November 2013 - Interior Rectifications

One of the owners on the forum was breaking an Avantime, I took this opportunity to obtain some of the interior parts I needed to address some of the bugbears.

First up was the autochanger, that decided to pack up and stopped loading and playing discs. This was caused by my 'Heath Robinson' solution of making the autochanger work in the first place; a paper clip to hold the flap open so CDs would play without error. After many months of faultless operation, the clip actually fell in, causing problems inside the unit. Dismantling it showed some of the springs had detached and became deformed, so would need a refurb. A replacement unit sorted it out and I finally can play my own music again!

The inside handle on the drivers seat was missing since I bought the car. I got a new replacement handle off ebay (what a find!) but was missing the plastic disc that goes around the handle on the seat. I got this bit again off the breaking Avantime.

And finally, the lower dash part on the driver side had had holes drilled into it at some point in it's life, and the beige insert was held in with blue tac to stop it falling off and onto my feet (the clipping area on black trim broken)! I got hold of this part and replaced the trim piece with the beige insert. Not a difficult job, but the footwell light fitting is a bit fiddly. The interior and footwell bulbs were changed to red LEDs shortly after buying the car. Was not sure at first, but I quite like them as it makes the car feel more unique and sets the interior off nicely in the dark. The sidelights and number plate bulbs have been changed to LEDs also. 

Next up is to tackle the track rod arms, do the transmission oil and address any other little or not so little issues with the car!

September/October 2013- Making friends

Over the last few weeks, I have been using the avantime-owners.com forum a lot, trying to source parts and information. It is a great website, full of knowledgeable and enthusiastic owners!

I have been trying to address some of the issues, hoping to get the interior all sorted! One of the first things was the drivers door car pocket had a crack in it from when I bought the car. Luckily a chap off the owners forum had a spare one and sent that across. In order to fit that I removed the door card.

I purchased a bonnet a few months ago but decided not to fit as the condition of new bonnet was not good enough to deem replacing current one worth it. An ad on the forum found another owner interested for replacing his bonnet where someone had driven into it! Was a great opportunity to learn about the car and common problems and tips and to meet someone else as enthusiastic about the car as I am! Hope I get to meet many more owners and Avantimes!

The car has it's MOT today, passed with advisories on indicator colour and exhaust condition. Had a service with all the filters done. Renault Independent Services in Rugby serviced the car. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff but there seemed to be some confusion about what is involved in a service! Anyway, car is back with me and I hope to get the exhaust, the track rod arms (told this is the knocking, not the ends) and a transmission oil flush done over the winter!

August/September 2013 - TLC time

On the 1st September it was 11 years since the car was first registered and on the 6th September it had been 6 months since I bought her! As a present, I bought some tailor cut luxury mats which make it a lot nicer inside!

So after a bit of neglect and a 600 mile trip to the Lake District and North Yorkshire, I thought it was time to address some of the problems!

First up was the spark plugs. First 3 no problems, second 3 required the manifold and throttle body to be removed and working blind! But all in and not too bad a job, even though it took a while!

Next up I spent some time polishing the exhaust tip and now it looks like new and really sets the car off well! I took the rear wheels off to clean them but they didn't come out as well!

The track rod ends came up on the last MOT as an advisory, so I have done them. Required lots of heat from a burner and a bit of grinding but eventually got them off! However, it hasn't gotten rid of the knocking noise so I will have to investigate further!

Last up, I took the centre console out and cleaned it, but main reason was to improve the fit and finish as the silver trim wasn't connected properly and caused problems with the opening flap.

Unfortunately, the paper clip that I used to fix the CD changer has fallen in and caused the player to malfunction. Took it out and apart and can't see the clip. May have to be replaced or go to a repairer!

The MOT and service is due early next month so let's see what that brings.

July 2013-French Car Show

Went along to my first show with the Avantime. Not been to French Car Show before, despite this one being my fifth french car! Show was at Castle Coombe and had a great variety of French cars, although most were Renaults! Even the classic ones that showed up. To my surprise, two other Avantimes turned up!

