October 2009
Hi guys,
I have a 2004 2.2 diesel Renault Espace. A couple of years ago (just months out of warrantee) the turbo charger went. I had it replaced by an experienced Renault mechanic but NOT a dealership garage. However, I did opt for the more expensive Renault part rather than a cheaper 'copy' part. Everything seemed fine for a while though the car definitely suffered from more turbo-lag than before. Last winter I started to experience some serious lack of power when pulling away at junctions and roundabouts, and in stop-start traffic. It was especially bad on cold mornings - how I wasn't hit up the rear end on more than one occasion I'll never know! The problem was very intermittent and whenever I asked advice from the Renault service guys or the mechanic I used, nothing could be found. Some days the car would drive fine, other times I'd put my foot to the floor and limp out into a roundabout or busy slip-road like a slug overdosed on Night Nurse. Then, after a few terrifying seconds the turbo would kick in and all would be fine. Eventually this problem seemed to cure itself. Until today.....
Twice today, I have been in stop-start traffic and have put my foot on the gas to pull away, and ....nothing. It's picked up eventually, (foot pumping wildly) but I feel I'm in for another long tough winter of 'roundabout russian roulette' that I don't wish to repeat. Also, (not co-incidentally?) upon switching off the engine, there has been a very loud and alarming noise which sounds not unlike a Boeing 747 about to take off (the cooling system?) which seems to be going into hyper-mode.
I have had the battery, turbo-charger, brake discs and pads replaced on this car, and now I'm told (by Renault) that I may spontaneously combust any day unless I replace the cam belt (as standard procedure) I have done 44,500 miles. Should I get rid now, before this car bankrupts me? Your thoughts and advice will be gratefully digested. Read more
hi guys had a good read on previous posts and can't find and info
mine has no fault code shown in or out of the mem the engine management light used to come on and restrict performance would reset after a while. now just been to have some body work done and it ran out of fuel on them since then it won't start
It has had bio in and a bit or red in the past any help would be great ian
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hi can anybody tell me is it alright to use shell v power in my focus 1.6 LX.
cheers. Read more
Hi all I currently have an Audi a3 2.0fsi (04 plate) and I am looking to buy something faster but it must have room for the dog in the boot and my kid in the back. I have test drove Astra VXR (I liked it but other half did not, plus found it too twitchy), Ford Focus ST (other half likes it and it can fit everyone in) I think it is ok. Am going to look at a petrol Ford Mondeo 220 st (I like the look of this). I just don't know what too choose I am flexible and willing to look at alternatives, would like something fast but would like it not to drink too much petrol or diesal. Am looking to pay around thirteen grand and 2006 onwards...
Thanx all for looking. Read more
I would consider a BMW 320d Touring. The engine is quicker than the Ford 220
diesel and only a couple of clicks slower than the 2.5 Petrol. The fuel economy
beats both of the Ford Engines easily. >>
Hang on!! - the ST220 is a 220ps 3.0 V6 petrol, thirsty though quick and characterful.
You are thinking of the ST TDCi, 2.2 diesel, more torque than any 320d and matched in power and beaten in economy only by the very latest 320d, i.e. 2008 onwards so IRO £20k.
I agree with the practicality of the touring however.
Here's another idea, X-Type estate, 2.2d or 3.0 V6.
Older model & Advertised at £13K - roughly £3k off list
I asked for a deal under scrappage - Easy- £16K less £2K = £14K
Can I not get the car for £14K and take £2k off - no scrappage is off list only!
Large Scottish chain - the logic defies me as the deal I wanted was using the £1000 govt allowance Read more
Large Scottish Chain-I would not give them the time of day. Cars will be pre reg which they will never be honest about. Therefore scrappage does not apply.
I am interested in hearing some feedback on this car, specifically on these areas:
Performance - the torque figures suggest a bit of oomph from quite low revs; as I'm used to the grunt of a 2-litre turbodiesel, would I be very disappointed?
Economy - "real world" figures, please.
Handling - directional stability, cornering, motorway comfort.
Anything else of note.
As always, my grateful thanks to anyone who can respond. Read more
Best to have a look on the Briskoda forums, you'll get lots of feedback from other owners and mods/tweaks that can be done.
Hi folks
Need some advice asap.
My fella got pulled over last thursday 8th oct, was given a producer.
The pc who pulled him couldnt find any insurance for him on system.
Now i knew it was insured , so rang more than insurance. when it came to the reg plate was 1 digit wrong cars reg starts with R599 they had R559, they apologised and issued new certificate.
right now for part 2 lol.
My fellas had a ongoing problem with the dvla about his driving licence.
he had his licence revoked 18 months ago and was allowed it back last nov, we applied for it in april this year no probs they cashed cheque etc etc, said it would be sent out asap.
