2003 Renault Laguna Dynamique 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Comfortable car, but a pity about the dealers

Faults:

First time at 7000mls, large thump from gearbox, gearbox warning light lit up and car went into 'safe' mode. Fault would disappear when car turned off/on. Parts in gearbox replaced by dealer.

At 14000mls, same fault recurred. Dealer said that they did not really know what was wrong, but eventually (after many calls) admitted that this is a problem with the automatic gearbox.

The new part should fix it. Roll on 21000mls.

Tyre sensors showing fault when cold (0 to -2degrees). Sensitivity of sensors adjusted.

General Comments:

Very comfortable car.

A pleasure to drive, if I could be sure that it would not go wrong again.

If the gearbox keeps failing, what will happen when the warranty expires?

The dealer did lots to undermine my confidence in them.

I have no confidence that they know what they are doing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd March, 2004

7th Jan 2008, 12:31

I also have a Laguna which has a fault on the gearbox. Have taken to the Renault dealer many times, spent a lot of money and still have the fault. Can you advise how your fault was repaired in the end?

Helen.

2003 Renault Laguna Sport Tourer Dynamique 1.9 dCi 120

Summary:

Very pretty and very capable, but needs better build quality

Faults:

Sudden failure to start - takes 8 to 10 attempts to start along with clouds of smoke.

Front left tire constantly going soft and needing pumping up on at least a weekly basis.

Assorted rattles from inside the headlining.

Passenger vanity light failed after 1 month.

Drivers door speaker buzzes at anything more than moderate volume.

General Comments:

It's a real shame it isn't screwed together properly as when it is all working it is a seriously good car.

It wafts along on motorways and is very comfortable which is hard to find as I am 6ft 4in tall.

Once you get used to the steering response it can be hustled along at a serious rate of knots.

The big 225/45 17inch tires grip well, when pumped up, and allow you to maintain momentum.

It is not a point and squirt car with this engine, but can just gobble up the miles quickly when you want to.

It looks superb in Dynamic trim in Perlescent Black with the part leather interior.

Excuse the wrong spelling of the trim and tires due to the spell checker.

The response from several dealers to the non or poor starting problem was "Can you bring it in to us in 3 weeks?" You can imagine the response.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd February, 2004

2003 Renault Laguna privelege 2.0 turbo petrol

Summary:

Reasonable first try

Faults:

Since new I have experienced problems with the six speed gearbox. Changing up from first or down from third, I have difficulty getting second - this can be extremely dangerous at roundabouts. Local dealer has now replaced the synchromesh and second gear and change is slightly improved. However, the gear box tends to be rather "clunky" as one changes gear - leaving radio on tends to make the clunking sound less obvious. Having bought the turbo for speed, I am very impressed, but would have appreciated an uprated gearbox to allow changes to be carried out fast and smooth. I had a problem initially with the tyre pressure monitors which tended to get "upset" at low temperatures, but this was eventually cleared.

General Comments:

Replace gearbox with one suited to uprated engine to allow fast and smooth gear change. Low mpg found, but that maybe due to the turbo.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st February, 2004

5th Jul 2004, 09:44

I have a Laguna Privilege Sport Tourer 1.9 DCI, bought new March 2003 it has covered 59,000 miles, regarding the tyre pressure monitors, they do not like settings close to the minimum for the model, set them to the upper limit, this will stop the warning of low pressures, the six speed gearbox is OK "if" you use it in a relaxed manner, help it change don't rush it, my main complaint's are excessive rear tyre wear on the outside edges, I have spoken to several owners who have had the same problem, " Renault " at the moment do not accept that they have a problem, the other issue is fuel consumption, the first 20,000 gave me an average of 53mpg, this is now down to 48mpg Renault cannot find a problem.

My other warning, look around for a good dealer, my first dealer who is local and big, was less than useless, and not interested, I now travel 20 miles to Huddersfield to Dixon Renault who have been nothing short of excellent, my motto is, it is not always the car, but the garage who is supposed to look after it.

Paul West Yorkshire.