1994 Renault 19 16v Executive from UK and Ireland - Comments

These cars can be generally problematic like most old hot hatches, but they have something about them that keeps you going.

Top strut mount drivers side,

Rear brakes including the calipers, discs and pads.

Damn wheel bearings go quite often on these models.

Had rust on the sills (due to the side-skirts) so I cut them and replaced them with new ones before it got too bad.

These were the jobs I carried out when I bought it, they're not terribly well maintained anymore like most older cars.

Used to be the car to have when it came out. Still has good looks, but has lost near all credibility, require regular maintenance (which isn't cheap) and with second hand value so low, a lot of badly maintained examples around (don't buy them off e-bay)..

Leather interior is second to none and is probably one of the cars best points. I have the executive model which was available in 5dr version and had leather seats, air bag and cobra alarm as standard.

People say that they are quick, but don't be surprised to be wasted on the lights by most modern cars, in its day it wasen't bad, but compared to modern hot hatches it has no chance at all.

It has a nice throaty roar at high revs, but you really have to trash it to get performance which is a shame. Also hasn't followed its hot hatch rivals in to the classic hot hatch books, the likes of the Peugeot 205 GTI and Astra GTE 16v, which are holding value and credibility much better than the Renault.

Sadly a car that will probably fade into obscurity as time goes on, but I've got a soft spot for them and I don't care if its not the coolest car anymore.

To sum up a good looking, comfortable hot hatch which can get going when you put your foot down. But your mates won't think your cool and you won't win many traffic light grand prix in it anymore dispite what people might say. But they're cheaper than you think and a good one will serve you well.

Hello mate - just been reading your review, I agree with most of what you've said, but, I've got a 94 - l reg renault 19 16v charmade (4dr saloon). this is my 5th. I love these cars, I can't help it, I had 11 peugeot 205 gti's, a bmw e36 coupe & all sorts of other fast hatches prior to getting into 19's, but now I've got this one, I'm not stopping with the mods & rebuild until its done. I don't go in for body kits, but I love huge brakes, lowered suspension & a straight through exhaust! yes, maintenance is high, but you've got to love a car that can rev to 8000 rpm with just a few mods & can cost about as much as an xbox 360. I have spent a lot of money on my present car, about £15,000 to be exact & its just about to have its new yellow spec engine fitted! yes, 200bhp!!! I spent all of yesterday fitting the new front suspension set up & now it drives as tight as any new car.

As far as getting blown out by new hot hatches goes, I'm not sure of what you've been racing, but my car can keep up with the best of them & its only running about 165bhp, @ present it has a full single boxed stainless steel exhaust system with de cat, pipercross viper induction kit, clio cup chip & a few other small mods & I'm not complaining.

Just think of what my new engine will do!!!

I've got a few days off work so today I'm fitting the new rear set up, new struts, discs, pads, bearings & calipers (all fast road) again this will make a huge difference when done.

I'm going to France in a few weeks so it will be run-in over there, when I return, it will be set up on the rolling road to ensure everything is correct.

Who knows, you may be seeing this street sleeper in a french car magazine near you soon!!!

Ye I don't know what you have been racing, but my standard 95 3 door executive leaves most stuff off the lights especially anything in or under the 2.0 16v category. I even outpaced my friends mk4 astra gsi turbo (170bhp) up to 120mph and golf vr6's just don't stand a chance especially in the countryside.

Hi there just reading what you was saying I all-so) have a Renault,19 8v (only 1400i.

I have put a k@n on it and a(power flow, back box on it.

I know its not going to come close to what your r19 16v do.

But have you got any (ides how to make it faster (thank you.