Long-term update: 2009 Renault Safrane V6
Our 2009 Renault Safrane hit the 10,000 km mark, so we took it in for a dealer service in Dubai. Making the appointment a day earlier by phone was hassle-free, and we dropped off the car at 10 am in the morning.
We specified that we’d like to get the loose door pocket tightened, the windshield wipers replaced, a popped-out piece of rubber trim on the door sill fixed, and the mild jerk in the gearbox checked. The wiper rubbers had already fallen apart, likely from sitting in the sun while the car sat on the lot before we bought it. The rubber trim piece on the door has been hanging loose since the first week we had the car. We also asked them to check if our extended warranty is on their records, but the service man simply kept asking for an “invoice” instead of checking on his computer.
Anyway, we left and later that day, got a call from the service centre by 4 pm that the car was ready. We hobble along to the centre, and find out that our service cost only Dhs 350, the standard rate for a basic 10k service. Not bad at all.
However, they said the loose door pocket is “normal”, they forgot to replace the windshield wipers, they said they don’t have the clips in stock for the loose rubber door trim, and of course, the jerks in the transmission is also “normal”.
We then ask them to change the cheap-looking wiper rubbers on the spot, and they quote us a whopping Dhs 180. So then we headed to the nearest petrol-station garage and bought some generic Nissan wipers for Dhs 60.
We give the dealer service centre 10 out of 10 for service charges compared to Japanese brands, but a 5 out of 10 for trying to screw us on spare-parts costs, and a 0 out of 10 for not fixing our minor under-warranty problems.
The Renault Safrane is the perfect car for those who want a comfortable no-frills ride, and my near-retirement father is enjoying the drive every day. Fuel economy has also improved even more over time, as the engine frees up further. Our servicing experience doesn’t reduce our opinion of the car one bit.
Original Mileage When Bought: 110 km
Latest Mileage To Date: 10,100 km
Latest Average Fuel Economy: 8.2 litres/100 km
Cost of Latest Problems: Dhs 0
Cost of Latest Maintenance: Dhs 410Total Non-Fuel Running Cost Since Bought: Dhs 410
Comments
Rahul Jones
2009 MY car with 10,000KMs is really really low……
And the mild jerk, I feel an unneeded downshift caused which happen only when the odo is almost near the next service but solved after the service by the dealer but not the same if the oil and filter change is done outside.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
We bought the car new in August 2010. The gear jerks slightly more than expected when shifting between R, N and D. I suspect a simple transmission fluid change will make the jerks better.
ronnie
Try depressing the brake pedal harder than usual while shifting the transmission,this may reduce the feel of the jerk.Its more obvious during a cold start and feels better through the day.If so the fluid may definetly need replacment as it may not have enough viscosity.
Rahul Jones
My Isuzu Trooper made steel banging noise when shifting to R or D but it was said normal. Though it was loud enough to freak a person who was texting who was standing near the vehicle.
rana
my pajero service in kuwait for 10k km was 200 dh
Asif
i’m sure, this car has value for money. people are not aware of safranes. we need to educate them on the positive aspects of the car. infact, this car sale is picking up in uae.
7asoon
Hey Mash, we haven’t heard anything on the Nissan Patrol with the manual gearbox,I remember you posting some pictures but nothing else came of that, was it real or just a rumor?
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Who knows. Either they didn’t announce it, or the earthquake affected the supply.
Rahul Jones
Its coming. Expected to release on September. During the time of Japan’s Tsunami I heard it might be delayed. But I think everything is getting back to normal.
7asoon
oh thanks, cheers
Prado
concerning mild jerks there should be none.. on a new car at least
ROJ
Its a new Renault…
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
It’s a Nissan with a Renault badge.
shanosblue
just got a 0kms 2010 safrane, what the gears tell me is simple… heavy foot will cause above average RPM and time to get them gears to shift … the engine told me to forget wheel spins… does 140 kms/hr smoothly… its an outstanding car with a gorgeous price tag …
shani
it is a nice looking car.