Weaknesses and frequent malfunctions of Renault Fluence. What surprises to expect from Renault fluence with mileage Why fluence is no longer supplied

Renault Fluence appeared on the Russian market not so long ago, but has already managed to win the trust of a domestic motorist. Drivers were able to appreciate its merits for the first time in 2009. It has become an excellent alternative to Renault Megane, which is long outdated. The Renault-Nissan Alliance has proposed a new look at the modern French car, which is a child of globalism. It contains a lot of Japanese and Korean.

Certainly this great option budget sedan. Its cost is low, its appearance is presentable, the equipment is normal, the interior is spacious. But it is not perfect, the disadvantages of Renault Fluence since 2009 are very significant and cause a lot of trouble to the owners.

The cost of a car and build quality are interrelated. As a rule, the production of cheap machines involves the use of inexpensive materials. The latter are different low quality and a number of shortcomings. This problem also affected this vehicle.

The weaknesses of Renault Fluence include:

  • Suspension;
  • doors;
  • wipers;
  • Low beam lamps;
  • Body;
  • Engine;
  • Head unit;
  • Transmission.

The anthers of the front suspension struts may already require replacement after 30 tons. Km. As analogues, the owners put the anthers of the racks from the VAZ 2110 and the chippers from the VAZ 2108.

This is one of the very first problems Renault Fluence owners face. It is noticeable during the opening of the doors. Their course is quite hard, sometimes an unpleasant sound appears in the form of a bounce. This is due to the poor functioning of the sensors and the breakdown of the insulating plug, which is provided in the design.

To notice this problem is simple, just look at the condition of the gum. Its hanging in a wave indicates a breakdown. To eliminate, you can contact an authorized dealer, as it refers to a factory marriage.

The work of the janitors is also unlikely to please. After a while, they leave scratches on the glass. This problem should not be neglected, as it negatively affects the appearance of the glass. Official dealer in this case will not help, the malfunction will need to be fixed on its own.

low beam lamps

The headlight bulb burns out quickly. It is enough to drive 30 thousand kilometers for the device to fail. It is problematic to replace it with a new one. This is explained design features cars. Additionally, you need to remove the battery.

Common complaint about work engine oil. It happens extremely quickly, which is an unpleasant factor for the owner. But the manufacturer warns about this. He advises changing consumable if the mileage has reached 7.5 thousand km. This is fraught with turning the connecting rod bearings.

In diesel engines, the sore is particulate filter with little resources and at a great cost on him.

The paintwork on the body is very soft. Therefore, it is easy to damage and scratch. Save appearance The original car can only be handled with care. In practice, it's not just that drivers are a little upset. But rust rarely appears on the body.

In addition, the front struts are not encouraging. Since the manufacturer was chasing the aerodynamics of the car, they were seriously flunked. This negatively affected visibility. As a result, it is difficult to notice a pedestrian who quietly crept under the wheels to move along the narrow streets.

Head unit

Control of the radio tape recorder is not convenient for everyone. This procedure is not performed by traditional organs, but by the R-Link system. To have it in the car, the driver will have to pay extra. The sound quality is far from what it should be today. It is significantly inferior to many modern devices.

You can notice this drawback even in case of severe frosts. The car at -25 quite often does not start. The transmission is problematic. If the gearbox is mechanical, then the reverse gear is likely to break down and bearing noise can be traced over time. Negative reviews are also found about the variator associated with the belt. Drivers complain about the slow operation of the automatic transmission, jolts and jerks occur due to work solenoid valve pressure modulation.

Disadvantages of Renault Fluence since 2009

  1. Loud noise when driving at high speed;
  2. Weak dynamics;
  3. Heater fan motor;
  4. Ground clearance 125 mm. ;
  5. Loose door hinges;
  6. The operation of electrical equipment fails;
  7. Hard gear shifting in manual transmission;
  8. Inconvenient climate control in the cabin;
  9. The presence of non-galvanized places on the body;
  10. When moving, it leads away from the trajectory.

Conclusion.

Is it worth buying Renault Fluence since 2009 - a question that worries the consumer. It is difficult to answer it unambiguously. Like any car, this one has its pros and cons. If you know about them, carefully treats the car, then many shortcomings will appear insignificantly and it is quite possible to close your eyes to them.

P.S.: Dear owners of Fluence, if you have noticed systematic problems of any components, parts, of this car model, then report it in the comments below.

