Renault 4's are chic (chiche?) and rising in collectors' value, but for a UK enthusiast considering a R4 the first crucial question to ask yourself is : am I equipped/knowledgeable enough/prepared to put in regular and continuous maintenance on the bodywork. The engines are fantastically reliable (my 845cc machine has done 152000 miles and still gives 50 mpg) but the chassis is a rust-trap. The R4 was designed for 1960s Continental conditions, with reasonably dry weather, no salt on the roads and the winter temperature going through freezing point only a few times every year rather than (as in the UK) several times a day. The result has been that about half a million R4s were sold in the UK and there are now perhaps 3000 left of which only half are in running order - and I would suggest that all the problems arise from disintegrating chassis.
Another problem is that the majority of Renault dealerships in the UK are now completely useless as regards sourcing R4 spares. On the other hand, there are some good ones, and the expertise available on this website will mean that ultimately you should have no difficulty - most spares are still available new in France.
This is not intended to put you off : we're all committed enthusiasts - but it would be a terrible shame if you bought a R4 without awareness of the major pitfall as regards rust, and found that in a few years' time it had disintegrated to the point at which it was beyond repair, simply because you were not aware that they need constant chassiswork TLC.
