Long-term update: 2009 Renault Safrane V6
We got our Renault Safrane serviced last month, it having hit the 30K mark this summer. It is carrying on without any drama.
The dealer service itself cost Dhs 360, and when you drop the car off in the morning, it gets done by the evening. However, the centre called up to let us know our car’s battery was almost dead and that we needed to change it. Whether it really was dying is up for debate, as our car showed no symptoms of a weak battery, but it has indeed been almost two years, which is the average life of a battery in our weather.
They asked for a whopping Dhs 550 for an Indian-branded Amaron battery, including Dhs 65 for installation (which is generally free if done outside and takes less than 5 minutes). For the purposes of this report, and to avoid complications with whatever warranty is remaining, we gave the go-ahead.
So with the service, that brought the total bill to Dhs 908. Admittedly, you can save some money doing all of this elsewhere beyond the warranty period. The warranty is scheduled to end by March next year, since our promised extended-warranty never materialised and we can’t be bothered to chase it any more.
We also asked them to change a clip on the loose door pocket and the cracking-leatherette centre armrest under warranty. Naturally, the parts were not available, but they have supposedly been ordered for us. It’s been more than a month now and we haven’t heard back from them.
Original Mileage When Bought: 110 km
Latest Mileage To Date: 31,500 km
Latest Average Fuel Economy: 7.8 litres/100 km
Cost of Latest Problems: Dhs 0
Cost of Latest Maintenance: Dhs 908Total Non-Fuel Running Cost Since Bought: Dhs 2093
Comments
Rahul Jones
Those parts will be available once your warranty is over. 😛
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Indeed. My father would’ve retired by the time these guys get their act together.
Rahul Jones
Or try this call up the parts store to see if its actually true. 😀
SC
I feel its a big rip off.Last week I bought a car battery for AED 240 from an AC delco dealer in Deira for my Accord. i was quoted AED 550 for the same battery from the local petrol pump battery shop.
Amer
I think this trick is everywhere, specially in KSA, the cheaper the car price when buying new, the more they squeeze you in servicing in the name of spares not covered under warranty…Poor Consumer..
Marie
Hello I have a renault safrane 2009 2litres. We bought it last year 30th of october, i did 40,000kms since a year, the car was running pretty perfect since 3 months i got a squeaky sounds upon break weather driving 140 or 80kms/hr!! We brought the car to servicing in dxb at the original area and they said nthing wrong, we did the 40k servicing and asked them to change the break they said no need too, after we took the car back the sound was persistent and worst than before we brought it to abu dhabi servicing renault area they change something which was damage, after two days driving the car the squeaky sounds is coming back again getting me on my nerves this time, can anyone help me with it, do i need to change the break coz both servicing told me no need too coz the break still going on perfect!! what do i do? in a month we spent 1860dhs for servicing and clean rotor also change ‘shoe’. Thanks if u can help 🙂
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Take it to an independent garage like Dynatrade or Fasttrack, and ask them to check the brake pads. Sometimes a squeak can mean the pads are finishing, and sometimes it’s just sand in the brakes. Do you drive on sandy areas a lot?
Marie
Hummm.. That is a great idea! My hubby and i are kind of dont know what to do 😛 I know a great garage in Mussafah shall bring it there soon!! The squeak is really loud that is why am so worried.. see!!!
Thank u so much for ur advice! really appreciate! I have to say better drive my renault safrane low budget car than a Yaris which is more expensive and feel like C_(^^%$££P!!! lol