Weaknesses and common Renault malfunctions Fluence was last modified: October 9th, 2018 by Administrator

The concept version of Fluence was seen back in 2004 at the Paris Motor Show. But then, under this name, the company presented a two-door car that adorned the stand. Soon this model turned into the Laguna Coupe, and it was decided to give its name to a series of golf-class sedans. What do they say about Renault Fluence? We will present reviews, shortcomings, as well as detailed characteristics of this car in our today's review.

Machine appearance

Each new generation of cars is getting bigger and bigger. However, this model is slightly larger than the traditional golf class. In formal terms, yes, this is a golf class. It can be assumed that the model should replace the Megane, but the manufacturer claims that this different models and should not be compared. "Fluence" is a completely different car, and in terms of classes it stands somewhere in the middle, between C and D.

There are reasons for this. You can simply measure the dimensions of the body. So, "Fluence" became longer by 12 cm, the body gained 3 cm in width. Compared to "Megan", new model characterized by smooth and rounded lines. The body is more spectacular when viewed in detail, but many find the appearance rather controversial.

The sides and back of the car are great. But the principle by which the front part was made was not understood by many. Designers tried to combine the incongruous. Here elements of various forms are used. So, the “foglights” are round, the radiator grille is narrow, the corners of the air intake are oval, the headlights are pointed upwards. The company emblem is almost the same size as the headlight. But some people like the front view - this is a new corporate style, which is called "European-style". The car looks great in white - only it can very clearly emphasize all the lines of the body. Take a look at what a Renault Fluence looks like. Owner reviews, photos, pros and cons you will read below.

Some car enthusiasts call this design somewhat unpretentious and suitable for family people who really appreciate solidity and practicality. Despite the divergence of opinions, one thing is clear - the design is not boring.

At first glance, it seems that the body turned out to be of very high quality. This was achieved by French engineers thanks to the reduced gaps of parts, pleasant to the touch finish and other elements.

Body problems

According to the owners of the Renault Fluence car, there are flaws in the bodywork. But they are minor. This is soft metal, massive trunk loops, wipers. There are also some nuances that are associated with visibility, but this is already a design flaw.

In pursuit of aerodynamic performance, the front struts were seriously filled up. Because of this, visibility was significantly affected. On pedestrian crossings often you can not see a person who quietly creeps under the wheels. The same problem is observed when driving along the narrow streets of courtyards. To see the curbs on the sides, you need to climb on the dashboard. Since the back was raised, visibility through rear glass also not up to par.

Interior

There is enough free space in the cabin. The growth in volume is clearly visible not only from the outside, although the layout of the interior in this model is made like that of the C-class. The chairs are quite soft and comfortable. There are enough adjustments so that a driver of absolutely any height can comfortably sit behind the wheel and at the same time not bang his head against the ceiling. There are plenty of steering wheel adjustments too. The driver's seat is so comfortable that it almost does not feel any fatigue. And the sides do not numb even on a long trip.

Let's talk about the cons of the Renault Fluence car. Reviews of the owners of the shortcomings highlight the following: too tight handle for adjusting the backrest on the chair. It can slip in the hand during rotation. Although this is very inconvenient, it is insignificant. The slope is adjusted once.

Governing bodies

If any of the car owners remember what the past interiors looked like, then here the changes are formal. The gearshift lever and its podium are trimmed with chrome. Steering wheel perforated and stitched with white threads. But the Renault Fluence car has interior flaws, rather, controls. Owners note the presence of buttons on the steering wheel. This motorists have already noted in other models.

To the left of the steering wheel are the controls for cruise control, which, by the way, is only available in the top trim. But on the right are the B and Q buttons unknown to anyone, which are necessary to select options on-board computer. If we analyze the forums dedicated to the cars of this manufacturer, then few people understand why these buttons are. dashboard for some reason they didn't touch it. However, the backlight colors have changed.

You can analyze the information only while driving a Renault Fluence car. Owner reviews indicate that shortcomings are noticed immediately. This is the absence of traditional controls for the head unit - to work with music, the car is now equipped with the R-Link system, but it is installed only in the upper trim levels, so you will need to pay extra for it. Also, the owners speak unflatteringly about the sound quality in the head unit - it does not correspond to today's ideas about what high-quality sound should be.

