1987 Renault 11 Turbo from Poland - Comments

It'll be much faster to list things that haven't failed, but let's try:

Starting engine failed at 150,000.

Battery charging failed at 170,000 and at 190,000.

Gearbox problems - not too annoying at the beginning (140,000), but now grinding sounds at every gear.

Rear axle bushings vanished and gone at 162,000 kms.

Oil leaks from head gasket at < 100,000 kms.

All wheel beargins noisy after 150,000 kms.

Front hemiaxles failures are routine.

McPherson collumn spring's lower handle blew up at 192000 kms, tearing off the tyre.. very very spectacular effects, especially at the highway.. you hear a huge "double BANG!" and pray for your life..

Enough? :)

This car is really a nice performer, leaves behind almost every car from it's class, consuming fair amounts of fuel (unless you don't floor it too much)... handles like heck.. Fortunately the spares are cheap, and once you can fix things on your own, and become independent from shitty Renault service, running this car becomes really affordable.

After 12 - 15 years of service - it may become dangerous - the engine performance is still the same, but the key systems become highly unreliable.

What is wrong with you? I have a renault 11 turbo and it has passed 200 000 km, and obviously everything is normal. I have happily passed without all these problems. that car have saved my life thrice, and I have changed just the consumatives like filters and oil.

I agree with the previous comment. My Renault 11 turbo dating from may 1984 was totalizing 250000 kms and during her 15 years of service I didn't met such big problems.

Just remember that you must drive slowly during the first kilometers and this car will be the best you've ever had.

Chris from France.

I have a 11 Turbo from 1986 with 180.000 Km and it works very well. Only a few electric problems with some of its equipment. The engine is very nice and it can sustain some bad treatments. Driving with it is a pleasure and it's very fast, specially to overtakes.

Carlos from Portugal.

I have one Renault 11 turbo phase 2 1987. my r11 was 6 years stooped, but it continue working a lot. that car is amazing is soft, but racing gearbox and is very comfortable even when you are pushing him to red line and you feel you can't "stand up" from the seat you think your seat has glue.

But remember if you by one don't push it in the beginning because you will some problems because this cars is too fast.

From Diogo Portugal.

I bought a renault 11 turbo around 3 months ago, and it goes like stink!! I realy never rated them, and diddnt give one a second look, and that was the only one id ever seen!when one did come up for sale, and I found out it was the 1400cc turbo unit as found in my R5 GTT, it was a cheap runaround, and when I found it went and sounded better than the R5, due to a full scorpion s/s, GTTuning turbo chip, running stage 1, I couldnt go far wrong.

It needed a n/s door, and still does, and the starter motor has started to stick, other than that its wicked. I'm also told it's a phaze 1, due to the D reg plate. the seats are only described as ace and its pleasnt to drive, especialy when it comes onto boost and the spinning up of the turbo brings an instant smile!! unfortunatly, it takeing up space, and as a 3rd car its got to go. if anyone wans a white d reg renault 11 turbo, with 6 mths tax & mot, drop me a line. greasemonkey@bluebottle.com.

R11 1987 major defects:

The electronic counters are poorly engineered and quick to fail and stop.

The turbo needs an extra attention otherwise it will be damaged in no time!

The steering wheel and brake pedal are so hard no matter what you do to ease them.

The carburetor is fast to go bad and hard to be repaired or replaced.

The oil filter is hard to reach

body parts are hard to be found.

Other than that the car is great, fast, quiet, reliable, nice looking, and rock-solid stability compared to rivals.