Renault Fluence 1.5 dci

[paaa]

  On 10/3/2018 at 1:52 AM, lukeusesforce said:

this one I believe is normal. but ya, not used to it.

 

This gearbox admittedly is not as smooth compared to for example VW DSG. When moving off from rest, the feel is a bit heavy, like the gearbox is "resisting" the car from moving.

 

Pickup can be very strong if you press hard, but this engine doesn't really like to be revved compared to other diesels that I tried.

 

Same here, was not used to it when switching over from Jap petrol car. But now ok after getting to know the vehicle better and actually like it better than the jap car. Especially at 25/75% road/eway, I do on average 960km per tank. Less visit to the pump station. Will oil marching towards USD100, more pain if I'm on petrol. 

 

If fur is talking about the front proximity sensor, I believe its normal. Coming from an engineering background and ever did a project on ultrasonic based distance measuring tool, the location of the 2 front corner sensors at about 45 degrees to the car, will no doubt on certain occasions trigger false alarm. But I don't experience it often enough to find it irritating. On the hand, I would prefer to have it since I brushed my front bumper before in my previous ride. Its very helpful in tight space navigation. 

[paaa]

  On 10/3/2018 at 12:58 AM, teomingern said:

Yeah I really don't know how the French can tahan their French cars... especially when they're so unreliable? Don't they have very strong consumer protection laws? I mean having cutting edge technology plus the latest bells and whistles plus active plus passive safety toys don't count for anything if you can't start the car in the morning...

 

Same for the Italians... Italian cars are a whole dimension more astounding the French in terms reliability...

 

I was also concerned about its reliability reputation before buying and did at least 2 weeks of googling research before taking the leap of faith. 

 

The link that I sent above comparing the difference makes of car and their reliability over several years, I see the good, average and no so good ones, difference in percentage varies about 4%. I see our red renault transcab still plying around. Taking a very very conservative LTA mandated 250KM per day, one cab would have done at least 90KKM per year. Make 100KKM. Many of them few years liao, so easily several 100s KKM. Seeing other sites about fluence owner selling, easily see many 100 to 200KKM. I also saw a photo of fluence dashboard with over 300KKM mileage. Googling also shows up complains about Opel, Volkswagon, BMW (many years back a sg court case from a lady who bought a 7 series and having persistent engine problem). More recently Honda Vezel catching fire and SK BMW big huha. I conclude, there's really this element of luck.

 

So far, I find this ride, price and performance, a very decent car. I pick up hitch riders on my daily commute if there's any, those who talks, are exclaiming how comfortable and spacious this car is, for a mid sedan.

[donchew76]

To be fair, my drivetrain is great. Car start every time smoothly even when battery is nearing its end of shelf life. My manual gearbox is great too. All my electronics, infotainment and r. S. Monitor, sat nav are working. I have similar concerns on reliability just like the rest but it fits my criteria, hence the leap of faith too. Because my car is on 3 year free svcing n 5 yr warranty, I have not had to pay a cent for my maintenance since ownership.

[paaa]

  On 10/3/2018 at 4:42 AM, donchew76 said:

To be fair, my drivetrain is great. Car start every time smoothly even when battery is nearing its end of shelf life. My manual gearbox is great too. All my electronics, infotainment and r. S. Monitor, sat nav are working. I have similar concerns on reliability just like the rest but it fits my criteria, hence the leap of faith too. Because my car is on 3 year free svcing n 5 yr warranty, I have not had to pay a cent for my maintenance since ownership.

 

Is it 3 years any number of servicing or x number within 3 years?

 

 A gentle reminder here. Keep their 24 hour recovery number. My Car couldn't start due to battery nearing EOL and accidentally depleted it while washing my car. Called their number, a tow truck came, brought it back and replace a new battery. Everything FOC. 

[donchew76]

  On 10/4/2018 at 1:44 AM, paaa said:

Is it 3 years any number of servicing or x number within 3 years?

 

A gentle reminder here. Keep their 24 hour recovery number. My Car couldn't start due to battery nearing EOL and accidentally depleted it while washing my car. Called their number, a tow truck came, brought it back and replace a new battery. Everything FOC.

Bro, it's 6 svcing within 3 years. Need to bring down every 6 months at least. There is already a 24 hr assist no. In our rlink monitor whereby we can call out directly.

[paaa]

  On 10/5/2018 at 12:03 AM, donchew76 said:

Bro, it's 6 svcing within 3 years. Need to bring down every 6 months at least. There is already a 24 hr assist no. In our rlink monitor whereby we can call out directly.

 

Thanks for the tip bro. 

[paaa]

Did anyone manage to get Android Auto and R-Link Store to work?

[Hann]

  On 9/29/2018 at 5:04 AM, paaa said:

Yes the build quality cannot be compared to Jap. I strip tank engine or rather strip and repair/replace whole tank and APC parts during NS time. Was surprised to see the left back door wobbly after a few months of owning it. Took a spanner to tightened the lower nut that holds the door and was like...why was't there any spring washer to prevent the nut from loosening over time? Its basic mech yeah...but the rest of the door is fine.

 

Left and right aircon control tab broke. $200+ per side and 3 weeks lead time to replace. Yet to change. No time and someone recommended a renault stockist in little India. Will explore that when time permits. Open space car park, I guess that lousy part couldn't take the heat. But no issue with my previous jap car of 7 years till scrap.

 

I think my car shocker absorber or suspension related part was replaced after whining sound heard when doing slow turning. Car was at about 45KKM. But I must admit I'm pretty rough when going over hump. Replaced foc under warranty. After this lesson, go slow over hump.

 

Battery replaced foc within 2 years of car warranty.

