Laguna II - would you?

[Pete-M]

The worst part for my pal was that he got it at the bargain price of £2800.

Bloody wars. That's about 3000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000x what it's worth...

 

EFA.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

My dad had a brand new 53 plate 2.0T petrol, which he had for five years and 66,000 miles. It was a lovely car, very comfortable.

 

The only bad points were a few electrical niggles, like how the backlighting for the air con stopped working so you couldn't see it in the dark, and it was supplied with a dead courtesy light. Also both the keycards broke, another time the doors wouldn't lock, some rubber thing on the rear suspension fell apart and started making a grinding sound (Renault dealer told us it was common and to live with it), something rattled noisily in the engine bay despite nothing appearing to be loose, it failed its first MOT on headlamp adjusters (£300!). Oh, the sunroof jammed open and had to be wound closed with an allen key, after which the sunroof control panel wouldn't stay in the headlining. Also, one month before the warranty expired the turbo failed which for some reason prompted the car to tell us the injectors had a fault and stranded us on the M62. Also the tyre pressure sensors broke. A lot.

 

I was actually quite fond of it. Went to a dealer in Liverpool before dropping off the DVLA database, so goodness only knows what happened to it.

 

[kinkersaab]

I have skim read this thread and got the general jist as expected.

I am going to stand up for the laguna, i have sold lots over the years, and my wife has run 2 of them, with little issue, the best one to go for would be a petrol manual with a good few miles under its belt i would say, the autos are not great to drive let alone long lastingness. Lesser spec with no xenons and no tyre pressure systems. I bought one on wednesday for stock, a facelift 05 plate 2,o estate in silver with 77k for £1500, car arrived on transporter from the auction and it is A1 first class, no issuses. gr8 value for money.

[Albert Ross]

I have a friend with one of these. Thankfully he's thinking of getting rid. But... he wants an Insignia. I told him to keep the Renault. Or buy a Honda Accord. His motor has done less than 30k, yet the rear suspension bushes have failed, and the rear brake discs and wheel bearings have been replaced twice! Also front suspension and steering issues, (rack ends and a lower balljoint I think). As yet, no cardkey issues though,

 

They blow donkey schlong big time, and the nasty thing on the bonnet looks like it's off a 1950s fridge.

 

Best avoided, they're shit, not shite.

[garethj]

I can only chime in with Laguna 1 issues, because there was one on the company car fleet when it was new. The gearbox let go a few times.

 

A neighbour has a 55 plate Megane where the alarm is playing up. To get around this, they have to leave the car unlocked - GR9 security alarm

[Peter C]

Ok, ok, point taken! Lagunas are not that great.

 

If they are that bad, how do manufacturers get away with producing such crap cars?

 

Having reviewed my options, there is not a single decent looking 4x4 within what I am willing to pay and the idea of another old car as a daily doesn't excite me. I like the idea of ice cold air con in the summer and 40MPG fuel economy.

 

Shame really.

[pogweasel]

If they are that bad, how do manufacturers get away with producing such crap cars?

I like the idea of ice cold air con in the summer and 40MPG fuel economy.

 

Q.E.D.

[Rocket88]

Peter

 

Skoda Octavia 1.9 tdi pd. Bomb proof, economical, cheap to run and fix. Re-mappable to about 120 bhp, 40+ mpg. Good for 200k plus miles. Most have air con.

[Pete-M]

I'll second the Skoda suggestion. Even I get more than 40 mpg from those, not matter how hard I rag 'em. Avoid minicabs and you'll be fine.

[mattblack]

I'll second the Skoda suggestion. Even I get more than 40 mpg from those, not matter how hard I rag 'em. Avoid minicabs and you'll be fine.

 

[Albert Ross]

For instance...

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

 

[Pete-M]

They work well those Octavia 4x4s. I know a few Czechs who use them to get to/from some pretty remote places in winter.

 

Don't think it'll do 40mpg in town, but 35 might be a possibility.

[carlo]

The last decent car the Frogs produced was the 306. Modern Frogs are wilfully complicated. FFS, would you buy ANYTHING the garlic munchers proudly acclaimed as being "alive with technology"? Saying that, I briefly had a Mk1 Laguna estate, which was fine, although epically dull.

 

Even as a committed French car nut I have to agree with that, assuming you include the 406.

[Hertz]

I have never owned one myself so I cannot really cast judgement as of yet. My mate works for Renault and has the 2.2 DCI and has had no major issues. He really raves about them (he is biased I guess though). We use it for our "shite" collection runs and it's mighty comfy and still does over 40mpg.

 

Another mate has just bought a repossesion 1.9 DCI on an 03 plate for 1300 nicker. Had it 6 months now and has had no problems. Like most cars out there you can pick a "goodun" or a "badun", it's luck of the draw....

 

If my new job didn't come with a company smoker I was going to buy one of these.

[theorganist]

A girl at work has just part exchanged a 03 plate Diesel estate with the 6 speed manual box for a 06 plate Saab diesel convertable.

 

She had the Renault for around six years and apart from IIRC needing a bush replacing for the mot it never gave her any trouble, apart from she kept loosing the keycards in her handbag and it used to tell her that she had a puncture when the tyre pressures were fine.

 

It didn't do a particularly high mileage though.

 

I travelled in it several times and it struck me as a very comfortable quiet ride and at least it looks a little different (IMHO) to some of the other 'identikit' cars in its class.

 

From what I can gather she prefers it to the Saab she is now driving!

