Faults:

Had to replace all 6 electronic coils to cure poor performance and clear "Engine Management" fault light.

General Comments:

Excellent family car.

Very versatile, 2 adults, 3 kids, one Golden Retriever and luggage - no problem. With seats out it is as good as a small van.

Handling is excellent at lower speeds, but requires constant minor corrections at higher motorway speeds.

Rotated tyres from new and replaced 4 at 30 K. Excellent for a PAS MPV.

Faults:

Oil Leak at 30000 miles (August 2002) involved removal of engine, faulty part not available, 6 weeks before vehicle was ready: only for the dealer to discover another problem - the dealer took it back immediately - altogether 9 weeks off the road! Dealer kept me mobile with courtesy cars during this period.

Engine failed at 50000 miles, (March 2003). New engine fitted under warranty.

New Engine blew up (April 2004) with 30,000 miles done (90,000 on clock). Renault tell me outside of warranty period, due to mileage exceeding their 60,000. Total cost of repair and fitting new engine £5,500. Car is now (deemed to have 90,000 miles on clock, has value of £5,500 and £4,500!) We are awaiting Renault to come back with further offer.

In addition to the above - the alarm has had to be replaced twice!

We have had so many Temporary Cover Notes written that the Insurance Company does not permit the broker to write further cover without their permission.

General Comments:

As a customer of Renault for 18 years, I cannot believe their stance on the issue.

Unless they come up with an exceptionally good offer, we will not be inclined to deal with them again.

Faults:

Irritating knocking noise to front suspension since new.

Left shock absorber mounting failed at 49 000 km

Stitching to driver's seat tearing.

High incidents of minor dents on all doors

Interior light cover broke

Damage to driver's sun visor support resulting in rattle.

General Comments:

The knocking noise in the front suspension has been contentious since the car was new and the problem is not yet solved. It feels as if something is loose in front when driving over an uneven surface and every road undulation is felt in the steering wheel. The Renault dealer replaced the front shock absorbers three times, installed a new steering rack and most recently installed two new shock absorber upper mountings. The problem still persists and now the dealer proposes to replace the suspension ball joints. Can anyone help?

Faults:

The ignition system was playing up when we first took delivery of the car. The dealer discovered the factory had set the wrong computer program for electronic ignition. This was easily corrected.

The dealer caused several scratches to the paintwork during services.

The cheap factory supplied battery failed exactly after 12 months (12 days after warranty).

Otherwise I can't fault the car. It seems like it would glide through another 250,000 kilometers without major repairs.

General Comments:

My wife loves this car. She can't speak highly enough about it, and I have trouble getting the keys from her. She despises the dealer and resents taking it to them (only 2 dealers in a city on 1 million).

Resale value seems to plummeting because Renault do not yet have the same profile in Australia as Japanese and other car makers.

I prefer a saloon seating position, but my wife loves the seating arrangement.

We bought the car when Renault had just made their re-entry into the Australian market. The Scenic shone brightly above our two other options (Mazda Premacy and Daewoo Tacuma - both copies of the Scenic).

It has been a fantastic value car - best around.

The motor purrs in all traffic and the car loves being driven hard - city or highway. It is a joy to drive. It is fully optioned with leather seats, stick control stereo etc. etc.