Renault Megane Saloon - tell me about it

johnc24

Evening all,

I am on the verge of purchasing a 06 Megane Saloon, its such a nice machine both inside and out, however I would love to know any experiences or known issues with the megane.

All information positive or negative very welcome.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Regards
John

colm_mcm

This thread is about to decend into:

Meganes are crap
vs.
I've had one, done 300,000 miles and it's never so much as blown a bulb.


All I'll say is read up on any reliability or customer satisfaction index that features the megane, then try and figure out if the risk of something going wrong is offset by how cheap the car is.

Stark

A vote for "Meganes are crap" here. My parents' one was a bottomless money pit of electrical problems and I've heard similar stories from many people.

colm_mcm wrote:

I've had one, done 300,000 miles and it's never so much as blown a bulb.

Lucky them as my dad was quoted €300 by a dealer to have a headlight bulb changed and it took him 3 hours to change it himself (and no, he's not a retard).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGJas1CbByE

colm_mcm

Stark wrote: »

Lucky them as I've heard it's either a €300 dealer job or a 3 hour DIY job that involves taking the car's wheel off for one thing if you want to change a headlight bulb.

That's how rumours start!

Stevie Dakota

Let's try and keep this thread sensible. If you don't own one or have first hand experience to the OP a favour and stay out.

John, we have a 2006 1.5dci Sport Tourer.
It is a great car, super engine, quick, frugal, spacious, comfortable and lots of toys. I think for the money it is hard to beat. Our car was from the UK so enjoys a 3 year warranty, it runs out this year. We have had both front window regulators replaced (a common failure and not cheap outside of warranty, €250 per regulator I think), a recall for some work on the AC and a pipe to the turbo. All carried out without quibble by Sandyford Renault, very impressed with them. Bulbs will blow but don't listen to all the nonsense about how difficult they are to replace, a dealer will do it for €12 in 10 minutes, and no, you don't have to take the bumper off). The car has never missed a beat otherwise.

My advice would be to get a diesel, a much safer bet reliability wise.

By from a main dealer and get Diamond cover, 2 years.

Resale is an issue, but that now applies to all cars, a diesel Megane in the right spec will be a great car if you plan to keep it a few years.

Best of luck.

Stark

colm_mcm wrote:

That's how rumours start!

Actually edited the post just after posting to include source. Fair enough, still anecdotal for your purposes. Though that Fifth gear video seems to confirm that it's no easy task!

Stevie Dakota

Stark wrote: »

Lucky them as my dad was quoted €300 by a dealer to have a headlight bulb changed and it took him 3 hours to change it himself (and no, he's not a retard).

What nonsense, as I said, Renault Sandyford, €12 and 10 minutes.

Stark

Fair enough, I don't think he shopped around after the initial quote (more a case of up yours, I'll do it myself). Also, the car was a petrol non-sport model so it could have been different.

joeyc1550

i know that the 1.5dci megane saloon is quite reliable. The 106bhp six speed one is great to drive.

The only issue with them is the electric's in for the windows. From 06 on wards that issue has been basically resolved.

To buy one which is a Renault one is approx €250, however you can get a non-renault one which does the trick for approx €120.

The diesel ones are very good for high mileage. Petrol models will give coil issues, which are a pain. My mate has an 04 Megane Van 1.5dci with 200k on it.

I know the diesel will be slightly more expensive to buy in the first place, but the reason why is it is very reliable. I have an 05 one and have had no issues with it yet, although only have 90k on the clock.

colm_mcm

joeyc1550 wrote: »

The only issue with them is the electric's in for the windows. From 06 on wards that issue has been basically resolved.

You have to be kidding. the Megane has plenty more issues than that.

bazz26

A "Renault" thread on boards.ie e-mail notification should be in meltdown about now for a number of regular posters.

colm_mcm

Renault is the new Alfa!

niceirishfella

Sorry, but i just had to do it !

Dartz

Stark wrote: »

Stuff

Isnt that the way with more and more cars in general these days?

They're built like Macintosh's. Sealed boxes to be kept seperate from curious owners at all costs.

Damien360

colm_mcm wrote: »

You have to be kidding. the Megane has plenty more issues than that.

This has been done many times and it decends into chaos. Funnily enough stevie dakota seems to be fighting for Renault every time. Must have a Renault are crap radar on him.

