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Buying an R4

Russ

Enthusiast
Messages
5
Hi Folks,

My girlfriend has been crazy for R4's for ages and we've finally tracked one down for sale on the Isle of Wight (by cheekily giving the guy a business card at the queue of the MacDonald’s drive-in!).

I've been scouring the web for information this evening and have had great fun admiring the exploits of Clementine, Ermintrude and friends.

From what I can see there do not appear to be a great deal of mechanical worries with the cars and the main problems are rust, particularly around rear suspension.

The car I’m looking at is an 1100 “C†Reg in red, it’s in daily use with 6 months MOT “and a few nigglesâ€. I’ve only had the most cursory of looks at it and am going over for a full inspection tomorrow.

I’d be really grateful for any advise (or links to the information) relating to buying an R4, things to look out for etc. The chap selling appears to have simply bought it as a run-around rather than being a fan of the 4. Specific questions include:

Any ideas on price?
Problem areas to look out for?
Is there a UK Owners club for the cars?
Are spares and service items still available from Motor Factors, or have they become specialist items etc?

Sorry to post so many questions! But, with luck, I look forward to having some R4 fun the future.

Happy Motoring!

Russ.
 
Hi Russ, welcome to the forum.

I'm not aware of any buyers guides for Renault 4s on the net, although I've a suspicion there was one in Practical Classics once. Not really much help.

The biggest problem is chassis rust. You've seen http://www.renault4.co.uk/renault-4-chassis-welding.htm - that shows the locations of the chassis where you'd find the rust. Problem is the chassis is double skinned in these areas and rusts from between the skins. The best indicator or rust at the back of the chasisis is if the metal is buldging out between the spot welds - if it has a wawy appearance rather than straight. I tend to avoid cars with agricultural looking welded patches in these areas - the rear suspension needs to come off for a decent repair.

Holes in the underside of the floor at each corner are common and aren't expensive to fix - it's the sides of the chassis members you've got to watch.

The body isn't stress bearing so will only fail an MOT when it gets jagged. You can buy 4 new wings for £100 ish.

For price - I would pay around £500 for a tatty looking car that is solid underneath. If the car is solid and looks presentable on top then maybe £1000. If it has nasty rust then take the price of repairing the rust off the price of the car (£100 per floor patch, £500 rear chassis inner members, £750 rear chassis outer members approximately).

The Renault Classic Car Club has been recommended by other forum members. There is also the Renault Owners Club. These clubs only have a few hundred members so there is not so much happening as in the MG clubs.

Most service parts - balljoints, brakes etc can be bought from a good motor factor - or even Halfords. Body panels are starting to dry up and need to be bought from Renault. Whitehouse Renault are good: http://www.renault4.co.uk/forum/about64.html The parts are generally affordable, although there are one or two bits that seem expensive.

Hope the Renault 4 hunting goes well. Driving a good Renault 4 puts a smile on your face.

Malcolm
 
Thanks Malcolm for the good advice, I’ll be sure to check the chassis and bodywork around the chassis mounts.

I’m also pleased to say I also received some good advise from Liam Jones who I linked to via:

http://www.renaultclassiccarclub.com/renault4_6.htm

You R4 fanatics do certainly appear to be a friendly bunch (similar to MG nuts).

I’m off to look at the car shortly and will be sure to let you know how I get on.

Happy Motoring,

Russ.
 
I’ve just returned from inspecting / test-driving the car and I must say that I loved it!

There was a marked contrast from jumping from my MGF (with trick tyres, suspension and brakes) to the R4, the drive felt something of an adventure worse in some ways than I anticipated but better in many others.

The car is an 1108cc 1986 “C†Reg GTL in various shades of red, showing 84K, on the registration C963 YFX.

It is in daily use and starts, stops and runs, but in my opinion needs a fair chunk of work before it can be used safely (Inc, tyres, service, engine mount, earth strap, rear brakes, headlamps & good clean up / T-Cut).

The guy selling seems perfectly decent, but the keys had been lost and he only had the new owners part of the logbook. I sit possible to run the Reg and Vin through the register to see if anything is amiss (the AA want £35 for this).

Also I will need to order new keys, presumably there will be a ref number somewhere on the barrel or can they be order through the Vin or oval plate number?

The front seats are not original and I’d be interested in something perhaps more modern, is it possible to interchange seats between other Renaults (R5 for example)?

Rust on the chassis and most of the body appears not too bad, I don’t doubt that remedial work will be needed before the next MOT, but that’s 6 months away. Anyhow my specific queries follow:

Tyres – ¾ are shot, can alt sizes be used 145/70, 155/65 etc?
Service – Oil filter, oil, plugs, dizzy cap, etc – Motor factors or other source?
Brake shoes / Engine Mount – same question as above?
Keys and steering lock – Available? Easy to fit? How to identify? Is this dodgy?
Seats – Are alternatives available?

We have agreed a fair price reflecting the condition, but if it sounds dodgy or big bucks please let me know.

Happy Motoring!

Russ.
 
Hello Russ,

Stick 155/70 x 13 on and use the same tyre pressures for the standard 135x13. The service items can be got from your local motor factor including front pads (check to see whether they are Girling or Bendix).
Get the engine mount from Renault as well as the rear shoes (again, check whether Girling or Bendix). Always buy a new brake fitting kit when buying the shoes. If the shoes are contaminated with grease, fit new rear hub seals as well (which in most cases you will need to fit new inner bearings at the same time). I've never needed to fit a steering lock, so someone else may be able to help here. Suggest you fit the correct seats - maybe Liam has some. Try him first - his contact address is somewhere on this site.

Steve
 
I've played with the steering locks before. Undo a screw then put the key in to release a plunger and the lock can be withdrawn. Of course if you don't have the key it's a little more tricky - I suppose you'd have to drill the plunger on the side of the barrel out, or maybe hit it with a big hammer. Door locks should come out more easilly - remove the trim panel and undo the screws. Perhaps Liam can help with replacement locks with keys. Otherwise maybe contact Renault to see if they can supply new keys as you suggested.
 
Thanks Folks,

The 155/70 tyres seem a good option and MyTyres can supply at circa £18 – 20 which seems ok (fitting charges not included), although I’ll try to swing a deal with our local tyre shops who suggested £35 +/-.

Other than that no-one seems that bothered by the lack of history, documents and keys, in my view the guy would hardly be daily driving in a stolen car so I’m tempted to take a chance.

Many thanks to Steve and Clementine for the info, I’ll let you know how I get on.

Happy Motoring,

Russ.
 
The seats out of a Mk1 5 will fit in a R4, I had a set in my F6 van some years back, I think (although I could be wrong) that they are straightforward to fit.
 
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