Renault Customer Service and support

[MikeO]

Hi there....

Just registered on the forum as I've been starting to think about replacing my Suzuki Swift sport (latest model - 2012) come September / October of this year. Now really need a 4-door as we've recently sold our 2nd car (boring but practical Skoda Fabia) and the Suzuki, nice as it is (VERY nice to drive actually... needs a few more BHP if I was honest though) is just now to small to be our one and only car (OK ... also a good excuse to get a new car as well!).

Unluckily, 4-door hot hatches (or similar) at sensible money (front wheel drive only please), are few and far between. Was originally thinking about a new Focus ST (probably on a PCP) but starting to go off that idea due to the running costs (IE. 25 miles to the gallon according to a friend of mine that has one and he moans constantly about the torque steer). Then I thought about the new Renault sport Clio. I've pretty much read all the reviews and the DSG box that some don't like has not really put me off. So that is currently at the top of my list. Obviously I shall get a test drive nearer the date but now comes the rub.....

I've been more than a bit shocked to read some of the complaints on here about Renault garages and RUK Customer Support!!!!
Question... is it really that bad? or is it just luck of the draw as to what garage you use?
The story of the guy with the 2 year old car that needs a new engine and RUK don't appear wiling to honour the Warranty is SHOCKING to say the least.

A bit of history. Been driving some 40 years, so owned a fair few motors and also some nice ones along the way (been through three Scoobies in the 90's) and it's not the fact that any car can go wrong (and they do) it's what then happens and what sort of support you get from the dealer / manufacture that's really important.

Only had one Renault before and that was a 19 16v (bought new... so that gives you a clue to my age) and it was a great little car (real screamer of an engine). In fact the only 2 cars that have given me any real problems, have both been VAG cars (MK3 Golf 16v and a SEAT TDI 130 sport). The SEAT needed a new engine at 6 weeks old (I jest not) and later the suspension re-built + loads of other issues (nice car though after the first 18 months of hell). The good news was that the dealer / SEAT looked after me well (loan car for best part of two months a then 3 years free servicing thrown in).

I think what I am trying to say, is that any car can go wrong, it's what happens next that's important.

It's just that with a complicated car like the new Renault sport Clio, I would like to think that should anything go wrong, I can rely on the dealer (maybe I'm being optimistic here and my previous experiences have just been lucky ones).

Problem made worse for me, as the local dealer is an Arnold Clark and even then, they don't look to be a Renault sport dealer. So it could be Ayr for me and one of the Park's Motor group garages (and 150 mile round trip).

Long first post I know. But thought that I would try and get some feedback on this issue prior to any potential purchase.

PS. Whoops... may well have posted this on the wrong sub-forum. Maybe a mod wants to move it!?

 

[Mentalpen]

Firstly welcome to the forum as your a new member saying hello i don't see a need to move it.

I've had my car fall apart outside off warranty and have been looked after as have others but you hit the nail on the head. Most of your experience comes down to the dealer but as i'm sure you are aware many are now just mass franchise dealerships that have a high turn over of staff that don't know their arse from their elbow and that problem manifests right across the car experience and not just renault.

As in the example you gave about the 2 year old car. At the end of the day the dealer (rightly or wrongly) told renault its not a warranty job. So renault are only ever going to go on what a tech says and this is no different to any other make (well i'm sure there is the odd exception). However in this case you would hope they would see sense and look at it further which they seem to be doing at the moment.

with a new car you get 4 years warranty and servicing thrown in so you would hope the above is a one off and to be honest its the first i've heard off in over 10 years RS ownership.

you really need to drive the car tho ( i know you will ) but its not a PURE hot hatch like the clio's of old or the megane imo which isn't to everyones cup of tea.

 

[-Eddie-]

Welcome to the forum!

With regards to RUK customer support, in a word, NO, it isn't bad. In fact I find Renaults support to customers very very good.

I work in a main dealer for a Renault in the service end of things and the support they give to customers is fantastic. They cover for things or pay high percentages towards items even though vehicles are out of warranty.

With regard to the case mentioned, if a stone has caused the damage well then unfortunately it wouldn't be covered. I would be extremely surprised if Renault didn't help out towards the cost of repair.

Good luck with the search for a car!