I had a Scenic 05, brother in law had a megane saloon 05 also. We both lost our wallets on them and both are glad to be shot of them. Resale value will be the very least of your problems.

Electrical problems in all the range except the clio for some strange reason. I know a few clio drivers with no issue whatsoever. Avoid the megane and it's variants. throw the laguna into that mix also. Know a few company drivers who had no end of electrical problems and all on the engine side of things rather than mundane things like the windows. To qualify (I will be asked), power loss and max speed of 40mph suddenly. Have to stop car and restart engine to get rid of it. Stop/start button faults. (both those in our company)Stuck in the middle of nowhere and cannot get the damn thing going. On the megane, engine cuts out suddenly and window problems.(that was brother in law) On the scenic, chewed petrol on the 1.4. It does anyway but I was getting 18mpg at one stage. Got to know the service manager for Renault in Naas very well. Window problems also.

Stick to the jap cars. May not be all that nice inside but they will last and will be reliable. Honda or Toyota. Toyota if you are sensible and Honda if you are a bit more flash with cash and you can still claim to be sensible. I bought a petrol toyota avensis and could'nt be happier. Not a single problem in the two year old. Bear in mind my scenic was also 2 years old when I got rid of it and I nearly took the salesmans hand off when he made an offer.

colm_mcm

with the way car prices are gone, there's not too much of a price gap between the Megane's and it's rivals.
To it's credit, the Megane has high equipment, aa huge boot and is comfy.

niceirishfella

colm_mcm wrote: »

To it's credit, the Megane has high equipment, aa huge boot and is comfy.

its still a sh1tbox tho':P

colm_mcm

niceirishfella wrote: »

its still a sh1tbox tho':P

That's subjective!
But yeah, some people think they're pretty dire.

Quint

OP, don't forget to factor in the price of AA membership

Thoie

Just to add to the other side of the coin (though mine's not a saloon, and maybe the newer models have different problems).

In the 12 years I've had my hatchback, here's a pretty comprehensive list of things done, in addition to normal services, timing belts, etc.

• I seem to lose the backbox of the exhaust roughly every 2-3 years - whether that's down to my driving I have no idea, that's been happening from the start.
• Originally had a problem with one of the distributor caps(? - the rubbery bits that go over the spark plugs) coming loose and "stalling" the car at the most peculiar times. Once I figured out what it was, a wipe of a tissue and shoving it back in always took care of it. For some reason it hasn't happened in about 5 years (just realised that now).
• During the first few years there was an issue with the rear left light board fusing from time to time, meaning that the indicators would come on when I'd brake. Initially fixed it with sandpaper and cigarette pack foil, later replaced the board for about IR£20. Bought the board in a garage, replaced it myself.
• I've always changed my own bulbs (front and back), and have never had to remove the bumper, engine, or anything other than the covers. The one at the front is a bit feckier than the one at the back, but has never taken me more than 10 minutes to sort out.
• After 10 years the display that shows the time and temperature just stopped illuminating. I was told it would cost my first born child to fix as they'd have to remove the dashboard to figure out where the problem was - never bothered fixing it (I usually wear a watch if I'm that excited about the time).
• At the 11 year mark the driver side electric window regulator went. Renault quote was in the region of €400 plus. Local mechanic did it for around €150.
• Have changed the battery about 3-4 times

Stevie Dakota

Damien360 wrote: »

Funnily enough stevie dakota seems to be fighting for Renault every time. Must have a Renault are crap radar on him.

I'm not fighting for Renault, it is common knowledge that they score poorly for reliability, but I'm simply passing on my first hand experience of the car the OP is interested in. Our experience, while not faultless as I pointed out, is not too bad and certainly no worse than issues we had with a 2000 Golf. The Megane and Scenic both had updates in 2006, maybe solving some of the issues you had with your 05's.

Guy:Incognito

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

I'm not fighting for Renault, it is common knowledge that they score poorly for reliability, s.

The problem with this forum is though, that Renualt are thrust up as the worst manfacturer around, by miles. Funnily enough, this is without coming bottom of surveys etc.

Every day there are threads with "My golf/Passat" has X problem, yet people think they are bastions of reliability and line up to buy them at inflated prices. I think VW use the engine management light as cabin illumination nowadays

Any recent surveys have had Audi and Ford in similar brackets to Renault , stat wise (within a few %) yet not a peep and the Focus is "officialy the best car ever, ever"

At the end of the day you wont get a civilised Renault discussion here because there are so many shoulders with chips on thm.

