2001 Renault Espace The Race review from UK and Ireland
"Excellent car let down by appalling reliability"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Serious loss of power on several occasions, resulting in dealer changes Exhaust Gas Release Valve (EGRV). However, with each new EGRV's lasting a progressively shorter and shorter timespan, ending at a few hundred miles before power loss again. Now had the engine computer re-mapped (wiped clean and re-programmed) - the car now drives quite differently.
Glow plugs problem around 20,000.
Dealer service general staff friendly and try to be helpful, albeit never got to root of problem. On one occasion when my wife was trying to say that there had to be some more fundamental fault than the Valve, Service Manager was appallingly condescending to my wife, so we got Renault UK involved. This brought an apology, but still didn't fix the car properly!
General comments?
We fundamentally really like the Espace, it's large interior for a relatively small exterior, comfort, equipment and stable towing ability.
However, it's dire reliability, caused by dealer / Renault UK's incapability to find actual fault has really got to us.
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  | This car is a class above the competition |
| I like them |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.2 dCi Manual |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 1/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 5500 miles |
| Most recent distance | 22000 miles |
| Previous car | SAAB 9-3 |
| Date of Entry | 8th September, 2003 |