Octavia or Grand Megane-Help me choose!!!!

killer007

Going to trade in my 8yr old Citeron C8 and had my mind make up to go for a new Octavia diesel 2.0 or 1.6.
Now I see that Renault are offering €4,900 off a Grand Megane for an 8 yr old trade in (€3,390 trade in allowance and € 1,500 Renault scrappage).
Should I re-consider and get a Grand Megane diesel.

Ardennes1944

this should be good

faw1tytowers

I find the 1.6 isnt powerful enough for the octavia. But lovely car. I am a renault fan and in the process of looking for another scenic. Renault scrappage deals are best out there!

EPM

Can't ignore the megane now that the quality is what it should be

Alanstrainor

Alright andyseadog, I deleted your post. This is not after hours, posting stupid pictures on thread is just annoying, and is neither clever nor funny. Any more of it and you'll be getting infractions/bans.

Topper Harley

I'd go with the Megane based on looks. Although on looks, I'd go for the 3 door coupe, but I assume since you're considering the Grand Megane you're thinking of practicality and a 3 door doesn't really come under that. Based on anything other than looks, I have no idea.

faw1tytowers wrote: »

I find the 1.6 isnt powerful enough for the octavia. But lovely car. I am a renault fan and in the process of looking for another scenic. Renault scrappage deals are best out there!

I used to have a 1.6L Toledo (very similar to the Octavia). I never found it wanting for power, unless I had four passengers and even then not much.
Then again, I've taken stick on here before for suggesting that a non V8 Mustang should be introduced in Europe.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

The octavia has a huge boot.

-Chris-

Which spec of Grand Megane are you lookng at? I was driving a Tom Tom edition for a month or so and I was amazed at the spec. It's a fine car to drive - seats not massively comfy (to me) - but otherwise I couldn't really fault it.

If you're comparing cars, ignore the "scrappage", it's just discount by another name. Generally discounting a car heavily at the front end has a negative effect on the second hand value, so it's a double edged sword.

Get the cost-to-change for each car (how much you need to cut a cheque for), drive both cars, and then decide which car is worth the money.
Discount is a red herring most of the time, cost to change is where it's at.

Irish Fire

What's the Renault going to be worth in 3 - 4 years time, with so many on the road they will be 10 a penny...... Don't forget when they give trouble they give trouble.

CabanasBoy

Drive both for as long a test drive as you can wangle from the dealers, I'm biased towards the Skoda but if you've had a thing for French cars you'll find the firm seats and superior build quality in the Octavia a bit strange, I personally would not relish the prospect of long term ownership of a Renault and I know from my own experience that long term Skoda ownership is a sincere pleasure.

CabanasBoy

CabanasBoy wrote: »

Drive both for as long a test drive as you can wangle from the dealers, I'm biased towards the Skoda but if you've had a thing for French cars you'll find the firm seats and superior build quality in the Octavia a bit strange, I personally would not relish the prospect of long term ownership of a Renault and I know from my own experience that long term Skoda ownership is a sincere pleasure.

Just a couple of other points,

The Octavia design is getting a bit long in the tooth and will probably be replaced in 2 years (ish) with a brand new one but being a long established design usually means less problems.

The Megane is a much newer design and new designs are generally prone to problems and recalls.

killer007

Thanks for the advice , plan to keep the car long term but want a good price for it in 5 years time so Skoda is the way to go.

Thought this thread might end up in Humour for a while!!!! A big boot is always good

BrianD3

You plan to keep the car long term but you're going for the one with the 2 year warranty (Skoda) instead of the one with the 5 year warranty (Renault)?

The Megane III is a reliable car with excellent build quality. The Skoda is also good but if you have a problem with the modern diesel engine in either of these cars, chances are it'll be expensive. Turbo, injectors, high pressure pump, particulate filter, dual mass flywheel etc. Each of the above have the potential to give a bill of several hundred euro if not more. In that case, a long warranty is a big selling point. You'd want to check exactly what is and isn't covered by warranty of course.

PS the Megane III did very well in the reliability/problems section of the latest Auto Express Driver Power survey

The main advantage that I see with the Skoda is that boot in the hatchback is huge and possibly bigger than the Megane estate boot. The boot in the Megane hatchback is tiny compared to the Octavia boot.

colm_mcm

Hyundai i30 CW worth a look too, 5yr unlimited mileage warranty.