Best bet is to take any questions to the likes of here http://www.renaultforums.co.uk/ .

None of the list of mine and my family & friends Renaults have had a major issue between them. This includes 3 Clios (2 mk 2 and 1 Mk 3), A late model mk 1 laguna, a Scenic 1 and 2. A 19 and my godfather who has only ever had Renaults, an 04 1.6 Auto megane estate and an 07 saloon. theres more but I cant remember off hand.

The only car my boss has held on to for more than about 2 months is the 01 Laguna he picked up for €1800 early last year. This has a dodgy regulator that takes ages to come up on the passanger side (but tbh its much better than the one on the Lexus RX300 his sonhas that doesnt work at all. that car is a rattly bucket of bolts if I've ever seen one), but other than that is A1.



They are not as reliable as others, but at the end of the day we are talking about a fe wcars per hundred in the difference between them and the percieved invicibles. They are also not as bad as the guy in the pub tells you.

eamon234

Well said Stekelly - company I work for bought 10 new Toyota Avensis's in the last few weeks - two have broken down already one died completely today so much for Toyota reliability!

I had a Megane for a while no major problems Mother has a 01 does have some electrical issues alright.

Stark

Thoie wrote:

In the 12 years I've had my hatchback, here's a pretty comprehensive list of things done, in addition to normal services, timing belts, etc.

12 years, that would make it a 1996/1997? Before the 2004 Megane, my parents had a 2001 Megane and that was a far superior car from what I remember. Very little reliability troubles and just a nicer car all round really. Once they got the 2004 model, they ended up dropping several grand into it before finally having to get rid of it. Mostly absolutely silly electrical faults. Like why should a car need a sensor to tell it the clutch pedal is depressed before the car would start for example?

colm_mcm

eamon234 wrote: »

Well said Stekelly - company I work for bought 10 new Toyota Avensis's in the last few weeks - two have broken down already one died completely today so much for Toyota reliability!

That's pretty unbelievable alright. The Avensis isn't a car I'd associate with dying, especially if it's only a few weeks old. the fact you've had 3 incidents on seperate cars in the past weeks makes it all the more bizzare.


You've become less Anti Renault lately

eamon234 wrote: »

There's a good reason why Lagunas are for sale all over the place for half nothing! Get rid of it.

BrianD3

All I'll say is read up on any reliability or customer satisfaction index that features the megane, then try and figure out if the risk of something going wrong is offset by how cheap the car is.

How about the ADAC "Pannenstatistik" reliability index. The ADAC is like a German equivalent of the AA and its stats are based on thousands of actual callouts. The Megane from 04 is rated as below average in its class for reliability but from 06 onwards it's well above average. Same score as the Mazda 3 and better score than the:

Corolla/Auris
Civic
Golf
Focus
Astra
C4
307
Leon/Toledo

Similar story with the 06 Laguna, rated better than Avensis, Octavia, Mondeo, Vectra etc.

In more general terms Renault is the 11th worst manufacturer in the UK Warranty Direct index. Not great but not nearly as bad as certain posters of boards.ie would have someone believe. However in a poll in this forum the majortity of posters who voted said that Renault reliability is at least as good as other European makes.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055012473
So it may be the case that it's just a small number of uninformed loudmouths who do most of the bashing in this forum. Empty vessels and all that....

To the original poster, there is nothing wrong with the reliability of an 06 Megane, whether you get the 1.5 DCi or 1.4/1.6 petrol.The DCi is an excellent engine and even the 1.4 petrol is one of the most powerful in its class, significantly better than the downright crap 1.4s in the Ford Focus and VW Golf. I have the 1.6 petrol in my Laguna and am just about to pass 200k miles, the engine runs as well as the day I got it, averages over 40 mpg, uses no oil etc.

pburns

Stekelly wrote: »

At the end of the day you wont get a civilised Renault discussion here because there are so many shoulders with chips on thm.

Best bet is to take any questions to the likes of here http://www.renaultforums.co.uk/ .

O yeah 'cos that's gonna be a bastion of balanced opinion - a few maschoistic die hards and a smattering of gullible, firefighting fools who didn't do their homework.

Stekelly wrote: »

The only car my boss has held on to for more than about 2 months is the 01 Laguna he picked up for €1800 early last year. This has a dodgy regulator that takes ages to come up on the passanger side (but tbh its much better than the one on the Lexus RX300 his sonhas that doesnt work at all. that car is a rattly bucket of bolts if I've ever seen one), but other than that is A1.

