In 2009, to replace the painfully familiar Renault Megane, a new product from the eminent French automaker, called Renault Fluence, entered the Eastern European market. This car belongs to the so-called "golf class", adopting all its pros and cons. An interesting design, in which the lines of the hood and roof smoothly flow into the lines of the trunk, appealed to a large number of potential buyers. We can say that design is the strong point of this car. The developers of the car miraculously managed to turn a fairly budget product into a car with a big swing for the business class. It was this feature that became the main factor in the good sales performance of Renault Fluence in Russia. It is clearly seen that the French engineers did their best when designing this car, but a number of errors made during production led to the fact that the final product had some weaknesses. In this article, we will outline the main advantages and disadvantages of Renault Fluence for the Russian consumer, talk about the feasibility of this purchase, and also tell you what you should pay attention to if you want to buy this car in the secondary market.
Specifications
- Petrol engines, 1.6 or 2.0 liters. and a power of 106 hp. and 137 hp respectively*;
- Transmission: 5MKPP, 4AKPP or CVT*;
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 4610x1810x1480 mm;
- Body type: sedan;
- Drive: front;
- Ground clearance: 160 mm;
- Number of doors: 4;
- Maximum allowable weight: 1730 kg;
- Tank volume: 60 l;
- Luggage compartment volume: 535 l;
- Suspension (front): independent, multi-link MacPherson type;
- Suspension (rear): semi-independent, on a torsion beam;
- Brakes (front and rear): disc.
* - depending on the configuration.
The main advantages and benefits of Renault Fluence
- Reliable power units;
- Roomy and comfortable interior;
- Large luggage compartment;
- High ground clearance;
- Energy-intensive and reliable suspension;
- Inexpensive in the secondary market;
- Warm in winter;
- Cheap maintenance;
- Fuel efficiency;
- Small amount of tax and insurance;
Let's consider them in more detail:
- Reliable power units.
Both engines available for the Russian market have already established themselves as fairly reliable units, as evidenced by the numerous reviews of the owners. With minimal maintenance, these motors are able to cover more than 300 thousand km without problems. and do not require repair.
- Roomy and comfortable interior.
Although the car belongs to the budget segment of the market, the quality of the materials used in the cabin and its dimensions can pleasantly surprise. The car can easily fit 5 people without causing each other much discomfort. The seats and steering column are generously adjustable so that even tall people can ride with pleasure.
- Large luggage compartment.
A large trunk is the next trump card of this car after the appearance. According to this parameter, Renault Fluence can compete even with cars of a higher class, and the possibility of folding the rear row of seats simply amazes the imagination of some owners, because in this case it is possible to fit into the car what her classmates did not even dream of.
- High clearance.
Adapted for Russian reality, the model received an increase of 40 mm. ground clearance, so that all standard curbs do not pose any danger to the front and rear bumpers. In addition, this made it possible to decently increase the Renault Fluence's cross-country ability on some difficult sections of roads.
- Energy-intensive and reliable suspension.
The people have long begun to make legends about the reliability of the suspension of this model. The secret of its success is simple - there is nothing to break. Everything is arranged according to the technology of 20 or even 30 years ago, but with some improvements, thanks to which it was possible to achieve amazing road stability, energy intensity, reliability and smoothness. And the low cost of repairs and the cheapness of most suspension components is a bonus.
- Inexpensive in the secondary market.
Since this car belongs to the economy class, it quickly depreciates. Using this, you can buy yourself a good used car for very reasonable money.
- Warm in winter.
A very efficient stove is installed in the car, which is able to completely warm up the interior in a matter of minutes. This was achieved through the use of an indecently large heater radiator in versions of the car adapted for Russia.
- Cheap service.
The high prevalence of this model in our vast territory, as well as rare visits for repairs by most owners, have led to the fact that the cost of many spare parts for this machine is very pleasant. For example, scheduled maintenance with an oil change, all filters, spark plugs and drive belts will cost the owner about 15-20 thousand, which is very pleasing.
- fuel economy.
Small atmospheric motors from this manufacturer have always been distinguished by their efficiency. The power units described above are no exception to the rule and, with a moderate driving style, can show fuel consumption of 6-7 liters per 100 km. in mixed mode.
- Small amount of tax and insurance.
Small and rather low-power engines can not only save gasoline, they also allow you not to spend fabulous sums on paying taxes and insurance premiums. So for a practical person who knows the value of money, the operation of this machine will clearly appeal to you.
- A large number of additional options.
