1998 Renault Laguna RT 1.9TDi

Summary:

A solid, reliable and comfortable car

Faults:

I've had to replace the keys at £80 a go they are not at all cheap.

The doors leaked in heavy rain. A friend of a friend changed something called a membrane & also used the wrapper it came in, it has cured the problem.

Strange knocking sound from below the dash on the drivers side. This turned out to be a badly fitted fuse block.

Shock absorber (front drivers side), had to be replaced twice in the first 20k miles.

General Comments:

The car is very reliable, comfortable, spacious & (for a diesel) quiet. The build quality is very good, apart from fragile paint, but that is a Renault problem, rather than a Laguna specific.

I do a lot of mixed road miles & I would have to say the best part of the car is the comfort level. The electrics have been good & the seats are very supportive, no back trouble so far.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd September, 2002

1998 Renault Laguna RT 1.9dti

Summary:

The best rep-can of it's generation

Faults:

Brakes were pulling to left on collection of car. Rectified by local dealer after first service. Main dealer who carried out the service merely noted that they had adjusted the tyre pressures, which was interesting, as I checked them weekly.

The air conditioning failed after 50,000 miles. I didn't use it often, which, apparently is the reason for failure. Use it for at least ten minutes a week and it'll last much longer.

General Comments:

A very capable car. Comfortable, roomy, well-appointed, with an impressive build quality in the mid-98 "Evolution" face-lift guise. Very reliable.

It handled well, like a smaller car. I never lost the front end in the dry however hard I threw it into corners.

The 100bhp diesel accelerates modestly, but the high torque gives useful acceleration when you need it, between 40 and 75 mph.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th September, 2002

1998 Renault Laguna Executive 2.0 petrol

Summary:

A superb car - but a little costly to run

Faults:

Sidelights faulty.

Brakes started making a horrible noise.

Wiper blade broke loose on the motorway, and the metal arm scratched the (very pricey) windscreen.

General Comments:

This car was my first break from a Ford in 25 years of car ownership, and unfortunately Renault were a bit of a let down to begin with. The car was promised within six weeks in green. Then they said maybe three months if I had it in red, but the car I finished up with nine MONTHS later was blue (my seventh choice from the brochure) but with a much improved specification and they did throw in Satellite Navigation as standard.

From the outside, the car looks great - the sweeping lines, the colour co-ordination, the little spoiler.

Inside, the cabin is light and airy, but headroom is very limited. The dashboard is well laid out, instruments very clear and informative (including how many miles you can go on what petrol you have left - very useful gadget)

The performance is pretty much what you'd expect from a family saloon, which is good. It handles well, and the steering, especially when manoeuvring at slow speeds is light, but responsive.

Generally a superb car - certainly the best I've owned. Best feature is the speaking dashboard, which informs the driver of any problems and they can be fixed before they became serious.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th June, 2002

14th Aug 2003, 09:21

How is it that you have given the dealer 10 out of 10 when you had the problems in the first place and waited so long?I can understand if you were waiting for a luxury/hand built vehicle with your exacting specifications. I would have sent them packing had this have happened to me.

I also drive a Laguna Executive (which I hasten to add is up for sale due to continuous and expensive faults) and I am over six feet tall, which brings me to inquire about the lack of head room in your car. Have you (silly though it may sound) tried adjusting the height of the seat?

I neither suffer nor agree with the headroom problem.Unless, that is, you play basketball for the LA LAKER

26th Mar 2004, 08:45

Wow such performance and comfort, and the looks so great to look at. I just love the v6 to take to France it comes into its own on those lovely quiet roads it just eats up those miles. The only trouble I had with the car the engine remains cool it does not reach running temperature.

9th May 2011, 14:18

Renault Laguna, model 1998, is my dream car. I have so enjoyed it.

Recently it stops at will and won't start until after twenty minutes.