FighterControl

And, having read this, I'm even less likely to buy one now, ..
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/frank-lecerf-r ... ml#g1Dmoom" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sounds like the modifications to the car were the issue, as opposed to the car itself.

This story linked off the same page broght tears to my eyes :

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/experts-tell-f ... 05847.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank heavens I was right all along.

Why didn't he turn the engine off and coast to stop?

How does turning the engine off not work? The key barrel jammed? And the car couldn't be put into neutral? As you say, doesn't make a lot of sense.

Also, why would the Police need to contact a Renault engineer to be told to turn the engine off?

jem60 wrote:I don't think it's possible to thread your way through a French Toll Gate at 125mph, even if it is all clear

I once drove a Dodge Crager through a tollbooth on an American highway at 160mph, so can't be that hard.

Granted, I was playing Driver on the PC.

I have a Laguna II which has the key card system fitted in the dash. When the key card malfunctions... the doors wont unlock / lock, you cant disarm the alarm or immobiliser & the engine will not start. The car is dead! If the card failed while driving then I'm pretty sure the car would stop.

I've had a key card break on me & its a nightmare! Car has to go to main dealers, new key card is ordered from Renault in France to match the car, key card is then sent to main dealers where it is then synchronised to the car & out of my pocket pops £150 for 2 new cards .

Overall the Laguna II is a nice car to drive, but the biggest problems with it is...
(1) The risk of having a key card failure.
(2) There is a design fault with the rear suspension bushes assembly which means it usually requires a new set of bushes every 20'000 miles or so, a real pain in the @rse job it is too! Renault have tried to resolve the bushes issue by manufacturing a re-designed bush which contains a stronger & longer lasting rubber, after market pattern part bushes only last around 6'000 miles, so it has to be proper Renault parts for this job, which again is more expense!


TankBuster

rig_pig wrote:As for going into neutral, it could have been an auto and if it's a new car, there's far too many electronic systems involved in that as well!

Even if it was an auto, it's still got a neutral. Or he could have put it into reverse or 1 or 2 and exploded the engine, but stopped the car at least! Or did the gearbox fail as well as the brakes, accelerator, cruise control, start stop button and key card?

Not sure why I'm so surprised everything appears to have broken - it is a French car!

TankBuster wrote:I have a Laguna II which has the key card system fitted in the dash. When the key card malfunctions... the doors wont unlock / lock, you cant disarm the alarm or immobiliser & the engine will not start. The car is dead! If the card failed while driving then I'm pretty sure the car would stop.

If its the same card system as in the Megane's and Scenic's (it probably is) then once the car is running you can take the card right out of the slot without it affecting the running of the car at all. It's only needed to actually start the vechile

Nicest car i've driven,but the worst in terms of maintenance.I will never buy another Renault!

TankBuster wrote:I have a Laguna II which has the key card system fitted in the dash. When the key card malfunctions... the doors wont unlock / lock, you cant disarm the alarm or immobiliser & the engine will not start. The car is dead! If the card failed while driving then I'm pretty sure the car would stop.

I've had a key card break on me & its a nightmare! Car has to go to main dealers, new key card is ordered from Renault in France to match the car, key card is then sent to main dealers where it is then synchronised to the car & out of my pocket pops £150 for 2 new cards .

Overall the Laguna II is a nice car to drive, but the biggest problems with it is...
(1) The risk of having a key card failure.
(2) There is a design fault with the rear suspension bushes assembly which means it usually requires a new set of bushes every 20'000 miles or so, a real pain in the @rse job it is too! Renault have tried to resolve the bushes issue by manufacturing a re-designed bush which contains a stronger & longer lasting rubber, after market pattern part bushes only last around 6'000 miles, so it has to be proper Renault parts for this job, which again is more expense!


TankBuster

I had 2 key cards break in 1 day (1 in the washing machine) and after looking at the main dealer option I sent them to a man in Wales who specializes in their repair for £25 each and they were back in 2 days in perfect working order.

These key cards flex slightly causing internal circuit breakage which can occur easily if handled carelessly, or kept in a back pocket is a favourite way to destroy them.

Always unlock the doors with the largest part of the card pointing away from you to avoid flexing.

Renault Laguna II V6 owner.

Renaults! I started my working life working in the parts department of the local Renault dealership. In those days the Renault 16 was the best, seats were superbly comfortable. Some years ago I bought my first Renault, 2nd hand. It was the 21 Savanna GTX, a true 7 seater with space in the back for luggage too. Cruise at 70mph all day, surge past 100mph, quiet, comfortable, handled well and was a joy to drive. Best car I ever owned. Had it for 9 years until someone drove into the back of it at traffic lights and wrote it off. Renault made some lovely cars but also some crap ones.

waghorn41 wrote:Renaults! I started my working life working in the parts department of the local Renault dealership. In those days the Renault 16 was the best, seats were superbly comfortable. Some years ago I bought my first Renault, 2nd hand. It was the 21 Savanna GTX, a true 7 seater with space in the back for luggage too. Cruise at 70mph all day, surge past 100mph, quiet, comfortable, handled well and was a joy to drive. Best car I ever owned. Had it for 9 years until someone drove into the back of it at traffic lights and wrote it off. Renault made some lovely cars but also some crap ones.

had a renault 18 diesel/21 savanna petrol and a diesel, currant one espace 2.1 td 248,000 mls never had the head off or a clutch !
retired renault mechanic

I currently have a Clio and I have had lots of problems with it.. would I buy another Renault NO - and we got this new, two clutches and twice been in for engine troubles costing £700 and £500 - it has only done 56000 miles and it has not been a good car for us

my next car will definitely be a different make

two clutches in 56000 ? your joking dont use your clutch pedal as a foot rest! its alot
cheaper in the long run.

Two interesting points

(1) it was a modified car for disability - so I wonder what had been modified? But pushing the brake makes you accelerate?
(2) Car runs out of petrol - which means engine stall - loses power steering and runs into the ditch? Hmmmmmm

Nothing against French cars - I happily drive a Citroen. I think the modifications were defo dodgy!

Steve