1997 Renault Laguna RT from UK and Ireland - Comments

Water leak into the rear footwell - cheap.

Heater matrix failed - very expensive.

Paintwork is easily damaged.

Good spec and very comfortable with lots of space in the front. Not so good in the back though. Unfortunately there's lots of things to spoil an otherwise good car.

Drives well, but the engine is seriously under powered for a 1.8.

The biggest problem is the gear change - either it's the worst design ever or Renault fitted my Laguna with a box of old nails. It's obstructive and a downright pain to use. The car has to be almost stationary in order to change down from 3rd to 2nd. Changing up is often bad as well - it's just not reliable.

The heater matrix failing is a common fault apparently. If you've got air con you'll need a big wallet to get this fixed.

Gearbox, forget it.

I have had my Laguna for 4 years and have covered about 50,000 miles on 2 gearboxes. Have the box checked if you are buying second hand. Re-manufacturers will tell you, the gearbox is the weakest link?

Acquiring my Laguna 1.8 RT at 100k was a bit of a risk, but apart from a radiator change the car has given me no problems in the last year, now at 124k. However watch out for that extremely clunky gearbox, coasting seems to be a necessity for it! But overall the car has performed very well especially on long distances, and R reg cars are bargains at the moment, I got mine for £3500.

I have My Laguna for 2 years now and ran it over 114000 KM ~ 52000 miles.

The gearbox is the weakest part, it's failing from time to time, the SERV light gets lit.. someone told me to always use the S button on mountainous roads..

Renault Lagunas are an absolute headache. I have owned on for the last year and I have had nothing but trouble with it. Don't even think about buying one as the gearbox is absolutely useless; I've had to replace mine twice in the last year!That's not all! A poorly thoughtout and manufactured car with terrible build quality. Go and buy a good vw!

I bought my Laguna 1.8RT 3 yrs ago now - the only thing I've had to replace was the 2 rear sections of exhaust and tyres!

Extremely reliable etc etc. Never not even nearly started! If you want to get to the church on time...!

Parts are quite expensive though (well exhausts at least).

I do also have the problem of the leaking rear door though. If anyone has a solution to this, let me know. My problem comes and goes with no real explanation to why this is. email me from www.ppaton.com.

Otherwise, I would recommend with my full support!

Peter.

The leaking rear door seems to be a very common problem with Laguna cars. To fix this you need to cut a 1mm gap in the base of the seal at the base of both rear doors. You will see where to cut by the water stains going into the car. This will let water inside the car drain to the outside and will solve the problem.

To help the problem of the notchy and generally rubbish gearbox, the best thing to do is to drain and replace the box oil annually. It is a pain, but it does work and could save hundreds of pounds. Also try a synthetic type of oil for the box, as when it heats up next to the engine the oil becomes less effective and causes problems too.

Renault Laguna Leaking Problem.

I also have the same problem and after a few days of rain the rear carpet is wet and the car smells badly.

Now I know that it is a common problem I'll try and take all your advice and fix it myself.

Otherwise, great car - I love it... it takes me from London to Lyme Regis and back every week in relative comfort!

Peter

I bought a 1997 Laguna RT 1.8 2 years ago with 140k on the clock. I've added 30k to that myself including driving it to eastern Europe. It still goes, what more can you want?

Yes, the water leak used to be a problem, but as it doesn't rain much here I no longer notice it.

Replaced exhaust on first MOT, but can't complain about that for a car of this age. This year I had to replace the O2 sensor and then the ignition coil. Gearbox doesn't always want to go from 2 into 1.

Renault Laguna leaking problem! Following on from the comments made with leaking door seals. Did making a 1mm hole sort out the issue??

Martyn with wet feet in Bournemouth!!

I have had a 97 Laguna estate 2 Lt 8 valve for 6 years had 105k on the clock when bought just had a new gearbox alternator and clutch fitted before I got it. I had to fit new heater rad right away as water ran out of the floor after a couple of weeks had it done at a small garage cost about £220 with a couple of tyres. Had the rads and fans replaced a couple of years later when one of the Queens deer ran into the front she would not pay (deer dead) insurance £2000. Replaced cambelt kit at 140k, cambelt broke at 159k half a mile from home after coming home from holiday it was due to a cheap belt tensioner from Euro parts but give credit they did give me about £220 of valves etc to put it right. now the g/box will not always go into 5th. It started by being hard to go into 1st. now its moved up the other end of the box any ideas?? Gave up on the rear screen heater have rewired it several times but with new thermostat just put heater on full up and it clears in a couple of miles. All in all it's a nice comfy car with a bit of go and room in it to move a fridge what more do you want. Graham.

About a month ago (3 May 08) I purchased a 1996 2.2 diesel Laguna estate with full history and about 130,000 on the clock.

I contacted the garage that had carried out the servicing (for the last six years) and was informed the cam belt was last changed at 64,000 miles. As the car appeared to be in good condition I took it to the Renault dealer and had the cam belt etc replaced break fluid replaced, oil plus filter and coolant replaced. However I checked the coolant today and it had dropped below the minimum. Does any one know why this might be?

Many Thanks.

How much did it cost you in renault?

I have a 1996 renault laguna RT and notice a few of you mentioning leaks in the rear door. I have the opposite problem, I seem to have obtained a leak from the nearside door area or maybe the n/s wiper scuttle tray which is flooding my carpets and worst of all now affecting some electrical systems in the car does anybody know of a possible cause or solution to this issue please!!!

Had my (97) 1800 8v rn estate for 3years now. been good runner

but had its teething probs. yes the gear box is not up to good and you have to watch the front suspention mounts on these cars eg clanging over bumps.