This week's EV bargain that I'm not buying

A specialist EV repairer like John Earls Motors could potentially repair it for a reasonable price rather than have a main dealer throw parts at it.

The driver side front door just won't open - from inside or out. Looks like the door lock actuator failed. And given that the door is stuck shut, local Renault dealers are saying that they will have to remove the driver seat, entire door card will need replacement as it can't be removed without damaging it, and then the actuator of course. Supposedly a 6-7 hour job, so parts (800-1000) + 6-7 hours of labour @ €90 per hour. And oh, three weeks to get parts in! Renault doesn't have a mechanical keyhole for driver side (it's on the passenger side, strangely enough).

Unfortunately for us, we have small kids and a lot of special needs / access type appointments, so really need a car, like yesterday!

Car is practically unusable without the driver side front door access - of course some people can climb in thru the front passenger side door and over the central console etc, but it could be death-trap in case of an accident or any emergency (especially with young kids in the car).

It's a 2017 model, so about a year out of warranty. I don't know if Renault will do anything given the safety nature of the fault - the folks at the dealership had no nice words other than this is expected when a car is more than 5 years old. I have owned Hyundai and Hondas before this and never bad a bother (in fact the neighbour who bought the 2005 Honda Accord still drive it around, like new) but like you said yourself - it could happen to any car I suppose. Just massively frustrated. Should have bought the Ionic in 2017.

There is no reason you can't pick up used parts and have a body shop do it if you can't manage it yourself. An entire door, less the glass is about €300. Contact a couple of scrap yards, or order online if you don't mind paying delivery charges for it. Book it in at your local body shop and it should be done inside of a day. They would have all the parts needed in the donor door.

Ask others have said ring around car keys lost type guys, locksmiths or car entry experts. It's likely to be common across the group of cars. Someone will know a quick fix.

I suggest hunt on YouTube and the likes for those with similar issues.

I know nissan did similar for mechanical key on drivers door only, for European models but wrong side for UK/irl cars. I had a fight with a locksmith to make me a backup key, that only opens wrong side. Better than only having one key.

I un child locked a car door once where outside handle was broken and child lock was on. A YouTube video later and a butter knife from inside in the right place turned off child lock. Similar may be possible to unlock door with minimal damage.

It's about 220km per day. Could be someone living in a Carlow etc and travelling to Dublin 5 days a week, 48 weeks a year.

Easily done with a big comfy barge with all the toys. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s any EV that fits the bill.

Would be no bother in the Model 3. Most comfortable and supportive seats I have experienced in ANY car....and I have a bad back....bad enough to need a blue badge. My commute is 35km each way and an average of 45 mins, 5 or 6 days a week. In the Leaf, I needed to use a special foam support pillow for my lower back to prevent significant pain. Same in my E200k before that and a few other luxo barges and SUVs I tried out before settling on the Leaf for other reasons. The M3 leaves me feeling normal, with no extra support needed and no pain exiting the car.

Toys....it's got all I need. Plenty of other EVs fit the bill and as long as the range is there, the tech and toys are generally superior to any sub 100k stock ICE.

unusually, this has increased in price, in last 2 days, it was 30k, now 30,500, must be a new strategy !

I upped the price on a sale recently. I got loads of calls and first one I held for dropped out, so I took down ad, then relisted it a few weeks later for a higher price and it sold quickly, but that was for a 10 year old 130 up to 150 euro fish tank!. Maybe seller got loads of calls. As you say it's best to lust a bit high and you can always drop price if there is no bites after a few weeks.

Actually I do 52,000km a year and just got a model 3. I am getting 15.3Kwh/100km (mainly motorway driving). Old diesel was doing 5.9l/100km. My night rate at present is 0.22c. By my calculations I am still saving 2,790 euro per year. This effectively halves my loan repayment for the new car. And as Electricity prices normalise this will only get better.

I will know more about elec. cheaper efficiency as time goes on and I get some data. But all use of fuel or electric has efficiency loss. As for depreciation I do not factor that as I generally keep a car for 7+ years. I am not worried about resale at that point. My previous diesel has 454,000kms. I got a new electric car for longevity anyway.