Renault Espace (2003 - 2012) 1.9 dCi Authentique 5d (2003/53) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
It was the only thing available when we needed to buy a car & it was in our budget - sadly the repairs were not!
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
It was known affectionally as "the shed", given the circumstances a perfectly reasonable description!
Would you buy this car again and why?
No absolutely not, if someone you know says "I'm thinking of buying a Ren" Just finish the sentence by saying "No No No". Yes Yes Yes if you hate them or want to play automotive Russian Roulette with your wallet & have a taste of automotive hell on earth!
What are you likely to buy next?
A Saab 9-5 Estate - a normal car with normal problems in normal places & you can take it apart in a normal manner. If all esle fails the Independent garages will even work on it too!
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Didn't buy from a dealer
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£0
When did you buy the car?
January 2010
Did you get a good deal and why?
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
We needed a diesel MPV
What was the dealer like?
Very expensive on parts, everything was at least 50% more than the comparible VW part.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Ride & handling better than a Sharan. MPG was rubbish at 33 (Sharan 38mpg)
What's it like to park?
Easy although when the door mirrors are wet, you can't see anything.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
Front suspension collapsed due to poor design, the car is NCAP5 so at least you will have a safe accident. Renault couldn't have been less interested, they only care if the car is under 60000 miles or three years old. Air mass meter failed, the car would take an age to do 30mph, when it got to 30, it would unpredictably take off when you didn't expect it. The air mass meter is £40+vat cheaper from Vauxhall, a Vivaro 1.9 diesel one is the same part! The throttle pedal is unresponsive, so much so that if you nail it & let off immediately, the engine revs only rise by about 30 rpm. The car is such a pain to work on that no independent garage wants to work on it. If the battery goes flat, when you reconnect it leave the car for 10 mins, then after 10 mins lock it, unlock & try again.
What's most practical about your car?
Very little, it's big, the seats are very heavy so a season ticket to a chiropractor is recommended.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
The throttle, it gives you something to do in traffic!
