Why I Bought a 1998 Renault Safrane 2.0 Executive
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- Опубліковано 3 кві 2020
- The first video in a new series in which I attempt to explain why I bought each member of the PetrolBlog fleet.
I kick things off with the most popular car of the last video: the 1998 Renault Safrane 2.0 Executive.
Let me know which car you'd me to focus on next. Alternatively, tell me if I should stick to written words.
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#FrenchTat - Авто та транспорт
Pretty sure the wheel mounted controls for the stereo were the same in my dads 21 Savanna. Big French cars are so cool and the fact they never caught on makes them now even more cool and exclusive because they’re such a rare sight. Lovely thing
I love the interior design.
It's a work of art (and plastic)!
Hi , thanks to watching your video I went and bought a Safrane identical to yours , only mine has the 2.5 20 valve engine . It's 1996 with 72 thousand miles on it !!
Wow. 2.5 with 72k on the clock - that's the stuff dreams are made of.
Would love to hear more. Drop me an email via PetrolBlog.com if you get a chance.
Congratulations!
Worked in france in the 90's,and saw these driving around and wanted one since.id like the 5 cyl 2.5. Nice video
There are still loads on the road in France. Cars are less disposable over there, although crossovers are starting to dominate. Shame.
I have a barley gold 2.5 executive Safrane with only 43 thousand miles, it’s simply glorious
I had a V6 3.0 Baccara in the 90's.
Now I have a 2.5 20V RXE Pack.
It's so beautiful...
It's a very Nice car...
It's a very good car...
So comfortable !
I love it !
Ooh, nice. Had my first drive in a 2.5 Safrane last month. Wonderful!
Incredible Safrane! Had one just like that! The button you think that's for the AC isn´t...it's for the snow mode from the Auto Gearbox. It's seems your Safrane has a problem in the blower unit. If you check the display you'll see it saying Service. Usually the problem is the plug in the blower fan motor melting...you should check it out...that switch is a bit of a bad job...Safranes have one of the most efficient climate systems ever! If your's not working properly you don't know what you're missing! :-)
Ha. Thanks for helping a Safrane novice!
You’re right about the switch. I’ve read about the problem and the fix, so it’s something I’ll consider. The car has wanted for nothing over the years - I think the garage felt the switch was a decent compromise. Parts no longer available :(
@@Petrolblog thanks! I know Safranes are a rare sight over there...here in Portugal it's the same. Maybe you should look in to it...Lagunas from that era use a similar system...maybe you can check one out! But my guess is that you should have a Renault specialist look into that! Safranes are very fussy regarding maintenence!!
Rare to the point of extinction over here. Lost value quickly when new, which meant they became financially unviable to keep on the road faster than other cars of the period.
Thinking about, they never really hit banger status, because people after cheap transport were too scared to take the plunge. Will look into the blower and report back. Thanks for commenting and the valued input.
Out of interest, what do you drive now?
@@Petrolblog over here there a few good ones on the road yet. My father had 2 new at the time. A 1995 2.2 Si and a 1998 RXT 2.5 20v manual transmission. Boy I can tell you...the exhaust note on that one was something to behold. Take care of yours! Was surprised to see it in such good of a shape! Well now I drive a Twingo 133 Gordini daily and...when the weather's fine my 1992 Clio Baccara 3 door...yes you read it right...I also have the Baccara bug... Cheers!
Nice car, nice video! I had a 96 V6 Baccara in 2003, was one of my best cars so far - with 223tkm in it. Still missing it.
This and the Xm were my favorite French cars ever.
this was just so relaxing. And thanks to you i decided to start working on my peugeot 406 again :)
Glad to be of service! Good luck with the 406 project.
@@Petrolblog Thank you very much. It is not much work left to do before it gets on the road again. There are still a lot of cosmetic things to do tho. Exact same one as you have just as a manual :)
AsensualPanda Keep us posted.
So good to see this being saved. I always think of Ronin with the Safrane, just need an XM now.
Talking of Citroën, I have a strange love of your phase 1 Xsara VTS. Of course, Quentin’s favourite too.
Haha. Quentin LOVED the Xsara! “Dull as ditchwater!”
