Hi there. After test driving at least half a dozen MPVs I've finally decided on a Renault Grand Scenic. Thing is I'm most interested in the 1.2TCe 130 bhp. This is apparently their latest petrol engine and is supposed to be marvellous. Trouble is the damn things are rarer than hens teeth. I can't find a single Renault dealer who has one that I can actually test drive. So I'm turning to Mumsnet for help! Has anyone got one or at least driven one? I just want to know if it has enough gumption and pulling power, basically. We would mostly be 2 adults and 2 or 3 children. Boot would be full for holidays etc but not all the time. All 7 seats would only be used occasionally and not for very long distances. The Renault salespeople keep telling me that new technology means small petrol engines are now more feasible for bigger cars and that the turbo and 130 hp make all the difference. But I still can't get my head round the big car, small engine thing.
I've test driven a Grand Scenic 1.5 and 1.6 diesel. They're both fine and we've been very, very close to buying the 1.6 but we want this car to last 10+ plus years and I'm worried about all the expenses that seem to be associated with modern diesel engines over time such as problems with the DPF filter (we do a lot of short journeys, not so many long ones), dual mass flywheel, cambelt and associated parts, some kind of filter (EGC maybe?) That's why I thought petrol might be the way to go but I'm feeling like the only potential Grand Scenic customer to have ever asked for such a thing.
If anyone got any advice/experience I'd be very grateful. TIA.