For a fairly low price, compared to its closest competitors, in this car you can find a large number of modern auxiliary systems and additional options inherent in more expensive representatives of the automotive market.
Weaknesses and disadvantages of Renault Fluence
- Ignition coils leak water, which can cause misfiring after driving through large puddles or washing the engine;
- Unreliable power window mechanism;
- In severe frosts, the backstage cables freeze;
- Condensation often accumulates in the trunk;
- The salon is prone to the so-called. "crickets";
- The dimensions of the car are poorly felt;
- Soft and quite vulnerable to adverse conditions body metal;
- Low-powered 1.6-liter engine;
- Weak and insufficiently reliable 4-speed automatic transmission;
- Short gears manual transmission;
- It quickly loses value in the secondary market;
- The interior fabric gets dirty quickly.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, we can say that if you fundamentally need a car with an automatic transmission, then it is better to look at options with a 2-liter engine paired with a CVT. If you are an adherent of the "old school" and only recognize mechanics, then the version with the 1.6 engine will be a good choice. But it’s better not to consider buying a car with an obsolete and poorly proven torque converter, as this can ruin your impression of a fairly good car.
The very process of choosing and inspecting a used car of this model is unremarkable and quite standard. Carry out a complete diagnosis of the suspension and internal systems, pay attention to the integrity of the body and check the car against the basis of insurance payments. These cars are almost never stolen. The only thing worth paying special attention to is the absence of a ban on registration actions, because most of these cars are bought on credit.
P.S.: Dear car owners, if you have found frequent breakdowns of any components, assemblies or parts, please report this in the comments below.
04.02.2018
Renault Fluence is a French car produced by the Renault-Nissan alliance. This model has been presented on our market not so long ago (since 2010), but has already become very popular among domestic motorists. There are several reasons for this - low cost (the price tag for a car is not much higher than that of the same Logan), good equipment, a spacious interior, presentable appearance. But there are motorists who are distrustful of French cars, considering them not reliable enough. Therefore, today I decided to find out how things are with the reliability of this bestseller and what you should pay attention to when buying a used Fluence in the secondary market.
A bit of history:
Renault Fluence was first introduced in 2004 at the Louis Vuitton Classic car festival in England, and then at the Paris Auto Show. It was an exhibition model, made in the body of a coupe, which was created by designer Patrick le Quement, known throughout the world as the creator of the Ford Sierra. The production version of the car was developed by a group of French designers led by Shamir Sherfan. The premiere of the Fluence serial model took place in 2009 at the Frankfurt auto show, but official sales started only in 2010. The new sedan was built on the same platform as the Renault Megane 3, the front chassis was borrowed from this model, but the rear was taken from the Nissan Sentra. The assembly was carried out by the Oyak-Renault plant in the Turkish city of Bursa, Renault Megane 2 (sedan) was also produced there. In Renault's lineup, Fluence replaced the second-generation Megan sedan.
In 2012, Renault Fluence underwent a restyling, during which the car received an updated design that matches the corporate style of Renault. The debut of the updated version of the car took place at the auto show in Istanbul. The main changes took place in the front of the car - a large corporate logo and new front optics appeared. There were also changes in the trim levels - they began to install xenon headlights, a multimedia system, a USB port in the audio system and standard running lights. In Russia, the assembly of an updated version of the car began in April 2013 at the Renault-Russia plant (Avtoframos). The next facelift took place in 2015. This time, the changes affected the rear of the car - rear diode lights and brake lights became available. To date, it is known that the Renault-Nissan alliance is at the final stage of development of the second generation Renault Fluence. Unofficial sources claim that the sedan is being created on the basis of the fourth generation Megan.
Weaknesses and disadvantages of Renault Fluence with mileage
The paintwork of the car is moderately soft and holds up well, with the exception of the plastic elements of the body. So, for example, the varnish from the front bumper could begin to peel off after a couple of years of operation. Things are not much better with chrome elements (company emblem, lower grille lining and PTF lining) - after a couple of winters they become cloudy, and then they begin to peel off. Over time, in places where the seals come into contact with the body, the paint wears off to metal. This problem is unpleasant, but not critical - it is eliminated by pasting problem areas with a protective film (how to do it yourself wrote in the article).
Over the years, problems may arise with the corrosion resistance of the body, especially if the car is operated in a metropolis, where in winter I generously sprinkle roads with chemicals. Despite this, it is impossible to say that the body of the car is very rotting, and no one has ever attributed it to the number of problematic ones. The fastest mushrooms appear on the thresholds, wheel arches and hood. Also at risk is a niche under the windshield, bottom hinges, spars, the junction of the spars and the motor shield (these places are not galvanized).
