Please forgive this long post. I am at my wits end here and cannot believe what Renault SA are doing in my case.
I was on this forum a year ago with a blown engine on a Clio 2.0 Mk 2 after 19 000km. After haggling - Renault SA replaced the engine plus gearbox, alternator (and alt. bracket). They refused to disclose their assessors report on the matter to me, even though they tried to blame me at first for changing from 5th to 2nd gear at high speed.
After 7 000km with the new engine I noticed a belt churning type of sound at idle. Was on holiday in Durban. Took it there, they asked Renault SA for advice and after 4 days told me an alternator bolt was missing. Went back to the guys who put in the new engine - they were cagey. After this had a baffle box go and then noticed the padding in the cover under the front axle fell off. Then in July 2003 after 22 000km with new engine (on holiday again) was told the gearbox mounting bolt had broken (housing was also damaged). Loose engine was chafing the air con pipes as well. Renault SA fixed it under warranty but refused to disclose the cause, claiming it was incidental. They refuse to say how common this is (smacks of poor workmanship if you ask me). I insisted the car get checked. New dealer had to then replace the front left wheel bearing and the thermostat gasket as well as the mid box silencer as well as another engine mounting. Renault SA gave me no coherent explanation after I wrote to them and pestered them for 6 weeks. I then wrote to the Renault SA MDs office demanding an explanation and asking for an 18 month extended warranty, if they were so confident abut their car. After Two weeks they came back and said their pathetic one page explanation stands and that I should go to the Motor Industry Ombud (who is purely advisory and overworked anyway). By the way their one pager says the broken gearbox mounting was "incidental", the wheel bearing at 43 000km was "normal wear and tear", the gasket was preventative due to "sweating" (when the workshop themselves told me it was defective and seeping water).
I am so mad at their lack of treating me as a customer who wants to be informed and their withholding of technical information about my car. As well as their inability to give me a coherent story that is not self contradictory. They are assuming I am a moron. In the first 18 months of the new car, it has been off the road for a total of 7 weeks and I have had to be towed twice: with no apology, no explanation, no reassurance, no courtesy vehicle, no customer care - just the warranty process and no decent info.
I have told them that I will take it to the Ombud. Failing that, the motoring press, failing that I am willing to take out adverts myself exposing their arrogance. Any advice please. Is this common for all these faults on one vehicle. By the way, I drive it mostly at highway cruising speeds. My fuel consmption is under 8 litres per 100km and all I get is things rattling, blowing up, falling off, breaking etc. What should I demand from Renault SA, can I lodge complaints with Renault France as well etc...Am I being too demanding here or are they just covering up and being plain arrogant.
