Scenic purchase

[andypicasso]

Hi everyone. Here is a question for all you Renault Scenic owners. Having been a Peugeot technician for approx 12 years or more, and the owner of a Citroen Xsara Picasso, i think i know both of these French makes fairly well. I know absolutely zero about the Renault cars (except that they used to make some really cool stuff-Clio v6, 5 Turbo2).
My wife is on the lookout for a Scenic from around 52reg onwawds. What potential problems should i look out for?
I realise that they were redesigned at about 53reg and we are considering both old shape and new shape cars.

Any good advice much appreciated. Thanks in advance, Andy.

[R9UKE]

Hi Andy,

I'd advise you to stick to the older shape (up to 53 plate). The problems with these consist of very little indeed - crankshaft sensors causing starting issues and non functioning rear wipers are about as bad as it gets!

Whereas the Scénic II... Electric windows, electronic parking brakes, interior fan resistor and the digital dash WILL ALL FAIL. I personally really like them but even then I'll not deny they're one of the worst quality cars of this millennia. Early examples are failing to find homes for £500, whereas the last of the old Scénic can still sell comfortably for over £1000.

If you really fancy the more modern one just make sure the jobs I mentioned have been done. And stick to either the 1.5 dCi, or 1.6 and 2.0 petrols

[steelcityuk]

Hi Andy,

I would say that a Clip tool is essential unless you have deep pockets for the dealers to do all the work. I've currently got 2 Scenic II.

As a Citroen owner I'd say they're no different to owning a Citroen. However compared to the XM finding parts is easy, if it breaks buy a used one job done. On the 1.9 dCi 120, I've removed the EGR valve, solenoid and manifold, cleaned it up, put it back with a blanking plate and had the engine remapped to disable the EGR function. Because mine has a faulty EGR solenoid, I've bought one from another dCi, cleaned it up, mounted it in the engine bay and connected the loom to it. It'll never stick, the engine won't show up error codes, the inlet system won't get gunked up so it's all good.



A good engine service rounds out the job but I've been careful to use quality oil that meets Renaults spec. I've also fitted cruise control by buying the parts needed from breakers, once again there's plenty out there. It's comfy, powerful, relatively quiet, very practical (I can get 5 pallets in mine for the wood burner) and economical.

Replacing the heating fan requires the dash out, it only takes an hour or so. Fixing the heater resistor pack can cost as little as 80p using a thermal fuse from Maplins.


Other failures include steering locks and keycards.

Steve.

[lexi]

Can you show me the space in the back Steve?

[steelcityuk]

Are we talking seats in/folded/out?

Steve.

[Citroenmad]

Two 1.9DCi ScenicIIs Steve, what have you done to deserve those!

[steelcityuk]

You know it's funny but I really like them. The driving position, the practicality, comfy ride and the large number of spare available. Must be old age!

Steve.

[R9UKE]

I can't wait to own one - really quite sad coming from a 21 year old with no intention of filling it with kids. Driven countless and completely agree with all your points, the driving position especially. A nice 2.0 16v Auto packed with optional extras... patiently waiting for it to come along

[Citroenmad]

You know it's funny but I really like them. The driving position, the practicality, comfy ride and the large number of spare available. Must be old age!

Steve.

I agree, we had a 1.9DCi ScenicII for a few years, I took it to France for a few weeks. It was a good car to drive, I too liked the dirivng position and the practicality. I didn't like the ride, it felt like it had some sponge in place of springs, but it was ok.

But I dont like the build quality, ours was only 2-5 years old between buying and selling but it had a good few issues. At 20K miles the gearbox was crunching, the clutch was howling a few thousand miles later. The rear Michelins lasted about 16K miles, the fronts about 20K. I did 3K in France and came back with illegal rear tyres! We also had some performance issues with it which took the dealer an age to sort. Sold it with 30K before something else went.

Then there are the 1.9DCi horror stories which are enough to put me off. I'd consider one but only the 1.5DCi or petrols.

[lexi]

But I dont like the build quality,

What is this thing you speak of in The Renault Section?


Steve : just a shot of back with seats folded from where you open tailgate. It is not what you think .........

[steelcityuk]

I'll sort out a photo or two at the weekend weather permitting.

A 2.0 auto is going to get thru some juice isn't it?

Steve

[Citroenmad]

A 2.0 auto is going to get thru some juice isn't it?

Steve

If they did a V6 Scenic Luke would be after that instead

[R9UKE]

Too right, Chris

Yep, my aunt had one and it averaged 23 MPG around town. Absolutely great to drive though, I loved it.

I came across this Grand for sale a while back and saved photos it was that nice. 2.0 Auto Privilège with Luxury Pack, the bigger wheels, xenon headlights, very nicely spec'd indeed. It was just after I'd bought another Vel Satis or I'd have been very tempted.

[Citroenmad]

That does look very nice, I can see the appeal luke. They no doubt go for very tempting prices too!

With all of those options, I would have thought it should have had climate control?

[R9UKE]

You don't miss a trick, Chris!

Yeh, the one box that really could've done with being ticked. Wasn't standard on even the top spec!