2001 Renault Scenic Privelege 2.0 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Innovative design, poorly executed quality control and non existent after sales care

Faults:

Within weeks of delivery the engine emitted a howling noise when the gears shifted from 3rd to 2nd gear. By the second mandatory service, the car was deemed unsafe to drive and a loose "bolt" was removed from within the engine and replaced. The dealer was sketchy on the details.

The rear shock absorber experienced significant wear and tear and was replaced. In Australia obtaining parts proved challenging.

In late 2003, the vehicle engine exploded and caught fire, the car has subsequently been written off, the cause of the fire is not clear although it would appear the fuel line broke. From what I understand this is not a common occurence.

General Comments:

Prior to the fire, the vehicle was great to drive and a perfect family car, innovative design, comfortable, excellent brakes, good safety features and reasonably economical. Unfortunately the after sale support and care does not live up to expectations.

After the fire I would describe the vehicle as a great design, but with obvious quality control issues.

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

Review Date: 29th January, 2004

24th Feb 2006, 16:57

Surely you meant to say :

"After the fire I danced happily in the ashes while thinking about which non - Renault to purchase with the insurance payout."

2001 Renault Scenic 1.6 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A good car for a bargain, but a few defects included in the price

Faults:

The Renault Scenic has in my case 2 major problems. The electric wiring and the ignition coils.

My two and a half year old car has had 2 repairs to fix the wiring to the brake lights.

First about the problems I encountered with the wiring. The first time I was told the wiring to the fuse box has come lose. The second time the wiring to the sensor on the brake pedal was the cause.

The other major problem I had was with the ignition coils.

After about 9 months I noticed the car all of the sudden started to sound like a tractor. It not only sounded like a tractor it also drove like one. The car had lost 50% of it's power.

After a few days the dealer had fixed it, it was an ignition coil.

The second coil went defective half a year later.

And now, two and a half year after I bought the car, the third and for last ignition coil went.

One comfort, there is only one coil left to go wrong.

For the rest no problems.

General Comments:

Despite these problems, the car is great. It has lots of space. The seating in front is comfortable. And by removing the back seats it is easily converted to carry remarkable large loads. Heating is fine when you get used to it. And it overs a lot of features for the price.

On the negative side, the window wipers are noisy and do not always leave the window clean.

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

Review Date: 13th October, 2003

12th Dec 2003, 02:24

I had a similar problem in that all 3 coils needed to be replaced within 24 months of the car being new on the Road.

24th Jan 2004, 07:30

I bought a Privilage Monacco RX4 brand new in Sept 2002.

It needed a new steering rack within the first year and the radio decided not to work. The radio was eventually repaired having all the wiring and aerial replaced.

In November 2003 the plastic fixing to the spare wheel cover broke off. The dealer said they would replace this under warranty, but the fitting had been changed (or the dealer ordered the wrong part) and it would cost £300:00 to replace the entire spare wheel cover. They were not prepared to pay this money for the repair.

The vehicle is a petrol machine and returnes about 30-32 miles to the gallon.

A nice car which does everything I want it to do apart from the niggles above.