200 Gearbox 4th Gear Crunch, 8 weeks out of Warranty

[DanB720]

Hi,

I purchased a RS 200 privately 15 days ago and when out driving last night there was a crunch when changing into 4th. When I test drove the car before buying there was no problem and also the 350 or so miles after purchase were issue free.

It is booked in at my local Renault dealer tomorrow to go for a "Test Drive" to diagnose the problem.

The car has a FRSH from the previous owner who owned it from new.

It currently has 34100 miles on the clock.

Can anyone advise me what I can do?
Its a known manufacturing fault Ive realised but being second hand and out of warranty I want some opinions on what my next steps should be / where I stand.

Thanks

 

[Advikaz]

If they refuse to pay it, I'd argue the toss with them.

8 Weeks is nothing, considering this is a known fault.

 

[Budgie]

If they don't honour it, go to Renault UK.

 

[The Boosh!]

Dealer will refer you to RUK CS anyway I reckon, so just call them direct. Explain your situation and see what they suggest. Chances are they will offer a contribution towards the repair. I don't think you've got a chance of getting it all done FOC as it is a used car out of warranty.

 

[sven_8t4]

From when i was at renault if you speak to renault uk they'll offer a contribution or b**ch and moan a bit they'll probably do it for free...

 

[DanB720]

Cheers. I'll see what they say tomorrow.

 

[mattyRB 182]

Renault will offer 50% just had the same thing in at work last week if u rinf customer services ul probs get it upto 75%

 

[DanB720]

Just got back from the Inspection.
They went for a test drive and took a gearbox oil sample.
The mechanic said straight away that a new gearbox was needed as its easier than rebuilding the existing one.
Got to take it back on Monday 26th for "further tests" they said. They also said that Renault UK would contribute to the cost but didn't state to what percentage.

 

[The Fatty]

id argue the toss and get them to pay the whole lot. 34kmiles is nothing. imo that's classable as 'not fit for purpose' as cars are expected to last well beyond 100K these days.

 

[peanuthead]

^^^ exactly this. It has to be fit for purpose and last a resonable amount of time depending on what it is. And being a gearbox it is mean to last a longer time than that, plus its a known fault.

 

[Sargara]

id argue the toss and get them to pay the whole lot. 34kmiles is nothing. imo that's classable as 'not fit for purpose' as cars are expected to last well beyond 100K these days.

Try telling that to RUK. They wont even acknowledge its a "common problem" or how many they have replaced.

 

[Advikaz]

Try telling that to RUK. They wont even acknowledge its a "common problem" or how many they have replaced.

When I got mine the salesmen told me that they had a known issue with the boxes & it was one of the only issues they have with them.

Recorded for if mine goes up sh*t creek.

 

[Sargara]

Lol good move.

Dealer salesman and RUK are 2 different things though. I'll be intereted to see if they have changed their stance on it recently!

 

[Budgie]

It can still be put down to wear and tear or drive abuse though..

 

[Advikaz]

Lol good move.

Dealer salesman and RUK are 2 different things though. I'll be intereted to see if they have changed their stance on it recently!

I've wondered, is it a new box or a reman they stick in? Do they always fit the 1 piece syncro instead of the 2 piece polystyrene one?

Because surely if they are dropping old boxes in with 2 piece ones they're going to sh*t themselves again.....

 

[The Boosh!]

It can still be put down to wear and tear or drive abuse though..

Exactly. And it is still a 3 year old car out of warranty.

 

[Fred@BTM]

Renault UK never acknowledge any common problems, they just bring out "updated" parts and keep it quiet

 

[Chapppers11]

The dealership by me told me that the issue with door seals splitting is cheaper to replace than to come up with a revised version!

 

[Adam.]

What's the reg of it?

 

[DanB720]

What's the reg of it?

Its a 59 plate

 

[yeecup]

didnt the 197's have gearbox issues as well? renault wont acknowledge issues, all car manufacturers are the same. my dads been dealing with skoda uk over his fabia vrs and oil consumption, known problem all over the web, evo mag, owners club forum etc etc, but when this was mentioned to them they said "we dont comment on things posted on forums on the internet" his has had a full engine rebuild with new piston rings etc, only done 6k and a just over a year old. if its not sorted it he will either reject the car or get them to fit a brand new engine. so renault arent the only ones

 

[R-Sport.]

