Renault Duster more than 10 years on our roads - still alive

Renault Duster, which debuted in 2009, has long been one of the most popular crossovers in Russia. Now we can say with confidence that it is a worthy competitor to Lada 4x4 and UAZ Patriot.


Niva is too harsh and specific car, not suitable for daily use. The Ulyanovsk SUV is generally a classic military vehicle on a frame.

But Renault Duster is suitable for the city and the countryside. Despite its crossover essence, the car demonstrates high cross-country ability. Of course, this is not enough to refine the car to participate in off-road "pokatushki". The absence of a downshift and all-wheel drive on the clutch are not attributes of serious "rogues".





So, Renault Duster, is it rightly so popular? Or is it taken as the most universal and lesser of evils, instead of Lada 4x4 and UAZ Patriot? It's about a first generation car.

Body and its features

Let's start with the design - Renault Duster is often called the "Behemoth". This hints that even the owners do not see much beauty in it. Indeed, the appearance is peculiar, the body is swollen, because this is the Logan platform, which was forcibly increased.



Other body questions:

• ? Doors often wipe the enamel to bare metal from below with their seals
  
• ? The rear arches suffer from road sand and gravel - knowledgeable people seal them with a transparent film
  
• ? It would not hurt to cover the threshold in the trunk opening with plastic from the factory - it is scratched
  
• ? Headlights dim over the years
  

In general, there are enough minor problems with the bodywork, but these are rather nit-picking, nothing critical, especially for this price category.

And what's inside?

Inside, the Renault Duster is spartan and austere, only those who have previously driven VAZ classics and Ladas like Samara will like it. The plastic is cheap, the insulation is better than Logan's, but it still doesn't shine.



But there are more rear seats for passengers than Logan's - this is a plus. There is more legroom, the roof is higher, the seat is slightly wider.

But the volume for things at the back let us down - only 408-475 liters. All-wheel drive options with a "spare wheel" in the trunk, front-wheel drive has a wheel under the bottom. The owners complain not even about the size of the department, but about the lack of niches in it.

Motors

Engines on Renault Duster were installed gasoline and diesel, the latter are much less common. Both those and other motors are quite reliable, but they have enough problems in small things.

Gasoline engines:

• ? 1,6 liters K4M / H4M - 102/114 liters. With.
  
• ? 2,0 liters F4R - 135/143 liters. With.
  

The motors are simple, atmospheric, when the timing belt breaks, they bend the valves, so it’s better not to bring it to this. After restyling, the 1,6-liter engine became a chain.



By the way, a two-liter engine is more problematic - for example, it has oil rings after 150 km of run. Attachment drive belt rollers are not reliable. The crankcase ventilation must be cleaned periodically. The valve cover "sweats" with oil. The car may not start at all if the throttle body gasket is leaking. Despite the fact that engines with a volume of 000 liters are more reliable both before and after restyling, more powerful engines - 1,6 are in demand.

As for the diesel engine, it is in fact one, with a working volume of 1,5 liters. Before restyling, the engine developed 90 hp. s, after - 109 l. With. French heavy fuel engines are considered the best in the world. If you fill in a high-quality diesel engine and change the oil after 7-8 thousand kilometers, there will be no problems with the engine.

Gear boxes

The best gearboxes on Renault Duster are mechanics. Cars with manual transmission are characterized by low fuel consumption, especially diesel versions. The mechanics were installed both five and six-speed, the 6-speed manual transmission was on all-wheel drive and two-liter modifications.

Automatic transmissions are capricious and unreliable, especially before 2013. Then the manufacturer fixed most of the problems, so versions on the automatic transmission before improvements should be avoided.



But still, the automatic transmission loves preheating and changing the oil every 100 km. At the same time, the manufacturer claimed that the automatic transmission is maintenance-free. If you do not change the technical fluid in the box, then the valve block will quickly fail. Subject to the rules, the automatic transmission takes care of about 000 km.

But the clutch on cars with manual transmission is not reliable - there are weak damper and leaf springs. A single piece consisting of a release bearing and a slave cylinder is not the best solution.

Suspension and all-wheel drive

Renault Duster managed to become famous for its mega reliable suspension. It affects the relationship with Renault Logan. Some owners drove 150 km without changing anything. The most problematic parts are the struts and bushings of the front stabilizer, which are nursed from 000 km and above.



Most cars on the Russian market are all-wheel drive, and there are almost no problems with it. But this is until you want to often conquer off-road. Only the crankcase is protected from below, the gas tank and the all-wheel drive clutch are open to snags and stones.
Cardan also does not like frequent off-road trips, and in this case it is unlikely that it will be possible to manage with the replacement of the crosses. Although, if you search, you can find auto repair shops where they can be supplied with reinforced ones.



Some do not pay attention to the broken crosses, and ride as long as the car drives. Whether it is worth doing this is a personal matter for everyone, but if the cardan breaks off at speed, the consequences will not be the most pleasant.

Main advantages and disadvantages

To sum up, you need to analyze the reviews of owners about their cars.

Pros Renault Duster:

• ? Excellent value for money and quality
  
• ? High passability for a crossover
  
• ? Reliable suspension
  
• ? Salon-transformer
  
• ? Economical, especially with diesel engine
  

Cons of the car:

• ? Numerous minor bugs are annoying
  
• ? Thin body metal
  
• ? Durable paint finish
  
• ? Small suspension travel for off-road
  
• ? simple salon
  

The disadvantages are small, forgivable budget model. Renault Duster is especially praised by residents of rural areas - they say that the car is quite capable of replacing a small truck.



The best choice, based on the position of economy and reliability, will be the "Duster" in a simple configuration - 1,6 liters of gasoline, front-wheel drive with a manual transmission. That's just in terms of comfort, patency and dynamics - this is not the best option.



But the two-liter versions with automatic transmission are quite reliable if the engine and gearbox are serviced in time. Duster has no full-fledged competitors, except perhaps the UAZ Patriot and Lada 4x4, but these are cars with a completely different philosophy and purpose.
As for crossovers in this price category, Renault Duster really has no competitors.