Among other troubles of Renault Fluence, one can note the unreliability of the lock switches and the sagging of the hinges of the rear doors and trunk. Over time, the door locks begin to creak (it is eliminated by lubrication), and by 60-80 thousand km the rollers in the door opening limiters are erased (clicks appear). If an unpleasant ringing is heard in the cabin while driving, check the condition of the aluminum bottom protection, it often bends and knocks on the muffler. The windshield is sensitive to temperature changes (it can burst), so in severe frosts it is not recommended to turn on the glass heating until the interior warms up at least a little. If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, then when replacing the glass, it is advisable to buy a new sensor, since after replacement, air bubbles may appear under the lens.
Power units
Renault Fluence has a wide range of gasoline and diesel engines with good dynamics and efficiency: gasoline - 1.6 (106 and 116 hp), 2.0 (138 and 143); diesel - 1.5 (86, 105 and 110 hp). Engine 1.6 ( K4M) is well known to fans of the brand for the models Logan, Clio and Megan. The most common problem owners face is the failure of the phase regulator. As a rule, the disease manifests itself after 120,000 km of run, so it is recommended to change the phase regulator with every second timing belt replacement. In the initial stage, the disease is manifested by a characteristic crack. If the problem is not corrected, traction will worsen in the future, and interruptions in engine operation are also possible. A feature of this motor is a difficult start after a long stop in the cold season. When contacting a service, first of all, dealers offer to update the engine control unit software, replace spark plugs and clean the throttle body. Unfortunately, these procedures do not always solve the problem.
Often, starting difficulties are caused by a malfunction of the starter fuse or solenoid relay, and sometimes the starter itself, as well as the use of low-quality fuel. It is worth mentioning such common troubles as “triple” and floating revolutions. In the first case, the culprits may be the ignition coil, injectors and spark plugs, with high mileage, you need to check the compression. In the second case, the crankshaft position sensor and the ignition coil are most often to blame. The thermostat on this power unit rarely serves more than 80,000 km, then it starts to leak and wedge. You should not delay replacing it, as this can lead to mixing of oil with antifreeze. The fuel level sensor is also not famous for its reliability - it changes as an assembly with a gasoline pump.
Despite the fact that the HR16DE-H4M motor (116 hp) is more recent and equipped with a timing chain drive (depending on the quality of service, a chain with tensioners lasts from 120,000 to 200,000 km), it is less reliable. The most unpleasant problem is oil consumption, which appears on a run of 120-150 thousand km. In addition, in severe frosts, the engine has problems starting and may stall at idle (most likely, the ignition block relay needs to be replaced). Experienced owners of cars with such an engine have already gotten used to this problem - they change candles more often, and during start-up they work with the gas pedal, this improves the situation a little, but, in general, this is an unpleasant feature of the engine. Of the less significant troubles, a relatively small resource of engine mounts (vibrations appear) and burnout of the exhaust pipe ring can be noted.
A two-liter engine is more common on popular Nissan cars (Teana, Qashqai,) than on Renault. Of the common malfunctions of this engine, it can be noted: increased oil consumption - most often the problem is caused by a large amount of carbon deposits in the cylinders or severe wear of the oil scraper rings. A small resource of the timing chain, when it is stretched, dips appear during sharp acceleration, dynamics deteriorate, idle speeds float. Often the owners are bothered by unstable idling - it is eliminated by cleaning the throttle. Over time, the alternator belt begins to whistle, if there is no time to replace the belt, you can try to tighten it.
Of the less common malfunctions, it is worth noting the problem of cylinder head cracking. If cracks have already appeared on the block, it is important, when changing the candles, not to apply a lot of effort when tightening, otherwise the cracks will go along the thread, the engine will start to triple and the disease will progress. If there is a problem in the spark plug well (usually the first one), a lot of antifreeze accumulates. Treatment - replacement of the block head. In general, this motor can be safely called reliable, the declared resource is 300-350 thousand kilometers.
Diesel power units Renault Fluence
Diesel engines look better than gasoline engines in terms of fuel consumption, but the high cost of maintenance and the capricious dCi fuel system make these engines not much more economical than gasoline ones. Among the main disadvantages, a high probability of injector failure at a range of 70-100 thousand km can be noted (the worse the quality of the fuel used, the less resource), the elements of the dephi fuel system are especially vulnerable. If faulty injectors are not changed for a long time, this can lead to rotation of the piston liners. The turbine is another weak point of these engines, on some instances it fell into disrepair after 60,000 km of run. Also, it is worth noting the high probability of early failure of the EGR valve and injection pump.
