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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2014 18:47:11 GMT 1
So, I went out shopping in my Renault Megane (French), did that and on the way back the belt let go (was only doing 80kph, honest). Rang my insurers and in about 3 hours a recovery low loader turned up, after a promised 45 minute wait. Wouldn't take me home with the car, so we went to a local garage. Left me there and I got a taxi home. Phone rang about an hour later and it was the garage 'responsable'. The engine is broken, which is to say it probably bent a few valves when the belt snapped.I got the expected response when I asked 'combien' and am now left with sourcing another vehicle. Aaaargh....
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Post by bisdu on Mar 26, 2014 18:59:03 GMT 1
Bummer - sorry to hear that....theyre great when theyre going, but when theyre not......****
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Post by wibble on Mar 26, 2014 19:00:09 GMT 1
Can't you get an engine from a scrapper and drop that in - should be a straight forward DIY job :-)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2014 19:26:25 GMT 1
Can't you get an engine from a scrapper and drop that in - should be a straight forward DIY job :-) It's a reasonable idea but I really haven't got the facilities or tools to do that....or the will to if I'm honest. I think it's buying another car I'm afraid....how easy is it to lease a car in France?
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Post by bisdu on Mar 26, 2014 19:38:49 GMT 1
I know of someone who leased a car from superU - they hire them at €5 (ish) a day
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2014 21:26:10 GMT 1
Why do they still use cambelts on modern cars, OK chains used to be considered noisy but not these days.
The only (cynical) reason I can think of is that regular changing of a belt generates a lot of service revenue.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2014 21:33:46 GMT 1
Hope you get a hire car sorted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2014 22:09:40 GMT 1
I agree that chains would probably be a better solution. Thing is the 'kit distribution' was changed in Autumn 2012....I don't know whether other parts have failed and were contributing factors to it's demise.
Sab, not sure of hiring a car as it's expensive to hire but less so to lease (unless that's what you meant). The Megane cost me €1000 in September 2012 so I guess it's given value for money in a way. Funnily enough it's predecessor, a Nissan Micra, died in almost exactly the same way.
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Post by JohnP on Mar 27, 2014 8:07:58 GMT 1
Sorry to hear what happened. I agree about timing chains, at least they used to rattle when worn and give you a warning when they needed attention. I would suggest you keep an eye on "that other forum". There have been a few cheap cars for sale recently, not all RHD, and some seemed very good value. good luck.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2014 8:23:02 GMT 1
I agree JohnP, that there will be some cheap cars on the 'other place' but right now I'm thinking of going through a garage or dealers and spending a bit more than I have previously and being assured of some comeback should things go wrong.
In the last five years motoring costs for me have been minimal really. We had two cars, (both RHD) a Vauxhall Astra estate and a Nissan Micra. The Astra came over with us and the Nissan was gifted to us by friends returning to the UK. After my wife passed away I used the Nissan and the Astra wasn't started for a year until I swapped her for some fitted solid cherry kitchen worktops. Then the Nissan expired in September 2012 and I got the Megane, and I must admit it was easier to drive on these roads than a UK car, which made overtaking and pulling out at junctions 'interesting'.
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