Laguna 3 DCi Advice

[KP]

Does anyone have experience of the 1.9DCi lumps at all circa 120bhp fitted with the 5 or 6 speed box in Laguna's from 2001-200(and something) as my brother is looking for another car, and looking into an initiale estate. Now i know the 2.2 self implodes often but is there anything on the 1.9 to be wary of??

Also some seem to come up that are smokey. I'm guessing this is turbo oil seals?? is the turbo an easy job on these at all or is it down the back of the engine??

I know i dont come on here often anymore but i am a lurker of the blogs area still and hope someone can help me out while Luke the Diamond lover is away

[bxzx16v]

We sold our 2003 Laguna II 1.9 dci(120bhp) privelage estate after 5 1/2 yrs and replaced it with a Laguna III . We bought our lag II with 96k on and took a warranty out just incase , this covered a turbo replacement/intercooler issue , but other than rear suspension bushes which are a common problem it was a fantastic car . Just check the boot/tailgate release as they can fill with water and corrode and send the boot locking haywire . I know some owners have had major problems but ours was probably the best allround car we have had Inc Xantias & C5's . If you could find a facelift 2.0 dci with the 150bhp engine that would be a good combination , our new Lag 3 is the 175bhp dci and is very impressive .

Mark

[R9UKE]

I'm back!!

First of all - Initiale.... nice. Leather, nav (which won't work) and that all important voice synthesizer to keep you company.

Unfortunately KP, the story ain't much better with the 1.9 dCi. It's not as prone to hideous oil leaks and injector failure of the 2.2, but the rate of cannibal turbos and EGR rubbish is pretty much the same. I know it's a cliché, but really only buy with plenty of evidence of regular oil changes. If it's above say 80k miles, the 18k intervals Renault recommend just don't cut it. Also, go on your instinct when you see the car... the Laguna is a great one for showing up to mistreatment. Worn leather gearknobs (sometimes the leather has come off completely) and battered key cards will demonstrate the life it's had.

Mark's spot on about the 2.0 dCi. Though these are only available with the facelift Lag which lost too much character for me to ever love

Of course all of this goes out the window if the car is sub £500. That leather is sought after, there's value in the wheels, nav components and xenon lights so there's little to lose if this happens.



Here's a few examples to show that the pretty much inevitable end is just as grizzly as the 2.2

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-RENAULT- ... 500wt_1203" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-RENAULT- ... 270wt_1186" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-RENAULT- ... 171wt_1186" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[KP]

Thanks guys

My brothers budget is upto £1k so they are all high milers

A few I reckon could be got for around the £700 mark which I'm guessing if it goes Pete tongue can be stripped or parts quik enough to cover its destruction a little.

Maybe I should tell him to get a volvo as I think his mrs is pushing him to the cheap horrible ford world called mondeo

Anything coming up at auction soon Luke around that price??

Has to be diesel and estate

[R9UKE]

At £700 go for it, he'll lose £300 max, and it's a damn nice car before the cr*p hits the fan.

Diesel Mondeo. There's one thing worse... an Avensis diesel estate!! Actually, stay the hell away from those TDCi Mondeos, injectors and duel mass flywheels are service items I hear!!

I'll have a proper look tomorrow, but was up there today and nothing stood out. What about something like a 2.2 dT Espace? Much better engine than the dCi

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-RENAULT- ... 500wt_1203" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[KP]

Cheers Luke ill send that over to him.
He's wanting 50+mpg for his new mileage of 300+ miles a week

Let us know if anything comes up as I can get a flight or trip over pretty quick

Ps break the c5

[R9UKE]

Sure will

I've got a better idea... I'll stick an extension on it, inspired by the Ssangyong Rodius, and it'll be perfection for your brother

[Citroenmad]

I have heard too many horror stories about the 1.9DCi to ever be tempted to buy or recommend one.

I did have a laugh last night while blasting up the motorway upon passing two very slow cars in the slow lane. One was a MeganeII with its (very dim) hazard lights flashing (no other lights, it was dark!) being rope towed by a LagII 1.9DCi. I did wonder if they would get to where they were heading.

If your brother is covering 300+ miles a week he needs something very dependable and so I would not chance it with a 1.9DCi. Ok so if it goes wrong he might not lose much money, but the potential inconvenience of breaking down, having to break the car, being without a car and needing to find a replacement are far too many reasons not to get one. It is a shame as otherwise I really like the LagunaII, petrols are the only way to go with one of those.

There are a good amount of diesel cars available for £1000 and it is hard to ignore the truely excellent 2.0HDi 8v engine. Id recommend a 406, Xantia or C5 with that engine, even a Xsara. Its a well proven engine and just goes on and on for many hundreds of thousands of miles.

The Mondeo is not a bad car, I found a lot of rusty ones (2002-2004 examples) when I was looking a few years ago. The 1.8TDCi does like to eat injectors too, but its a half decent car, there are so many of them about and it will do as a commuter.

As for a Volvo, im not sure, by all means reliable but the 1.9D S40 is supposed to be pretty unrefined and the larger cars with the D5 will be superb but quite a bit heavier on fuel.

I would go with a 406 or Xantia for that money, simple, a good amount to choose from and the 2.0HDi engine is one of the best.

[bxzx16v]

As much as I like the laguna 2 I'm with Chris , for that price a xantia / 406 / xsara might be the better/safer option .

Mark

[KP]

A lot of the xantias and c5s on the bay look and sound like right nails in this price band though
Or they are at the other end of the country!!! Grrr

Plus he is being put off my dads strange c5 hdi. It's a 90 and I don't think other than when I drive it that it ever goes over 2k revs so is a bit clogged up and well, slow!!

Best have another hunt around for some more examples...

[R9UKE]

You'll find a nice Laggy. They're not all bad. I know a few 1.9 dCi owners who have had their Lag for 8-9 years with nothing but loyal service. They give back what you give them in return

[Citroenmad]

A lot of the xantias and c5s on the bay look and sound like right nails in this price band though

Best have another hunt around for some more examples...

Given that C5s and Xantias are at the cheaper end at of the diesel scale, that might be a worry. You can find good examples for that money, they just take a bit of hunting out.

A 90bhp C5 is not an appealing thought, even less so one which is not ragged and abused, walking is probably quicker

[KP]

I know Chris

I wanted him to bite Mikes hand off and have Rattiva as i know Jim well enough to know it will do the next MOT with little trouble if any and last for a fair old while as body work is nothing when you have 2 dogs and a fiancee who thinks shes Seb Loebs daughter....

[KP]

Well we are off to brum tomorrow by the looks of it for a 4hour drive there and back to check out a Lag 2 tourer dci its a privilege and on 180k but for £750 with history. T&T till December though.

I've told him if he buys to budget for a turbo or injector or egr so about £200 i reckon if we need to get one of them by buying used. Do the injectors come out easily enough on them??

Its 1/2 leather so i've said if he budgets £150 for a full leather he will thank me as its much more forgiving and looks better. also better for resale i reckon by not much but a little

He has dogs so the boot condition inside isnt a major issue as its going to be run into the ground really.

Any rust areas to look for or flat spots on the engine pickup that will indicate a forthcoming fault??

[R9UKE]

The Privilege half leather and velour is actually WAY comfier than the full leather KP. The velour probably looks really grubby by now but it's so easy and rewarding to clean, it should really come up like new. I've had two Privilege's and was well surprised at the result of 15 minutes scrubbing!

Rust isn't an issue with the Laguna II. Any whine when reaching 2000 rpm ain't a good sign. Give it a good rake and make sure you get no fuel injection warning.

What area of Birmingham is it in?