Another problem that owners of cars with diesel engines face is the small resource of the particulate filter. The cost of a new filter scares even wealthy owners, so many remove it when the first signs of a malfunction appear. If you do not change the oil in a timely manner, extending the change intervals can turn the connecting rod bearings. In fairness, it should be said that most problems are likely only with poor-quality service. Therefore, when purchasing a car with dci, you should change the oil, filters, etc. in time, in general, everything you need, and refuel at proven gas stations.
Transmission
Renault Fluence was equipped with 5 and 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic transmission and CVT (installed with a two-liter engine and restyled 1.6). The mechanical transmission is generally reliable, but on some copies of the first years of production, the owners called it jerking at the start after a long traffic jam. The problem could only be solved by replacing the clutch kit. Closer to 80,000 km, the clutch master cylinder and release bearing may require attention. After 100,000 km of run, the bearings begin to make noise, but this does not affect the performance of the transmission. If, with the advent of cold weather after a long parking, the gearshift lever starts to walk tight, it is necessary to lubricate or replace the cable. The reason is that moisture gets into the casing in which the cable moves and freezes. Clutch nursed over 100,000 km.
The automatic transmission is not a very successful unit, and its resource largely depends on the driving style and service intervals. The main disadvantage of this type of transmission is jerking and jerking during gear changes. Most often, the culprit for this behavior of the machine is the incorrect operation of the pressure modulation solenoid valve. It is also worth noting the unsuccessful design of the hydraulic unit. All this is aggravated by overheating (there are no overheating sensors) and the tight setting of the GTR blocking.
The CVT (Jatco) in terms of reliability looks preferable to the classic automatic transmission, but despite this, it cannot be called problem-free. So, for example, under heavy loads (cold races, long driving at maximum speed, etc.), there is a high probability of early transmission failure due to damage to the cones and chain. With small runs (up to 100,000 km) at low revs (up to 1500), the variator may start to creak, gnash, this is due to sagging of the belt. To fix the problem, you need to update the software of the transmission control unit. Also, on a run of up to 100,000 km, the pressure reducing valve of the variator pump may fail (jerks appear), the sun gear of the planetary gear and bearings. With careful operation and timely maintenance (50-60 thousand km), the variator can last more than 200,000 km without costly repairs.
Resource running, steering and brakes Renault Fluence
Renault Fluence is equipped with a semi-independent suspension: in front - MacPherson strut, in the back - a torsion beam. As for the reliability of the suspension, in general it has proven itself on the positive side, but with the advent of cold weather it can bother with extraneous squeaks and knocks. Cars assembled in Turkey have a small ground clearance of 125 mm, if ground clearance plays an important role for you, you can eliminate the disadvantage by installing racks from Renault Laguna with increased ground clearance. If you do not take into account the stabilizer struts and bushings (on average, they serve 30-50 thousand km), then the first suspension repair will have to be done no earlier than 80-100 thousand km. The main weak point of the suspension is the boot of shock absorbers - it can begin to delaminate after 30,000 km. The problem is solved by installing anthers from the VAZ 2110 and fenders from the VAZ 2108. With the timely elimination of this defect, the shock absorbers will last at least 80,000 km. For careful drivers, the replacement of racks is carried out at a range of 120-150 thousand km.
Ball bearings, silent blocks of levers and other rubber bands, as a rule, change after 90-100 thousand km. In the steering system, the first problems appear closer to 150,000 km - the rake begins to knock. It is also possible the appearance of extraneous knocks due to problems in the splined connection (gives to the steering wheel while driving on rough roads). The brake system has one interesting feature - the rear hubs are made integral with the brake discs, fortunately, the resource of these parts does not differ much (120-150 thousand km). In cars with a two-liter engine, due to an unsuccessful location, the vacuum hose valve may freeze, as a result, the pedal becomes tight or may not be pressed at all. To protect yourself from possible troubles, it is recommended to put an additional casing on the hose.
Salon and electrics
Despite the low cost of the car, the quality of finishing materials does not raise questions. The only thing that can be criticized a little is the leatherette, from which the steering wheel braid and seat upholstery are made - it quickly loses its presentation, and cracks appear on the sidewalls of the seats over time. As for acoustic comfort, the cabin seems quiet against the background of classmates. Over the years, the silence can be broken by the headrests of the front seats, the armrest and the trim in the area of \u200b\u200bthe seat belts (a creak appears). In the cold season, many complain of a “freezing” left leg. To eliminate the disadvantage, it is necessary to close the gaps between the duct pipes.
