RE: Spotted: Renault Laguna Sport GT

[StottyZr]

For me the issue is the fuel consumption. This is a 180hp 2litre diesel, BMWs efforts see 60mpg combined, this 43mpg. What is the point of a diesel if its not good on fuel?

[MC Bodge]

StottyZr said:

For me the issue is the fuel consumption. This is a 180hp 2litre diesel, BMWs efforts see 60mpg combined, this 43mpg. What is the point of a diesel if its not good on fuel?

I wonder what the lifetime/ownership period costs (tax, insurance, *actual* fuel consumption, consumables, repair bills, depreciation -if that is a consideration- etc.) would be for the BMW and the Renault.

[daemon]

MC Bodge said:

StottyZr said:

For me the issue is the fuel consumption. This is a 180hp 2litre diesel, BMWs efforts see 60mpg combined, this 43mpg. What is the point of a diesel if its not good on fuel?

I wonder what the lifetime/ownership period costs (tax, insurance, *actual* fuel consumption, consumables, repair bills, depreciation -if that is a consideration- etc.) would be for the BMW and the Renault.

I would say if you were using a PCP deal to finance both over three years, the BMW would probably work out cheaper.

Its why so many 3 series are sold - strong residuals = cheap PCP deals.

[StottyZr]

daemon said:

MC Bodge said:

StottyZr said:

For me the issue is the fuel consumption. This is a 180hp 2litre diesel, BMWs efforts see 60mpg combined, this 43mpg. What is the point of a diesel if its not good on fuel?

I wonder what the lifetime/ownership period costs (tax, insurance, *actual* fuel consumption, consumables, repair bills, depreciation -if that is a consideration- etc.) would be for the BMW and the Renault.

I would say if you were using a PCP deal to finance both over three years, the BMW would probably work out cheaper.

Its why so many 3 series are sold - strong residuals = cheap PCP deals.

It would be a close one I reckon.

[Bezza1969]

In a couple more years, the estate version of this will make a fine buy. Still too dear at £8K, when a high mileage 320d from 2008 is no dearer...

Interesting car though, a lot more individual than the BMW/Audi/Merc alternative.

[ant leigh]

Krikkit said:

But how many BMW's/Audis are there out there with the same issues that are simply dismissed as being "a bad one" as opposed to a Renault which is typical of the brand?

I have owned a number of cars from different manufacturers and different countries, including six french cars and four german.
Few problems with any of the cars over the years, possibly looking after them well, possibly just luck.
BMW's (both of them) the only ones that ever actually failed to go. Not faults that would stop me purchasing again mind, just one of those things.

However I have been accused of being a 'deluded tt' before for stating I havent had any significant problems with the french cars.

[mat205125]

ant leigh said:

However I have been accused of being a 'deluded tt' before for stating I havent had any significant problems with the french cars.

Similar story here .... usually from owners of 320d BMWs who should think about stocking a spare turbo in the garage "just in case", from Ford owners sh!tting dual mass flywheels all over the carriageways, or from drivers of VAGs finest who enjoy replacing plastic clutch cylinders and air mass meters every other service.

All of the stereotypical failure modes of other manufacturers are of course as potentially unjustified as the criticisms often made of cars of any other brand or country of origin

[dukebox9reg]

mat205125 said:

Similar story here .... usually from owners of 320d BMWs who should think about stocking a spare turbo in the garage "just in case", from Ford owners sh!tting dual mass flywheels all over the carriageways, or from drivers of VAGs finest who enjoy replacing plastic clutch cylinders and air mass meters every other service.

All of the stereotypical failure modes of other manufacturers are of course as potentially unjustified as the criticisms often made of cars of any other brand or country of origin

Dont forget VAG DMF's/turbo's/injectors.