Your in for a fight with renault-

service is really bad- Expect the answer to be- aggresive driving.

S

 

[Adam.]

Your in for a fight with renault-

service is really bad- Expect the answer to be- aggresive driving.

S

The garage said to me "Don't rev it past 3000 rpm, it's not designed to go past that".

RUK said "The garage have informed us that you are driving it like an F1 car, you're not meant to drive like that".

 

[SC03OTT]

Did you not tell them "because racecar"?

 

[Advikaz]

Bloody awful considering they run RS track days etc.... Whats the betting they take a list of number plates & then void your warranty.

B*stards.

 

[Bluebeard]

Exactly. And it is still a 3 year old car out of warranty.

Its a 3 year old car, out of warranty, that was purchased privately. IMO, you'll be lucky to get anything out of them.

If you'd have bought it from a renault main dealer, you'd have a case to have the whole lot covered.

I'm guessing you bought it privately because you thought you were getting a cheaper deal.

 

[Adam.]

Did you not tell them "because racecar"?

I did indeed. I also questioned why they advertised it with a peak power at 7100 rpm if you're not meant to drive it past 3000. By the time RUK had bothered to return my call I had already ordered the Audi lol.

 

[DanB720]

Has anyone any ideas as to how much the gearboxes are including VAT and labour by Renault? (This is before a Renault UK contribution)

Need to prepare myself in case the worst outcome occurs

Thanks

 

[Fred@BTM]

probably £3-4K

sod going to renault for the work though!

 

[DanB720]

sod going to renault for the work though!

If they offer me a sizeable contribution I will let them do it for convenience.

Who would you recommend to do the work if not?

Anyone know any gearbox specialists around the Bedfordshire area?

 

[cliosport197iow]

Has anyone any ideas as to how much the gearboxes are including VAT and labour by Renault? (This is before a Renault UK contribution)

Need to prepare myself in case the worst outcome occurs

Thanks

to have a new clutch and all internals inside gear box and a new clutch master cylinder is £1200 from renault thats with labour and vat as i have had my renault 197 for 3 months and have just had to have it all replaced as the master cylinder went and dumped its oil inside the gear box so had to have every part replaced my car car was 4 years old but because i bought it threw a renault dealer they covered the whole lot and the month before i had to have all new brembo pads as they had come away from the metal and renault uk covered half the cost so i have been quiet lucky, i think the old owner had done a few track days lol

 

[rja cup]

I got 95% contribution when the box went on my 197 cup, even managed to get another 2.5% from my local dealer in Cardiff - the car was 2 months out of warranty, I got the car through an independant garage but it had FRSH with 23k miles.

You need to register your issue immediately with RUK and make sure they liase with the garage you have been too for the diagnosis, mention but not threaten them with consumer advice programmes and CAB. Ask for a breakdown regarding the number of boxes now replaced on 197 and 200s (dont mention the fault, just ask how many have been replaced through warranty as your local CAB want to know prior to them consulting with trading standards with regards to an item that is not fit for purpose.

Say that you are aware that it is a common fault via searches on cliosport, clio 197 and the renaultsport forum and you are keen to ensure that future potential owners do not suffer that same fate as yourself and many others.

They offered me 50%, 75%, 85% but I turned them all down and kept plugging away - I asked for a letter from them confirming that they didnt recognise that the boxes were faulty. 2 weeks after registering the case, I had a total of 97.5% contributed to a new box and clutch (including labour costs) - it cost me £56 in total.

I must say that the service at RUK was very good and my case manager was sympathetic

Good luck

 

[DanB720]

So the car went in this morning at 9am. I have just had a phone call from Renault UK telling me that It needs a new gearbox. Because it is just out of warranty there is an automatic 50% contribution, and on top of this Renault UK offered 30%, making the total contribution of 80%. He told me that the repair cost is £2020 for a new box all in.
So I am paying £405 for a new box (with 12 month warranty) in total and get the car back Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. I could have maybe wrangled another 5-10% but to be honest the money I saved on buying the car originally, i'm not going to lose sleep over £100 or so especially as i get it back so soon.
I cant fault Renault at all about how they have dealt with the issue

 

[Silent_Scone]

I was speaking to a gearbox technician recently who said syncros were something Renault generally get right most of the time.



Ok then.