Faults:
This car was brought from Germany. As a safe measure, the timing belt and the water pump were immediately replaced.
Unfortunately a head gasket problem was not detected when vehicle was purchased. The car had also a new head gasket. This problem caused engine oil to slowly mix with the liquid in the cooling circuit.
Constant velocity joint (long one) was replaced since it was quite noisy when curving. Silent blocks replaced - quite cheap.
The real problem with this car is the electrics. Faulty cabin light (after cleaning), boot light, sunroof and front right electrical window.
Second key had to be made and it's only available at dealer. They asked 200€ (circa 800 PLN) for a new one! Outrageous.
Heater makes noise when air recycling is not selected. It's a problem known in this car. The Renault 19 had similar problem. The cost to repair it is expensive.
Water leakage. This is solved by cleaning the sunroof ducts. It is a real pain, since it floods the compartments under the passenger's feet.
Rear shock absorber broken. With the quality of Polish roads, it's not a surprise. Around 40€ (100€ both sides).
General Comments:
This car is everything about versatility. The cabin allows different layouts, and offers plenty of leg room.
Comfort is fair for a 11 year old Renault. Seats are remarkably comfy, and the velour is durable. Ideal for cold countries such as Poland. Fascia has an exquisite green shade, making an interesting blend with the body colour (Bleau Monaco).
Steering is relatively light, and the suspension system allows plenty of body roll. Brakes are just sufficient.
Engine is the old 1.6 8V with electronic injection. Has a good 3rd gear, but is not very quick. Around 14 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. This engine is thirsty - around 9 litres/100km in city traffic and up to 11 litres/100km during the peak of the cold season. Cold starts are perfect. Even with -28 it started without problems. The engine runs smoothly and is very silent. Gear box is OK.
The driving position is high in spite of the regulations, and definitely this car is not made for the enthusiast. It's a real family vehicle.
Kids seems to appreciate the tables behind the front seats. Once in a while, I feel in my back when they start playing with them.
Child restraint seats fit quite well in spite of the difficulties to buckle the seatbelts - there is little room for your fingers. However there is always room for somebody in the middle. The floor is flat, making it very comfy for a 3rd passenger, which has a 3 point seatbelt available in the roof.
Double sunroof allows light inside of the cabin.
Sound system (Philips RDS radio) is average, and the speakers too. Rear ones are actually lousy. The satellite command for the radio is quite practical.
Visibility is excellent, and the windows are quite large. This is a little strange when you pass from a sedan or estate car to a MPV. However, it's just a question of getting used to it.
This is one of the first Scenics to be built (actually it's a Megane Scenic). It was the beginning of a new era in the automotive industry. This car has its flaws, but for 2000€ there are no miracles.
Very important for Renault owners is to find a good Renault service or mechanic. This will make the difference.
2nd Jun 2011, 17:06
Of course it wasn't reliable, it's a 13 year old Renault, what did you expect? Oh, by the way, this site is supposed to review the overall experience of your car, not just what went wrong with it. How did your scenic ride, handle, perform, what mpg did it return, how comfy was it?