I know it's been a very short production, but it had a 3.0 dCi unit available, right ? The one from Vel Satis I quess, matched up with a nice 5-speed autobox. Made by Isuzu ?
Any tips on reliability of that particular model, links etc. greatly appreciated.
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Free enterprise is the basis of western democracy.
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I am not sure it did. Did it not just get the 2.0T petrol, 2.2 dCi, and 3.0 v6 petrol?
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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The Car-by-Car Breakdown clearly states:
"....powered by either a 165bhp 2.0 turbo four cylinder petrol engine or a 210bhp 3.0 litre V6."
And then:
"Engine failures of 3.0V6 diesel not unknown."
So... ?
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Free enterprise is the basis of western democracy.
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Well I think the Aventime came with
the F4R engine = 1998cc petrol turbo, 162BHP (renault engine)
the G9T engine = 2198cc dCi, 148BHP (renault engine)
the L7X engine = 2946cc V6 petrol, 207 bhp (renault engine) - coupled with a renault auto box.
The Vel Satis came with
The Pk6 engine = 1998 petrol, turbo (renault engine) (similar to F4R)
the G9T engine = see above
the P9X engine = 2958cc Turbo Diesel, v6, DOHC, 24v, 178BHP (isuzu?)
the V4y engine = 3498cc V6 dohc 24v petrol, 235BHP (renault?)
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Isuzu's site says that the 2958cc engine was used in the Saab 9-5 and the Renault Velstis (sic). Rumour - I have no direct experience - is that it wasn't a great success in the Saab, and it has since been dropped.
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I have done a lot of miles in the SAAB 3.0 litre Isuzu. It was a smooth, quiet refined, but very lazy lump. Didnt seem to have huge get up and go for a three litre, but very flat torque curve with no peaks, so would move at almost any revs. Averaged about 35mpg in the SAAB, and seemed to "gum" up very easily, needing much italian tuning to keep it on song.
I liked it.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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...Isuzu's site says that the 2958cc engine was used in the Saab 9-5 and the Renault ......
and the Espace, Vx Signum and Vectra. Quite fancy one.
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The Avantime was never sold in the UK with any diesel engine, which probably contributed to it's failure in this market. I suspect (but don't know for sure) that it probably was sold in Europe with at least the 3.0 Isuzu lump.
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This, from July 2002, says that the Avantime was sold in France with the 2.2 DCI engine. It says that it was expected to account for 60% of Avantime sales there - although it also says that the Avantime had been selling poorly and this was its last chance.
www.autojournal.fr/essais&p=essai&uid=A578A64746E2...7
Has anyone here driven an Avantime? I'd love to try one - it's a splendidly wacky idea and looks to me to have minor-classic potential, if it could be made to last long enough. The part of me that rather fancies a Tourmaline Green M-B W124 coupé would also like to have an Avantime. My six-year-old son, meanwhile, thinks it would make a good mobile birdwatching hide - although electric blue with a silver roof might not be the idea colour scheme for that!
Closest I've got was an aubergine-coloured one I used to walk past occasionally on my way to the station and even that's not there now. Can't think when I last even saw one.
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I tried one when they were first being launched: I so much wanted to love the car and find nothing wrong with it: Unfortunately, all of that frameless glass made for incredibly noisy progress. You couldn't hold a conversation, for instance, at anything above 65mph.
Not really what you expect from a ? luxury ? , ? executive ? , vehicle?
There's still nothing which would turn more heads whilst sat on your drive, though, Will.
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Yes visually its a piece of modern art. On looks and boldness of idea it should be a future classic. Alas I doubt many will survive for long, and those that do are reportedly pretty pointless to drive.
I would have one on my drive in a flash, if I had a spare few quid.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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I suspected that might be the case, DrS. The Autojournal article comments, rather ruefully, that while Renault's post-launch quality improvements, and running on 16" wheels, reduce the various 'concertos for workshop tools', too many of the problems are inherent in the basic design to be completely eradicated.
I'd still love to try one, though, and they're getting very affordable now.
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I walk past one every morning on the way into work, and I reckon it's absolutely gorgeous.
A lot of my favourite cars are utterly pointless. That's part of what makes them wonderful. Any idiot can build a car to serve a purpose.
Cheers
DP
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04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
97 Ford Fiesta 1.4 16v Chicane (for sale)
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Agreed, DP. And Autojournal, like all the other reviewers at the time, was considering the Avantime as a £20,000-plus proposition, where had to be considered against serious opposition from the likes of Mercedes and BMW. But a four-year-old one for £7,000? Well...
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The bodies are plastic so there is very little rust problem and one other point a directive to Renault agents in mainland europe was if a Avantimhave always fancied one e came through the door it went to the top of the list and the owner was treated like royalty but unfortunately no diesel in the RHD form .You could always source a LHD would not make much difference with all that glass around you I have always fancied one even the Vel Satis is nicely different.
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Did not check the post think this is a little better.
"The bodies are plastic so there is very little rust problem and one other point a directive to Renault agents in mainland europe was if a Avantime came through the door it went to the top of the list and the owner was treated like royalty but unfortunately no diesel in the RHD form .You could always source a LHD would not make much difference with all that glass around you I have always fancied one even the Vel Satis is nicely different."
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the P9X engine = 2958cc Turbo Diesel, v6, DOHC, 24v, 178BHP (isuzu?)
As per Saab, Vectra and Signum
the V4y engine = 3498cc V6 dohc 24v petrol, 235BHP (renault?)
Nissan IIRC?
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I first saw an Avantime just after the launch, in the Renault Paris showroom and thought 'what is that all about?' I'm still wondering.
However - I am always amazed by the number I see around this part of rural France and I notice they are now beginning to be advertised in classic car magazines over here.
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