GR8 cars, I used to sell them NO BOTHA when they were still current. Masshoosely underrated. RobT and Jim Bell 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saucedoctor Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 That is fantastic. Well played. Jim Bell and RobT 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bell Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Safrane is an anagram of Arse Fan. And Far Sane. And A Franse. I guess you would have to be a French madman besotted with bums to not like this honey. Which we are not. Well played. Your flap is well cool. forddeliveryboy, chaseracer, Stanky and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMC Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Nice one Rob! Must be the time of year as I've been considering getting a tired Merc c class too. The safrane will be a better winter wafter I recon. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlo Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Nice one Rob. I'll definitely be having a ticket when this roffles... RobT, NorfolkNWeigh, barefoot and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twosmoke300 Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Lovely , one of those is on my bucket list . Are they as wafty as they look? RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairnet Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 c180??? hahahaha fuk dat shit winnah at wintar RobT and Supernaut 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Well done Like mine. It's currently parked beside a white 25.... Who'd ha thunk it? RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNWeigh Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 That's brilliant, I love Safranes. Along with the 605 the most underrated executive car ever.Have a picture of a Biturbo . Uncle Jimmy, DVee8, nacho man and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Ace. Clearly, the early 1990s was the time when the French went mad for pointless flaps. As you may have noticed, my ZX has one that covers only half of the stereo... Lacquer Peel and RobT 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supernaut Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Pointless flaps are best flaps. ...flaps. Jim Bell, Lacquer Peel, saucedoctor and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantingYoof Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Safranes are awesome machines. The 3.0 12v thing my mum had was amazingly thirsty and was amazingly slow, but so comfy. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Few flaps are pointless. That is a good looking beastie of a car. Grand purchasing Sir. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r.welfare Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 That's a very early one isn't it, reckon that will have 25v6turbo foaming! RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forddeliveryboy Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 What a rarity on a K plate, top buying! RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted December 21, 2016 Author Share Posted December 21, 2016 Lovely , one of those is on my bucket list . Are they as wafty as they look?It's very wafty. Steering is light but not too much, and rides lovely even on the rubbish roads around here. Cabin is quiet bar the odd trim rattle, and the engine isn't intrusive even if you have to rev it a bit sometimes to get it shifting. WUD RECKOMEND, if you can find one. I read somewhere that the gearboxes aren't the issue, it's the oil cooler that's the cheesy but obviously crucial bit. Not sure if that's true, Nigel B might be best placed to answer that one! Skizzer and saucedoctor 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghosty Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 C180 common sense over that? Naaaaaaah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saucedoctor Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 It's very wafty. Steering is light but not too much, and rides lovely even on the rubbish roads around here. Cabin is quiet bar the odd trim rattle, and the engine isn't intrusive even if you have to rev it a bit sometimes to get it shifting. WUD RECKOMEND, if you can find one. I read somewhere that the gearboxes aren't the issue, it's the oil cooler that's the cheesy but obviously crucial bit. Not sure if that's true, Nigel B might be best placed to answer that one! Isn't it stuffed under one of the front wheelarches or suchlike? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hertz Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Quality. You can't beat a Safrane, the wrong trims though? They look OK to be fair, the chances of finding the originals will be slim I guess. That is exactly the same year, model and colour that I stuffed on the Princess Parkway Manchester in 1996. I was delivering it to "Celebrity" Radio Manchester DJ and Granada Motor show star Eamonn O'Neal after it had it's Auto box repaired (surprise surprise). Could it be the same one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forddeliveryboy Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 Should it need front brakes, there's a pair of Klaxcar front discs for £11 which qualify for free delivery on orders over £20 from Amazon, search for 25015Z. And a TRW master cylinder for less, (PMH617) or Sachs front dampers for about the same (170163). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobT Posted December 21, 2016 Author Share Posted December 21, 2016 Isn't it stuffed under one of the front wheelarches or suchlike?The AA bloke said it's buried behind the rad fans or something. I can't see it that's for sure. There's no ATF dipstick either. The manual simply tells you to 'consult your Renault dealer'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted December 21, 2016 Share Posted December 21, 2016 I'd be very tempted by that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve79 Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Have got experience with these as i'm on my 2nd, a '95 2.2vi phase one. Great cars and almost always reliable. The trans lines underneath rot out and you'll only know about it when the box goes bang. I strongly recommed changing the trans fluid and filter as on my phase one 2.5td auto the fluid was thick, black and came out like treacle. Renault class the AD8 box as sealed for life but its very wise to ignore this. Although Renault no longer stock the autobox filter, i got mine from jpat near bristol. They are top guys and a wealth of knowledge. I think i paid £30 including the very necessary thick rubber gasket. http://www.jpat.co.uk/2013_Cat_Renault.html Top sh*tting by the way, i almost bought this when it was on ebay ages ago but the prospect of having a third old car on the drive, let alone a 3rd safrane was starting to fray the wifes nerves! Won't tell her about whats in my mothers garages then purplebargeken, Vince70, egg and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surprisingskoda Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I'm near sure one of the 16v 19 cabrios I had was an OTR plate as well. Much nicer than the rotten black safrane I had way back when. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulgalour Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Goodness those have aged surprisingly well. Looks super comfy inside too. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DVee8 Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 RobT that is class,you have won autoshite at christmas. RobT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 That really is a nice looking car. Don't know why I haven't gone large French barge. Auto too! Hmm. Jim Bell and RobT 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the judge Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Flaps. And minge. Longblackcoat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 The logic* behind the purchase...It's a Safrane, no explanation required. Excellent buy! Very jealous. RustyNuts 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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