[john_r]

I once owned a Renault for 9 months. The only reason I owned it for that long is because it was in the dealership for a combined time of 7 months over the 9 months, awaiting new parts (mostly electronic), diagnostics, warranty claims, etc. Although to be fair they hired me a car for the entire time it was in the garage (I refused the base spec Clio loan cars) and Renault HQ customer service were brilliant and never argued a single warranty claim. The last straw was when the leather strap securing the fuel tank 'failed' and I dumped 25 litres of unleaded all over the A4 - I kid you not, the strap was apparently made of leather! And in the end Renault purchased the car back from me for the same price I paid.

Sure, the little sporty models are brilliantly uncomplicated and I know from experience they are a hoot to drive, but as soon as you get anything remotely complex with electronics, trick suspension or anything 'out of the ordinary', then just forget it.

Given my personal experience I wouldn't pay more than £1 for that Laguna unless it had a full manufacturers warranty for the entire time I owned it.

And before I get slated by lots of Renault fans, I'm expressing my personal opinion based upon my personal experience.

[B10]

mat205125 said:

Krikkit said:

But how many BMW's/Audis are there out there with the same issues that are simply dismissed as being "a bad one" as opposed to a Renault which is typical of the brand?

I agree. The car is damned by the article with "Relaxed and relaxing, while it works" with no facts to back this up.

[daemon]

B10 said:

mat205125 said:

Krikkit said:

But how many BMW's/Audis are there out there with the same issues that are simply dismissed as being "a bad one" as opposed to a Renault which is typical of the brand?

I agree. The car is damned by the article with "Relaxed and relaxing, while it works" with no facts to back this up.

Possibly.

Its damned by being an £8,000 five year old renault.

There are much better - and less ugly - cars out there for similar money or less.

[ant leigh]

john_r said:

I once owned a Renault for 9 months. The only reason I owned it for that long is because it was in the dealership for a combined time of 7 months over the 9 months, awaiting new parts (mostly electronic), diagnostics, warranty claims, etc. Although to be fair they hired me a car for the entire time it was in the garage (I refused the base spec Clio loan cars) and Renault HQ customer service were brilliant and never argued a single warranty claim. The last straw was when the leather strap securing the fuel tank 'failed' and I dumped 25 litres of unleaded all over the A4 - I kid you not, the strap was apparently made of leather! And in the end Renault purchased the car back from me for the same price I paid.

Sure, the little sporty models are brilliantly uncomplicated and I know from experience they are a hoot to drive, but as soon as you get anything remotely complex with electronics, trick suspension or anything 'out of the ordinary', then just forget it.

Given my personal experience I wouldn't pay more than £1 for that Laguna unless it had a full manufacturers warranty for the entire time I owned it.

And before I get slated by lots of Renault fans, I'm expressing my personal opinion based upon my personal experience.

No slating from me, you have just had a different experience.
As long as you don't attempt to tell me I haven't a clue about French cars because I dont share your experience.

[andburg]

Agree wholeheatedly with this spotted!!

I have a 2009 Laguna GT albeat a coupe so slightly stiffer, and its brilliantly comfortable, engine feels infintely stronger than the 165bhp astra i have as its replacement (company hack). The way it dives into corners along B and A roads is truly amazing given the size of the thing.

They aren't perfect.....residuals aren't great, its not the best looking car and the driving seat feels too high. The coupe is far better looking and a rarer with a lower seating position but economy is the major downside, forget the claimed mpg, i got 38.1 almost constantly and never got about 45mpg not even on a motorway run.

[Maty]

If I wasnt driving an RS Megane at the moment that would be incredibly tempting as it would tick most of the boxes on my 'next car list'. Unfortunately I am driving a Megane and so am now of the opinion that I will never own another Renault again.

Allow me to explain. It's not the mechanicals, the image or the way the thing goes/stops/handles etc because in all those sectors it is very good. No, my problem is 2 fold, build quality and electricals. My Megane is an 08 plate so similar age to that Laguna and the list of electrical issues is quite frankly ridiculous, on a recent long journey I went through them all to myself and it actually made me laugh that there could be so many faults in 1 car. Climate control not working, 1 rear window no longer working, no less than 6 bulbs out at the moment (I've given up replacing them!), keyless entry on drivers door and the drivers heated seat is just about the icing on the cake, there are many more!

