My MK1 espace problem.

[MJK 24]

Did the Quadra have a carbon fibre prop shaft or is that one of my more crazy dreams?!

[somewhatfoolish]

That does ring a bell, Matra certainly have the ability and habit of doing things the hard way.

[Robin]

7 hours ago, TheIsleofShite said:

Was that you parked in the car park down Southsea last Sunday? 
 

It wasn't me, it was the previous owner. I sold it to him a few months ago, he took it out for some photos at the weekend as a final goodbye, dropped it off to me on Monday! Funnily enough he's also called Robin... 

5 hours ago, MJK 24 said:

Did the Quadra have a carbon fibre prop shaft or is that one of my more crazy dreams?!

They did indeed. The quadra system was good but unsure how strong it is. The viscous coupling in the middle is the achilles heel unfortunately. They cost about £1500 to have re-made, as the parts aren't available at all

 

 

This weekend I fettled a lot:

FIXED THE HEADLIGHT WASHERS OH GOD YES (video below) 

Fitted a head unit that works

Changed cambelt and tensioner 

Changed power steering belt - Renault in their infinite wisdom decided to put it BEHIND the cambelt on a separate pulley. Incroyable. 

Changed alternator belt 

Changed dizzy cap and rotor arm 

Changed drivers brake caliper and carrier 

Skinned 3 knuckles changing the crank position sensor

Changed air temp sensor

Changed air filter, oil, oil filter 

Adjusted ticking valves

 

Not all of it was necessary, mostly preventative 

 

I think it might need a clutch before next summer but that's a problem for another time. The blower motor is also seized and I'll need that for winter. But unfortunately to get at that I have to dismantle the entire dash and fascia, drop the steering column, then hope I have one's of 3 types of blower that were seemingly fitted at random throughout different years. Pray for me. 

 

 

[fatharris]

Very happy to see you've found your way onto here.

I really fancy one of these for a few years to ferry the family about - great cars.

[barrett]

I thought I'd dig out the pic of the last Mk1 Espace I had spotted in the wild, and it turns out you now own it. I guess there's a law of averages thing at work there.

So I went to find the pic of the previous Mk1 Espace I'd spotted. This thing was an absolute minter but sadly it appears not to have been taxed or MoT'd since I took this photo in 2013 - the tax ran out just a few days later and that was that. I suppose it's not been scrapped, at least.

[Robin]

On 8/15/2022 at 3:40 PM, barrett said:

I thought I'd dig out the pic of the last Mk1 Espace I had spotted in the wild, and it turns out you now own it. I guess there's a law of averages thing at work there.

So I went to find the pic of the previous Mk1 Espace I'd spotted. This thing was an absolute minter but sadly it appears not to have been taxed or MoT'd since I took this photo in 2013 - the tax ran out just a few days later and that was that. I suppose it's not been scrapped, at least.

Haha, where and when did you take that picture? I have had it for a while now, previous owner had it for around 9 years and lived near Brighton. 

[barrett]

22 hours ago, Robin said:

Haha, where and when did you take that picture? I have had it for a while now, previous owner had it for around 9 years and lived near Brighton. 

This was the car park of an Asda in Brighton, I didn't think it was that long ago but probably five years or something now!

[Robin]

14 hours ago, barrett said:

This was the car park of an Asda in Brighton, I didn't think it was that long ago but probably five years or something now!

Blimey that's a while ago! That was indeed his local shop. Amazing find! 

[Robin]

Still on the hunt for a quadra. Becoming desperate.

 

As a means of coping, I've bought another. I'm now up to 6. I also bought a multipla for a bit of variety, but that's not for this thread. 

This espace has some strange things about it. The chap I got it from had a heart attack and never finished it. Bought it from a market trader in 2017.  It appears it may have been a taxi or maybe airport transport? Or a runway vehicle? It's very odd. The paint job is peculiar. 

It has one cream seat belt, others are all grey. It has lots of screw holes in the dash. It has some sort of aerial hole in the front window. It's also got some giant pre-cut carpet lining cover thing which seems to have been there since brand new. The carpet still has plastic on it mostly. So bizarre! 

Enjoy some dark photos when it arrived at 2.45am Tuesday morning (Monday night) 

Still hungry for more... 

 

[Robin]

It's not gone well. I've landed myself with number 8 mk1 espace now. Needs a head gasket but at 750k she's done well. Lhd French import carb model, 6 inches of service history with her.
I'm going to get this one back on the road for sure.

 

[grogee]

You need help. 

But also, well done. I love Espaces

[Robin]

Been a while! The funny red and silver car has passed an MOT with minimal fuss and is due to be rehomed very soon. 

I have two more on the hit list that I am organising to view, which no joke are almost 800 miles apart. That'll be a very busy day for my maroon espace running me about. 

In the meantime, number plate acquired. What a pillock. 

Deciding which car to put it on but if my 800 mile day proves fruitful then this one might have to wait a while... 

[Ghosty]

Ah, I follow you on Instagram 😀

Espaces are cool. I love the early mk1, the styling couldn't be more French if it tried. 

[Hertz]

I do know of one Espace Quadra, saw it about 10 years ago near Edinburgh and was owned by a chap into Renault Alpines who is now sadly deceased. If any of his cars come up for sale I will ask for you and if it's still about pass on the details.

[Robin]

On 12/30/2022 at 11:03 AM, Hertz said:

I do know of one Espace Quadra, saw it about 10 years ago near Edinburgh and was owned by a chap into Renault Alpines who is now sadly deceased. If any of his cars come up for sale I will ask for you and if it's still about pass on the details.

I believe this may be one of the leads I already have! Someone else has it now I think. Keep me informed if you hear anything though.

[coachie]

I would like to think this post of mine last month helped that plate find it's rightful owner.

Weirdly, I spent most of yesterday looking for early Espaces after hearing a recent Gordon Murray interview on The Intercooler Last Blast podcast.  It was one of his 6 favourite cars, and he has had 3 of them.  Perhaps you have one of his old cars!

I know of a chap that works at my local Volvo dealer (Abergavenny), has had several MK1 Espaces in the past.  I will look him up in the new year to see if he still has any spares or old cars.  I believe he has a farming background, so they could still be in existence.

[Robin]

On 12/31/2022 at 2:13 PM, coachie said:

I would like to think this post of mine last month helped that plate find it's rightful owner.

Weirdly, I spent most of yesterday looking for early Espaces after hearing a recent Gordon Murray interview on The Intercooler Last Blast podcast.  It was one of his 6 favourite cars, and he has had 3 of them.  Perhaps you have one of his old cars!

I know of a chap that works at my local Volvo dealer (Abergavenny), has had several MK1 Espaces in the past.  I will look him up in the new year to see if he still has any spares or old cars.  I believe he has a farming background, so they could still be in existence.

That would be brilliant if you could put me in touch if he's got some bits. 

 

Would be amazing to try and see what ones Mr Murray had and if they were still around. 

Glad someone else noticed the plate in the auction, I'd requested it specifically around 6 months ago and I was absolutely dead set on having it. 

 

Also a slight update on the thread, the most recently acquired espace is back on the road and in the hands of a shiter. A chap called Tom. I don't know his username though! 

So I'm down to 6 now. 

Due to alarmingly low numbers in stock I have another arriving this week. And leads on another 5, hopefully this year I'll hit double figures and have a well deserved trip to the loony bin. 

[Rocket88]

An Espace coupe…….