1990 Renault Espace Quadra 4WD
Discussion
Since owning one very rare car with awful parts availability clearly wasn't enough, I've bought a 28 year old plastic French car with a 4WD system that includes a carbon fibre propshaft.
Bought unseen from eBay as always on the basis that it had 12 months MOT and therefore couldn't be that bad. It drives very nicely, although struggles on full lock due to a bad viscous coupling (which could be a big pain). The paint is pretty awful and it is growing it's own eco-system.
Quite well specced with remote locking, two sunroofs, steering wheel controls for the stereo and an equaliser for the stereo. Of course since It's French, some of the electronics aren't perfect, the speedo wobbles about giving a vague approximation of speed and the fuel gauge might eventually register the fuel put in.
It's comfy and goes well enough and with 4WD and a big flat floor it'll be great for throwing bikes into and nestling between modified VW T5s.
Bought unseen from eBay as always on the basis that it had 12 months MOT and therefore couldn't be that bad. It drives very nicely, although struggles on full lock due to a bad viscous coupling (which could be a big pain). The paint is pretty awful and it is growing it's own eco-system.
Quite well specced with remote locking, two sunroofs, steering wheel controls for the stereo and an equaliser for the stereo. Of course since It's French, some of the electronics aren't perfect, the speedo wobbles about giving a vague approximation of speed and the fuel gauge might eventually register the fuel put in.
It's comfy and goes well enough and with 4WD and a big flat floor it'll be great for throwing bikes into and nestling between modified VW T5s.
To expand on the driving experience, the seating position is odd, you feel a long way back from the windscreen, and the pedals are offset and quite small, but the seats are very comfortable and the visibility is great. It likes to be revved but when you do it goes very nicely. It happily sits at a good cruising speed and lacks the rattles and noises you might expect. The suspension is pleasantly soft and decently damped. Overall it was one of the most relaxed trips home I’ve had in a newly purchased car.
Good to see how much love there is for the old bus! I too remember when Espaces were common, but now I believe we don't even get one over here.
Here's some interior pics. Check out the amplifier with equalizer functions above the stereo and the on board computer above the steering wheel
There are many strange features, but this whole stalk is pretty odd. Luckily, it does have a full book pack, despite 3 MOT certificates being the only other history I have.
Here's some interior pics. Check out the amplifier with equalizer functions above the stereo and the on board computer above the steering wheel
There are many strange features, but this whole stalk is pretty odd. Luckily, it does have a full book pack, despite 3 MOT certificates being the only other history I have.
TCEvo said:
Presume that's a Trip Computer on the column below the binnacle?
It's a multi-function computer. It tells the time (as does the digital clock above the heater controls about 6 inches to the left) or which radio frequency/preset you're using. And that's it.Usget said:
You can see how much the pedals are offest just from that picture! It looks like you need legs like an Esher painting.
Quick question. WHY does it have a carbon fibre propshaft? Just cos?
I think bouncy speedo syndrome must be an old Renault thing as I've driven a couple of 90s Clios that had it and a second generation 5 which also suffered.
According to the internet, the weight and stiffness means that it doesn't need a central bearing. Which is one less thing to go wrong.Quick question. WHY does it have a carbon fibre propshaft? Just cos?
I think bouncy speedo syndrome must be an old Renault thing as I've driven a couple of 90s Clios that had it and a second generation 5 which also suffered.
Here's a good contemporary review
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article...
DoubleTime said:
I hate to say it but a drop and some rimzzzz would look pretty cool on that old girl! 
It'd definitely look cool lowered with some dished wheels, but it's a Quadra and I love the original wheels so it's staying as it is. Although part of me would love a snorkel and a ladder up the side.hondansx said:
Love it! Would be great to see it restored.
This won't be happening either. There are just too many parts that are impossible to get hold of to commit to that. Use it and improve it, is the plan.poing said:
Krikkit said:
I remember my first trip up front in that age of Espace and being astounded how much dashboard there was... Puts a Transit to shame!
