[ScenicDrv]

I bought a second-hand Renault Scenic (2001) RXES 1.6 Auto last April.
The previous owner regularly sends the car to Quasar for service and
appeared well maintained with a mileage of only 13,000kms. The owner did
admit she had a problem with the car where the engine just died-off but
was fixed: replaced flywheel sensor, suspected water in petrol tank etc.

When I took over the car, my nightmare began:
1)Engine stalled at Karak Highway. TCEAS (Tan Chong) took 7 weeks to
diagnose theproblem. It was a faulty fuel pump.
2)Driver’s power window failed.
3)Right rear shock absorber leaked.
4)Ignition coil(s) failed. Recommended to change all 4 units (each for
one cylinder). TCEAS recommended installing a crossbar just below the
wipers to prevent recurrence. Apparently heavy rainfall causes water
to seep/condense into the ignition coils
5)Left rear shock absorber leaked.
6)Alternator pulley fell apart damaging other components.

Check this website: http://3lib.ukonline...ic/trouble.html

All the above occurred on different occasions with 2-3 months apart. My
car’s mileage is now 33,000kms. I have spoken and called so many people
in Renault including Renault Singapore about the reliability issues. The
local Renault manager says he can only do so much (warranty claims) due
to company policy etc. I demanded to meet his Regional French boss
since they do come to TCEAS periodically for meetings and inspection.
Till today he is not able to arrange for it. I have also sent e-mail
complaint letters where I requested TCEAS to forward it to their Renault
Regional HQ in Singapore and France. Not sure if it was done.

During the launch of the new Scenic 2, the Renault CEO did admit the
older Scenic had reliability issues. Renault should be proactive and
address all the flaws and shortcomings of the design by warning,
recalling and replacing defective parts at no cost to the owners.

If this is not done, the perception of poor Renault reliability will
loom forever in Malaysia. Despite the heartbreaking and bank-breaking
repairs, I still love the comfort and ride of the car.

[tiram]

ScenicDrv, mind sharing your repair costs?

[scenic]

As a previous owner of Scenic for 7 years plus. Don't buy this ride unless
you don't any other choice. Reliability and maintenance issues will always
be an issue throughout your ownership. Run away from its autobox if you
can. You will cry, trust me.

[ScenicDrv]

Tiram,

Here are the cost breakdown:

1)Engine stalled at Karak Highway. TCEAS (Tan Chong) took 7 weeks to
diagnose theproblem. It was a faulty fuel pump.
----> Under warranty claim. No charge.


2)Driver’s power window failed.
----> Recon unit RM400

3)Right rear shock absorber leaked.
----> Approx RM 350 (exclude labour)

4)Ignition coil(s) failed. Recommended to change all 4 units (each for
one cylinder). TCEAS recommended installing a crossbar just below the
wipers to prevent recurrence. Apparently heavy rainfall causes water
to seep/condense into the ignition coils
----> 50% discount for the 4 ignition coils, approx RM 650

5)Left rear shock absorber leaked.
----> Approx RM 350

6)Alternator pulley fell apart damaging other components
----> Warranty claim for some parts, approx RM 200

Hope I have remembered the costs correctly. Too lazy to check the actual
invoices!

[ScenicDrv]

Scenic,

I actually did some minor research prior to buying this make. One of the
business vendors which I dealt with own an Auto Megane 1998 model (non
16V model). She reportedly had no major problems with the car and had
been servicing with Quasar for the past 6 years. She did mention about
the gear box thing which cost her RM400+ for repair/service - that
according to her was the single most expensive item she had ever paid.
I tend to believe the 16V (JA04) model is less reliable.

[tiram]

ScenicDrv,
i'm wondering how you get your warranty. isn't it a used 2001 unit? who
gives you warranty?
have you upgraded that oil cooler thingy? if not better hurry bcos its
free but for limited time only.

[scenic]

ScenicDrv,
For your car's age and low mileage clocked, I am indeed shock to see you
replaced those parts that could've lasted easily beyond 120,000km. This is
speaking from my experience. Yes, Scenic 16V has serious auto box
problems. I have had just spoken to a SA from the Renault outlet again
this morning. Out of 10 auto boxes, one or two will be problem free.
That's the ratio I guess, so I am NOT surprise to hear that your friend's
megane auto is not plagued with auto box problem. That's simple, take a
walk down TCEC or Quasar to see those cars that come in and out with auto
box problems, you will be able to see my point. That's my opinion or
experience at the end of the day.

[ScenicDrv]

Tiram, Scenic,

Thanks for your feedback and advice.

Yes, I did get the free coolant modification/replacement done at TCEAS in
my last 30,000km service. According to the Service Personnel this was
to "cool" down the ATF oil/gear box. He showed me some of the hose
changes. The expensive ATF gear box oil change (RM240) recommended by
Renault for every 20,000kms was a bit peculiar as I understand from
friends gear oil normally does not need to be changed so frequently. I
did ask the Renault Personnel whether this model has inherit gear box
problem based on the recommendations mentioned above. The guy could not
give a firm answer.

The warranty claims was due to my deliberations with Renault that both
the previous owner and myself have been sending the car for regular
service at the authorized service centers (Quasar and later TCEAS) so
why should the car keep breaking down from the day it was purchased? I
have a full service record to prove it.

If the Scenic 16V gearbox is indeed a lemon, I would like to find out
from Renault what would I be expecting in the kms to come. Do not want to
face the horror of breaking down in the middle of Genting Highlands.

[hcube]

I'm driving the Waja 1.8 and I agree that the Renault DPO gearbox is very
problematic. My car has clocked nearly 60k with 2 ATF changed at every
25k using the ELF Renaultmatic. Currently, I've problem with the EVM
solenoid valve that regulate the ATF pressure for torque converter lockup
clutch. Every morning, the pressure sensor would detect low ATF
pressure, hence locking up the gearbox in 2nd. Imagine you are doing 90-
100kmh and suddenly the gearbox would jerk and the RPM go sky high. So
far, I've flushed the ATF to remove any debris that might got stuck in
the valve but to no avail. I was informed by Quasar that changing the
valve is the only solution. But I wonder how long would it last since
the gearbox was fine for the first 30k or so.

On the igniton coil, maybe you can get an engine cover to prevent water
from going into the coil. I know that newer Renaults have engine cover
that prevent the coils from being exposed.

[tiram]

atf fluid chg for every 20k km is indeed a bit strange. once a came across
info in haynes book and if not mistaken most of scenic atf (including
earlier ones) do not require any change at all. i once asked about this to
quasar long time ago and the guy said its due to our climate which i found
only just a convenient answer. maybe can ask about this also directly to
renault.