Renault 19 - positive/negative experiences

[doubleyeller]

Been offered a Chamade (saloon variety) with OMG HHG!!

I am in two minds on this one. I think it is now a borderline classic - are they as miserable to drive and unreliable as their reputation?

Tbh they have grown on me these last few years - more so in saloon variety...

[chaseracer]

My sister had one, it was fine - even after being rammed up the chuff in Tottenham.  Good tyres are important, obvs.

[doubleyeller]

Just now, chaseracer said:

My sister had one, it was fine - even after being rammed up the chuff in Tottenham.  Good tyres are important, ob

So how was your sister after getting rammed up the chuff in Tottenham?

 

[chaseracer]

She was unhurt, but I wouldn't have liked to be the driver that hit her.

[Mudster]

Had a R19 16v for 3 years. The first year was sorting the cooling system out probably from neglect. Blocked heater matrix resulted in almost zero heat in the cabin and some awkward to access corroded pipes. Heater control knobs snap off. Once done it was great.

I would check the heater works!

[The Moog]

Definitely get a set of good tyres .. always useful

[doubleyeller]

Just now, chaseracer said:

She was unhurt, but I wouldn't have liked to be the driver that hit her.

What are you waiting for? Find out where the twat is hiding and take him up the rear!

[doubleyeller]

Just now, Mudster said:

Had a R19 16v for 3 years. The first year was sorting the cooling system out probably from neglect. Blocked heater matrix resulted in almost zero heat in the cabin and some awkward to access corroded pipes. Heater control knobs snap off. Once done it was great.

I would check the heater works!

Useful info thanks - I am a bit put off that you had to spend a year rectifying a cooling system!

[Mudster]

Not as put off as I was ! 😀

It was a case of fixing something and a few weeks later something else failed. Just about replaced all hoses/pipes, radiator etc. Never did get the heater working really well though.

[doubleyeller]

Just now, Mudster said:

Not as put off as I was ! 😀

It was a case of fixing something and a few weeks later something else failed. Just about replaced all hoses/pipes, radiator etc. Never did get the heater working really well though.

Yeah I have heard pretty mixed things tbh - plenty of people I knew  back in 2000 sort of time loved them and said "Best car I ever owned, this!"

[sierraman]

Basically the same as a phase 1 Megane I think? AFAIK the 1.6e on those was prone to cooling system issues and sludging. To be fair it’s now at the very least a 25 year old car, anything could be wrong with it. 

[doubleyeller]

Just now, sierraman said:

Basically the same as a phase 1 Megane I think? AFAIK the 1.6e on those was prone to cooling system issues and sludging. To be fair it’s now at the very least a 25 year old car, anything could be wrong with it. 

Yeah, amazing how time flies

Tbh I expect the MK1 megane to have fewer survivors in the long term

[vaughant]

Had a few mk1 Meganes and I believe as above they're basically the same car. 

Not bad steers in anyway, just not a very entertaining place to be. 

Didn't seem to rust and had only minor electrical issues really. 

[Split_Pin]

8v engines are slightly prone to HG failure, 16v not so much. 

19s mainly have the former, only early Meganes have them though, in a range of capacities up to 2 litre.

[dollywobbler]

I'd like to try one, as it seems they apparently have that wonderful 1990s French mix of ride AND handling. 

[Billy - Medhurst]

Had 2 1400 Chamades years ago - both with the energy 1.4 motor which then chatterings suggested was the best one. No trouble at all from either one hence buying a 2nd one later on. I still would have another as a weekend / retro if I wanted to go that route. If you can fix it get it bought.

[wesacosa]

There one with HG failure on market place for sale or breaking , so if its the same one sounds like a quick decision needed before bits start disappearing

[bunglebus]

All I can add is that I was taken for a high speed run in a series 1 16v and it was a right hoot, and that the wheels off one looked excellent on my 5. Pretty rare beast these days, if it's cheap worth a save even if you pass it on to another shiter?

[Six-cylinder]

It is the convertible for me please, I just love the rear deck humps.

[HMC]

 

 

[Split_Pin]

1 hour ago, Six-cylinder said:

It is the convertible for me please, I just love the rear deck humps.

YES. The only convertible that I think I would sell the Audi for. 

[Ghosty]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3474653705917080/

 

WTF would you break that for? 

[MJK 24]

14 minutes ago, Ghosty said:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3474653705917080/

 

WTF would you break that for? 

I know.  Annoying to say the least.

[wesacosa]

1 hour ago, MJK 24 said:

I know.  Annoying to say the least.

at least he is willing to sell the whole car if someone wants it. fingers crossed they do.   Given how many R19 are left I can't imagine a huge queue for parts so he needs to be careful letting one or two bits go

[PhilA]

Friend of mine had a 19 with the 1.4 Energy lump. It liked to drink a bit of water and the clutch was getting a bit slippy but the thing went on and on and on. 

Comfy seats. Eventually he got bored of it, put it nose first against the barn doors in first with the wheels spinning, and stuck a brick on the throttle.

Plenty of noise, steam and smoke. 

He gave up after the tyres blew out. When it cooled down it had no water in and wouldn't turn over for the first few attempts, then started up and idled like nothing had happened.

 

Wasn't a bad car really. Just dull and with a heavy clutch and springy gears.

 

Phil

 

[sierraman]

17 hours ago, Ghosty said:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3474653705917080/

 

WTF would you break that for? 

Could be completely rotten underneath or on the suspension mounts or somewhere an utter bastard to weld. 

[bunglebus]

As I read the ad, it's OMGHGF. Looks properly clean, anyone bought it yet?

[omegod]

Massive horn for a mk1 chamade 16v , test drove one once and it was a hoot with very comfy seats 

[brownnova]

Didn’t someone on here pick up a free 19 on Jersey or the Isle of white or something recently?

Or did I imagine that.... 

[brownnova]

Nope didn’t imagine it... it was @mk2_craig wonder how that 19 is getting on?