Home > News > Blanch Renault News > We enjoyed the full Renault range, including a 1903 model - Irish Independent Motoring - March 23rd 2007

We enjoyed the full Renault range, including a 1903 model - Irish Independent Motoring - March 23rd 2007

Blanchardstown Renault and Kia, Coolmine Business Park, Dublin 15

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We recently went to visit a joint Renault/Kia dealership that is located right beside the shopping Mecca that is the Blanchardstown centre.

From what we could see, the Kia dealership is relatively new - Kia signs were still being put in place.

This garage had a huge buzz about it. We saw many customers and there was constant movement in the yard, workshop, showrooms, fuel forecourt and shop.

Although the site was big, every conceivable inch of space was taken up with cars. We stopped counting at 150 used vehicles, all of which were priced. The mix of used models was very interesting.

We always claim that it is a healthy sign to see other used marques mixed among the dealer's own brands.

We saw VW, Ford, Fiat, Mercedes, Peugeot, Mazda, Nissan and Daewoo cars. We also admired three very nice 4x4s by Honda, Land Rover and Suzuki.

We focused on a 2004 Peugeot 206cc, which we saw through the showroom window. We walked around the new cars in the showroom and found the full Renault range with the exception of Grand Espace.

All cars in both showrooms were priced, parked neatly, presented immaculately and carried detailed information, including CO2 levels.

We admired a beautiful 1903 Renault A1 110 vintage car, which was on display and which had covered the 2006 Brighton Run.

We saw customers make full use of the waiting area, which had TV, reading material, hot/cold drinks and we admired the small table and chairs with crayons and paper for the children. (There were similar comforts in the Kia showroom). They also had an interactive LCD unit where customers could gain details on the products and see colours etc.

As we walked around the displays we were greeted by a receptionist, who summoned a salesman - within moments we were met by Tiernan O'Rourke.

We asked Mr O'Rourke about the 206cc. He introduced us to another salesman, John Quilter, because he had a prearranged personal appointment.

We went down to the Peugeot. The details attached told us it had covered 20,000 miles, had one owner and was priced at €20,500. Mr Quilter explained that it came with a full year's warranty.

We were told the best price for cash was €19,000. We asked for time to think.

Before he walked us out to the parking area, we were asked for our details and presented with a business card.

As we exited the showroom we noticed a large cheque on the windscreen of a Clio.

Mr Quilter told us they had donated the car and had helped raise €125,000 for the Dublin 15 Hospice Foundation - a nice touch.

Location/access 9

Customer parking 9

Signage 9

Showroom 9.5

Customer Facilities 9.5

Customer Service 9.5

Models on display 9

Deals offered 9.0

We liked

* Finding a busy establishment, which had time for its customers, children and those not blessed with good health.

We disliked

* Nothing other than the absence of a disabled parking bay.

Overall impression

Space may become a problem - but what a site.