£600 Laguna 2, shed

[MJ85]

I've had some unfortunate trouble with my main car. As I need to be mobile, I quickly had to source a car.

A look at the nearest cars on Autotrader...





Same day, the car is mine (with a completely rubbish haggle, down to £600). 2003 1.8 120 HP Dynamique hatch, 103k miles and MoT until December.

Here she stood a few days ago.



But, the battery wasn't holding charge. After checking fluids and pressures, a quick trip with the trade card landed me:



Halfords’ finest! Alternator checked out okay.

Next day, straight into action across the country.



Unfortunately, grinding on the way home...



£21 of ECP's finest



They'll do for now, but it really needs new discs.

Today, the car has had an oil and filter change and a good clean.















Not looking too bad!

I've fixed a few things and there are, as you'd expect, some issues.

- dephaser is loud
- interior fan doesn't work on top speed (but does 1-3)
- head unit is from a Megane and doesn't fit
- thermostat stuck open and coolant dirty
- tyres are a mismatch of rubbish
- passenger window regulator failed
- no spare wheel
- jack is broken
- two speakers blown




And to everyone else out there, happy shedding!

Edited by MJ85 on Saturday 24th February 22:49

[MJ85]

No... and it had apparently moved about 6 inches since the last one. Not ideal.

[MJ85]

That brush picture was a bit of a laugh!

I’m going to say that a vast majority of Laguna 2 issues are with the DCi models, and not this boggo 1.8. I could be corrected, though?

[MJ85]

https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/renault/lagu...

If you ignore diesel and estates... I think I’m fine!

[MJ85]

I’m glad it’s getting something of a good response.

My father had a previous gen Laguna with this engine when I was younger, so it has some ties there. Same colour, too.

Funny how things change. Cars like this were perfectly reasonable a while back. You can’t even buy a Laguna now!

Edited by MJ85 on Saturday 24th February 23:05

[MJ85]

Seen the headrest! Also has one of the easiest release mechanisms I’ve seen to move them.

This one had been sat in a garage with a flat battery and has no warning lights. Maybe that one was chewed by a rodent?

I’ll update as things progress. Got the excitement of a “Cabasse” head unit on the way!

[MJ85]

Others for sale do seem more tidy than the equivalent VAG. Certainly better for rust.

[MJ85]

It’s got one but it’s working okay, if a little battered.

[MJ85]

Interior has seen the suction end of a Dyson.



You can see here where the head unit isn't flush.

Seats are nice!

Other than the ugly steering wheel, the handbrake and gear stick gaiters are knackered. Seems like this is common.

Edited by MJ85 on Wednesday 28th February 11:14

[MJ85]

Exciting update time...

Old head unit, wrong size and low output from a Megane.



Replacement Laguna Cabasse head unit, much better.



Also fixed the boot light, it had burnt out in the past and melted. A bit of fiddling and a new bulb, sorted.



Thrilling!


Oh and luckily, no sunroof on this. I hate the things because they steal valuable headroom.

[MJ85]

The head unit was just over £30. I really dislike non-OE equipment in cars, just my preference!

[MJ85]

The cup holder did actually slide past!

Funnily enough, I was surprised at how well this works. Shows up E39 cup holders, although that isn’t hard!

[MJ85]

I’ve changed the thermostat and coolant. Looks like there was just water in there...

Anyone know where the gauge is supposed to sit in these? Still can’t get it to reach the natural half way point. I know some cars don’t, but still...

I’ve ordered a new coolant temperature sensor for the sake of a fiver. Will fit that and see.

[MJ85]

Forgot to mention, I picked up a working jack and spare wheel. A bit of security when away. Did a trip to Leicester this week, she was going well.

A quick update of the costs.



Assuming it sold for the price paid, going okay. Something went wrong with the dates, should be Feb and March '18. Would never normally pay that for a battery, but it was the 11th hour and it included fitting.

[MJ85]

Thanks for info on temperature. Thermostat was probably alright. Still, at least there is some antifreeze in there now.

My cup holders were broken in the E39, so didn’t experience the coffee issue! They are good in the E91, though.

[MJ85]

Problem is, if the clutch goes on this, I think I'd have it done

[MJ85]

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised... but I’m always hopeful there are people who care about cars (any car), out there.

Changed the spark plugs. 3 different brands fitted at the same time. Four spark plugs cost me about £10. Can you tell which was near the oil filler?



And changed the old CTS for good measure.



It definitely starts quicker now. Performance increase to be confirmed.

[MJ85]

I'm back, again.

The car has been treating me well, I've just had a couple of days around the country roads of North Yorkshire. Delightful.

I'm thinking that treating the car on a regular basis will please the shed gods.

Look at this pollen filter.





Nasty. Air filter wasn't too bad.



I'm still impressed with how easy this car is to work on. The coolant and thermostat was so easy compared to the BMW, for instance.

I've ordered a few more parts, no doubt an update soon.

[MJ85]

Indeed.

The costs are not difficult to justify. Second oil filter, delivered to my door, cost £2.72. Bargain.

[MJ85]

2,000 mile update - all is well.

I took the car from Lincs down to Surrey today (and back), 7.5 hours in the car and 40 MPG. It is a little small for me, but I can't complain at the price.

I need to get the tyres fitted that I've bought (4 x new 225 45 17 for £132.95, delivered). Bargain.