Of the weak points of Renault Fluence electrical equipment, a small resource of the heater motor can be noted - it starts to make noise by 100,000 km. Repairing a motor is not cheap (requiring a manifold replacement), but buying a new one will cost even more - about 300 bucks. After 3-5 years of operation, the range of keyless entry decreases. The reason is that the contacts in the key antenna are oxidized. Not famous for reliability and external temperature sensor. If the sensor is faulty, the climate system may not work properly. There are also malfunctions in the audio system - it spontaneously turns off, resets the settings, turns off the speakers. If the car often bothers with minor malfunctions in electronic systems, first of all check whether the terminals are well connected to the battery, usually the reason is precisely in them.
Outcome:
It has established itself as a reliable, comfortable and unpretentious car, which even after 100,000 km, with careful operation, externally and technically can be in a state close to ideal. In fairness, it must be said that the model has a number of typical shortcomings, but unlike many competitors, significant investments are not required to eliminate them.
If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you had to face during the operation of the car. Perhaps it is your review that will help readers of our site when choosing a car.
Sincerely, editorial Autoavenue
As we have already said, Fluence came to Russia relatively recently - in 2010. Formally, it belongs to the “golf” class, however, with its dimensions (length - 4.62 meters!) In every possible way it aims for more solid cars in the company. The design of Fluence sharply aged its predecessor: the newcomer became less outrageous, but at the same time did not become boring. And the most attractive car looks in dark colors.
The sedan, built on the third-generation Megan chassis, is produced in the Turkish city of Bursa, and more recently, cars for the Russian market have received Moscow registration at the Avtoframos plant. However, all three-year-olds carry a Turkish VIN.
Basic versions boast a pair of pillows, ABS, air conditioning and power accessories. Other delicacies - for an extra charge. In rich versions, you can find climate and cruise control, combined trim, bi-xenon and keyless start. There are two motors, and each of them is combined with both "mechanics" and "automatic".
Prices for three-year-olds start at 400,000 rubles for the base engine, and 2-liter versions are at least a hundred thousand more expensive. The new Fluence at dealers costs 625,000 and 761,000 rubles, respectively. Thus, buying a three-year plan allows you to gain 200,000–250,000 rubles - that is, up to 50% of the price of a car without a run. Tempting? Undoubtedly! And yet, let's not rush to hit the piggy bank on the floor - let's better find out everything about the reliability of the "Frenchman".
Body and electrical equipment
Salt and rubber
There are no complaints about the body coating itself: the Turks do not spare paint, therefore, by their own will, three-year-olds do not lose their elegant appearance. But there is one thing - rubber seals. On some cars, they begin to rub hard against the body, thus scraping off the paint in different places. When examining the copy you like, pay special attention to the edging of the front doors, carefully inspect the arches in the rear door openings and the end of the trunk lid. Most often, the paint gives slack in these places.
If rust on a Renault is quite rare, then a dying starter is a mass phenomenon. It's all about its low location and lack of insulation, which the designers did not provide. And then salt and reagents in large cities do their dirty work. Usually the starter lasts two winters.
Transmission
Keep an eye on the oil level
"Fluence" offered customers a choice of both "mechanics" and "automatic". At the start of sales, the role of the automatic transmission was performed by a classic and simple 4-band torque converter, and in the second year it was replaced by a stepless variator. The clutch on "manual" machines (unless, of course, you burn it on purpose) takes care of 100,000 km or more, and mechanics have not had any questions about CVTs so far.
It is only worth noting the modulation valves on the “machine”, which sometimes failed, however, in most of these incidents, these malfunctions were fixed by dealers under warranty.
Engine
Pair of normal
The engineers supplied their ward with two naturally aspirated 16-valve gasoline engines. The simplest 1.6-liter K4M engine with a capacity of 106 forces was developed by the French themselves, and the 2-liter M4R (137 hp) was borrowed from colleagues from Nissan. Both motors are unpretentious and perfectly digest our fuel. The younger brother has a timing belt, which should be changed every 60,000 km according to the regulations. In addition, every 15,000 km it requires the replacement of candles.
His more powerful counterpart has an exceptionally reliable chain in the gas distribution mechanism. The combustible mixture in the M4R is ignited by iridium candles - they should be updated at every fourth MOT (that is, once every 60,000 km). The attachment belt for both engines changes at the same frequency - every 60,000 km.