My main problem however is the build quality. Shocking to say the least. It rattles, squeaks, groans, creaks its way everywhere it goes. The sunroof is especially comical this time of year. I've learned to live with it now but I'm counting the days till it can go back to the finance company and my family can say 'we told you so'!

[BillericayDickie]

Oddball RS said:

HTP99 said:

Negative Creep said:

HTP99 said:

Negative Creep said:

Oddball RS said:

Well it could be worse, it could the Petrol Turbo one, only car i have known refused point blank to be taken in PX.

I thought it was the diesels that the trade didn't take?

Really, why do you say that?

From what I've been told by various people in the business. The mk.3 could well be different but the mk.2 was a bit of a disaster on all fronts . Looked very nice for a repmobile though.

You are correct Laguna II was a bit of a disaster, primarily pre 05 face lifts however Laguna III is a very reliable car, this is the problems with people's perception of Renault, they are too hung up on an era that is long gone.

Well thats one way of looking at it, or maybe a lesson learned? People rarely buy anything twice if they had bad experiences with the first.

I'm afraid I have vowed NEVER to buy another Renault after the problems I had with a 2004 Scenic I bought for my wife some years ago. The car had done just 54,000 miles when the turbo let go, causing the car to accelerate uncontrollably until it had burnt all the engine oil, with my wife and two children in the car. Thankfully I was at the wheel and had the presence of mind to knock it into neutral pretty quick (my wife was certain she would have panicked and lost control had it been her driving).

This was after a litany of electrical issues, including the usual window regulator, handbrake and dashboard ones. Renault would only help with the electronic dashboard, and would not admit there there were any known issues with the turbos on their dci engines of that period.

Ive owned several German cars, including VW, Audi and BMW and by far the most reliable was the BMW, although that was an old e39 3.0i, probably the last great car they made.

For me, it's definitely once bitten, twice shy with Renault.

[Oldred_V8S]

BillericayDickie said:

I'm afraid I have vowed NEVER to buy another Renault after the problems I had with a 2004 Scenic I bought for my wife some years ago. The car had done just 54,000 miles when the turbo let go, causing the car to accelerate uncontrollably until it had burnt all the engine oil, with my wife and two children in the car. Thankfully I was at the wheel and had the presence of mind to knock it into neutral pretty quick (my wife was certain she would have panicked and lost control had it been her driving).

This was after a litany of electrical issues, including the usual window regulator, handbrake and dashboard ones. Renault would only help with the electronic dashboard, and would not admit there there were any known issues with the turbos on their dci engines of that period.

Ive owned several German cars, including VW, Audi and BMW and by far the most reliable was the BMW, although that was an old e39 3.0i, probably the last great car they made.

For me, it's definitely once bitten, twice shy with Renault.

I could have written the above exactly and so could a lot of people in my company who had the misfortune to select a Laguna or a Scenic as a company car. Shame really as I thought the Laguna II was a good looking car, especially in a dark metallic colour, but 2 x turbo failures; one on the motorway (the car take off like a scalded cat and then filled the interior with acrid smoke), and like the person above I had my wife and kids with me; 3 x intercoolers; numerous engine sensor failures; entering safe mode whilst in the outside lane of the motorway or involved in an overtake manoeuvre along with numerous other electrical woes ensured I would not be going back to Renault for another car. No axe to grind with Renault, but once bitten......

[CarlT]

I had a Sport Tourer GT dCi 180 back in 2009. Did just under 10k in it in 8 weeks.
It was a great car and took 3 of us with all our luggage and 2 bikes on the roof to the Dordogne. All done in comfort and reasonably economically. I'd have another one!

[Andrew[MG]]

I got overtaken by one of these a couple of years back http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... Very quick car with more to come from a remap and looks pretty good too I would say.

[Rs2oo]

I recently saw a coupe version of these and have to say it looked really good. It was being driven through the tiny back streets in Florence which probably helped but it had many admiring glances.

[Hoygo]

I see a black one often in my town,even my friends comment on how good it looks on an unique way,really good presence in the flesh.