ThisRegard

We have one of each and would find it hard to choose as both are great, but I think the Megane may just edge it in terms of looks and comfort, and toys. On weekends away we take the megane due to what feels like more space and much better economy. The octavia is a 1.6 and it's fine, you don't need anymore unless you like traffic light grand prixs on a daily basis.

Regarding resale prices I wouldn't take much notice of a posted comment above, Octavias are all over the place too and older models are worth feic all. Neither is an issue for us as we plan on using them a long time.

colm_mcm

I think the small warranty on the yet unproven vw 1.6d would be of concern, the potential repairs could make it an expensive long termer, just speculation I know but when there are similar cars out there that are less of a gamble over 5 years

coolbeans

Get the Megane. The Skoda is fine but it's still a bloody Octavia i.e. dull as ditchwater and everyone will think you're a taxi. Seriously, the Megane is a decent car with loads of toys and every bit as well built as the Skoda. I actually think the Skoda is the modern day equivalent of the mid nineties Corolla, that is, white goods.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

coolbeans wrote: »

Get the Megane. The Skoda is fine but it's still a bloody Octavia i.e. dull as ditchwater and everyone will think you're a taxi. Seriously, the Megane is a decent car with loads of toys and every bit as well built as the Skoda. I actually think the Skoda is the modern day equivalent of the mid nineties Corolla, that is, white goods.

That kind of talk can get you into trouble around these here parts.....;) we should not be comparing a megan and an octavia in the first place, rather an octavia and a S class merc or 7 series. Maybe against a phantom or maybach. Although why you would buy one of those is only cause your a badge snob. And low tax, more money than sense. Although the octavia had a much bigger boot than any of those.

coolbeans

Fukking Octavias, I mean seriously, they're everywhere...like fridges...and signposts.

Ardennes1944

coolbeans wrote: »

Fukking Octavias, I mean seriously, they're everywhere...like fridges...and signposts.

there must be a reason. they're obviously very good at what they do

Irish Fire

coolbeans wrote: »

Fukking Octavias, I mean seriously, they're everywhere...like fridges...and signposts.

Unlike the Renault they are always on the road and not on the back of an AA truck.......

maidhc

killer007 wrote: »

Going to trade in my 8yr old Citeron C8 and had my mind make up to go for a new Octavia diesel 2.0 or 1.6.
Now I see that Renault are offering €4,900 off a Grand Megane for an 8 yr old trade in (€3,390 trade in allowance and € 1,500 Renault scrappage).
Should I re-consider and get a Grand Megane diesel.

The deciding factor here is the value of the C8. The €4,900 is just a discount, not a "trade in allowance" despite what Renault market it as. Sell the C8 privately, and then start shopping with cash. It will give you a clear picture of where you stand, but either way you will be standing in a better place and probably not in a Renault showroom.

ThisRegard

Irish Fire wrote: »

Unlike the Renault they are always on the road and not on the back of an AA truck.......

maidhc wrote: »

but either way you will be standing in a better place and probably not in a Renault showroom.

The boards motoring expertise strikes again :rolleyes:

MidlandsM

-Chris- wrote: »

Generally discounting a car heavily at the front end has a negative effect on the second hand value, so it's a double edged sword.

I don't agree with this as in 3 or 4 years time, there may very well be a shortage of good clean low emmissions cars like these for the secondhand market due to low enough sales these days versus the boom times, so the OP may well do ok at the other end of his ownership.

Irish Fire wrote: »

...... Don't forget when they give trouble they give trouble.

:rolleyes:.........same can be said for any car.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Hyundai i30 CW worth a look too, 5yr unlimited mileage warranty.

+1

and the kia ceed sw.

Stevie Dakota

We have a previous gen Megane estate. It does some things brilliantly, spacious, comfortable, very refined, huge boot, very economical, well equipped. Add to that Renaults improved reliability/quality with the new model and it is a very compelling package.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

huge boot,

Oh yeah, how huge, The octavas boot is so big that that is has its own post code.....huge boot in a megan I dont think so.

wellsir

have you looked at the Fluence?

colm_mcm

Jaxon Ugly Respirator wrote: »

Oh yeah, how huge, The octavas boot is so big that that is has its own post code.....huge boot in a megan I dont think so.