6 months on we still havnt recieved it. weve rang soooo many times you wouldnt believe to be told numerous things they had no record of him etc etc. when it came to they had his date of birth wrong on system so when we sent form in it didnt match to what they had and they didnt know where to match the details funds etc to.
so when it came to producer the documetns we had for insurance was slightely wrong so the police are saying car wasnt insurer.
plus couldnt produce driving licence.
so in all not good as they saying he cant produce anything and will get taken to court.....
What can happen to him as he needs his car to get to work, im so stressed about this any help very much appreciated.
Thanks DL Read more
Won't apply to the OP, but a surrendered licence for medical reasons, when the health declarations can be made and are accompanied by a new licence applicaton, the applicant is treated as licensed, as soon they are received in Swansea. This does not apply if Swansea or the courts have taken the license off you.
Not the only odd thing here either!
Having turned 50 in June I have suddenly discovered that I have slowed my driving right down - to the extent that the CRV is doing an extra 80 miles per tank !
I have noticed a tendency to mimse along the local dual carriageway at a stately 65 mph and stick rigidly to speed limits.
Apart from "making progress" on my bikes, I greatly fear that the pleasure I felt chucking my Roomie about with brio has gone....:-(
Anybody else suffering from this ? Am I doomed ? Read more
>> is anyone old enough to remember Flanders & Swann's Transport of Delight?
Anyone else prepared to admit they're over 60, (I'm keeping schtum)?
...
Thought id share some thoughts on this van which ive had on hire since Friday but have already stuck 600 miles on it.
Cab is pretty standard, infact much of the controls remind me of a mid-90's Clio - they feel quite fragile but essentially work ( aside from a couple of electrical bits ). There is even an outside temp gauage but being a Renault, it permanatly reads between -1 and -3, so its useless of course. Driving position is OK, could be better if they made more adjustment for the steering wheel, passenger seats are good though and there is enough space for two reasonable sized people and the dashboard mounted gearlever makes for plenty of legroom for middle passenger.
Loadspace is fine, little lacking in height maybe and only one side-loading door on the kerbside.
To drive its a mixed bag. Unladen it is of course bumpy and quite hard riding, but put stuff in the back and it tends to float abit too much, however it has reasonable handling and the steering is nicely weighted, with a good turning circle.
Gearbox is 6-spd although I rarely have found any use for 1st gear. 6th means about 1800 rpm at 70 which makes for quiet running on a long run. The 'change itself is a little clunky, especially feeling odd going into 6th, but it is light and ive not yet missed a gear.
The engine is OK but as soon as it has any kind of weight in it, it soon runs out of puff up hills in the higher gears, with a sudden slow down everytime the revs fall below the turbos operating range - I suspect without the turbo this engine would be utterly useless as it seems to lack natural torque, unlike say the old Transits unit which was a real plodder.
It does have aircon, elec windows, mirrors and C/L, plus a huge 90 litre fuel tank, so it has a very useful range. Ive been getting about 38 mpg out of it which doesnt seem too bad really given what it is and what ive used it for.
Would I buy one? No, not one of these - at 31,000 miles it feels a bit tired already with odd noises coming from the engine at times, but my wife has said that she likes riding in a van and thinks we should perhaps invest in one in due course.
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So, my wife has been giving me a hard time about my driving (she has about 10 years experience, I have about 4 weeks).
Specifically she has told me that I turn very slowly into side streets, the discussion been triggered by some tailgating cabbie shouting something (not sure what, because the windows were closed) when we were turning off the main road today.
She says that I slow down, almost to a stop, before turning, and that somebody is likely to rearend me because they wouldn't expect me to be so slow when turning, when they can see that the opposite lane is clear.
The street in question that I am turning into is pretty narrow, with cars parked both sides, meaning that there is definitely not room for two cars to pass each other. The cars are also parked very close to the junction blocking the view until you are well into the junction, and cars absolutely belt down the road (loads of young lads in cars doing well over the limit).
Now, the cars behind me *should* be leaving room for them to stop safely if they can't get past me, but the reality is that they drive close and fast.
My thoughts are that I need to be that slow to be able to turn into the side street without crossing the middle line and to check that the street is clear. I could probably turn faster with more experience, but my wife admits that if I was going much faster I would probably have to cut the line and therefore, in my opinion, not be seeing down the road before turning into it.
She suggests that, in the worst case, I would be able to stop during the turn, although that would leave me over the oncoming lane (of the main road). I fear that, in fact, because the speeding drivers in the side street only brake in time to give way I could find myself turning into them.
In theory, I reckon that I am in the right, because I am turning within the lines, am checking that the exit road is clear and if somebody rear ends me they haven't left the right gap and/or haven't been paying attention.
However, what is right in theory, is little value if I get rearended or hit in the front from the car speeding down the road I am turning into.
No doubt there is some middle ground, but giving that I cannot always turn at exactly the optimum speed, do I err towards taking my time or towards turning a bit faster?
Any thoughts would be really appreciated.
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The more they behave like a suppository
LOL
thanks Rattle,Redviper and all for your replies,i will do what Rattle suggest's put a tank full in now and then it will give the engine a clean at least.
cheer's Slack.
SQ