Yeah, them Lexus are a bucket of ****e alright, you'd be much better off in a Laguna II :D:D:D:D:D:D

colm_mcm

BrianD3 wrote: »

How about the ADAC "Pannenstatistik" reliability index.

Apart from that one

Guy:Incognito

pburns wrote: »

Yeah, them Lexus are a bucket of ****e alright, you'd be much better off in a Laguna II :D:D:D:D:D:D

You need more smilies. This is the only one that suites your opinion :rolleyes:.

I gave ONE example of the only Lexus owner I know personally. His is a bag of ****e. and happens to share a similar issue with a Laguna 2 I know, only worse. But of course, as long as you can make a ppoint with lots of smilies and hand waving, thats the most important thing.

pburns wrote: »

O yeah 'cos that's gonna be a bastion of balanced opinion - a few maschoistic die hards and a smattering of gullible, firefighting fools who didn't do their homework.

I assume the same goes for every dedicated forum for all makes? All gullible fools who only talk about how great their cars are?

Not like here where only well though out and informed opinions are allowed, al delivered by people with in dept knowledge of the subject matter.

The Pontiac

Older model Reliability rating http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/renault/megane-saloon-2003.aspx?Page=4

Newer model Reliability http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/renault/megane-saloon-2006.aspx?Page=4

At least you'll be safe though..

Papillon!

last two cars we've had have been renault meganes and cant think of any problems we've had with it. nice car

Dartz

Have an 02 Laguna.... supposedly the least reliable of the lot. It works fine. Comfy. Fast enough. I've know the car since its first owner bought it. Never had a problem from new....

Well, nothing has broken that I haven't broken myself.

EPM

OP, to get away from the wranglings here - there are some very well known issues with the Megane. You will usually tend to hear the bad stories and nothing of the good ones even when the bad stories make up a small percentage of owners.

Having said that, I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. The electrical problems would worry me when talking about long term ownership (even though facelift cars are supposedly better), but as bad as car prices are at the moment you will lose more money on a Megane than you would on possibly any other comparable car come resale time.

black & white

I'm currently driving a 2006 Megane Dynamique 1.5 diesel with 85K on. Has had both front windows done under warranty, other than that the only problem was a fuel pipe that broke ( extremely unusual according to my local dealer - who I would trust) Had to get the front headlight bulbs replaced and they only charged my for the bulbs, nada for labour.

Previously had a 2004 Dynamique 1.4 petrol and the only prob with that was the front windows which were done under warranty. Traded it after 2 years for the diesel.

I've driven Fords (2), Toyota (1) and Opel (4) before buying Renault and the only one that comes close for comfort on a long journey was my 87 Carina II.

The Megane has a huge boot ( 3 sets of golf bats and 2 trollies ) and while the petrol model is heavy on juice 33/34mpg, the diesel gives me an average on 47/48mpg on a mix of city and dual carriageway driving.

If you do decide to buy, go for the diesel. Most Renault dealers offer a 2 year warranty on their used Renault stock so opt for one of those.

As for AA membership, most insurance companies offer breakdown cover as part of your policy so that shouldn't be an issue.

Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

Saab Ed

Make sure you buy the post face lift version from about March 06 onwards, its a far better car. Infact its a bloody good car. One big thing to watch out for though....Diesels fitted with Delphi fuel pumps are going to be trouble. The pump breaks up and contaminates the fuel system. If its out of warranty its a mega bill. Other wise Id say you should have no worries once its the facelift version.:)

Stevie Dakota

Saab Ed wrote: »

Make sure you buy the post face lift version from about March 06 onwards, its a far better car. Infact its a bloody good car. One big thing to watch out for though....Diesels fitted with Delphi fuel pumps are going to be trouble. The pump breaks up and contaminates the fuel system. If its out of warranty its a mega bill. Other wise Id say you should have no worries once its the facelift version.:)

How can one check if one has a Delphi pump not, and if it does what should it be replaced with?

Saab Ed

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

How can one check if one has a Delphi pump not, and if it does what should it be replaced with?

