Buying a V6 MK1

[chas]

Hi
I am new to the forum and in South Africa. I have the opportunity to buy a MK1 V6 with 29k miles on the clock via a Renault dealer who has completed most of the service work. From the outside it is immaculate and is one of three owned by the same person. It has a full service history and a recent 1x coil change and yes, the cambelt was changed. Any advice on what I should be looking out for and how very different from the MK2 is it. I am doing a more detailed look this coming Friday so welcome any suggestions. How bad is the coil issue?

Now my strange question.....Speed Bumps.......will it or won't it. I will on a semi regular basis be dropping my little boy at school......the school loves speed bumps......any comments?!

Thanks.

 

[Ben123]

Hi Chas,

I have a Mk2, on which the coil issue seems to be a matter of luck. I'm not sure if it was much worse on the MK1 or not, but I do know they're a royal pain on the MK1 to swap out (rear bank only IIRC).

Speed bumps. Obvious answer is depends how high they are! Not a problem on the bolt-down rubberised versions. Need to be a bit careful on some of the built up concrete jobs. I've found a good method is approach at an angle and then turn into the bump, crabbing over it essentially. Definitely requires care or a good known route if they're big buggers though!

Ben

 

[Jamesv6]

Hi Chas and welcome.

Some very good info in our Knowledge Base, these articles may be of interest to you also. LINK

 

[Jamesv6]

With regards to the coils issues, this has been something of a common fault mostly due to poor quality coils we feel. Within the past year or so the coils have changed to a better unit, and I'm seeing far fewer posts on the forum entitled "Another bloody coil gone".

Past experiences I've was mostly due to leaving the car sitting cold for too many days, I was almost certain to hear that dreaded tractor like rumble from the engine. All my coils are now of the latest type, and I've noticed no problems after the car has sat (sometimes for many weeks).

Of course I'll now await a flood of "My coil has packed up" posts.

 

[Ben123]

You've cursed us all James.... :rofl:

 

[MattGWilson]

James, new type???? Link pls, I'll take 6! I've had a t*tfull swapping them about to find the problem!

 

[Jamesv6]

James, new type???? Link pls, I'll take 6! I've had a t*tfull swapping them about to find the problem!

LINK

 

[Duncan]

i didnt find a road speed bump that you couldnt get over, as long as you went slowly its fine or if its really high crab over it as Ben mentions above. mosre of a problem was transitions in car parks between the ramp and the flat. you have to take care with them!

the coils going isnt really an issue, its just a pain to replace 3 of them them on a mk1. 3 you can reach easily, the other 3 are under the inlet plenum which means some dismantling to reach. not the end of the world and you may not even get a problem.

i would say look for panel gaps & signs of previous damage. also check the gears dont crunch when changing, that can be expensive!!

 

[chas]

Thanks for the input........took a closer look at the MK1 today and we noticed a few "funnies" and were not convinced about it. We then turned our attention to a 2005 MK2....with only 16000 miles on the clock and it really is immaculate and you can see from inside, outside and underneath it has been well look after. So lets see if the offer is accepted on Monday. The trouble here in South Africa is the pricing so of course, they are asking far too much.

 

[Williams]

Thanks for the input........took a closer look at the MK1 today and we noticed a few "funnies" and were not convinced about it. We then turned our attention to a 2005 MK2....with only 16000 miles on the clock and it really is immaculate and you can see from inside, outside and underneath it has been well look after. So lets see if the offer is accepted on Monday. The trouble here in South Africa is the pricing so of course, they are asking far too much.

How did you get on then Chas? I'm thinking your offer was too low, or you'd be shouting out loud that you had a new car! lol

How much were they asking for it please, out of curiosity?

 

[chas]

Not very well I am afraid......I offered too low on the Mk 2. Long story it is immaculate and the owner knows that. More than likely he will take it to Oz when he leaves SA. So now I am have taken a closer look at the Mk1 (again) and am now sitting on the fence. It has 26k miles and is in better than average condition. I personally thing it drives better than the Mk2. That brings me to another question.......there sounds to be a slight whine on the gear box but goes when you slip to gear 5 or 6. Is that usual? The gear change is smooth and there are no other funny indications.

In terms of price....I hope you are sitting down....the SA car market is seriously over priced from new and onto 2nd hand. The MK2 with 16k miles is on the market for R270k which is about 26k pounds and the Mk 1 is on for about 20k pounds with 26k miles.

 

[l1lbill]

would it not be better to buy one over here and then ship it over, even if it cost £5000 to transport it you would still be up and have alot more choice!