Renault Vel Satis Privilege 2.2 dCI 150

I have had 2 Renault 25's, followed by a Renault Safrane,and then 6 years ago by an 18 month old Vel Satis 2.2 diesel 6 speed manual, owned previously by Renault, and bought for half its original price. A very distinctive car,loaded with 'top of the range equipment etc, very roomy and very comfortable, but soon developed annoying and expensive problems.

First to go was the automatic parking brake device, (£460) then the illuminated panel of the heater controls (£340 for a new control unit because the LED light is sealed in !!!))then a window regulator (£300), then latterly at about 70,000 miles, persistant knocking at the rear end, put down initially to a corroded anti-roll bar system (£340) then to the rear suspension arms (£255)

Would I buy another Vel Satis - no.

This was great value for money as it is a second hand vehicle. It has loads more personality than a Mercedes or BMW. It has extremely comfortable seats. There's room for the wife, two kids and a great big dog [remove rear parcel shelf] and all of this in a luxury executive vehicle!

We bought the Renault Vel Satis Privilege new in November 2002 with the optional full-colour Sat Nav integrated in, to use as a business car.

It made a brilliant mile-eater, and completed over 92,000 miles in just three years of ownership.

It was also stacked to the brim with kit, and was fairly economical. It was fast, but did not handle nearly as well as its Audi A4 S-Line replacement we purchased!

On the downside, seeing as it was probably one of the most heavily used Vel Satises (Vel Satii?!) in the country, reliability was an issue. The 'automatic handbrake' often failed to release itself, leaving the car jammed. It would sometimes fix itself, but sometimes stay on.

The exhaust also split and fell off on a particularly busy Friday night on the M1!

In addition, the car did start to feel rather 'leggy' after 92,000, and the turbo was getting noticeable loud (it was probably dying) along with knocking suspension.

Also, once, the car turned on, but totally refused to start. The voice synthesiser anounced that the 'fuel injection system is faulty. Contact your Renault dealer'.

Sure enough, the car didn't start, and pushing almost two tonnes of heavy Renault over an uneven, grassy front garden is not easy, and was very painful!

Apart from the exhaust, handbrake, and fuel injection systems going haywire, we loved the car. It had bags of character, and was the car that attracted the most comments we've ever heard!

After 92k, it had to go though, and was replaced in December 2005 by an Audi A4 2.0 TDI S-Line (which in many ways is a better car than the Vel Satis, but the Vel Satis still is a brilliant mile-muncher. You cannot compare a Renault to an Audi)

If you're thinking of buying this, do it. You'll at least be an individual. There is only one other Vel Satis in our hometown!