Hi Backroomers,
I quite fancy swapping the Volvo for a Grand Espace.
I've read mixed views on reliability. Does andone have a 'New' style {2002 to date} Espace? If so any good?
I've also read that the engine is shared with the Nissan 350Z.
So is it a Renault or a Nissan unit?
Also, a lot of stories about Renault diesel engines packing up after 50,000 {cam bearing failure} etc. Auto parking brake sounds a potential prob too?
I only plan to do about 8K miles PA.
Wot do peole think plz?
Paul
Paul {Forest of Bowland}
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Have a look at www.peachorlemon.co.uk/index.html. You will see the Espace is one of the 5 top lemmons.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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Hi Roger, never seen the peach or lesmon site before - uselful.
My Volvo is a totla peach according to people who have posted there, and I'd tend to agreew ith them.
Put me off the Espace a bit, but most posts are for the ealier fibreglass ones made by Matra for Renualt. From late 2002, the new shape, steel bodied ones are made by Renualt themselves.
Paul
Paul {Forest of Bowland}
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Even HJ does not give them a good write up. Being a small volume production from a large volume manufacturer with a poor reputation for reliabilty, I would personally leave well alone. There will always be someone who thinks they are great through their experience. The big but is that some of the repair bills can be huge due to being designed for manufacturing ease rather than servicability and accessability.
Personally I would look at other similar sized vehicles from other manufacturers.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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I don't think there's a 3.5 engine, the petrol is a 3.0 V6.
The 3.0 dCi is an Isuzu unit.
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In a small summary. You need a big engine its a lot of shed to haul around.
the 2.2Dci has enough grunt, there was EGR failures, Renault now has a fix. The clutch master cylinder will fail 40k miles in, Renault seem not to have a fix for that yet but are aware. Vairous possible elctricl gremlins in early ones - mostly sorted now.
Dont take a petrol/auto combo the box is very weak. the 3.0V6 has a fair degree of torque, but is no flier and very thirsty.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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2 years ago i considered buying a mpv.
When i spoke to my friend who has many years as a ford mechanic
he said that you will get on regular speaking terms with the sevice department?
He talked me out of buying one!!
From what he said suspension problems hit most mpv's with big bills to look forward too!!
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Renault are now using the Nissan VQ-series engines in several of their vehicles. These are 24V DOHC V6's and come in 2.0, 3.0 and 3.5 litre variants. The Espace uses the VQ35DE - same as the latest Maxima and 350Z and the big SUV (can't remember the name).
The VQ really is an absolutely superb engine and has been in production since 1995. It uses four cams driven off a chain (which also drives the water pump). These engines are very smooth and many examples have done 250k+ miles without a hitch.
I would imagine that the auto transmission used with this engine is a JATCO unit (basically Nissan own a large chunck of JATCO). JATCO's are generally amongst the best auto's.
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But...would you buy an Espace with this engine Aprilia? :)
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But...would you buy an Espace with this engine Aprilia? :)
Well, let's just say that the engine would be the best thing about the vehicle. I wouldn't buy any Espace, but if you ARE going to buy one then this is probably the best engine.
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Hi, well thats a bit better then, at least the engine and box are OK. The top spec , {Initiale} 3.5 pertrol {245BHP} go for far less money 2nd hand than the 3.0 or 2.2 diesels.
I looking for a 3 year old example with a 12 month MOT and FSH, 3.5 V6 Initial, Grand Espace that is.
I'm not that fussed if bits of trim fall off.
Paul
Paul {Forest of Bowland}
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Renault from a Volvo...no comparison. Volvo used Renault engines at one time and the specifications had to be upgraded to volvo standards! Renault designs are certainly good but reliability wise I would be very wary. looked after properly Volvos are great cars.
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