2003 Renault Espace Privilege from UK and Ireland - Comments

This is the New Renault Espace IV 2.2 DCI Manual PRIVILEGE model, not to be confused with the older Model III.

Car delivered with front wheel alignment off center.

N.S. Front Head Light Washer leaked from new. Dealer has changed one way valve twice to no avail. Problem not rectified. No response from dealer or Renault. 6 Months later fault still apparent. This leak is apparent only when the car is parked on a slight road camber.

At low speed (40 MPH) Wind Screen Cracked when hit by grit.

Interior cramped for an People Carrier.

The radio reception is very poor. This is due the fact that this model has no external aerial. Compared to previous Renault models, the radio reception is very poor.

This is the third Renault I have purchased.

I am disappointed with the quality of the car and the Renault Support.

For a car costing £28,840 you expect better quality.

The Espace IV privilege I own is a much better car than that described. It is well finished, comfortable, has no apparent leaks or problems. The only thing I don't like is the so called automatic handbrake which, in certain conditions can be dangerous. (Try reversing up a narrow hill).

Renault espace iv 1.9dci authentic.

New october 2003.

December 2003, clutch slipping loss of drive, no warning. collected car seemed OK. After a further 50 miles clutch failed on hill after a drive of 20 miles. Cloud of black acrid smoke envelops car and loss of drive. I was quite ill over the next couple of days and asked what I had been breathing Renault could not say!!

Replaced by dealer, but still no reason given for fault.

Car returned, but some problems with auto handbrake not releasing.

February 15 clutch failed again with out warning as I was overtaking at 70mph. just avoided collision. dealer and renault now accuse me of not driving correctly although I have driven for 30 years without any previous clutch problems. Dealer very aggressive and Renault customer services say they car for dealer not owners!!

I asked for a refund, but was told prove there is a fault, but Renault had car for weeks by then. Offered £14,000 for car costing £21,000 4 months befor.

I will now have to try and take them to court to get my money back.

I now have a Ford Galaxy which is just great.

I have just purchased a 1.9Dci Dynamique. Car is 3 years old, took it out of garage and clutch started slipping.

I purchased the car from a Vauxhaul dealer, who repaired the problem. The mechanic explained that it wasn't a defective clutch, but a gearbox seal. Oil was entering into the clutch housing causing it to slip.

The stereo system is the worse sounding "piece of kit" I have ever heard. Unbelievably awful sound quality. Renault are no help and can't seem to offer any advice on how to improve the system as it is all integrated. I have upgraded the speakers, but the sound is still awful.

The drivers seat seems to lower itself and interior trim and drivers door rubber seals, squeak, click, pop & creak. I've spent a great deal of time effort and a mixture of fitting soundproof foam, tightening bolts, greasing joints & pulling doors back into shape. Finally I've got a quiet cabin. Granted this is a big car and so panels undergo more stresses but this is supposed to be an upmarket MPV, excessive interior noise due to poor quality parts is unacceptable in this day and age.

I love the design and look of the car, it looks so much better than all other MPV's from the outside but Renault have really made a poor effort when it comes to quality of the interior.

At present I'm driving the car with kid gloves. I want to like this car, but so far I'm very dissappointed.

I have had two of these Mk 4 Espaces, a 2003 and a 2006. Both have been fantastic, no problems on either. Plenty of space and the sound system is OK- it's not B&O of course, but my kids make enough noise in the car that I don't really hear the music. We have the glass roof on the new one. It's fantastic. The only gripe I have with it is the stupid heating/ventilation controls. It's absolutely idiotic to put the controls in a position that only the driver can adjust them. Plain stupid. & the seats are heavy to move in & out, in spite of the new system. Apart from that, we love the car.

Wow, you've been extremely unlucky! My Renault has been absolutely amazing. I'm a taxi driver, I work in Paris, and average about 150 kilometers per day! So I put lots of stress on my car! Let's just say I'd buy another!

I just bought a Renault Grand Espace Privilege 2.0 ltr Turbo. From the beginning I think the car is fantastic. No problems at all. I think it's just like a lottery; sometimes you are lucky and sometimes you are unlucky. I also have a BMW motorbike. Some people say it's the best bike ever made. From the beginning, every two weeks the bike is at the garage. Now almost 6 years later, I finally found a dealer who really understand BMW motorbikes and the bike is working perfectly, so I also think the dealer or garage where you bought the car has a big influence in how the car is performing.

Richard from Amsterdam "The Netherlands"

I own a 2003 Mk4 Grand Espace 2.2 dci, and am having problems finding out what my fuel consumption figures should be. i.e. is there anything wrong with the car. The local Renault dealer cannot really help. Can anybody tell me what fuel consumption figures they are getting along with their driving styles, terrain and journey types, and then I can work out whether there is a fault with my car. Thank you.

2006 2.2 CDi - 35.5 average mixed driving, short urban commutes and long runs. Smooth style avoiding heavy accelleration. Hope info is of use.

Have had a 2003 2.2 dci Espace IV for around 15 months now. Had loads of problems with electrics, central locking motors (2), switches, etc. Renault do not want to know about any problems and certainly won't accept any blame for parts that should last a cars lifetime! This is my third Espace, and my last. Shame on you Renault!

Hi there, I fell in love with a 2.2 diesel espace three and a half years ago and brought it brand new (05) I had no problems except the ESP failed and they fixed it, although it has never been the same since.

3 months out of warranty and 3 days after a service (by Renault) the service light came on and the word injection lights up. The car started to slow down and became very under powered. I rang my dealer who said bring it in and we'll have a look "we've probably forgot to tighten something up" So I drove home and took it to the dealer having done a further 30 miles.

After 2 days and hours on the phone they say the engine is completely toast!! they say that the rocker cover gasket leaked oil onto the injector seals, a bunch of other things. The oil pump wasn't working causing the piston rings to where, no compression, con rods bent and turbo shot.

All this and the car has only done 32,000 miles. They want £7,200 to put a new engine in.

I've been fighting for over a week with them, although they seemed to have accepted responsibility, they now say I've got to pay 10% and they are only replacing the engine out of good will!!!

I have to say that a £26,000 car should not need a new engine after such a short time.

I can honestly say I will never buy another Renault again.

The Espace IV Privilege. I've owned this car for over a 6 months, comfortable, has no apparent problems.

The only thing is the revs can't go over 2900 revs, the power dies out. It does that when the turbo is about to kick in.

Dealer can't help. Does anybody know?