Think the boot on the octavia hatch is about 20% bigger than a grand megane though.

Henry Ford III

wellsir wrote: »

have you looked at the Fluence?

Not a wind up but any time I've seen an ad for that car I can almost hear a rasping fart, as "Fluence" becomes "Flatulence"

no1beemerfan

Both are fine cars and look well etc. However the octivia is out a while and its only got 2 years warrenty.

Renault have put a lot into the new cars (both in terms or equipment and sorting out the bad reputation caused by the laguna II mainly and the last megane model). They come with a FIVE year warrenty and also being that bit cheaper to me it only makes sense to go with the megane. (The VW group don't have a glowing reputation lately either).

maidhc

ThisRegard wrote: »

The boards motoring expertise strikes again :rolleyes:

History has yet to produce a state owned car manufactuer with a highly unionised workforce that makes well built and reliable cars.

BL wasn't, and modern Renaults up to and including the Laguna II werent. Maybe the very latest are better, but it will take 6-10 years before we know.

Until then, being biased is perfectly acceptable IMO.

Tea 1000

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

there must be a reason. they're obviously very good at what they do

Don't be fooled by popularity. The original beetle is the best selling car of all time. It was out-classed and out-dated by the 50's, let alone the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. But people kept buying them.
Look at Westlife. Crap band doing cover versions of older songs, but people keep buying their albums!

killer007

Update: Just bought a Grand Megane 1.6 diesel 110bhp tomtom edition ( they couldn't fit much more stuff in it ) with 5 years warranty for €18,000 ,got over €7,000 for my 03 C8.Now I know that Renault are discounting heavily and there are more reliable brands out there but the 5 yr warranty swung it for me.
They do want it serviced at a main dealer each time so as not to void the warranty but I can put up with that.
Also tested an Octavia (comfortable but dull ) Kia Cee'd sw (loads of spec but full of dull plastic interior ),Ford c-max ( good family car only 2 yr warranty ) and a Passat (wow- but out of my price range ) .
I must say that Skoda salespeople were the most dis-intrested at selling me a car ( a take or leave it attitude ) so Skodas must be walking out the door.

Thanks for all the advice.:)

EPM

Well wear, good choice:D

-Chris-

Wear well. Enjoy working out the new toys, it's a very well spec'd car.

Andrew33

killer007 wrote: »

I must say that Skoda salespeople were the most dis-intrested at selling me a car ( a take or leave it attitude ) so Skodas must be walking out the door.

Thanks for all the advice.:)

Have to agree, fantastic cars and until recently fantastic dealers, they couldn't do enough for you but they've gone all smug and VW'ish lately like they couldn't care less, that'll cost them dearly with existing Skoda owners.

Getting your car serviced by a main dealer for five years is going to cost you a small fortune and you are not obliged to get it serviced by them to maintain your warranty. FACT!

R.O.R

killer007 wrote: »

Update: Just bought a Grand Megane 1.6 diesel 110bhp tomtom edition ( they couldn't fit much more stuff in it ) with 5 years warranty for €18,000 ,got over €7,000 for my 03 C8.Now I know that Renault are discounting heavily and there are more reliable brands out there but the 5 yr warranty swung it for me.
They do want it serviced at a main dealer each time so as not to void the warranty but I can put up with that.
Also tested an Octavia (comfortable but dull ) Kia Cee'd sw (loads of spec but full of dull plastic interior ),Ford c-max ( good family car only 2 yr warranty ) and a Passat (wow- but out of my price range ) .
I must say that Skoda salespeople were the most dis-intrested at selling me a car ( a take or leave it attitude ) so Skodas must be walking out the door.

Thanks for all the advice.:)

Congrats on the new motor. 18k is a very good price for the Tom Tom!

Was it from stock or is it on it's way? Have 2 GT editions on order but Renault won't tell the dealer when to expect them

killer007

Just did deal over phone this evening and won't see dealer untill Friday but I know it's not in dealer's stock.

vwcaddyman

Go German solid car, great resale value, reno onthe other hand quiet the opposite and the reason for the 5 yrs warranty is cause youll need it, plagued with electrical problems. Skoda is a simple well speced car....