Its marked on the pump somewhere. Just go routing with a torch. Problem is if it does go the entire fuel system is fuc**d. The pumps inners break up and metal schavings find their way through the system and then back into the tank via a return pipe. €4,000 job to fix properly. If you have a delphi pump just change it now before it goes.....( with a non delphi pump )

johnc24

Saab Ed wrote: »

Make sure you buy the post face lift version from about March 06 onwards, its a far better car. Infact its a bloody good car. One big thing to watch out for though....Diesels fitted with Delphi fuel pumps are going to be trouble. The pump breaks up and contaminates the fuel system. If its out of warranty its a mega bill. Other wise Id say you should have no worries once its the facelift version.:)

Hi SaabEd

How do I know or check for a "facelift version"

Thanks

John

Saab Ed

[URL="javascript: wz_swapImage('bigPic','','http://images.carzone.ie/images/CB4_1332155_1_1231252.jpg',1);"][/URL] This is the facelift.
http://cars.motornet.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1332155
[URL="javascript: wz_swapImage('bigPic','','http://images.carzone.ie/images/CB4_1142614_1_589145.jpg',1);"][/URL] This is the Pre facelift. http://cars.motornet.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1142614

You can see like for like pictures at the links.

PS I dont work for that company just incase anyone thinks I do. The pictures were just perfect for this example.

johnc24

Saab Ed wrote: »

[URL="javascript: wz_swapImage('bigPic','','http://images.carzone.ie/images/CB4_1332155_1_1231252.jpg',1);"][/URL] This is the facelift.
http://cars.motornet.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1332155
[URL="javascript: wz_swapImage('bigPic','','http://images.carzone.ie/images/CB4_1142614_1_589145.jpg',1);"][/URL] This is the Pre facelift. http://cars.motornet.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1142614

You can see like for like pictures at the links.

PS I dont work for that company just incase anyone thinks I do. The pictures were just perfect for this example.

Maybe I'm being a plonker but I can hardly see a difference, merely a colour shade difference, any other pointers?

Saab Ed

Headlights , wheels , trim, all small things really. Just tell any dealer that you want the phase 2 face lift model when you call.

GusGus

i have had 3 maganes myself and atwo had very hig mileage , iv had a coupe, saloon and new hatch and all i had was a small few minor issues which didnt cost me that much apart from service. My mate has an 06 golf and jesus has it been a pain in rear end, a month has not gone by without it been in a garage. My dad and brother currently drive Meganes and they have had no trouble either. The one thing I would say is that Dad was in a serious crash in the Megane in 2007 and wrote it off. He walked away from it without even a bruise and for me safety is a BIG thing . The car was in bits but driver was grand .

I deffo go for facelifted version and deffo a dunamique model or if you have to go for the older 06 version make sure it is the sky one ..

:)

johnc24

GusGus wrote: »

.....and for me safety is a bad thing . The car was in bits but driver was grand .

I deffo go for facelifted version and deffo a dunamique model or if you have to go for the older 06 version make sure it is the sky one ..

:)

Safety is a bad thing, am I missing something?

BrianD3

johnc24 wrote: »

Maybe I'm being a plonker but I can hardly see a difference, merely a colour shade difference, any other pointers?

The plastic grille around the badge at the front is smoother/rounder on the facelifted car.

GusGus

johnc24 wrote: »

Safety is a bad thing, am I missing something?

sorry bad was meant to read BIG

Stevie Dakota

Don't forget that guy on Top Gear who hopped in a Megane and drove into another car at 30mph, he was fine, balls of steel.

johnc24

Hi guys a quick one for you.

I asked for a €1000 discount on the megane.

so that would be a 2 year warranty, a 99 opel astra and 9,200.

would you be happy with that deal?

BrianD3

Re: safety Renault have indeed paid a lot of attention to it in recent years. Compare the injury risk for the Laguna III tested at 80 km/h with the previous model Ford Mondeo tested at 64 km/h

Laguna


Mondeo


Legend


Due to the laws of physics an 80 km/h crash has about 50% more energy than a 64 km/h crash, that's a major difference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MsqJFoWSjI

Sean Quagmire

Sorry couldnt resist

Stevie Dakota

johnc24 wrote: »

Hi guys a quick one for you.

I asked for a €1000 discount on the megane.

so that would be a 2 year warranty, a 99 opel astra and 9,200.

would you be happy with that deal?

John, what model are you buying, mileage, engine size and trim level?

johnc24

Hi guys

its this one

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Renault/Megane/SP-6S-Dy/200912192224777/advert

for €9,950.

**my €1000 discount request didnt go so well, she said she would offer me 200 more off the astra!***