Suspension and steering
role model
The suspension of the Turkish "Frenchman" is typical for inexpensive front-wheel drive cars: in front - "McPherson", in the back - a twisted beam. The European clearance of 125 mm in our conditions turned out to be insufficient, therefore, in the process of adapting Fluence to Russia, it was increased by almost a third - by 40 mm, and stiffness was added to the suspension.
Shock absorbers in our "directions" take care of an average of 80,000 km. Upon reaching a run of 60-70 thousand, most likely, it will be necessary to replace the bushings and stabilizer struts when the former begin to creak and the latter begin to knock. Any rubber bands change extremely rarely, even with runs exceeding 100,000 km, since the suspension is simple and everything is sorted out in a jiffy.
Of the other troubles, it is worth noting the ball bearings that are assembled with the front levers: if they “run out” ahead of time, you will have to change the entire assembly. True, the need for this does not arise very often.
There are no complaints about the electric power steering, as well as the rear beam - these components require replacement only after serious accidents.
The front brake pads are usually changed for the second MOT (30,000 km), and the rear ones for the third (45,000 km). Brake discs traditionally last twice as long.
Buying?
We have no objections to the purchase of a three-year-old Fluence. A quarter of a million is a good reason to buy a used copy. The 1.6 Mg option is quite suitable for confident movement in space. If you want to get rid of the "extra" pedal and "handmade", then we advise you to take a closer look at the 2-liter version. Yes, such a car is a hundred thousand more expensive, but with the base engine, the “automatic” is annoyingly slow.
"I'm going to Russia for a car. Please tell me what to look for when buying a Renault Fluence 1.6 CVT 2013 onwards (restyling)? What are the features of the inspection when buying a used car with a CVT? Could an accident affect the condition of the CVT? "
What is Renault Fluence, including in terms of second hand, we. But then it was about a model released before restyling, while the version that interests our reader has certain differences precisely in terms of the engine and transmission. Let's dwell on them.
Let's start with the power row. Since we are talking about a car for the Russian market and with a CVT, the choice will come down to two versions: 1.6 (114 hp) and 2.0 (138 hp). Both engines are well known from the…Nissan Qashqai! Yes, yes, that's right: the 2.0-liter engine is M4R / MR20DE, and the 1.6-liter for modification with a CVT is H4M / HR16DE (for the version with a manual gearbox, the “renoshny” K4M with 106 hp was retained) . Although engines are considered "Nissan", they are installed on many models of the Renault-Nissan alliance.
Since we are talking about buying a fairly "fresh" car, you don't have to worry too much about the residual life of the engines: no global problems have been noted, although there may already be minor issues. So, although the engines are simple, they are demanding on the quality of fuel. For example, over time, the throttle body and fuel injectors may need to be flushed.
Both engines have a timing chain drive, which eliminates the mandatory replacement of the kit immediately after buying a used car, but does not at all guarantee that this operation will not have to be spent on in the more or less foreseeable future. The problem is that the chain can stretch already at a run of 120-150 thousand km.
There are nuances with the maintenance of motors. On a 1.6-liter, replacing the spark plugs will require the dismantling of the throttle assembly and the plastic intake manifold, which complicates (and increases the cost of) an ordinary, in general, operation. On the 2.0-liter version, everything is simpler, but the devil is in the details: here it is important to strictly observe the tightening torque of new candles, otherwise there is a risk of "getting" for repair, or even replacing the cylinder head!
However, the main attention when buying should still be given to the transmission. An adaptive X-Tronic CVT (Jatco JF011E) is installed on Fluence with the ability to manually switch six fixed gear ratios. What is this unit, we, therefore, here we present only the main points.
First of all, and most importantly, experts estimate the service life of this variator in the region of 200-250 thousand km. Among the typical problems of Jatco JF011E are premature wear of the pulleys and their bearings, a malfunction of the oil pump pressure reducing valve, as well as a step motor responsible for adjusting the gear ratio. To delay the onset of an expensive repair can be a careful driving style that excludes a sharp change in speed (acceleration and deceleration), as well as timely maintenance of the variator in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
In the situation described in the letter of our reader (a three-year-old car from Russia is considered for purchase), we recommend only those options that have a minimum mileage and a documented service history. In particular, you can consider cars that are traded in to official dealers.
The features of inspection and purchase are exactly the same as in the case of an automatic transmission: during an external examination, we make sure that there are no streaks on the variator case, during a test trip we pay attention to the operation of the transmission (alarming signs - extraneous sounds, hum, twitching, jolts, delays during change in speed or driving mode). We also strongly recommend a thorough diagnosis by specialists.
