Advice for potential new wind owner

Hello windy peeps, first post here. Not currently a wind owner, but viewing one on Thursday and barring any issues I expect to own one (even if not that one) very soon. 

I saw one a few weeks ago driving off and just fell in love immediately. Seeing as I need a replacement car for my Toyota iq it seemed like fate to meet the wind then. 

Anyway, can anyone give me some specific tips of things to check when viewing the wind on Thursday?

I know the timing belt needs to have been changed within the last six years (it hasn’t done 60,000 miles yet)
Anything else?

Thanks in advance for your help

Do you know how long the MOT has left that should be a good indicator that the car is ok. Plus make sure it is Blue as that is the best colour. 

Welcome to the Forum.

Welcome to the forum!
I great place for tips on these cars!
Obviously check service history.
Check the roof and windows are working properly.
Do check they got through full motion a couple of times to make sure all is well.
Check alloys for curbing. There are a few blind spots on the Wind until you get used to the car.
Also check out The Renault Wind Owners Club UK over on Facebook. Over 550 members with plenty going off.
Congratulations on a great car choice and don’t listen to Barbara, black is the best colour.
Joking apart, they look great in all colours black, blue, white, red and grey.
Red and grey are rare.
You can also get a couple of special limited editions the Collection and the Gordini with numbered plaques on the inside of the back window.

Barbs wrote:Do you know how long the MOT has left that should be a good indicator that the car is ok. Plus make sure it is Blue as that is the best colour. 

Welcome to the Forum.

It is a blue one I’m looking at, as it happens. My favourite colour

bigjase1972 wrote:Welcome to the forum!
I great place for tips on these cars!
Obviously check service history.
Check the roof and windows are working properly.
Do check they got through full motion a couple of times to make sure all is well.
Check alloys for curbing. There are a few blind spots on the Wind until you get used to the car.
Also check out The Renault Wind Owners Club UK over on Facebook. Over 550 members with plenty going off.
Congratulations on a great car choice and don’t listen to Barbara, black is the best colour.
Joking apart, they look great in all colours black, blue, white, red and grey.
Red and grey are rare.
You can also get a couple of special limited editions the Collection and the Gordini with numbered plaques on the inside of the back window.

Thanks for the help - it’s good to have some suggestions from an owner. I will definitely check the roof and windows thoroughly

Once you know the number plate of the Wind you are interested in, go to the gov website for mot checking, and it will list all passes and more importantly fails through the years, and see what has been repaired.

If it is one that is constantly failing then it gives an indication that the owner was doing no maintenance on the car, and just running it on a 'fail and I will get it fixed' basis.

Learning from my experience of buying a low mileage Wind... mine was 28,000... check the age of the tyres, mine had barely any wear, but I had to replace them all due to the rubber cracking with age on the inside edges ( so not visible at first glance)... one actually blew out, fortunately at low speed.
Most tyre manufacturers recommend changing tyres after 6-7 years, even if they've done no mileage, due to degrading of the tyre compound... as I know know !!

Jim777 wrote:Once you know the number plate of the Wind you are interested in, go to the gov website for mot checking, and it will list all passes and more importantly fails through the years, and see what has been repaired.

If it is one that is constantly failing then it gives an indication that the owner was doing no maintenance on the car, and just running it on a 'fail and I will get it fixed' basis.

That’s really sensible, helpful, simple advise. Thanks Jim

So I viewed the car this morning and fell in love. I should be able to pick it up next week, they are just checking some history for me and having it serviced etc.

I literally can’t wait

Octoboi wrote:So I viewed the car this morning and fell in love. I should be able to pick it up next week, they are just checking some history for me and having it serviced etc.

I literally can’t wait

Let's hope that the sunshine lasts to give some quality "roof off" driving opportunities, but if not..don't worry, it's just as much fun with the roof closed...
Get ready for constantly smiling when you're behind the wheel...and not having to brake going round tight corners !!
Your new Wind will change direction as fast as a housefly...they are just superb, the Renaultsport influence is really evident

Enjoy !!

I didn’t get to drive it roof down today even because of the weather. So that joy is yet to come. Got to play with the roof plenty once we are back at the lot tho, typical British weather lol

Brilliant news! You will love it.
Wait for the looks and people coming up to you asking what it is too and saying “I’ve never seen one of those before “

bigjase1972 wrote:Brilliant news! You will love it.
Wait for the looks and people coming up to you asking what it is too and saying “I’ve never seen one of those before “

That was me literally a week ago - crazy that I have now bought one

Hope you enjoy the new purchase.
 
Re the serial number plate for the Collection, the dealer who sold me mine didn't know what it was till he saw me looking in the window to read it. Mine is 029. When I explained it was a limited edition  I got the impression he would have charged more had he known so let's keep this nugget quiet for future customers. 

A couple of things that might save you some anxiety ....I spent the first few trips worrying about the audible clunk everytime I pulled away until I learned that the central locking activates at 4mph and if you forget to latch the roof when you stop the boot doesn't open !

Have fun.

The boot not opening caught me out in Tescos car park on a sunny day.. was in such a rush to get some wine that I closed the roof but forgot to latch... had me properly puzzled when I couldn't get into the boot.. the doors unlocked !! ... so it was a process of elimination... doh !!!

Latest update, the timing belt has been changed and the other bits have been done as agreed - looks like I’m collecting it on Thursday!

Exciting

Octoboi wrote:Latest update, the timing belt has been changed and the other bits have been done as agreed - looks like I’m collecting it on Thursday!

Exciting

No sleep for you tonight lol

I still remember that feeling.

Absolutely loving the wind so far, thanks everyone for your support. It’s so much fun to drive!

Great cars and a future classic mate!

Took my friend out in it this morning, and the look on his face when I did the roof - he couldn’t work out what was going on initially lol

It’s a great party piece isn’t it!

I love opening or closing the roof when stuck in a line of traffic at traffic lights... I make sure that there's a car behind me, ideally with passengers watching... then activate the roof and watch their faces !!
Great fun !!

Barbs wrote:Do you know how long the MOT has left that should be a good indicator that the car is ok. Plus make sure it is Blue as that is the best colour. 

Welcome to the Forum.

Hahaha - blue all the way! Unfortunately my alloys need some TLC. But as I'm planning on keeping her for as long as I can, it's work in progress. Everything else seems tickety boo