Renault SAFRANE (1993 - 1999)
MODELS COVERED: First generation 1993-1996: 5dr hatchback 2.0, 2.2, 3.0V6, 2.
5 turbo diesel [RN, 8v, RT, RT Executive, Vi Executive, Executive] Second generation 1996-1999 5dr hatchback 2.0, 2.5 [base, 16v Executive, 20v Executive]
BY JONATHAN CROUCH
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Though you don't see many around,
Renault's big Safrane five-door executive challenger had more friends than you might imagine. Across the continent, it outsold most of its mainstream rivals. Here, it enjoyed a small but loyal following and those cars are worth seeking out if you fancy something a little different as a prestige used car. The Safrane suffered a little from the reputation of its predecessor, the 25, which was built to rather inconsistent standards early in its life and consequently suffered losses to its resale value and reputation.
The Safrane was an excellent product right from the start and, for buyers in the know, makes an excellent bargain used buy.
Renault always made much of the way that the Safrane's occupants were cocooned within a spacious and comfortable environment. For the driver, there's a specially designed dashboard which 'opens out' towards the passengers and flows into the door panels. For the facelifted October 1996-onwards cars, stowage spaces were incorporated throughout, with lidded bins in the front door armrests and there were new, softer colours to further improve the atmosphere over the original Safrane. The cars' dynamics are pretty much up to German standards and so is the build integrity. Not only do the doors 'clunk' shut and the switches work with a satisfying 'click', there's also a quality feel to the materials chosen for the interior.
The cheapest you'll find one of these cars is about £600 and for that you'll be getting a K-reg 2.0 RN manual. A higher-spec RT will be an extra £100 or so and an automatic version a further £100. You'd be better off going for the V6 cars (if you don't mind the extra fuel consumption) as these are even better specified and significantly cheaper than their original new price. The 2.0-litre cars on 94L-plates are around £1,600 and the 2.2s start at about the same.
You won't find too many turbo diesels (the facelifted second-generation cars were petrol only, as the TD never sold very well) but they should start at under £2,000 for the first 1995 examples. P-plate cars should be about £2,600. The rare second generation models are great buying. Two-litre models range from about £2,200 (96N) to £3,100 (99V) and the five-cylinder 20v Executive is £2,400 to £3,300 the run-out price new was almost £25,000!
Big French cars have always had a difficult time in the UK, though almost all of them have been excellent products that deserved more success in this overly cautious market. The Safrane was a case in point. The cars were reliable, parts were readily available and affordable but some people were out of touch with 1990s French luxury cars and their strong, reliable nature. Engines were all well proven and transmissions equally so.
Corrosion is not much of an issue either. Keep an eye out for electrical gremlins in some of the early Safranes, though. Make sure electric seats, sunroof and windows all slide effortlessly and that the central locking and air conditioning are trouble-free too. Interiors generally are built to last but loose trim and the odd rattle may give you a bargaining point with the seller while being easily remedied.
(Based on a 1995 Safrane V6 - approx) A new clutch should be about £170 and a full exhaust system around £250. Brake pads are about £40 a set, an alternator about £190 and a starter motor just over £275. A headlight is about £250 and a replacement radiator with air con is around £270.
Luxury, rather than driving excitement, has been Renault's priority here. Which isn't to say that the Safrane can't be quite fun hustling along a twisting secondary road. Even the 2.0-litre model has a responsive, eager feel and pulls well enough from low speeds to make you feel that you might be behind the wheel of a V6. The Safrane was never a serious
BMW-challenger in the chassis department, but it was never meant it to be.
Think of it as more of a machine to pamper you and your passengers and you'll be less critical of its handling limitations.
A car that many people never consider when choosing a used luxury cruiser. The Safrane is a relatively inexpensive used executive car and Renault's extensive dealer network should give you the confidence to enjoy worry-free motoring.
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