Superb video. These where the great French roadcruisers Safrane/XM/605 Gone are the days. But what a great grande voiture. Treat her like a diva she deserves it.
That's very kind of you, Robert - thank you. I feel incredibly fortunate to have custody of the diva. She's a very special car.
Lovely, Maybe the ZX next? I really enjoy your videos as with the rest of your content. Squirreled the quattro out last night for the first time this year, which was great on a run back from my grandmothers explaining why her car is not working when she always intends to go up the village when it is most unwise to do so
A run in the quattro is living the dream. Thanks for watching, Ben. The ZX is on the list.
I bought a 2.5 Executive based purely on your videos...and wanting a cheap luxury barge. Absolutely loving it and great cars that are underappreciated.
Brilliant news! Would love to hear more about the car if you fancy dropping PB an email.
@@Petrolblog sure what would you like to know.
Nice car, I have the Peugeot 607, french cars are awesome!
Nice! Planning an XM/607/Safrane triple-test when the lockdown is over.
Nice relaxed video. Thank you
Well, it’s a relaxed kind of car. Thanks for watching, John.
I had one of these , great spec car , even had the talking computer , the seats are so comfy , I had the 3.0 l v6 top of range with all the extras, And the car was in racing green , looked great when polished , a great cruiser on the motorway. Loved it , but was hard selling it , i only got around £300 when I traded it in . A lot of car for the money . Though the 3.0l was very thirsty. I enjoyed while i had it and missed it when it was gone. I ended up buying a Laguna , which i had for 3 years and had zero trouble with it . Enjoyed your video .
Thanks Dylan. Your Safrane sounds excellent. Glad the Laguna treated you well.
I had the 2.5 executive and uploaded a couple of videos of the voice warnings. Great car!
Will check them out!
Another great video. Would love to see more of the fleet. The Mercedes would be good to see next - a really nice looking car.
Thank you, Nicholas. Mercedes video is most likely to be the next one. Planning a couple of videos this weekend.
@@Petrolblog Looking forward to them! Great to be able to watch them in these strange times.
you made me cry .. I bought one of these when I used to live in Lebanon between 2015 and 2019
it was actually my first owned car for me and I am in love with it
I resettled to Egypt and had to leave it there in Lebanon
I wish if there is away to bring one of these to Egypt even if I had to pay for shipping and taxes ofcourse it will be understandable
thank you for this lovely video bring back a lot of memories
Apologies for making you cry.
Sorry you had to leave your car in Lebanon. I hope you manage to get one to Egypt. Would love to sail from Spain to Morocco, then deliver one to Egypt for you!
@@Petrolblog I am very honored by your reply 😍
Sadly I don't think its possible to get a legal papers for the car even if we managed to bring it to Egypt
I have to ask about it
Thanks for your consideration really appreciated
excellent vid well presented
Thank you. I appreciate that.
Good vid to go back in time, shame we could not hear the voice commands from the computer, which is what I used to like the most from this car at the time
This one doesn't have the voice synthesiser, but my other Safrane does.
Very interesting car. Had a ride in one of these 20 years ago what a car. The Twiturbo 4x4 ins a beast.
The BiTurbo is one my lottery list.
@@Petrolblog Mine also! There are so few!
I want a Safrane, I would probably choose the 2.5 volvo engine version for it.
Yes, I'd love a 2.5. One day...
Excellent Choice Sir.
I have one. RXE Pack
2.5 20 V. 1999.
200 000 kms.
It's so beautiful !
I love it !
@@Petrolblog im about to buy one 2.5 manual, funny thing is that it's faster than the 194hp V6 auto.
Hi really like the videos and your collection! do you like the Renault Vel satis? I have 3 of them , im looking to get a 406 coupe having seen your other videos.
Congratulations on being subscriber number 480. There’s no prize - maybe a signed photo of a Volvo 480 should have been arranged. BIG fan of the Vel Satis - another car from Renault’s bonkers period. There’s a review on PetrolBlog.com. You have three - wow! Drop PB a line - would love to hear more.
I hope you still have it, it looks mint
I don't. And it was. But it has gone to a good home.
...and that Capri broke down, if I remember correctly :) I still have that issue. As for Safrane, I am currently contemplating getting almost the same one ;)
Ooh, tell me more!
