R9UKE's French Car Blog...

[R9UKE]

Yes, the 3.5 is a Nissan unit which I am yet to try, but I'm sure it'll be worth the wait. It was in the Vel Satis and Espace only. I remember one of my friend's mum had a 3.5 V6 Espace. Was the days before I could drive, but it sounded beautiful!

The double hinged doors are incredible. Even in the tightest supermarket spaces it's a much easier car to get out of than my 3 door Mégane. I had actually taken a quick pic today, will do more detail pics soon for you.

[R9UKE]

Wow, huge neglect of the blog....sorry.

Thought I better get it going for the winter, it's when French car ownership is the most eventful.

Here's the Avantime, looking very sheepish and pictured today with it's tail between it's legs.



And why? HERE'S WHY



I had only just got rid of the stains left by the BX! This is the new priority repair, wish me luck. Thank god for this stuff... highly recommended!



One job I have crossed off the to do list is the dash backlight bulbs. That's right, bulbs, not LEDs - well done Renault! A horrific job, wouldn't wish it anyone. This was the half way point:



It really did need done. Only one of the three in the rev counter was working, making it look really dull, and the bulb behind that little time and temp display had gone altogether. This one was especially annoying as this is where any fault or warning symbols come up. Looks beautiful now!!!





Here's some more pics of those double hinged doors. Quite a hard design to capture properly on camera.







I have a new Winter user and abuser arriving soon. A 1995 Renault Espace 2.0 Champs-Elysées with 190,000 miles. Should be awful! Watch this space

[robert_e_smart]

Aye, it has been a while. I saw a Vel Satis when I was in Mexico the other day. It was at Ravensdale. I forgot to tell you about it earlier.

[R9UKE]

Still looking for a Northern Irish 3.5 V6 - you didn't catch the engine badge?

[Citroenmad]

Good to see your Avantime is keeping you busy Luke

Is this Espace a automatic? A keeper for a winter or something which you will realise you hate and sell on as quick as possible?

[CitroJim]

What was the cause of the oil leak Luke?

[R9UKE]

Not sure yet Jim, but I've also noticed that the little wells around the ignition coils are gathering oil so it seems pretty high up. It's gradually getting worse, will be off to my Renault specialist soon. For now there's a few basins underneath it!

Chris - no, unfortunately not an auto, it wouldn't have survived so long if it was! A friend of mine bought it for the number plate that was on it. It's taxed and MOTd until the end of January and he only wants £120 plus my old iPhone for it. With nothing to lose I plan to throw plenty of winter abuse at the old girl then weigh it in at the beginning of february (or stick it on ebay depending on the state). But yes, I will no doubt hate the thing! Here's a few pics actually:

[CitroJim]

Not sure yet Jim, but I've also noticed that the little wells around the ignition coils are gathering oil so it seems pretty high up.

Ahh, you've got weepy cam boxes then Luke. I'm assuming it''s the PR V6 (the L7X/ES9) and this is a known problem. Xantia_V6 recently did his because the plug wells were filling up.

This is his post on doing the job...

[R9UKE]

That's brilliant, thanks Jim! My Laguna V6 had the same problem but the scar on the driveway wasn't quite so dramatic so I never bothered pursuing it. Must be a common issue, thanks again for that link.

[Chris570]

Is it bad that i like that avantime?

[lexi]

Looks very different............and interestingly chunky inside. I bet it's brill when all working.

The Espace will make a great Dogging mota

[R9UKE]

The Espace will make a great Dogging mota

LOL... Yeh... I had one before haha

The Avantime works almost all the time. I love it.

[CitroJim]

Is it bad that i like that avantime?

No, what's there not to like about them?

I love 'em...

[robert_e_smart]

Its a nice car the Avantime. I was chauferred around Belfast in it one day doing my Nicolas Sarkozy impressions.

[Citroening]

I was chauferred around Belfast in it one day doing my Nicolas Sarkozy impressions.