Used Renault Duster: case history
The popularity of Renault Duster in the Russian market can hardly be overestimated. Although in the secondary market, the car is much less in demand. And there are reasons for this, since when buying a used car, the second or third owner may encounter serious problems both during operation and during the repair of this car. With which ones, the AvtoVzglyad portal found out.
Renault Duster became a bestseller literally from the very beginning of sales - the queues for the first cars stretched up to 12 months (now the demand for the current generation of the model has fallen dramatically - the "Frenchman" on both blades was laid by the "Korean" Hyundai Creta). The main argument of the manufacturer in the fight for the client was the optimal combination of price, quality and functionality. At the same time, buyers were ready to put up with controversial ergonomics, cheap finishing materials and poor sound insulation of this compact crossover. Indeed, in the content of the car seemed affordable, unpretentious and maintainable. But over time, it turned out that all this is far from the case.
The crossover is built on the B0 platform, which became the basis for many budget models of the brand. So, the Duster body is not durable, which is why cracks appeared on the roof on the first cars at the points of its connection with the rear pillars. This problem even caused a recall campaign. The French responded fairly quickly by lengthening the weld on the roof and body pillars. However, the SUV body still cannot boast of decent torsional rigidity. Owners of even relatively fresh cars often complain about windshields and rear windows bursting for no apparent reason, as well as difficult opening of doors when the car is hung diagonally.
The corrosion resistance of the body is quite high, but the paintwork is weak. Chips appear most quickly on the rear arches. It should be noted that on the Renault Duster, in relation to the side body panels, the wheel arches protrude noticeably. Therefore, they get dirt and sand flying from under the front wheels. Dealers usually repaint these places under warranty, and the owners seal them with "armored" tape. Officials also often painted the tailgate due to rust under the chrome trim with the name "Duster". Thresholds, the lower part of doors and wings periodically need the master's brush. Painting of one element of the body - from 10 rubles.
As for body parts, the prices for the original are quite high. Bumpers cost an average of 15, and fenders sell for 000 rubles. Many crossover owners advise immediately after purchase to replace the standard wiper blades with frameless ones: driver's 10 or 000 mm long and passenger's 550 mm in size. The fact is that the wipers that come with the new Duster leave a decent uncleaned sector on the windshield right in front of the driver.
The Renault Duster was equipped with gasoline "fours" with a volume of 1,6 liters (102 hp) and 2,0 liters (135 forces), as well as a 1,5-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 90 forces. After restyling in 2015, gasoline engines began to produce 114 and 143 hp. respectively, and diesel - 109 forces. And 1,6-liter units are generally considered trouble-free. But this is in general, but in particular ...
The good old K4M has been installed on many Renault models since the 90s. Of the congenital sores of this motor, only oil leakage through gaskets and seals after 100 km of run and unreliable ignition coils (from 000 rubles apiece) can be distinguished. The main thing is to update the timing belts and drive attachments every 1250 km, and at the same time the water pump (from 60 rubles), which, as a rule, does not live up to the second belt replacement. The 000-horsepower "four" with the H2500M index that came to replace it is also hassle-free. And an indirect confirmation of its reliability is the fact that a durable chain is installed in the drive of the gas distribution mechanism of this motor.
The two-liter F4R unit, well known to specialists, is a long-liver. True, the weak point of this motor is the failure of the phase regulator after 100 km of run. If the engine began to work with a clattering sound, lost traction and reacted lazily to the accelerator pedal, prepare about 000 rubles to replace the assembly. At risk are also oxygen sensors (15 rubles each) and a generator (from 000 rubles). By the way, these parts often fail due to dust and dirt that penetrate under the hood through poor-quality seals. Owners usually change regular anthers to similar ones from the Gazelle.
The durability of the 1,5-liter K9K turbodiesel depends on the quality of the fuel and oil used. There were cases when, due to oil starvation, the connecting rod bearings turned. And this is an overhaul of the engine with all the ensuing consequences. Surrogate fuel can cause failure of the injection nozzles (11 rubles each) and the fuel pump (000 rubles). If you pour high-quality special fluids into the motor, then it will serve faithfully for a very long time. No wonder Renault mechanics consider it one of the best in the Duster engine range.
There are practically no complaints about mechanical five- and six-speed gearboxes. It can be noted, perhaps, that the manual gearbox oil seals sweat after 75 km. Replacement will pull about 000-6000 rubles, of which the lion's share will have to work. Therefore, most users prefer to drive as is, periodically monitoring the oil level in the box. There are many complaints about the six-speed drive - the first gear is very short here, so the manufacturer even recommends starting off from the second “speed” on asphalt. Apparently, such a calibration of the transmission is designed for off-road, for driving in tightness or uphill ... The clutch will have to be updated after an average of 9500 km, and replacing it will cost about 100 rubles.
There are many more questions about the AKP. The "automatic" DP8, which became another revision of the old, slow and problematic DP0 or AL4, which was installed on various PSA models a couple of decades ago. Moreover, recently the resource of the box has increased markedly - now an overhaul is required closer to 150 km. Most often, the valve body causes problems. Depending on the breakdown, repairs will have to spend from 000 to 10 rubles. The torque converter and band brake are also at risk.
But for what users say “Duster” separate words of gratitude, it's for its comfortable and energy-intensive suspension, which also turned out to be very strong. Even the struts and bushings of the front stabilizer are usually changed after 40-000 km of run, and shock absorbers often last twice as long. Perhaps, only the front wheel bearings are knocked out of the general row, which can fail already at the 50th thousand. They change only in assembly with a hub and a steering knuckle for 000 rubles.
In steering, the rod ends may come out ahead of time (1800 rubles each), and by 70-000 km the rail itself will knock. It costs 100 rubles, but it can be easily restored (000-25 rubles).
Electrical equipment is simple, and therefore quite reliable. Among the weak points, we note the failure of the outdoor lighting stalk switch. According to servicemen, due to the tight layout, the wires sometimes break. Often the dipped beam bulbs and dimensions burn out. True, light elements are cheap, and they change simply and easily. What can not be said about the backlight bulbs of the ventilation and heating system unit, which have to be updated with the dismantling of the unit from the center console. In the air conditioning system, the condenser is short-lived (25 rubles from dealers) - this is a weak point of almost all Dusters.
