R9UKE's French Car Blog...

[addo]

I think Fuego's TRX 13.5" rims will fit on a Clio if you want real retro kitsch (and rock-hard 25 year old tyres).

If you want rare with grunt, seek out a 605 SVE.

Just for giggles, cadge a good drive of an Alfa 147 GTA. Push hard; they are quite forgiving with traction control thrown in the mix. You will come back looking for a Clio V6 as it's the only thing with an engine note that even gets close.

[R9UKE]

The 605 is on my list! Never even been in one before.

Ah the 147! It was actually on my list of what to replace the Mégane with. Total heartbreak of a car though, I've heard of three people who just had nothing but endless trouble. I'm sure the GTA would be great fun. I also forgot about the Fiat Stilo Abarth. The Stilo is a fantastic looking car if it's 3 door and spec'd well, another on my list

[addo]

Heartbreak my arse. It is the reliable car for when the French ones all fail on you. Problems encountered to date on 50K mile car, 2001 build 2.0 TS:
1. Cam variator - changed with cambelt.
2. Rocker cover gasket seep - changed with cambelt.
3. AC intermittent - harness connector damaged in collision, resoldered.
4. Underseat airbag connector intermittent fault - Servisol cured.
5. Short life upper and lower control arms - recommended repair is TRW replacements.
6. Plastics going sticky on console and door grab handles - possibly some aftermarket cause.

The only time the 147 stops, is when another car runs into it. Which seems to happen quite often! It's not the beast an R26 Mégane is, but streets ahead of an RSC Clio.

[KP]

You could always get the V6 clio and then stick to GT25RS turbos on it..............

Woiuld make it a wee bit quicker!!

[R9UKE]

Well I'm very happy to announce that the search for a Mégane replacement has ended as quickly as it started.

And what has it been replaced with!?



That's right. Life just wouldn't have been the same without one, they're the best all rounder I've had the pleasure of experiencing, and from the first click of the start button on this one, I knew I'd made the right decision!

It's a 2003 "03" 2.0 16v VVT Privilège 5 door with plenty of optional extras and 57k miles.

I spotted it on an ebay auction 10 hours before it was due to end. Very vague description, but after consulting a few mates (thanks Citroenmad) I decided to take a gamble. Flight booked to Birmingham and I picked it up yesterday morning.

It has every option, apart from heated seats and the glass roof. New to me is ESP, cruise control, xenon headlights and satellite navigation. Most impressed by the Xenon headlights so far. Not only do they give the car that special look, but the levelling dance they do and the intensity of the light output it just brilliant. Unfortunately the map disc for the nav is very scratched, and the car can't read it. So please, if any of you have or know of one of these around, I'd be happy to give it a home! I tried the one from aunty's Vel Satis and of course it's different



Back to the car. What it needs: 3 tyre pressure sensors which were removed by some ignoramus tyre fitter. Rear end feels a bit fidgety. Full set of mats. The one key card is a bit battered looking but fully functional. Gas struts for the boot have given up. Belt changes for my own piece of mind as there's no paperwork about changes, despite lots of old MOTs etc. Oh and of course that all important navigation disc. Not bad at all I think, and nothing that spoils the enjoyment of the car right now, I'm really enjoying being back in one, now just to get my plate put on it

[robert_e_smart]

She looks good Luke.

That 407 is a real wolf in sheeps clothing! It looks like a 1.6 HDi!

[R9UKE]

Thanks Robert!

I know... spotting a 407 V6 on the road would be impossible, they're not even badged.

[CitroJim]

Excellent Luke, looks really lovely...

I really like the look of the 'bum car' as my daughters call it...

[addo]

A mate has the Renaultsport version and I was impressed with all the little cubbies it has. The handgun sized ones under the front floor especially (I think they appealed to him as well, since he's a walloper).

[R9UKE]

Thanks Jim - Groove Armada "Shakin that ass" gets blasted every now and then in celebration of the bum!

Oh yes, the underfloor pockets are great. Especially when your scuttle drains block and they fill with water!!

[KP]

Are you on the side of belfast that finds such cubbies usefull for devices which use small weights of iron and carbon alloys, moved by igniting a powder of potassium nitrate, charcoal and sulfur??!!

Hows it been so far and did it cross over the water at the north or the south??

Whats the news on your old one so far as you bought it back didn't you?

[R9UKE]

Haha KP that's the other side - but yes, Méganes do tend to sell well over there!

So I picked it up in Birmingham, stayed there for a few days, up north 350 miles to St Andrews (how did I live without cruise control before?), where I got the pic below, down to Glasgow the day after, then down to Cairnryan and across to Belfast. Racked up over 1000 miles now! Really over the moon happy with it!



Oh, got stuck on the M6 for an hour, creeping along beside this beauty. Regular Laguna... I think not, check those engine and trim badges. Cream of the Laguna crop!





I have FINALLY got hold of the two discs for the Navigation system on ebay this evening. Can't wait til they arrive - you can't even set the clock without them, well done Renault

Still not got the original Meggy back. Called yesterday to see what the hell is happening - "The person looking after you is off today, he'll ring you on Monday".

[robert_e_smart]

"The person looking after you is off today, he'll ring you on Monday".

Will he F***!

[CitroJim]

Luke, that Laguna. That I guess has 'our' ES9J4 V6 engine then. What you call the L7X?

If so it's almost a Citroen The Renault equivalent of the Xantia V6...

What gearbox? Manual or automatic?

[Citroenmad]

Your new Megane looks superb Luke, the best Meg colour and those options finish its high spec off a treat. Im pleased it turned out to be a good one!

I did the Cairnryan to Belfast trip on Wednesday, that Stenaline Ferry is quite nice, endless entertainment on the upstairs games and wathing Tintin on the TVs. A good crossing, if I were not travel sick! Not too bad though, I managed to hold it together

I dont think ive ever noticed a Laguna1 V6 before, mind, they dont really stand out. I did notice quite a lot of Renaults in Belfast, very popular!