Needs a bit of work before being a proper show car! The wipers need repainting, the wing mirror bases are corroding and the typical bubbling roof rails are also present! Front wheels could do with a refurb and the front bumper lacquer is pealing! But I hope in time this car will be immaculate and museum-worthy!

June 2013-Thermostat change

Completed the first piece of work on the Avantime!

Change of thermostat. Not too bad of a job, removed airbox, remove the two coolant hoses and then the rigid aluminium coolant block holding the thermostat. All back together, fresh coolant, bled and back up to temperature! Runs at 4 bars rather than the two as previous. Apparently the thermostat has two stages, so might've got stuck open on the first!

May 2013 - Weekend to Bath and Cheddar Gorge

So decided to go away for the weekend to Bath with some friends. And did the 300 mile round trip in the Avantime, with the furthest point being Weston-Super-Mare. Swallowed all our stuff, although the boot was full and that was only for 3 people! Still an enjoyable drive and a great weekend!

The weather was great so we were in 'Open Air' mode a lot of the time! A visit to Cheddar Gorge really did exploit the benefit of all that glass with the drive through the gorge allowing an amazing view through the roof and the large windows. Was a great place to visit with a whole convoy of classic British cars passing through and we even got a few looks ourselves. Also got a taste of some actual Cheddar cheese of course!

Found out a new rear brake light bulb is needed, and finally figured out the CD player! A paper clip holding the flap slightly open somehow allows faultless ejecting and playing of CDs...

April 2013- 5 weeks on...

So it's 5 weeks tomorrow since I bought the Avi. Covered nearly 1100 miles using as my daily driver. Enough time to find it's flaws I think!

So what's wrong?

• The CD player seems to have Alzheimers, and constantly forgets how to change or eject a CD without an error. 5 minutes of jabbing a button normally gets it to change!
• I noticed a footwell light out, tried to change bulb. Did. And now somehow, the beige insert with the cruise control button flings itself out of the dash. The clips all broke when trying to push back in. The black panel around it has been drilled into anyway, so intend on replacing
• The rails are typically corroding and the front wheels are getting there also. On the list for repair! As is the corroding wing mirror bases.
• The drivers window sometimes get stuck down. A bit of jolting the up button clears it of the seal then the button can be held or one touch used!
• The central armrest hinge is broken... typical!
• The driver seat inner handle is missing that flings seat forward
• The track rods sound like they need doing, bit knocky and came up as advisory on MOT
• Thermostat is gone and intend to replace myself ASAP

What's been done?

• Wiper blade had gone, finding one with a washer jet was a little tricky but all sorted now!
• A little mini red Avi now sits on the dash. 
• The windscreen had a crack in it, now repaired! She caused a bit of debate at the Autoglass centre, but that's the Marmite effect!
• I have changed the front sidelights and rear number plate lights to LED. Matches the Xenons a bit better.

And it's quirks?

• The automatic gearbox is smooth between gears, but engaging drive is like being hit over the head.
• The doors are great, but only when fully open. There is no in between. If you're in a really really tight gap not a chance of getting in as the drivers seat is in the way!
• Turning the traffic on or finding a radio station requires use of the remote...
• You have to pretty much get up and walk over the the windscreen if you want to open or close the air vents
• The driving position is like sitting in a chair in a conservatory, to only find a steering wheel placed in front of you-I love it!

Fantastic car. Love it to pieces. Wish I didn't have to use it for the commute, and save it for trips on weekends, but that's the way until I get my other car running!

March 2013- Britain's Highest Pub

Despite living less than 20 miles away for most of my life, a trip back home results into a trip to Britain's highest pub, Tan Hill, North Yorkshire

Took the Avantime across the snow covered dales, with several foot walls of snow lining the roads!

5th March 2013 - I buy one!

After years and years of pining for one, I finally get one!

Marie-a 3.0 V6 Automatic picked up from Croydon after work. Just couldn't wait!