1997 Renault Scenic RXE 2.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Solve the gearbox issue and remote control key, and it would have been a great car

Faults:

Car occasionally goes on limp mode. Mechanic at Renault says due to low transmission oil level, after topping up, still happened, but less frequent.

If you don't go back to agent, you could save heaps on repairs and maintenance bill.

Remote control key suddenly didn't work, so can't deactivate the immobiliser and the car has to be towed. Replacement key took about 2 weeks to arrive and cost NZD400+ to replace, and the old key can't be programmed. Disappointed.

Aircon compressor leaks, maybe part of wear and tear.

Other than the above, satisfied with the rest.

General Comments:

Fuel consumption for city driving is pretty average, 10km to a litre, but on the highway (including some steep uphill), a surprising almost 14km to a litre.

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

Review Date: 15th January, 2011

1997 Renault Scenic 2.0 RT Automatic 2.0 petrol from Finland

Summary:

Very pleasure to drive

Faults:

My water pump was broken when I buy the car and I replaced it. The coolant system needs one liter fluid per 1000 kilometers still. Maybe the head gasket is broken.

Stabilizer bar bushing dropped away when I had driven on the rough road.

Awful rattling noise comes from inside the door panels and dashboard.

General Comments:

The car is very comfortable and I really like to drive whit it.

The gearbox works like a dream, but I afraid that it will be broken. I've heard that automatic gearbox faults are very common.

The car is very easy to drive at high speed and the fuel consumption is good expect town-driving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st April, 2004

1997 Renault Scenic RT 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good concept, poor build and poor after sales service

Faults:

Firstly front electric sunroof failed just 2 months outside warranty period after the cable connecting the motor to the mechanism sheared. Cost of replacement £1000! Cost as an optional extra at time of purchase £250.

Secondly during its 20000 mile service it was reported I needed new front discs. This surprised me greatly as the car was serviced every 6 months and no comment was made before. Also the car was not driven hard. I contested their view and took the car elsewhere where the disc's were passed as being OK, but a more serious fault of a failing steering rack was diagnosed. Took the car back to the dealer who inspected the steering rack and said it was fine, but again said the disc's needed replacing. I opted to have the disc's skimmed as recommended by other garage. 3000 miles later at its next service the dealer low and behold told me I had a failed steering rack (as diagnosed by other garage, but ignored by dealer) only 3000 miles earlier. Cost to replace approximately £850. Interestingly made no comment to me about requiring new front disc's - this was strange as they had only been skimmed!

When I spoke to Renault UK they stood by there dealer and would not accept any blame for the 2 faults. I eventually sold the car before its 1st MOT was due. Would I buy another NO.

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

Review Date: 22nd January, 2004

26th Oct 2004, 14:23

I am having the same problem with my Scenic.

I would Like to say that this is the worst car that I have ever own.

I hate the service and the car

Curtis Wong

Trinidad.

1997 Renault Scenic TD 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Adaptability is the key

Faults:

Screen washer pump replaced under warranty.

Alternator drive belt failed at 48000 miles.

Central Locking remote control failed, meaning the immobiliser could not be disabled and the car had to be towed to a Renault dealer.

General Comments:

A good car, room for 5 six foot+ adults to sit in comfort.

Diesel very frugal 45mpg.

Performance pretty good.

Very adaptable, take the back seats out and you have a very capable load lugger.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th June, 2003

1997 Renault Scenic RT 1.9 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Not quite the bench mark it's reputed to be

Faults:

Nothing major.

Both sunroof blinds broke.

Plip keys needed attention.

Part of the exhaust separated when hitting water at high speed (not really a fault).

Driver's electric window switch became temperamental.

Lights-on buzzer stopped working.

General Comments:

Second choice to a Citroen Berlingo which wasn't available for another 3 months.

It did the job asked of it and its flexibility was very useful.

Seats and ride were not what I expected from a French manufacturer.

Heavy clutch gave me leg-ache in town.

Horn buttons on steering wheel are impossible to find in an emergency.

Would benefit from a battery protection system to prevent the internal lights running the battery down on picnics.

Difficult to keep cool on hot days if not fitted with air conditioning - I've driven at 70mph with everything open on very hot days (and paid for it in fuel consumption).

Sound system was mediocre.

Local Renault dealer was unhelpful.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th March, 2003