I was just thinking that the screen is so far away there won't be any finger prints on it which is good for my OCD. The rest of the interior not so much. Maybe the dash is designed for an extra passenger, a child could sleep on there no problem.It's broken.
There's no spark and nothing coming from the coil so I've ordered one from ECP which looks similar, but not identical so hopefully that'll sort it.
There's no spark and nothing coming from the coil so I've ordered one from ECP which looks similar, but not identical so hopefully that'll sort it.
EJH said:
It was a trip computer until some point in 1989; when they updated the hifi upgrade, they changed it so it was either time, radio frequency or tape status (from my memories of G448OVR which my parents ran from 1989 until 1994).
Do the headlight washers still pop out when they operate? I was always amazed that Renault / Matra made them so wonderfully (and needlessly) complex.
I will have to check. I love the oddities of it in that way. The driver's window has one-touch up and down, but that's on a separate switch to the standard window control, so there are 3 rocker switches in the driver's door pocket (and 2 blanks on the passenger side)Do the headlight washers still pop out when they operate? I was always amazed that Renault / Matra made them so wonderfully (and needlessly) complex.
EJH said:
I forgot about the 3 switches in the driver's door! By the next generation of Espace they had mastered putting one shot and variable operation in the same switch!
Do the pop-up sunroofs still have their retractable blinds?
Lots of oddities in the Espace; LHD had a proper glovebox in the top of the dash and what's the glovebox in RHD was an open storage space; I assume there's something under the left hand side of the dash which meant it couldn't be mirrored.
Still got the blinds, although the front sunroof has been badly sealed up, hoping I might be able to free it and make it water tight too.Do the pop-up sunroofs still have their retractable blinds?
Lots of oddities in the Espace; LHD had a proper glovebox in the top of the dash and what's the glovebox in RHD was an open storage space; I assume there's something under the left hand side of the dash which meant it couldn't be mirrored.
Another quirk is the fact that the door key is different to the ignition key. I just thought mine must have had the locks swapped, but no that's how they came from the factory. Brilliant.
AppleJuice said:
What a find! 
Do your front seats swivel?
Yep. Can't see when I'm going to use it, but nice that it's there. Do your front seats swivel?snotrag said:
Woody - thank you so much for sharing this.
I've stated on this forum before - the Mk1 Espace is one of my all time favourite cars!
I was the first car I drove - D482HUA, my Dads Mk1 which replaced a Ford Sierra in about 94-ish?
His was the pre-facelift (unlike yours) in the 'launch' spec of Orangey-Red over Brown. The lower half was a lovely textured type finish. With the light sandy coloured interior, yellow fogs, chin spoiler, 2000 GTX (2 litre petrol, 2wd version).
It was a dead ringer for this -
I've text him to see if he has any photos I can share!
Oooh those launch spec cars look fantastic! I do love the early ones and would be great to see some photos.I've stated on this forum before - the Mk1 Espace is one of my all time favourite cars!
I was the first car I drove - D482HUA, my Dads Mk1 which replaced a Ford Sierra in about 94-ish?
His was the pre-facelift (unlike yours) in the 'launch' spec of Orangey-Red over Brown. The lower half was a lovely textured type finish. With the light sandy coloured interior, yellow fogs, chin spoiler, 2000 GTX (2 litre petrol, 2wd version).
It was a dead ringer for this -
I've text him to see if he has any photos I can share!
snotrag said:
I'll pester him for some photos.
I remember some of the issues which you may want to look at -
Check the clutch pedal up under the column - I remember the clutch getting heavier and heavier until it eventually failed - but the actual faut was the steel pedal arm/assembly had failed - over time, the pedal was fatiguing until it eventually snapped.
Required lots of disassembly and welding up.
In deepest darkest rural France during biblical rain, I remember the car packing up big time - luckily a local Monsieur was able to help and knew the fault - the ECU was I seem to recall located very poorly, low down in the direct path of spray from one of the front wheels.
The 'fix' was to remove it, dry it out and re-install wrapped in a weather proof casing. AKA a cut up Ice cream tub and silicone sealant.