Le Safrane est magnifique! An underrated and characterful executive saloon that looks great, particularly in black. Shame about the sticky centre console trim, just the rubberised surface degrading with time, if you can find an effective cure for that you're a rich man 😂. I'm intrigued by the 230E, it sticks out like a sore thumb on the fleet!
Yeah, the W123 is the oddball of the fleet. It’s a genuinely brilliant car and a certified classic. The other 12... aren’t.
Excellent video! I think the Mercedes should be next.
Thanks Charlie. Yes, was pondering the Merc. Lots to say about the old girl.
I've always wanted to be a name-check in a UA-cam video about a 90's Renault - it's like when Eminem does it to Dre.
As the sole patron, you’re likely to dominate the “Love the show, Steve” mentions.
@@Petrolblog I will do my best to increase numbers - I hope "guilty by association" does not apply..
There is a lot of Xantia in the Safrane. It's not a bad looker but a bit bland next to a Vel Satis. Good video though. Have you thought about investing in a decent second hand camera to improve the picture quality; a phone can only do so much?
Yep, very conservative when viewed in the context of Renault’s mad decade! Not sure the quality of the content warrants investment in a camera yet. If anything, the videos should be filmed on an old Sony Camcorder from the 90s!
How do i remove stereo from this car, somebody knows? Not found any info about this...
Lovely lovely car. Love the oil level/pressure gauge. Simple easy to read gauge cluster. Do you plan to fix the AC? It’s probably an electronic module at fault somewhere. What about the automatic transmission? That’s my only fear about that car.
The heater motor broke, so the garage wired in a single-speed unit. The air con works - there's cold and hot air. Will investigate at some point. Yes, the auto transmission could be a ticking time bomb. Will nurture it the best I can, but such is the history of maintenance, it stands a good chance of survival. *touches wood*
No worries if its the borrowed bullet proof Aisin /Warner auto transmission & borrowed Volvo 2 / 2.5 litre 5 cyl engine 👍
But if Renaults own set up then correct to worry don't drive too far 👎 (If only the Renault Espace had the Volvo engine instead of catastrophe prone Renault ones)
A very comfy video
I wonder if it was just one single man in an office somewhere responsible for making the whole “days out for you and your Renault” thing
To go with the seats.
isaac gifford Haha. Not a lot of time was spent on the research.
I Love the car too much because is very strong car and faster on road.
Very underrated cars.
Also is the fan speed not adjustable via the twin buttons that have images of a small and large fan? Or am I being daft? :D
Not now - it’s just a single fan setting, which is better than nothing. At least the heating works.
"Big Renault" - one's perception of "big" being a matter of perspective. When you spend large portions of your motoring time staring at the bumpers of Chevy Suburbans and enormous "wimp eater" pickup trucks, the Safrane seems like a nice little, zippy, maneuverable, compact sedan runabout {;-) As for the COMPLETE SERVICE HISTORY & MANUAL SET, there's an OCD owner after my own heart! I have complete history of every oil change, new set of tires, battery replacement, and of course all service visits for all of my cars. (Well, except for the one bought new, the histories start when I became the owner/caretaker.)
I see a proper PetrolBlog stickers have been applied to both rear door windows - excellent! Leather that creaks, plastics that don't, and seats that mold to your bum - what more could one ask from an Executive car interior?
Plus a very sensible, understated, well-laid-out gauge cluster/control panel that doesn't really seem dated. Or at least not compared to my 1997 Integra. What more could one ask for? The digital readouts do look orange in the video - that the real color....er, colour? Reminds me of what I call the "lurid red" dash illumination of the Acura RSX, which is supposed to preserve one's night vision, like in a fighter aircraft's cockpit (ah, marketing).
Yeah, I guess it's small by American standards. Over here, it still feels big, even when surrounded by bloated crossovers.
Yep, orange readouts. I'm amazed they still work...
*touches wood*
@@Petrolblog And speaking as a fan of the small Acuras, the Safrane looks to be plenty large and roomy (and luxurious) for me!
PetrolBlog older digital screens tend to leak and die but past 1996 they work really well. I know that because the same AC screen was used on my 2013 Renault Symbol (Clio with a boot) that had automatic AC system.