 

Did 60KKM servicing with agent last month. Timing belt is ex...did sourced around for alternative but after 20% discount from agent with 4x service package, I reckon it isn't really that much ex compared to the next available big well known workshop. Its like 20% more ex but agent does more things and I have less confidence with the workshop after a Q&A.

 

Plus points, big cabin space and big boot and comfortable seats. Good FC and its diesel. My old lancer will cost me over $800 on monthly petrol. Now less than half of that.

 

Reliability wise, I think can't beat Jap and Korean or Merc. I bought for the attractive pricing, space, comfort and ops cost.

New owner of a used megane and also clarified with Wearnes that the free 3 year servicing does not transfer to me. So was also trying to figure this out. Was Also offered the 4 svc package for 2.1k (50/60/70/80k)

 

So in your opinion still a better option to take the package?

 

If I service my car at an outside workshop, do I void my remaining 2 year warranty?

[paaa]

I took the package for 60 to 90kkm servicing. Now 85kkm liao. By end July should hit the last 90kkm servicing. If I plan to keep it for another 1.5 years I will sign another package. Reason, there are very few outside workshops that do Renault cars. The bigger one I used them twice. Cheap yes, but no confident. Also they check less stuff. So I rather go back wearnes for peace of mind. Based on your mileage per month, you need to ensure you will use up the entire 4 servicing because it is not transferable. If you use 2 and then sell your car, the new owner will not be eligible for the remaining 2 servicing. I am thinking hard about changing to 7 seater grand scenic because sedan cannot fit my family plus helper. Children getting bigger. So will likely not take up another package.

 

Regarding warranty and using outside workshop, this is the risk you have to take. I didn't ask Renault cs about it although I did outside servicing twice before signing up the package. IMHO, as long as it's an established workshop, just servicing only unlikely anything will go wrong. Just don't ask them do repair. In addition, I googled around and it seems that wearnes is not a signatory of the MOU or whatever you call it, that they will honor the warranty if you service your car outside and something went wrong after that.

[paaa]

Battery and tires not counted. In case you have this doubt about the warranty. You can change them anywhere.

[Hann]

  On 5/29/2019 at 2:01 PM, paaa said:

I took the package for 60 to 90kkm servicing. Now 85kkm liao. By end July should hit the last 90kkm servicing. If I plan to keep it for another 1.5 years I will sign another package. Reason, there are very few outside workshops that do Renault cars. The bigger one I used them twice. Cheap yes, but no confident. Also they check less stuff. So I rather go back wearnes for peace of mind. Based on your mileage per month, you need to ensure you will use up the entire 4 servicing because it is not transferable. If you use 2 and then sell your car, the new owner will not be eligible for the remaining 2 servicing. I am thinking hard about changing to 7 seater grand scenic because sedan cannot fit my family plus helper. Children getting bigger. So will likely not take up another package.

 

Regarding warranty and using outside workshop, this is the risk you have to take. I didn't ask Renault cs about it although I did outside servicing twice before signing up the package. IMHO, as long as it's an established workshop, just servicing only unlikely anything will go wrong. Just don't ask them do repair. In addition, I googled around and it seems that wearnes is not a signatory of the MOU or whatever you call it, that they will honor the warranty if you service your car outside and something went wrong after that.

Thanks a lot!! Very helpful :)

[teomingern]

  On 5/29/2019 at 1:14 PM, Hann said:

New owner of a used megane and also clarified with Wearnes that the free 3 year servicing does not transfer to me. So was also trying to figure this out. Was Also offered the 4 svc package for 2.1k (50/60/70/80k)

 

So in your opinion still a better option to take the package?

 

If I service my car at an outside workshop, do I void my remaining 2 year warranty?

My Dad has been driving one for more than 3 years now... absolutely reliable. He also bought the service package. He was quite concerned about the warranty. Our first Continental car. This is even though we have a very reliable and skilful mechanic who also said he had no problems servicing this diesel engine cos it's the same one in the Nissan goods vehicles...

[Hann]

  On 5/30/2019 at 3:17 AM, teomingern said:

My Dad has been driving one for more than 3 years now... absolutely reliable. He also bought the service package. He was quite concerned about the warranty. Our first Continental car. This is even though we have a very reliable and skilful mechanic who also said he had no problems servicing this diesel engine cos it's the same one in the Nissan goods vehicles...

The dci 110 is used in so many cars I’m not surprised. Wonder about external mechanics on things like the transmission/dual clutch etc etc

[teomingern]

  On 5/30/2019 at 3:29 AM, Hann said:

The dci 110 is used in so many cars Iâm not surprised. Wonder about external mechanics on things like the transmission/dual clutch etc etc

Seems pretty robust to me at present... anyway can always send back to Wearnes... I send back to AD for major issues...

[Ixus75]

  On 5/31/2019 at 12:38 AM, teomingern said:

Seems pretty robust to me at present... anyway can always send back to Wearnes... I send back to AD for major issues...

 

But Wearnes knife sometimes can be very sharp   

[Vinceng]

Check sgcarmart for Renaults with renewed COE - only 1.

 

https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/listing.php?VEH=2&MOD=renault&RPG=20&RGD=10&AVL=2

 

That's a very strong hint on its reliability.

[Dannnn]

  On 5/31/2019 at 12:49 AM, Vinceng said:

Check sgcarmart for Renaults with renewed COE - only 1.

 

https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/listing.php?VEH=2&MOD=renault&RPG=20&RGD=10&AVL=2

 

That's a very strong hint on its reliability.

If the car is working well and renewed coe, but not for sales thus not appearing in used car sections. = Reliability not good?

[Vinceng]

Let me rephrase - there are not many French cars with renewed COEs on the road.