Renault Scenic 1.9DCi Review

Overall Rating

Good interior space
Lots of storage
Good MPG
18000 service intervals

72000 mile service incl cam belt was £600+
At 75000 the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve started sticking (seems to be a common Renault diesel fault at 60K+)

I purchased my 2001 model 1.9DCi Priviledge Monaco People Carrier with just 10000 on the clock via the "Renault to go" scheme.

I purchased it as a replacement to my company car that I'd just been given the option of turning down in favour of a cash alternative, and I've never looked back.

I've covered more than 65000 miles in 3 1/2 years and its been extremely reliable.

In all that time my biggest cost has been replacement tyres (the alloys on this model are huge and decent tyres are almost £100 each). Servicing is not too bad on a routine service, but the 72K with cam belt was over £600 even done locally.

With the back seats removed this is a huge vehicle, which I've yet to beat with things I want shifting, including a fridge freezer and a double bed + matress.

As for build quality, I have a handful of really small niggles:
1) Drivers Side sun visor doesn't "lock" in position, seems worn and was when I bought it.
2) One of the switches to operate the rear windows is occasionally sticky
3) Rear seat "courtesy" light needs encouragement to work. Is fine in switched mode, just fails in courtesy mode.

The only mechanical failing, other than my recent EGR valve replacement (from all accounts these become a problem at 60K+ which you can't afford to ignore, could mean a new turbo) is that the air supply pipe to the turbo had a habit of coming loose when put under high pressure. This was resolved by really tightening the jubilee clip as far as I could, but when it popped off there was no power at all. Always seemed to happen on a roundabout too.

But I am seriously considering a Scenic II, in a year's time when this one is paid for!!!

Members' Comments onbladedog's Review

• titanic1966 on 11th Feb 2008

  Headlight bulbs cost around £40 at Renault to fix , but if you can unclip the washer reservoir neck from the body and black hose, then slide your hand behind the light, remove the rubber cover carefully. Then turn the bulb anti clockwise, you can remove the bulb and do the same in reverse to replace it. (drivers side). For passenger side you have to remove battery cover as well. But basically for £7.50 ish at Halfords you can save over £30 and sometimes over £60. Comment from Renault garage is that they technically have to remove bumper etc and hence the charge of £40-£70 even though they sometimes do the same as I did, taking minutes not hours.
  

• emmo1972 on 26th Feb 2008

  I needed left side headlight bulb replacing and Renault wanted £100+ to carry out the task, after much complaining they agreed to do it for £25. Right hand side has now gone, it looks more accessible behind the headlight unit, so hope I can do the job myself. Previous comment suggests twisting the bulb anti-clockwise to remove, my car is a 2005 model can someone confirm this is correct and can you get the bulb from Halfords.

• yguygyg on 10th Jan 2009

  there is an access cover by the wheel arch - just turn the wheel to the side to get to it and twist it. you don't even have to open the bonnet. an engineer at renault told me this at it took me a couple of mins to do - on a 54 grande scenic