Test drive by Renault Scenic since 2009 minivan
Renault Megane Scenic (1999-2000 release)
For the combination of advanced design decisions and practicality a year after its appearance, this minivan was awarded the title of car of the year. Translated from English, Scenic means stage or picturesque. The second value is more suitable for meaning to this stylish French single -volume minivan. The first representatives of the picturesque appeared in 1996. A year later, Scenic was unanimously recognized as the best 1997 car. And after a couple of years, in 1999, the lineup was restored, which, in addition to the rejuvenation of appearance, included the replacement of a number of engines with new ones, more perfect in design.
CLIMATE CONTROL. Like all other models of Renault, Scenic exists in three versions: Arctic (for the northern countries, including for Russia), southern (for countries with a hot climate) and normal (for states with a temperate climate).
Arctic cars are officially supplied to us. The gamut of the engines of legal northerners consists of only two gasoline engines with a volume of 1.6 and 2.0 liters. Consequently, cars with power units with a volume of 1.4, 1.8 liters and a 1.9-liter turbodiesel are imported into our country on their own or through gray dealers and, accordingly, have a non-voluntary performance. What's bad about it?
In principle, nothing. Arctic performance differs from the rest with a more powerful generator, heating spirals on the windshield, heating seats, Continental EcoContact EP 185/65 R15 tires and some other nuances aimed at the trouble -free winter operation of the car in our climate. It is more difficult for machines in another configuration to start and warm up with a winter frosty morning. But you can adapt all cars to Russian operating conditions - for additional money.
As a rule, there are no difficulties in relation to the service and repair of unofficial Scenic, because Renault service stations take up any cars of their concern.
French charm. According to the laws of the genre, when choosing a used car, first of all, the state of his body should be assessed. Looking at this minivan, it is necessary to pay attention to the integrity of the paintwork of the body and the presence of red -raid in the points of chips - the Megane Scenic body has only partial galvanizing. After the second or third of the winter, numerous squeaks appear on the arches of the wheels, this is especially dangerous for the hind wings, which are just galvanizing. But the front part of the car has a zinc enough layer to withstand rust. Therefore, the presence of red -haired plague on the elements of the front of the body should be alert - most likely, the car visited an accident and was poorly restored in a cheap service. It is better to refuse further inspection of such a machine.
Another confirmation of the emergency past can be a different size of the gaps between the body panels of the machine, even if the paintwork is normal - the quality of the factory assembly of body elements is very high.
French endurance. The second most high -cost repair is the engine. Three or four-year-old SCENIC, subject to normal operation, does not have time to wind up more than 60--80 thousand km on wheels, but there are also strongly rolled cars. Sometimes it is enough to see a shabby, greasy salon, and it will become clear that the mileage has been twisted - a corporate car is in front of you. You can doubt - soon the engine will require serious investments.
In any case, the revision of the power unit should be started with the inspection of the oil seals for oil leakage through them. All front oil seals change with then at the same time as the replacement of the timing belt during a run of 60 and 120 thousand km. This is the most expensive - costs about $ 400 and, in addition to replacing timing, includes checking the suspension, brake system and tightness of its contour, as well as replacing all filters (except for built -in fuel pump), belts, candles and oils. All rear oil seals change when clutch replacement. So the main problems that can occur in a stringing owner are usually eliminated when passing on the service. If the oil still beats through the oil seals, it means that the engine was overheated. Sometimes this disease is treated with air release from the cooling system and a valley of coolant, which in the authorized Renault service will cost about $ 28. But if, as a result of overheating of the engine, the head of the cylinder block led, then its replacement will cost more than $ 2000.
French runny nose. The SCENIC suspension is reinforced in an arctic design to adapt the car to harsh road surface. SCENIC suspension with a two -liter engine is also strengthened to compensate for additional weight of a more powerful and heavy engine. The experience of the servicemen shows that elements of the front suspension are more prone to increased wear. They regularly require replacement of shock absorbers, silent blocks worth $ 19 for each, stabilizer bushings and hub bearings, replacing each of them along with work will cost $ 44. And this is understandable, because the engine of the front -wheel drive Scenic is located in front, therefore, the main loads fall on the front suspension complex in design.
A separate story is the front brake pads of Scenic, which do not serve more than 10-15 thousand km. The reason for their rapid wear is a defect in the design of the front calipers not equipped with dirt -dealers. Paradoxically, calipers with dirt and scenes for Scenic exist, but are installed as an option, for an additional high fee. In addition to modified calipers, such a redistribution will require the order of new hubs and front suspension bearings, and along with the work on the service, such an upgrade will result in an amount exceeding $ 500. Whether such an investment will justify the subsequent savings on brake blocks, a set of which costs $ 60 is a mentioning question.
Service in French. The Renault Megane Scenic engines are aggregated with a 5-speed mechanical gearbox or a 4-speed automatic. The gearboxes with appropriate regular maintenance have established themselves as reliable and unpretentious. Therefore, at three or four-year-old SCENIC, generic defects have already been eliminated under warranty, and new, more serious have not yet had time to appear.
One but - if you laid your eyes on Scenic with a mechanical checkpoint, then be sure to make a trial trip, paying attention to the clutch. It is enough to release the gas pedal, moving in the first gear. If the car twitches, as a fitting one, it is bad. Many owners of these cars complain of the weakness of this node. This is especially true for lovers of extending the summer season until autumn rains or living outside the city. Scenic, alas, like his off -road fellow RX4, quickly sits in dirt or loose snow. And if you slip for a long time, trying to get to go on a solid surface, then the clutch begins to burn. It is weak for a rather heavy car. And the replacement of the entire node is poured into a serious amount - more than $ 700.
If the inspection of all the above parts and assemblies of the machine satisfied your requirements, then the last stage remains that separates you from making the final purchase decision. The selected car should still be taken to diagnostics in an authorized service, so that experts can finally confirm or refute the condition of this copy and the feasibility of its purchase. The cost of a norm-hour at Renault service centers is about $ 35. Diagnosis of individual systems and parts of the machine, whether it is a suspension, engine or body, will cost about $ 17.5, and a complete diagnosis of a car and all its systems will cost $ 100-110.
Text Sergey Lortachin, photo Alexey Ilyin, drawing Alexander Krasnov
Renault Megane Scenic 1.6 2.0
Length/width/height (mm) - 4170/1700/1680
Working volume (cubic cub) 1598 1998
Power (L.S.) 107 136
Equipped mass (kg) 1250 1290
Maximum speed (fur./Auth., Km/h) 185/180 196/196
Acceleration to 100 km/h (fur./Auth., C) 11.2/13.8 10.2/10.6
The fuel consumption is average (fur./Auth., L/100 km) 7.8/8 8.6/9.3
The cost is on the Renault service (USD)
Mileage 15 thousand km 110
Mileage 30 and 150 thousand km 180
Mileage 45, 75 and 105 thousand km 100
Mileage 60 and 120 thousand km 410
Mileage 90 thousand km 230
The cost of expendable materials and some details of dealers
Oil (4 liters) $ 32
Spend of the ignition $ 2
Air filter $ 15
Fuel filter $ 8
Oil filter $ 7
Front pads (set) $ 61
Rear pads (set) $ 44
Generator belt $ 5
Timing belt $ 49
Farah $ 185
Rear lamp $ 34
Silent-block lever $ 19
Front wing $ 124
Muffler assembly $ 200
A source: "Autopilot"