Can an accident affect the condition of the variator? Theoretically - yes. So, the transmission can receive mechanical damage at the moment of impact, and it is not at all necessary that the body will have some traces (for example, cracks or the same oil leaks), because the shock load can be transmitted, for example, through drive shafts. In addition, damage to the wiring can affect the operation of the box: it is not so uncommon for the power unit to malfunction due to an impact due to a broken cable. In general, certain problems are possible, but they depend on the nature of the damage to the car and the forces that acted on it at the time of the accident. Without knowing all the circumstances, it is difficult to make a forecast. But if the car received damage to the front end in general and the suspension in particular, this is a serious reason to pay attention to the transmission.
Ivan KRISHKEVICH
website
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Cars originally from France are traditionally less popular in Russia than their German competitors. Unless, of course, we are talking about Logan and its derivatives - we have a very special attitude towards cheap foreign cars. It would seem that the closest relatives of the Renault-Nissan concern should be popular, but no. They are satisfied with the role of always catching up in the competitive struggle for the Russian market, focusing on Logan and promoting crossovers and C + class sedans under the Nissan brand, produced in Russia.
So the hero of today's story, the Renault Fluence sedan, is not among the super popular. It’s just a rather original car, with its own advantages and disadvantages, but with a “stuffing” of units that our customers love.
Fluence replaced the Megane II sedan in the company's lineup. , as you know, appeared only in the form of three- and five-door hatchbacks and station wagons, and the sedan was left for countries where such a body is valued. It was released in Brazil and Turkey, and in Korea it was produced under the name Samsung SM3.
Pictured: Renault Mégane II Classic "2003–06 and Renault Mégane III"2008–12
Its relationship with Megane III cannot be hidden, but it is more difficult to guess that this is a “relative” of a whole bunch of cars on the Nissan C platform. Among them are the bestsellers Qashqai and X-Trail and the much less well-known Scenic microvans, the ancestor in the face of the Megane II, the almost unknown Koleos and many others ... Unlike the brilliant European Megane III, the sedan did not get a huge range of engines, but in all markets, the most popular “sizes” are available for it - gasoline 1.6, 2.0 and diesel 1.5 liters. In Europe, both the electric Fluence Z.E. and the powerful 2.0 TCe with a 180 hp engine were offered. With.
In the photo: Renault Fluence "2010–present
The base of the sedan is 6 centimeters longer, and the suspensions are tuned in a completely different way. And oddly enough, this radically changes the perception of the car. If Megane seems tough, then Fluence is comfortable and flexible. He is deprived of a strange “riding” French landing - the seats are set 3 cm lower, and the driver’s seat can fall even closer to the floor, while leaving enough space behind.
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In the photo: Renault Fluence "2012–present
At the same time, all the French "chips" are included: there is keyless entry in the initial configurations, and soft sofas, and an elaborate instrument panel with unusual ergonomics for the driver's and front passenger's seats, and excellent sound insulation, and an abundance of plastic in the design. And of course, the indispensable Jatco CVTs. In general, Fluence has something to love, but the design is fraught with many "pitfalls" for the owner. But more about this.
Body and interior
It cannot be said that the ancestors of the model became famous as absolutely non-corrosive, but no one classified them as problematic either. Compared to its predecessor, the number of plastic parts in the body structure has decreased, the front fenders and hood are now made of steel. But the body did not rust anymore: the paintwork is holding up well, however, the cars are still fresh.
Oddly enough, there is no galvanization on the bottom panels and side members, and the points of contact of the side members with the curbs, the junction of the side members and the engine shield remain at risk. There we will write a niche under the windshield. The cars are still relatively fresh, but sometimes there are complaints. And not at all a funny defect - the rear doors sag, and the sealant erases the paint on the doorway of the door. Dealers fix this defect under warranty the first time, but in the future, all costs will fall on the owner, so it's better to stick the films on the top of the opening. The locks creak very strongly, and it is difficult to determine the source of the sound - it seems that the door skins are creaking. Luckily, a simple lube helps a lot here. Very early, only by 60 thousand mileage, the rollers in the door opening limiters are erased and also begin to click. But here the lubrication no longer helps, the roller needs to be changed.
