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Anders Dinsen
Administrator
YaBB God
Posts: 3186
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« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2010, 06:36:10 am » |
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Hi Martin I'm afraid our belowed Espace's have become "cash cows" for Renault. And Matra, as they still distribute the spares that are unique to the Espace. Some time ago, I found this German company, and while I don't think the quality of the parts they sell will quite match Renault/Matra's, their price is often a third or less of the original. http://auto-innovation.de/I just tried searching for the fans - select "Fahrzeugsuche", then Renault -> Espace III and your model. Under "Produktkategorien", select "Kühlung" and "Lüfter" and they will display two. Unfortunately, neither are priced ("Preis und verfügbarkeit auf anfrage"), but they have been quite helpful with me, so why not try to write them on info@auto-innovation.de ? Good luck! /Anders
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1982 Talbot Matra Murena 2.2 prep 142 2017 BMW i3 "Charged Professional" 94Ah
Used to own: 2001 Renault Matra Grand Espace "The Race" V6 24v 1997 Renault Matra Espace 2.0 8V 1987 Renault Matra Espace J11 2.2
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Martin Tyas
Sr. Member
Posts: 278
Espace, because it's worth it!
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« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2010, 08:37:46 am » |
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Thank you Anders, I will take a look.
Last night I also tried a couple of on-line suppliers that I've used before in the UK and who supply either OEM made parts (such as Valeo lighting components and wipers as well as Purflux filters) or OEM quality alternatives. They have a motor and fan assembly listed at a quarter of the price of the Renault unit but I will have to double check that it is suitable for my particular car. From the picture on the web site it looks the same overall even though the motor appears to be slightly different. So there could be a solution there too.
Regarding parts from Renault. I know quite well the parts manager at a local Renault dealer and he said that availability is also becoming a major issue on Matra-specific items as well as price. His father has a JEOK so he is seeing first hand the way things are going. So as these get older and worth less second hand it will become increasingly difficult to keep them going. And of course if there are issues with major components, or those requiring heavy duty diagnostic time spending on them, the cost very quickly escalates to more than the vehicle is worth. Due to work commitments I have spent less time contributing on the forum than I used to but having still dropped in regularly I have noticed quite a substantial drop-off in Espace related posts. That tends to indicate, as well as the reduced numbers seen on the roads, that the Matra built Espace is accelerating into becoming the preserve of the enthusiast.
Martin
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« Last Edit: July 05, 2010, 09:53:25 am by Martin Tyas »
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1968 Cessna 182L Skylane 1991 BMW 520i SE Auto 2002 Grand Espace 2.2dCi "The Race" 2003 Astra 1.8i Cabriolet "Edition 100" 2011 Insignia SRi VX-Line Red 2011 Honda VT1300CX Fury
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Martin Tyas
Sr. Member
Posts: 278
Espace, because it's worth it!
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« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2010, 10:24:06 am » |
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As for the fan unit its not that big fuzz to get it out, you drop it down but i think you will need to drop the radiator aswell. Perhaps you can lirk around to separate it easier.
Yes Tom, the easiest way looks to be to drop the lower cross member that supports the radiator... the one which the front 4 bolts of the engine under-tray go into. The fan shroud has two bolts accessible through the upper cross member. Hopefully I can make enough room to separate the fan shroud from the radiator to allow the fan and motor to come out between the two but it will probably need the fan unbolting from the motor shaft first to make it easier for them to come out separately. If not then I will drain the cooling system and drop the radiator complete. The coolant has been in 4 years so is overdue being ready for changing anyway. First, I have to get the parts! Martin
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1968 Cessna 182L Skylane 1991 BMW 520i SE Auto 2002 Grand Espace 2.2dCi "The Race" 2003 Astra 1.8i Cabriolet "Edition 100" 2011 Insignia SRi VX-Line Red 2011 Honda VT1300CX Fury
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