More white goods - 2017 Dacia Duster 1.6 Access 2WD

[Toaster Pilot]

3 months - I think the higher spec cars arrive slightly faster.

[croyde]

Cheers and enjoy.

After my petrol 5 litre V8 and 2.5 litre 6, I can't see that a 1.6 litre 4 will be a worry

[Toaster Pilot]

Certainly built for comfort not for speed

[bungz]

Good cars.

Honestly cannot think what I would swap my Stepway for as a commuter hack, it's ace.

[Slushbox]

Toaster Pilot said:

Can only get AC in the top spec - not that big a deal really

Congrats on the Duster. I'm just coming up to a year in a DCi Logan. Nothing has fallen off. It's actually a nice car to 'drive' in a daddy/tartan rug sort of fashion. Zero VED and 60 mpg. :-)

Good folk at Dacia forum will help with the radio bits, plus the essential £6 bonnet seal to keep dust out of the enginey bits.

I think they added air-con to the next Ambiance spec for 2017.

http://www.daciaforum.co.uk/forum/forum/3-dacia-du...

Edited by Slushbox on Monday 13th March 13:10

[Jimmy Recard]

Toaster Pilot said:

Diesel is a bit more economical but probably not as smooth and quiet. Imagine the tax is very similar for new registrations after 1st april.

The thing is the diesel has the six speed gearbox with a low first gear, whereas the petrol doesn't. Or it didn't when I last looked.

I'm going to have to try one I think

[Toaster Pilot]

Jimmy Recard said:

The thing is the diesel has the six speed gearbox with a low first gear, whereas the petrol doesn't. Or it didn't when I last looked.

I'm going to have to try one I think

The 6 speed has terribly low ratios at least when coupled to the 1.6 petrol in 4x4 guise.

[Toaster Pilot]

Slushbox said:

Congrats on the Duster. I'm just coming up to a year in a DCi Logan. Nothing has fallen off. It's actually a nice car to 'drive' in a daddy/tartan rug sort of fashion. Zero VED and 60 mpg. :-)

Good folk at Dacia forum will help with the radio bits, plus the essential £6 bonnet seal to keep dust out of the enginey bits.

I think they added air-con to the next Ambiance spec for 2017.

http://www.daciaforum.co.uk/forum/forum/3-dacia-du...

Edited by Slushbox on Monday 13th March 13:10

Not for Duster - AC in Laureate and Prestige only.

I would've ordered an Ambiance if it had AC but all it has is a stereo, front fogs and a bit of chrome inside.

[Munter]

I like it in a utilitarian "Does what it says on the tin" way.

But how can you resist painting "UN" on the doors?

[croyde]

Nah. Use black gaffa tape.

[jke11y]

I think the heater control panel is the same as in my 2016 Vivaro. But I have AC

[Jimmy Recard]

Toaster Pilot said:

The 6 speed has terribly low ratios at least when coupled to the 1.6 petrol in 4x4 guise.

That's the point - it acts as close as possible to a low range box while being a high range box, if that makes sense. The model I'd prefer is yours but with 4x4 - l

Looks like you can't get your trim in the diesel one - the basic spec for the diesel is Ambiance.

ETA: scratch that, I've just seen that the petrol one now has the 6 speed gearbox. Must have been updated since I last checked.

I'll be interested in how you get on with it

Edited by Jimmy Recard on Monday 13th March 18:04

[MJK 24]

I move cars for Renault UK to events and shows etc. I was sent to their training centre in Doncaster a few weeks ago to collect a Duster similar to this. Petrol, white, black bumpers and no radio. Difference was the chassis number, it was 000005! The fifth Duster made. The date stamp on the tyres suggested it was made early 2012. It had covered just 99 miles and was immaculate.

I returned it to them last week after a promo event at Bruntingthorpe. Mileage now 70% higher at 169!

Enjoy your car. I've moved many Dusters to shows and events and I love their honesty and simplicity. I've only ever moved one the same as your own though!

[RM]

Would look soo good on a set of slightly wider steels and some chunky tyres.

[ajb85]

Like it. Front end looks like a VW Amarok. Will the steel wheels not go rusty come winter?

[Toaster Pilot]

ajb85 said:

Like it. Front end looks like a VW Amarok. Will the steel wheels not go rusty come winter?

Interesting question - hadn't thought about it to be honest. They look like they have a clear coat on though

[seiben]

Big fan. I came very close to buying the cheapest possible diesel 4x4 recently (wanted to use it for towing duties) after having one as a hire-car in Iceland a year or two ago. Sadly it turned out I don't qualify for a car allowance, so I've had to knock that idea on the head for now. Keeping an eye on used values though

[HaroldBishop]

The interior is interesting for a game of 'spot the Renault part'. Think those door handles first turned up in the Mark 2 Laguna...

As someone who is currently watching his CX-7 get wrecked carting twin babies around I find this quite appealing although I have to say the lack of radio and AC would be a bit too much.

[MJ85]

The thing that put me off the base model was that it didn't have an adjustable seat/steering wheel (I think...) and that wouldn't work for tall people. Is this still the case?

[Toaster Pilot]

First long motorway journey today - good 150 miles or so

Absolutely fine, very competent despite having the "worst" engine.