I've got a Volvo with a Renault engine in it, but this appears to be a Renault with a Volvo engine in it! It's basically the 2.5 litre five cilinder Volvo Modular Engine with one cilinder less, the same engine as appeared in the S40/V40 (the one jointly developed with Mitsubishi built by NedCar, not the Ford Focus derivative built in Belgium). French comfort with Swedish engineering, to paraphrase HubNut: all the good times!
"French comfort with Swedish engineering” - perfect.
currently quesitoning how the hell i didn't find you before.
About the sticky plastic in the interior. My Chevrolet Evanda from 2005 has the same on the door handles inside. Maybe it's melting? 😅
On the door handles is even worse - you can't avoid it!
I like adding up the cost of all the service's..
Especially when it was somebody else's money!
Uhm...the button on the right of the gear lever is not for the AC. It's to put the automatic gearbox in winter mode.
The AC button is on the center console and says..... A.C. :-)
Yeah, have discovered that since uploading the video.
HELLO! Could you share with us why your in bord computer doesn't talk?
Sorry, just spotted this question. Pretty sure the voice system was only standard on the 2.5 Executive in the UK. The larger engine received a few extra toys over the 2.0 Executive.
Should I buy phase 2 safrane for 650e? Owner says its a 2.0 16v full extras so for that engine should be the RT. Ac needs recharging he says 🤔 Since I broke my 318i drift toy it looks interesting to have a less enthusiastic car and rather a more obscure French car since I missed on having a bx estate.
Always assume that the air-con is broken when somebody says it needs recharging! Engine is pretty reliable, so check all the electrics and inspect the body for rust. Then haggle down to 500 euros! Good luck.
@@Petrolblog so I bought it, it's a year 2000 and I'm super happy with it. Any tricks for the on-board computer? It'd a shame it speaks French, I'd love it in English even tho I'm Portuguese
How can l get another one please
A few came up for sale over the summer. Still not worth a great deal.
Sava tyres!? c'mon mate, give Safrane some Michelin love :)
It's on the list. Treated the Camry with a full set of Tom Contis within a month of buying it. The plan was to get the Safrane sorted with a set of Michelins before the lockdown. It's the least she deserves.
@@Petrolblog tomorrow I'm going to have a look at 1993 mk1 Safrane 2.0 RT from 1st owner with 199000 miles on it. thank you for the inspiration :)
@@skeevemhulac8232 Brilliant. Let me know how you get on.
Ended up buying 1994 Renault 19 1.8 (95 bhp), 5 door/hatchnack version, decent overall state, with LPG installation for 400€.
Safrane was in excellent condition but sluggish with that 2.0 petrol.
Anyway, I hope your Safrane and my 19 will carry us for many many care free miles!
About the stickiness - my 2001 VW Golf has it as well. Except, the black interior laque has peeled off and it looks horrible, added to the fact it's sticky and all in all a pretty gross impression for a car lifted to heavens by most drivers.
Mine has got to the point when bits of fluff and flies are sticking to it. It's not a good look.
@@Petrolblog Yea...luckily you can take it apart (risky with the old clips prone to breaking) clean the peel off with liquid car scent and respray it. A nice how-to if you type in UA-cam "Restoring damaged parts on Golf mk4" but the peel problem, I suppose, applies to Safrane as well. Best of luck, it's a wonderful car and one of my top 10 for sure.
If you apply the Bank of England's inflation rate to that £21k asking price.....that's £37,600 in today's money!
Wow. To put it another way, that's roughly the price of a Renault Koleos GT Line with extra trimmings.
Gives me an idea for another lockdown video: how much the entire fleet would have cost in today's money.
был такой! ауди100 рядом не стоял!!!
"French cars are dead after two hundred thousands miles" The person who said this has no clue and he is obviously mean spirited. I have a much smaller engine here in Greece, 1.4 Megane Coupe, and the engine is as strong as ever, without oil consumption and the temperature always at the same level as it was when i bought from new from the dealership in 2001. My engine has done 220.000 kms, and gives the impression that it can do more than double without issues. So whoever talks about French engines, should think twice before speaking!
Love this! Always happy to receive comments from people defending French cars.
@@Petrolblog I am just giving my personal experience from the car. The car accelerates and runs smoothly even after 220.000 km on its odometer.