As this IS an Espace with a 4 digit security code, the ecu can be reset quite easily. The dealers procedure (foreign decoder) is widely mentioned in various NT's. I do however have the impression this is not common knowledge (what do they read at all..?).
Pre this i have already said that instrument cluster + BII + keys from a foreign car can be used ( mileage copying on JE should be quite commonly known now, already mentioned on several subjects ) and presto you have a foreign and coded decoder in the car - i am not talking as i was a dealer apostle here, cheapest solutions MAY exists outside the dealers network IF you know what to do AND how to do it. That is one of the purposes with a forum like this...
What dealers do -or mostly do not do -is not the issue here - but ofcourse they cannot use unofficial methods EVEN THOUGH i have helped Renault dealers in removing immobiliser AND blanking ecu's
(VERY unofficial then, i guess), just trying to save this guy from buying a new BII, new Instrument cluster, new ECU and new keys -IF he wants to try and fix it without leaving it all to a dealer (then we probably would never see a question in a forum anyways).
You can argue about everything for sure, what i am stating here is a fix on this and other pre 2001/2002 Renaults (that all have 4 digit codes unless they are not newer multiplexed cars). Only post dealers work in this case might be some configuration chenges, but there is quite a few with dealers tools around that can do this.
And an immo code calculator for gen 1 and gen 2 is available for free download various places on the web, works like a dream - so not dependant of Renault for that either
-as long as you have one of the original keys with label available.