Renault Modus - are they generally ok?

CompBunny

I found this car:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-54-RENAULT-MODUS-1-5-DCI-EXPRESSION-TURBO-DIESEL-5-DOOR-HATCH-/380408137537?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item5892178741

Looks a bit of a bargain, and from what I've read they have fairly good reviews. The biggest gripe I have read so far is that the headlamps are ridiculously complicated to change, requiring the whole front bumper to be removed.

In my prospective car search (trying to decide whether to stick with our lovely banger, MOT coming up in less than 2 weeks and sooo confused about what to do!) I've mainly been sticking to Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Seat, Suzuki, Skoda etc avoiding French at all costs but I don't know much about the modus?

Reliability, low insurance and fuel economy are really important to us. Hence why we are also looking at Fiat Pandas :rotfl:

I'd really value your opinions.

Thanks

mikey72

I'm looking for one of those.

Prices are very variable though, I'm seen 04's from £1900 to £3900, for the same sort of car.

Air con is a nice option. they don't all have it. Euro 4 diesel is only £30 a year tax, but £90 is still good.

I've read nothing bad about them at all.

I like the Panda. but we need 5 belted seats, and the Panda is only 2 +2

CompBunny

Thankyou!
I'm happy with £90/year RFL because its still cheaper than our current one (old diesel nova) and similar fuel economy. What are your main reasons for looking for one if you don't mind me asking? Are you going for petrol or diesel?

vax2002

A lot of money for a 54 plate car, it is 2012 !.

CompBunny

Thanks Vax, what do you think would be more realistic? We're fairly clueless...but on the plus side OH is VERY good at bargaining and making cheeky offers!

mikey72

Diesel.

Main reasons,
ecomomy,
has to have 5 seats, (the changeable back seats are a bonus)
cheap tax
small car that will still happily cruise motorways and take abroad loaded for holidays.
there don't seem to be any common faults or reliabilty issues that appear to plague others.

I've had french cars, and they're as reliable as everyone else.

Just everyone that has one appears to be keeping them.

My_Feet_Hurt

Hi,

My husband bought a Renault Modus about 6 weeks ago. It`s a 58 reg and was formerly a mobility car so I believe that it has been well looked after. Before this, we had a Renault Scenic 03 reg. We had the Scenic as we had tall teenage children and the headroom height and the rear legroom was ideal. We only got rid of it as my mechanic daughter found many problems with it and it wasn`t economical to fix it.

Back to the Modus....We found it by accident looking in a Renault showroom as we wanted another Scenic. We decided that as the teenagers don`t often travel with us now, we didn`t really need all that room, but we wanted a taller-than-a-car vehicle for my tall husband, so the salesman said why not look at the Modus.

It`s nearly as tall as a Scenic.The room in the back is less - I`m about 5`5` and my knees just touch the front seats when I`m in the back. 2 generously sized adults can fit in the back.Or 3 small ones lol. It has a fair sized boot that can carry golf clubs in a golf bag.It is a nippy little thing (automatic) and does about 40 miles to the gallon around town as we don`t tend to travel far due to petrol costs, but when we have been out on a longer run we get over 55 mpg. It is a petrol model. The tax isn`t cheap (I can`t remember but THINK it is £120 for 6 months). The insurance is about £15 a month less for my husband than he was paying (about £30) - I know that doesn`t really help but just to show it is cheaper. It has air-con.

As for the headlight issue - we have had to change a headlight bulb since we got it. To do that you had to go in through the back of the light. Mechanic daughter says that many cars have to have the bumper removed to change the entire light unit, but that there are some cars out there that let you just remove the light itself without dismantling the car lol.

I would recommend this car to a friend lol.

hth

m
x+

vax2002

I would avoid that engine to be honest, they do suffer terrifying turbo failure problem where the engine can not be switched off and revs out to its death.
Think you named the best bang for buck diesel, the Skoda, just look at some of the mileages on taxis they churn out week in week out with just normal maintenance.

mikey72

vax2002 wrote: »

I would avoid that engine to be honest, they do suffer terrifying turbo failure problem where the engine can not be switched off and revs out to its death.
Think you named the best bang for buck diesel, the Skoda, just look at some of the mileages on taxis they churn out week in week out with just normal maintenance.

Never seen that.

Put the link up and I'll have a read of it.

forgotmyname

Any turbo diesel engine can do that, Usually its because the cars been neglected and will smoke quite badly before the risk of the engine running on has gotten that bad.

Diesel engines can run on theor own engine oil if it gets into the inlet, Turbo seals being a common one.

As mentioned thats a LOT of money for a 2004 car £1000 too much at least.

I paid £2000 for a 2004 mondeo estate. in 2009... Probably a bit big for what your looking for.

But there is a 2007 car for under £3000 in autotrader.

mikey72

forgotmyname wrote: »

Any turbo diesel engine can do that, Usually its because the cars been neglected and will smoke quite badly before the risk of the engine running on has gotten that bad.

Diesel engines can run on theor own engine oil if it gets into the inlet, Turbo seals being a common one.

As mentioned thats a LOT of money for a 2004 car £1000 too much at least.

I paid £2000 for a 2004 mondeo estate. in 2009... Probably a bit big for what your looking for.


But there is a 2007 car for under £3000 in autotrader.

I agree any diesel turbo can do that, if turbo seals fail, and the oil fuels the engine.
It was just Vax2002 said this one should be avoided, but I've not found anything that says this engine does it particuarly.
French diesels are normally some of the most reliable.

Prices for these can vary, I reckon no more than £2500 for a low mileage, fsh 2004/5 though, with air con.
But there are few private sales, most are sold by traders, so prices tend to be higher. You wouldn't see many for £1900, I've been looking.