[Pillock]

A friend of mine has one, a 130bhp diesel hatch with 6 speed gearbox. It's got loads of electrical issues (drivers door doesn't lock, windows are intermittent, aircon has stopped working), the trim is all loose and rattly and it eats consumables like wheel bearings, brake pads etc at a frightening rate.

That said, it's a filthy cheap car that she uses for ferrying two young children around, it's got a bit of grunt behind it for long journeys, and the boot is massive. I get the odd phone call to listen to an odd noise, or take it for a drive and diagnose a new problem but for the amount of stick it gets it's not doing too badly.

 

The Honest John recall list reads well though!

... jamming throttle open....engine can stall when a/c is switched on...accelerator pedal may stick in open position...leakage of fuel...destroy Emergency Brake Assist...brake servo may fail...unprovoked acceleration

[Rocket88]

They work well those Octavia 4x4s. I know a few Czechs who use them to get to/from some pretty remote places in winter.

 

Don't think it'll do 40mpg in town, but 35 might be a possibility.

 

 

We run a 2002 auto tdi with 205k miles up in Jersey, which is all "urban cycle" driving....................39 mpg. As for modern Saab dizzlers, my brother in law has one, it's horrible. Unreliable, not nice to drive, and all tits and glitter.

[CIH]

I had forgotten about the barings being pressed into the rear discs, meaning new bearings eveytime discs are needed, and vice-versa....

[shite_meister]

No don't get it, having worked for Renault I can assure you that it WILL go wrong and it WILL cost a farkin fortune.

 

As with alot of modern cars most of the electrics like lights and wipers etc are controlled by what they call a body ecu, horrifically expensive on its own before you add in some labour.

 

Its a shame with Renaults because I really do want to like them but my professional experience is that they're unrelaible and when they do go wrong its time for a dry bumming. The keys for example are three figures, if its the hands free spec then the door handle with the sensor WILL go wrong and the window regulators will go tits-up and make you want to cry. Tyre pressure monitor sensors always play up and generally they're fucking shit, nice car but fucking shit.

 

The clutch release bearing is hydraulic ergo expensive and if its densil with a DMF you'll be dangling on the end of a rope quicker than you can say "I wish I bought a Maestro instead"

[Peter C]

The only reason I am asking about a Laguna is because someone has offered one in exchange for my Merc. I would never consider buying one with my own money.

 

I don't want a Passat and sure as hell I don't want an Octavia.

 

I've received another, far more interesting, offer - see new post: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10903

[fiatdaft]

your cash is still tied up in the car if you swap it, what puts you off the skoda so much?

[Justin Case]

Sell the Merc and buy:

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2227947.htm

 

 

Should polish out , but at least they are honest about it and the price seems to reflect it

[Renault18]

I love Renaults, but not these.

 

I had a mk1 Laguna estate years ago. It was a decent car. Service manager guarranteed that I'd never want another Renault again if I bought a Laguna 2. Funny, cos around the same time I bought a Megane 2 and that nearly had the same affect.

 

The fact that this is is a 1.8 with a 5 speed manual and no bizarre electrics for tyre pressures means it's a slightly better prospect. . .

 

slightly.

 

Mind you, what do I know - I now own two Automatic 5s - and if that ain't asking for trouble!

[Pete-M]

Funnily enough, I got a frantic phonecall from my brother on Saturday.

 

He's got a 2004 Espazz Dci he's had from new. It's on 90,000 miles and hasn't given him much grief. Until Saturday.

 

Bro - "Pete, the car is spewing black smoke out"

Me - "That'll be turbo, EGR or DPF"....

Bro - "Expensive?"

Me - "Yup"

Bro - "Bollocks, I've got to go to a wedding this afternoon... looks like I need to hire a car"

 

Today, another phone call. "Pete, thanks for your help... it's gonna be expensive..."

[Rocket88]

The only reason I am asking about a Laguna is because someone has offered one in exchange for my Merc. I would never consider buying one with my own money.

 

I don't want a Passat and sure as hell I don't want an Octavia.

 

Any basis for Octavia hatred?

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

The Honest John recall list reads well though!

... jamming throttle open....engine can stall when a/c is switched on...accelerator pedal may stick in open position...leakage of fuel...destroy Emergency Brake Assist...brake servo may fail...unprovoked acceleration

 

I had forgotten that ours was recalled so the clutch pedal could have a different spring fitted or something. Anyway after that the clutch made a loud "SQUEE" noise every time it was pressed.

[Cavcraft]

Those Skodas seem to get rave reviews, I wouldn't kick one out of the garage that's for sure. To be honest if you're considering a Laguna then you need to accept that probably every other car in the class is better. Even a Passat.

[Pillock]

Yeah, the price of Lagunas says it all. Even on my skimpy budget I could get a 2004-plated large hatch with "all mod cons", this should include ALARM BELLS (although they'd probably not work when it rains).

For the same money, it's a 1999 Passat, 2000 Octavia or a 2002 Mondeo. There, proof - a Laguna is cheaper than even a Mondeo.

[skyway]

I had a 1.9DCI Galuna2

 

Biggest pile of poo ever to grace the tarmac.

 

They look gorgeous but are completely rubbish.

 

Mine used to cut out the moment you reached 80mph......led to some interesting fast lane moments!

 

They are a complete death trap and youd be mad to exchange a Merc of any age for one.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

They are a looker alright, however i'd rather wear rough-cut chipboard grits than chance my neck using one to get me to my place of employment everyday. Bloody awful.