1993 Renault 19 RT turbo diesel

Summary:

An excellent, well equipped, economical family saloon

Faults:

Eats front tyres when driven hard.

Diesel filter prep pump failed soon after purchase - £70 and half an hours work later it was fixed.

Off-side front bottom ball joint replaced for its MOT.

Not bad for 3 years ownership.

General Comments:

Excellent built, well equipped car - fell in love with it after my first test drive.

Very economical to run, with good performance.

Compared to my previously owned cars, this is the longest owned, and I hope to own it for a few years yet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th September, 2000

1993 Renault 19 16v

Summary:

Top dog, top buy

Faults:

Nothing major - just need to maintain the car, I was quite lucky as I knew an inside man in Renault.

It's a must to have regular oil changes and a cam belt change at 72k miles.

The bulbs for the dash have been replaced on several occasions, but they're not too pricey when you know the right people.

General Comments:

A very nice runner, and a good headturner when polished up.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th August, 2000

1993 Renault 19 16v 1.8

Summary:

A great all round performer

Faults:

The only problem I have had is the gearbox broke.

General Comments:

Great handling, I have lowered mine all round, and added 17" rims, with 40 profile rubber. It sticks to the road better than the white line.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th June, 2000

1993 Renault 19 16V Cabriolet 1.8 16V

Summary:

Great car but don't buy one without a very good warranty

Faults:

Radiator, heater matrix, ABS sensor, ABS computer, road spring, drivers door window motor (6 times), instrument panel twice, clutch cable, brake cable (£140 a time) and many many many more.

General Comments:

Too many problems to list, in all the total cost of all repairs (mechanical and paintwork) total approx £22,000 (yes thousand). Fortunately I have a superb warranty which I just keep extending.

In Renaults defence their paintwork warranty lasts for 8 years (it needs to).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th March, 2000

1993 Renault 19 16v 1.8i

Faults:

Nothing major at the moment although I have only had it for 2 months. Just had a major service at 72,000 miles. Cambelt is a must change. Mine had about 2-3 cm of play in it. Nothing else was found except slow starting some times so we replaced battery and thought it was cured but not yet 100%. Looks like the voltage regulator may be on the way out.

Oh and the fuel computer is suspect.

General Comments:

Given the few things that have gone wrong it's still an exciting car to own. I love it, but then I just love Renault's.

I would not use a main dealer if I can help it. Try to use a specialised dealer - some one that knows what they're "doing".

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th October, 1999

1993 Renault 19 RSi 1.8i

Faults:

The front disks had to be replaced. This was due to the dealer marking the pads in new condition, when in reality they were very low. Being 16 valve disks, this was £150 for the front pair.

Other than that it has been a very reliable performance vehicle.

General Comments:

The main benefit of this Renault, is while having the same engine as the 16 valve, the insurance is almost half the price. Performance is not far behind the 16V either, making this an excellent, hard to get your hands on, performance vehicle at a budget insurance premium!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th May, 1999

1993 Renault 19 16v 1.8i petrol

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

A damn fast car for the price (shame about the insurance).

If serviced properly and looked after it can blow away any RS turbo or Golf GTi. Superb performance, I've reached 135mph and can do 0-60 in 7.1 secs (timed by passenger). A little sluggish at low revs but when you hit 4,000 it kicks in like a turbo. Great fun to drive and you can throw it round corners like its tyres are made of glue.

Economy OK for speed at 27mpg (according to computer).

I was lucky enough to pick up a low miler (50k) so no probs as yet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th February, 1999

13th Jun 2002, 14:58

I agree also, I had one a couple of years back (1992 J) and had a few problems, but I feel that these are due to the fact that cars like this are thrashed about - so what can you expect? treat them with respect and I am sure they will last! (of course the occasional hammering will suffice!)

I have just bought another one (1991 H) just the other week, still love them to bits and they give great performance for the price! I cannot fault them! :)

7th Jul 2002, 13:39

If you are looking faster take off than 4,000 revs try chipPing the ecu, it should kick in at 2,000. it's a big difference of the lights!!!

17th Oct 2005, 10:57

I bought a very tidy,74,000 mile J-reg 16v cabriolet for the summer. I had it converted to LPG. Some loss of performance, but I should get the cost back in under 14,000 miles. Handling and feel are superb, but the side windows rattle on bumps if left up when the roof's down. The opaque, plastic back window has been improved with a coat of spray lacquer, but the beading has split where it folds - bad design fault. The cloth sports interior is not as durable as it should be.I'm looking for a leather one. Car is now off the road awaiting replacement gearbox (diff bearing sounds like a V8 in town, but unbearable on the M-way.) On these, it's an engine out job. Watch this space.

29th May 2008, 20:11

Look after it.

they're getting rare now and just think, you're driving down the road and no one else has got one.

Enjoy one of the best cars Renault made.

1993 Renault 19 16V 1.8 16V petrol

Faults:

Absolutely nothing has gone wrong except it need a new rear wiper blade.

Generally well pleased with it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 1999

1993 Renault 19 16v 1.8 twin cam petrol

Faults:

Only had the car 3 months, it was just due for a service when I bought it - replaced all brake discs and pads, starter motor died, bulb for computer replaced, replaced front shocks and springs and stuck on a new exhaust.

General Comments:

The car is immaculate.. now, see why the owner was overly keen to sell. Main dealer prices - OUCH! Expensive car to maintain and run, but blistering performace with a few mods. Get a magnex, K&N 57i, sort the suspension (adj shocks and lowered springs) and kiss all the GTi's and GSi's goodbye!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 1999

1993 Renault 19 RT 1.9 turbo diesel

Faults:

Clutch cable and the timing belt. There was a bad knocking on front drivers side when purchased, it took 8 to 9 months to find the problem and fix it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th September, 1998

1993 Renault 19 Convertible 1.8i 16v petrol

Faults:

ABS and brake problems mostly.The hood is very prone to splitting...

General Comments:

Servicing quite expensive. Wind noise very loud at 60+ mph with hood down. Tyres a pain - pressures needs to be exactly correct otherwise tramlining occurs. Drinks petrol like there's no tomorrow. Like the performance though. Very quick indeed for its size. 8.6 seconds compared to the hard top version - 8.8. ;)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd August, 1997