Renault Scenic woes

[theorganist]

Ours has done around 108K it has had the head done in the past and the cambelt changed. It does sound like it has a bit of camshaft noise or maybe tappets (not sure to be honest). It was cheap though and is not worth spending any money on if it does have a major problem but it does the job. It is a smooth drive though and is pretty quiet on the motorway.

 

We had the car version on a P plate which although was a bit grotty underneath also proved to be a reliable car and was pretty quick also.

[R9UKE]

I need to jump in and just express my love for this brand. I'll always buy Renaults, the more they shit themselves the better, it's character! They jump ahead of themselves and market these amazing features without asking themselves whether or not they'll actually wort

 

In saying that, mum has had her '02 Scénic 1.6 Auto since new. It now has 110k miles and aside from the usual TDC sensor tomfoolery, nothing has phased the car. We just sold it last night for £1100, she's now looking for a decent Mégane or Clio.

 

My Avantime has needed two ignition coils over the 900 miles I've put on it. The guys at GSF tell me that Renaults are notorious for it, but my 2.0 Mégane has never had any bother. Moving on to others, one of my Vel Satis' shat all it's engine oil out after the turbo had enough, a Laguna randomly went into limp home mode at the worst of times and countless Clios have drowned me in the morning after a wet night of rain gathering under the sunroof.

 

J'adore les Renaults. There's a 1996 Laguna RXE at a local auction this evening. I'm off to buy it.

[Renault18]

J'adore les Renaults. There's a 1996 Laguna RXE at a local auction this evening. I'm off to buy it.

 

As it's an early mk1 Laguna, it will actually still work, no matter what the mileage

[R9UKE]

J'adore les Renaults. There's a 1996 Laguna RXE at a local auction this evening. I'm off to buy it.

 

As it's an early mk1 Laguna, it will actually still work, no matter what the mileage

 

Too right. Got it. One owner from new, 70k miles 2.0 Petrol. Felt great on the way home except for the voice synthesizer constantly announcing the the bonnet is not closed!

[Renault18]

Too right. Got it. One owner from new, 70k miles 2.0 Petrol. Felt great on the way home except for the voice synthesizer constantly announcing the the bonnet is not closed!

 

Wimp! Try living with an 11Electronic that constantly tells you to switch off the engine immediately as there's an electrical system fault. Wouldn't be so bad if it had just started doing it, but it's been at it for the last 27 years

[jonny69]

We have a 1998 Scenic 1.6RT and apart from the central locking sometimes playing up it has so far proved to be a reliable car in the eight months we have had it (probably spoke too soon now)!

 

However it definately does feel rather cheaply made (more so than my 14) and it is certainly suffering from grot around the rear arches, it has also had the sills welded at some point! It feels very underpowered too!

(Still) got a 1997 Scenic 2.0 RXE here. Nothing has ever gone wrong on it except the boot central locking. Never let us down. I think it's cost us about £150 in the 6 years we've had it, on a driveshaft and fitting, a track rod end, brake pads and a broken headlight. I just kept feeding it petrol, tyres and oil and it just kept going. We've only stopped using it because the 'notorious' autobox has finally done its thing and got annoying in traffic, now it's done 137K miles. Renault went wrong after those mid/late '90s models.

[R9UKE]

"Vehicle computer is checking systems for you!"

 

You gotta love the voice! It only ever says this when there is no fault detected.... so very rarely!

 

 

Wimp! Try living with an 11Electronic that constantly tells you to switch off the engine immediately as there's an electrical system fault. Wouldn't be so bad if it had just started doing it, but it's been at it for the last 27 years

 

LOL

 

And I thought my last Laguna was bad. Every time you hit about 60 MPH "Tyres not at correct pressure for speed, slow down! Re-adjust pressure as soon as possible!".

 

The RXE wouldn't start today, the man shouted "Engine immobiliser is set, you cannot start the car, refer to handbook". Quick plip of the remote and I was on my way!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I'd love a Scenic RX4, they look well weapon. Surely a Matra Rancho for the Ipod generation. Has anyone any experience of these slightly absurd looking vehicles?

[scooters]

the Doris wants one Mr B so if you do buy one, let me know and I'll take it off you when you get bored with it

 

The biggest problem with Scenics is that whilst they are great when they work - handle reasonably well for an MPV, are good on gas and very practical with kids....the problem is that when you need to replace a major component the configuration of the engine/cost of the part etc means unless you have the hoist and kit etc you are outsourcing it and it suddenly becomes unecomnical to fix. MPVS seem to command about 50% more in value than estate cars. When I was looking for a replacement Renner I could not find a good one reasonably close for love nor money under a grand. Whereas I saw a 2000 V70 D GLT Estate for sale, leather, phone, the works for £500 with a years MOT.....a MUCH better car than the Scenic.

 

Next time you get into one of these - prise off the courtesy light in the front and have a look at how the switch/wires work - it will horrify you how cheap and nasty it is and don't forget I DRIVE A YUGO!

 

Old Scenics - great for a second car but be prepared that if you get one that has done over 100k you may have to either face a big bil or bin it and buy another. I found scrap bits expensive and rare as well - why - because there is a huge demand for certain items (courtesy lights for instance

 

for a family option the Scooby is SOOOOOO much better despite not being an MPV

[theorganist]

The central locking is a pain on this Megane and our earlier one.

 

Whereas with my old 206 you could operate the central locking at fifty feet away, the Megane's remote only works when you are right up close to the car and then you have to be pointing the key in a certain direction!! Sometimes it take ages to work, usually when you are carrying something heavy or if it is raining, It would be quicker using the key to unlock the doors. But the key does not operate the central locking or the immobiliser. A new key costs around £150 from Renault, a local place that programmes keys said they could not do the Megane.

 

You have to start the engine within thirty seconds of unlocking the doors, otherwise the immobiliser kicks in again!! It can be very frustrating!!

[Cheggers]

I'd love a Scenic RX4, they look well weapon. Surely a Matra Rancho for the Ipod generation. Has anyone any experience of these slightly absurd looking vehicles?

 

Yup, and I loved it. Super practical, reliable and ever-so-slightly bonkers in that typically French way. The aerodynamics overcame the 2.0 engine above 80mph, which made for a noisy & expensive drive, but other than that it was brilliant. Personally, I think they look great too. Prices for RX4's were holding up pretty well, but I've noticed my local pikey "Kerbside Autos" has a Y-reg one up for £1100, which seems reasonable enough.

[R9UKE]

The central locking is a pain on this Megane and our earlier one.

 

Yup! This works by a rather weak IR beam and as a result you have to practically put the key through the window for the roof receiver to "see" it. I love it though... proper old school unmastered tech

[mnde]

I've been reading this thread with interest, as I'm picking up a Megane soon. It's an early one, 97, and a manual I hasten to add.

 

Despite all I've read about Meganes and Renault in general, I'm looking forward to it with that "picking up new old French tin" anticipation .

[scooters]

The central locking is a pain on this Megane and our earlier one.

 

Yup! This works by a rather weak IR beam and as a result you have to practically put the key through the window for the roof receiver to "see" it. I love it though... proper old school unmastered tech

 

Bx and 405 period psa chod had the same system. With my BX you had to hold the remote down near the bottom of the drivers window...just above the door handle and about 2 inches from the lock...angle it upwards at about 60 degrees and press the button repetitively until swearing and using the key.