 

[Portius]

Welcome

The trouble with the internet is people will only take the trouble to write on forums when it's bad news so you'll rarely find stories of good service/ experiances.
In the short time I've been on here I've actually seen a few post about good will gestures by RUK for cars out of warranty, so they're not evil corporate types and do genuinely seem to care for their customers.
As for the new Clio they are getting really good reviews and most reviewers seem surprised how good they actually are.

Click here for Chris Harris' Video Review of the RenaultSport 200EDC

 

[nutnutwelshman]

With RUK it's case by case I've had two dealings and both times they have gone well above the norm and I've had 9 cars

 

[MikeO]

Thanks so far guys. Sounds at least a bit promising now. Got to be honest, I was somewhat deflated after finally thinking that I had found a car that I fancied, only to have the wind knocked out of my sales.

Mentalpen ... "you really need to drive the car tho ( i know you will ) but its not a PURE hot hatch like the clio's of old or the megane imo which isn't to everyones cup of tea."

You are so right about needing to drive the car. I've spent the last couple of months lusting after a Fiesta ST (ruled out now anyway because of requiring 4 doors) and finally got to drive one the other week and I've got to say (swimming against the tide here I think) but while finding it a potent beast on the right road (which it was), the suspension was just far too hard for the badly made up roads round here. I think it would be fair to use the word "harsh". Not knocking the car, on the right road it's great but on a lot of others.... The fact that pretty much all reviews mention that the current Renault sport Clio has a reasonably compliant suspension, is one of the things that is attracting me to it. Not looking for a hard core hot hatch these days (getting to be an old Fart me thinks ). Hence why I like the Swift sport so much (great handling but a bit of give in the ride).

Starting to think it might be worth the 150 mile round trip to try the car up at Park's. They at least appear to be marked up as a Renault sport dealer.

Question. Does a dealer need to specialise in the Renault sport range to sell them? or can any dealer order one up. It's just that I can't see the local Arnold Clark having a demo (could be proved wrong).

Almost starting to think that I might consider chopping the Swift in now, rather than wait a few more months. Rather have the service date during the summer time, than have to worry about the weather when booking it in for a service ( IE. if I wait till later in the year). The Swift is only 18 months old, so going to take a big hit on it... but hey, that's life with cars.

 

[-Eddie-]

Any dealer could order you one up, they don't need to specialise in the a RenaultSport range.

 

[smoggy mark]

Welcome to the forum good luck with your new motor if you get one.

 

[MikeO]

Strike while the iron is hot, that's what I say.

Popped into our local Renault dealer today (an Arnold Clark) and must admit that the sales folk could not have been more helpful. Though I suppose they are there to sell me a car after all. No Renault sport Clio demo, no surprise there I suppose. So had a shot in a diesel one (yes I know). At least it gave me a feel for size, trim etc. Up shot is that they do have a demo in the network and they are going to get it up here for late this week / early next week for me to get a "proper" test drive. Talked some figures on a 2 year PCP and after a bit of pushing, things seemed to be looking reasonable enough. Even the trade in on the Swift (which they guaranteed till September) wasn't too bad. Though it looks like if I wanted one, they have none in the system and it would be a factory build (probably Lux model in flame red). No problem, as I would rather get the latest reg if I decide to go ahead. TBC ... should be fun.

Interesting though... Phoned my current insurer (LV=) and while the premium they quoted wasn't to bad, they wanted to increase the excess's a fair old bit! plus wanted a tracker fitted!! The good old Meerkats were showing around (£151 - £300 excluding the usual very silly high quotes ... pays to be old sometimes:clap and no mention of a tracker. So looks like I may have to change Insurer prior to any potential purchase. No real issue with having a tracker fitted but for a very low insurance area like this, I think it is unnecessary. Especially if the car is bought on a PCP.

 

[badbuzz2]

Welcome to the Club Flame red is the best colour buy far lol :thumbup1:

 

[MikeO]

Welcome to the Club Flame red is the best colour buy far lol :thumbup1:

Thanks for that.

How are you finding the DSG box on your car? Probably the biggest worry for me... After getting my self hyped up, I rather hope I get on with it when the dealer finally gets a demo up for me to try!

Is that the Cup chassis I see? A bit disappointed that I can't get the red brake callipers on the stock car (a minor point I know ... but you know how it is:lol.