Cheers, will keep an eye, I'd read about the clutch, but mine seems alright for now. I've purchased a Haynes book of lies in theI remember some of the issues which you may want to look at -
Check the clutch pedal up under the column - I remember the clutch getting heavier and heavier until it eventually failed - but the actual faut was the steel pedal arm/assembly had failed - over time, the pedal was fatiguing until it eventually snapped.
Required lots of disassembly and welding up.
In deepest darkest rural France during biblical rain, I remember the car packing up big time - luckily a local Monsieur was able to help and knew the fault - the ECU was I seem to recall located very poorly, low down in the direct path of spray from one of the front wheels.
The 'fix' was to remove it, dry it out and re-install wrapped in a weather proof casing. AKA a cut up Ice cream tub and silicone sealant.
£28 worth of Chinese built coil from ECP has the Espace running again. Lovely.
The heart of the Espace:
Yes the previous coil was only held on with two bolts and I don't have any suitable, but I will get another couple just in case.
-01SQ- said:
To drag this back - why on earth don't more cars have the helicopter style hatching on the rev counter! Danger zone? Yes please!
Also, those floor mats look pretty damn good for originals!
Haha, it is a great little bit of design.Also, those floor mats look pretty damn good for originals!
The floor mats are so good I'm starting to believe the odometer (that and the MOT history which shows it has done very few miles in the last 10+ years). It has just this week spun past 90k.
Nowhere to hold your Important business meeting or perhaps your picnic is about to be ruined by the weather? Don't worry, the Espace has you covered:
gforceg said:
These are a bit like buses, it seems. I hadn't thought about or seen one of these for many years and after seeing this thread recently, I saw one today on the A30 past Exeter airport.
It was once dark blue but is now a sort of matte blue/black with fungus overlay and a once white bonnet. Seriously, it looked like it had been dragged out of a swamp this morning. Probably a Blackdown Hills farm car at a guess.
It was a TXE Injection with a Quadra badge on the back, on an H plate and being driven by a lady probably in her late 60s.
I'll keep an eye out for it and snap a pic if possible.
Interesting. Not far from me at all. Perhaps I need to start a South West Ropey Quadra Owners Club! My roof is covered in moss etc, I consider it to be carbon neutral!It was once dark blue but is now a sort of matte blue/black with fungus overlay and a once white bonnet. Seriously, it looked like it had been dragged out of a swamp this morning. Probably a Blackdown Hills farm car at a guess.
It was a TXE Injection with a Quadra badge on the back, on an H plate and being driven by a lady probably in her late 60s.
I'll keep an eye out for it and snap a pic if possible.
Edited by gforceg on Tuesday 4th September 19:05
Jonesy1972 said:
Love this! An excellent purchase, Sir! £28 for a coil is alert too!
Jonesy
Not a bad price, but it doesn't look like the best quality item ever. Still it works at least.Jonesy
EggsBenedict said:
Were you looking for one? I just wondered as from the thread they're very rare....
And you've already got van type things?
I don't look for cars, they find me, I wasn't particularly after one, but it was on the long list of cars I'd like to own. I have the use of a van when I need it, but really wanted something practical of my own, I just struggle to do anything too sensible.And you've already got van type things?
Bit of an update, the Espace has been helping me move house, something it is rather good at:
It's also had some electrical issue (who'd have guessed?). Luckily a lot is easily accessed via what you'd expect to be the glovebox.I replaced the indicator relay since it was making some very alarming noises and giving my indicators a rather funky beat.
The actual glovebox is sized for a couple of pairs of mittens at best
Sadly the radio has decided it doesn't want to function, it lights up and makes a noise through the speakers when turned on, but won't play the radio or accept a cassette and the display has given up showing anything other than this:
Otherwise it keeps motoring despite a bad viscous coupling limiting the turning circle and a CV joint that'll want replacing. And the clutch is a bit high. And the headlining fell off. But other than that it's perfect.
It's also had some electrical issue (who'd have guessed?). Luckily a lot is easily accessed via what you'd expect to be the glovebox.I replaced the indicator relay since it was making some very alarming noises and giving my indicators a rather funky beat.