Like at home

The salon feels fresh and expensive. Quality materials were used for decoration. The plastic is quite soft and pleasant to the touch, there are no loose or creaking parts. Also in the cabin they did a good job on soundproofing. The car is fully thought out. It really feels like home, despite minor omissions and shortcomings.

Specifications

Under the hood of "Fluence" can be gasoline or diesel engine. In the new generation, a 1.6 liter unit with 115 hp was added. with., which is paired with a variator. Manufacturers claim very low fuel consumption - only 6.4 liters in motion in the combined cycle.

A 1.6-litre diesel is also available. To feed 130 horses, he needs only 4.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in a combined mode of operation. However, diesel engines are not yet provided for our country. If you want to purchase an updated sedan in Russia, the manufacturer will offer a choice of three petrol units. These are already familiar 1.6 liters (109 hp), 2 liters (138 hp), as well as new engine volume of 1.6 liters and a capacity of 115 liters. with. About the car "Renault Fluence" (diesel), the reviews of the owners are generally positive. Despite the fact that diesel engines there is a characteristic noise and vibration, many are satisfied with low fuel consumption.

About the disadvantages

What do the owner reviews say about the Renault Fluence car? The disadvantages are back side merits. This is a fairly cheap, large and spacious car. But for 579,000 rubles, it is expected that both the interior and dynamic characteristics will be true to size.

Despite the length of 4168 mm, the line of powertrains does not offer anything powerful enough, and the interior trim, although solid, cannot amaze the imagination. Here, as in any other car, there are many different disadvantages.

Should I buy Renault Fluence? Feedback from the owners of the shortcomings allows you to analyze as detailed as possible. And this helps to identify all the weak points.

Weak dynamics

It must be said that for those who love speed, this machine won't fit. The 1.6 liter engine simply does not have such capabilities - it is frankly weak for high-speed racing. The characteristics of the motor are especially strong when overtaking on the highway. In the city it is not so noticeable.

Transmission operation

A serious minus is how this car behaves in winter. If it is -30 degrees outside, starting a car can be quite difficult. There are still problems with the operation of the transmission. In case of manual transmission often there are problems with the reverse gear.

For normal inclusion, serious efforts are required. In Renault Fluence, there are also disadvantages of the variator. The owners repeat unanimously about the inhibited operation of the CVT automatic transmission.

Soundproofing

dissatisfied owners and loud noise, which appears in the cabin when driving at high speeds or on broken roads. But maybe it's the budget tires that the car is equipped with from the factory? This is almost all that can be said about the Renault Fluence model. Owner reviews, of course, reveal shortcomings, but if you operate the car carefully and take into account that this is still a golf class, then you can turn a blind eye to some disadvantages. In any case, everyone chooses for himself which car he prefers.

"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 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 model... 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 need to replace 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. To the number typical problems Jatco JF011E can be attributed to premature wear of the pulleys and their bearings, a malfunction of the pressure reducing valve oil pump, as well as a step motor responsible for adjusting gear ratio. 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, can delay the onset of an expensive repair.

In the situation described in a letter from 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 drips 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 when changing 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 cases when, due to an impact due to a broken cable, malfunctions occur. power unit. 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 in model range company sedan model Megane II. , 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 motor 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. Windshield extremely dislikes frost 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 with rear lights there is a problem: they need to be periodically removed and the contacts cleaned of oxides, since the negative terminal in the headlight connector is very overloaded - 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. And in Renault versions(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. Shock loads, cold racing, races with maximum speed and at the smallest with a load - all this entails 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 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.

Motors

All motors here have long been known to Russian motorists. We know the 1.6 K4M engine from the old Megans, Logans and several other popular models. A more recent 1.6 engine on restyled cars is from the Nissan HR16DE series, it is slightly more powerful and noticeably lighter, the dynamics of the car with it is slightly better. His timing is chain, with a resource of 100-180 thousand kilometers and not exorbitant replacement prices. Unfortunately, it is deprived of the indestructibility of K4M, after 100-150 thousand kilometers it can begin to eat up oil due to coking piston group. But for Renault owners there is good news: soon this motor will be known in any car service in the country, because it is they who put it on Lada Vesta and Xray, which means that there will be no problems with the service or spare parts.

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 a copy you like, take Special attention edging of the front doors, carefully inspect the arches in the openings of the rear doors 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 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.

Among other troubles, it is worth noting ball joints, which 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.

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