Wompa1

I'm looking for a car at the moment myself and the guy that sits across from me at work has a 06 Megane that he only got 2 years ago, he's trading it...says it's spent more time in the garage then on the road...

Octavias I believe only have one possible issue with leaking through the corner of the windscreen but if you bring it to a dealer they can fix it very simply

pajo1981

vwcaddyman wrote: »

Go German solid car, great resale value, reno onthe other hand quiet the opposite and the reason for the 5 yrs warranty is cause youll need it, plagued with electrical problems. Skoda is a simple well speced car....

Did you mean to post in the car stereotypes thread?

pajo1981

Wompa1 wrote: »

I'm looking for a car at the moment myself and the guy that sits across from me at work has a 06 Megane that he only got 2 years ago, he's trading it...says it's spent more time in the garage then on the road...

Octavias I believe only have one possible issue with leaking through the corner of the windscreen but if you bring it to a dealer they can fix it very simply

Renaults became ultra-reliable at the stroke of midnight, 00:00 01/01/08.

Jesus man, do your research!

Wompa1

pajo1981 wrote: »

Renaults became ultra-reliable at the stoke of midnight, 00:00 01/01/08.

Jesus man, do your research!

I don't know. My brother had a Fiat, a girl I worked with and a guy I lived with each had Pugeots and now the guy I work with has a Renault....I think I'd stay away from French cars.

German or Japanese for me

hoarder

Knowing three or four Renault drivers, and a mechanic my advice is steer clear of any Renault. It will be fine for a year or two, but when the problems start, they will start in a big way. These cars are beautiful, comfortable, well priced, but not at all durable. Octavia all the way.

colm_mcm

The guy just ordered a Megane, maybe get the skoda love-in in a bit earlier next time

Guy:Incognito

Wompa1 wrote: »

I don't know. My brother had a Fiat, a girl I worked with and a guy I lived with each had Pugeots and now the guy I work with has a Renault....I think I'd stay away from French cars.

What has Fiat got to do with French cars?

ThisRegard

vwcaddyman wrote: »

Go German solid car, great resale value, reno onthe other hand quiet the opposite and the reason for the 5 yrs warranty is cause youll need it, plagued with electrical problems. Skoda is a simple well speced car....

As has been said, you've posted in the wrong forum. But in case you haven't, you haven't a clue about the latest batch of Renault models.

Padraig Mor

killer007 wrote: »

Update: Just bought a Grand Megane 1.6 diesel 110bhp tomtom edition ( they couldn't fit much more stuff in it ) with 5 years warranty for €18,000 ,got over €7,000 for my 03 C8.Now I know that Renault are discounting heavily and there are more reliable brands out there but the 5 yr warranty swung it for me.
They do want it serviced at a main dealer each time so as not to void the warranty but I can put up with that.
Also tested an Octavia (comfortable but dull ) Kia Cee'd sw (loads of spec but full of dull plastic interior ),Ford c-max ( good family car only 2 yr warranty ) and a Passat (wow- but out of my price range ) .
I must say that Skoda salespeople were the most dis-intrested at selling me a car ( a take or leave it attitude ) so Skodas must be walking out the door.

Thanks for all the advice.:)

Congratulations and well wear! Just in case the dealer didn't make it clear (and I doubt they did): the 110bhp requires 2yr / 30k km servicing, rather than the 1yr / 20k km of the 86 bhp.


edit: must say that is a savage price. List on that (excluding govt scrappage and presuming metallic paint) is approx €20750. And that trade in for your C8 looks like it's incorporating a fair bit of discount too.

Paparazzo

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

What has Fiat got to do with French cars?

Fiat begins with F, so its French. Duh!

Wompa1

Paparazzo wrote: »

Fiat begins with F, so its French. Duh!

You know when I was typing that I thought they had some affiliation with Ferrari...I'm not a big motorhead. Just been look for a car myself lately. Sorry for the slip up, it won't happen again. Fiat are Italian I'm guessing?

Anyhow, Pugeot and Renault...beware!

MidlandsM

Wompa1 wrote: »

Anyhow, Pugeot and Renault...beware!

there is 1000's on people that will 100% recommend them too.:p