The actual glovebox is sized for a couple of pairs of mittens at best
Sadly the radio has decided it doesn't want to function, it lights up and makes a noise through the speakers when turned on, but won't play the radio or accept a cassette and the display has given up showing anything other than this:
Otherwise it keeps motoring despite a bad viscous coupling limiting the turning circle and a CV joint that'll want replacing. And the clutch is a bit high. And the headlining fell off. But other than that it's perfect.
I am surprised by the amount of love for a plastic french people carrier on PH! Might even treat it to a proper service.
T5GRF said:
There definitely seems to have been some collaboration between TVR and Renault on the wiring front...
Sad to hear the audio has jacked it in. I seem to remember nearly buying a GTA V6 turbo many years ago fitted with what I'm sure was the same Phillips "hifi" the graphic equalizer was a thing of wonder....
Great buy!
The equalizer was one of my favourite bits. Back when it worked.Sad to hear the audio has jacked it in. I seem to remember nearly buying a GTA V6 turbo many years ago fitted with what I'm sure was the same Phillips "hifi" the graphic equalizer was a thing of wonder....
Great buy!
Edited by T5GRF on Wednesday 17th October 20:26
ex1 said:
I have very fond memories of this era Espace. As a 17yr old I was insured on my Mum's. Every other weekend i drove an Espace full of mates up and down the country.
I'd been driving no time at all and used to sit at triple figures fully loaded with NWA blaring from the stereo. Good times!
It must have been screaming, unless the Quadra has different gearing, as more than 85 feels cruel in mine! It's crazy how much space they managed to get into such a light car with a small footprint.I'd been driving no time at all and used to sit at triple figures fully loaded with NWA blaring from the stereo. Good times!
XOcette said:
As opposed to lots of German bits to go (more expensively) wrong.... 
I find German stuff is nice and easy to diagnose and sort though, with French cars you always seem to be chasing 95% functional! And failing.
This thread has proved much more popular than I imagined! Love hearing all the Espace stories. There are so few of any generation that you see on the roads now.
Update:
The f
king indicator relay isn't fixed, it buzzes constantly between 2200 and 3500rpm like it's sending distress messages via Morse code back to France and won't allow you to use the indicators whilst its doing so. Which is great on the motorway (buzzzzzz, stick in 4th and replace that with engine noise so that you can indicate and then back to buzzzz). Any ideas of what to test/replace would be incredibly welcome.
Service parts have been purchased. New oil, air and fuel filters and 5L of Shell helix for about £38. Lovely.
In the couple of months I have it, i have now done about 1600 miles which is more than it has done per year for the last 10 years or so. It drives nicely and will eat up the miles at a decent pace and 37 MPG on a run. Lots of glass means visibility is excellent but does mean it';s not the most well insulated car out there and HVnoAC struggles a bit. The space is just fantastic and it's great for sticking bicycles in without having to remove wheels etc.
Not sure how long I'll keep it though. I'm just so busy at the moment hat I can't really give it the care and attention it deserves and I'm conscious that i could end up spending a fortune trying to make it good.
Update:
The f
king indicator relay isn't fixed, it buzzes constantly between 2200 and 3500rpm like it's sending distress messages via Morse code back to France and won't allow you to use the indicators whilst its doing so. Which is great on the motorway (buzzzzzz, stick in 4th and replace that with engine noise so that you can indicate and then back to buzzzz). Any ideas of what to test/replace would be incredibly welcome. Service parts have been purchased. New oil, air and fuel filters and 5L of Shell helix for about £38. Lovely.
In the couple of months I have it, i have now done about 1600 miles which is more than it has done per year for the last 10 years or so. It drives nicely and will eat up the miles at a decent pace and 37 MPG on a run. Lots of glass means visibility is excellent but does mean it';s not the most well insulated car out there and HVnoAC struggles a bit. The space is just fantastic and it's great for sticking bicycles in without having to remove wheels etc.
Not sure how long I'll keep it though. I'm just so busy at the moment hat I can't really give it the care and attention it deserves and I'm conscious that i could end up spending a fortune trying to make it good.
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