Pictured: Renault Fluence "2009–12
The heat-shielding aluminum screen on the bottom regularly bends when driving through puddles and starts to touch the muffler - the soundtrack is extremely annoying. The windshield does not like frost very much and can crack even with normal operation of the climate system in winter. And if there is a rain sensor on the car, then it is better to buy a new lens when replacing the glass - there is less chance that air bubbles will remain under it. The interior is not bad, but the seats and steering wheel with eco-leather on pre-styling cars are wiped very quickly. On restyling with the steering wheel, the problem was solved. But if the interior is dusty, then this is a consequence of improper installation of the filter - the process here is very original, the filter needs to be compressed to squeeze into the space allotted to it, and sometimes it simply does not straighten out inside.
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In the photo: Salon Renault Fluence "2009–12, Salon Renault Fluence" 2012–present. and Salon Renault Fluence GT "2015–present
By the way, the interior is very quiet compared to classmates, and the quality of the finishes is not bad, you just need to get used to the extremely unusual design and amorphous chairs. And another small but annoying moment: after the wear of the native wiper blades, you will undoubtedly be “pleased” with the problem of choosing something to replace. There is a Bayonet Arm here, and there are few alternatives. You will have to choose between expensive and ... very expensive models.
Electrical and electronics
I must say right away that the lamps in the headlights change normally here, and the skills of a proctologist are no longer required. The headlight simply pops out and the bulbs are replaced. But there is a problem with the rear lights: they need to be periodically removed and the contacts cleaned from oxides, since the negative terminal is very overloaded in the headlight connector - it can simply burn out. Use special lubricants for best results. Another serious problem is the heater motor, its resource is about a hundred thousand kilometers of urban mileage. The brushes simply erase the collector, and the motor starts to stop, and then it gets up forever. Road repairs require manifold replacement, and there is always a chance for substandard service. By the way, the price of a new motor is more than 300 euros, which is a bit off-budget. After several years of operation, the range of the keyless entry system decreases, due to the oxidation of the antenna contacts in the key over time. The external temperature sensor regularly breaks down, which entails incorrect operation of the climate system.Suspensions, brakes and steering
The car is rather small, but many solve the problem radically by installing racks with Renault Laguna with increased ground clearance. If you also put rubber with a high profile, then you get almost a “luxury Duster”. The suspension itself is surprisingly reliable, the resource of ball joints and shock absorbers is about 100 thousand kilometers, and the levers last a little longer. The quality of the “native” anthers of the front shock absorbers is below average, the owners recommend the “collective farm” with the installation of parts from the VAZ.
The brakes are completely standard and reliable, except for one "but". French originality manifested itself in the design of the rear hubs, they are here made integral with the brake disc. This is not to say that usually the resource of these nodes varies greatly, but this is a strange decision. Steering without any frills, reliable. There is only one complaint about the electric amplifier: it is very strangely tuned. The car is harsh in reactions to steering, but at the same time, the effort in the zero position is extremely small. But the “steering wheel” is filled with effort in sharp turns, trying to compensate for the lack of reactive action on a straight line.
Transmission
Mechanical gearboxes here with a good margin of safety, but in Russia they were only paired with 1.6 engines. On pre-styling machines with the same unit, the “legendary” automatic transmission of the DP2 series was also installed. These four-speed automatic transmissions are famous for their bad temper and excellent brittleness. Not the most successful design of the valve body - frankly cheap, and all this is aggravated by overheating and a tight setting of the blocking of the gas turbine engine. Moreover, in the Renault version (automatic transmissions of these series are also found on Peugeot, but in a different version), the box is hopelessly lazy and lacks overheating sensors. The resource strongly depends on the driving style, with gentle operation, the box can and does run one and a half hundred thousand kilometers, but for most owners, problems begin with half the mileage. True, the repair price is ridiculous by “box” standards: a complete bulkhead is put on stream and costs from 350 euros.
Jatco CVTs, which are used on 2.0, with restyled 1.6 engines are reliable, but you need to remember about the features of CVT durability. Impact loads, cold racing, high speed and low speed runs all carry the risk of damage to the cones and chain. The oil needs to be changed on time. For example, as Mitsubishi recommends for its cars with the same unit, that is, once every 60 thousand. And not at all “indefinitely”, like Renault. And yes, oil can be poured not from the extremely expensive original Elf Elfomatic, but also under the Nissan NS-2 brand, which, by pure chance, is also produced by Elf, has the same tolerances and works in the same CVTs, but on Nissan cars. With some luck and careful movement, the resource of such an automatic transmission will be more than 200 thousand kilometers. But, unfortunately, only a couple of attempts to get out of the snowdrift, drive onto the curb "in tightness" and ... now overheating, bullying and a sharp drop in resource. By the way, with a 1.6 motor, the variator, paradoxically, has a harder time than with 2.0 - it overheats when it gets stuck much more often.
