Opinions on 04 megane petrol

canhefixit

On the look out for a cheap 2nd car run about looking to spend about 2k or so, want to keep it below 1.4 as any higher tax would be a killer on car car that will be used little...

I think the 04 model is the mk2? any opinions on what they are like?

I bought a cheap 99 1.4 megane few years back think they had the dci engine and had no bother from it at all, even when there was some diesel put in it by mistake it was juddery for a while but she keep going!

See quite a few for sale just wanting to know what to look for in this newer model?

Cheers

naughtysmurf

We have a 05 one, had the usual electric window, boot not opening & airbag / service light on issues, last two issues are a reasonably cheap fix, < €100 to fix both, you might get lucky but these are plagued with electrical issues from 03 - 07, maybe cheap to purchase but could end up being nickel & dimed to death
Never had any engine issues, it's a bit of russian roulette really, might be ok on the other hand could end up giving you a nervous breakdown

canhefixit

naughtysmurf wrote: »

We have a 05 one, had the usual electric window, boot not opening & airbag / service light on issues, last two issues are a reasonably cheap fix, < €100 to fix both, you might get lucky but these are plagued with electrical issues from 03 - 07, maybe cheap to purchase but could end up being nickel & dimed to death
Never had any engine issues, it's a bit of russian roulette really, might be ok on the other hand could end up giving you a nervous breakdown

Thanks for your honesty!

I did hear electrics let some off them down but with the 99 I had I didnt have any issues was hoping newer one would be the same..oh well!

On the other hand come across a 03 Xsara 1.4 120k no nct, taxed few months, says new belt recently fitted I'd be wanting proof and now tipex marks, looks very cleans inside and out

Any opinions on these folks?

Cheers again

Ronnie Beck

Check every electrical part and component, all doors, windows, keys etc. and timing belt change. Check footwells for damp. A service history using fully synthetic 5w40 would be great.

Talking about a megane btw.

Stinicker

It's a Renault, run away quickly and never look back and think of the lucky escape you made.

166man

If you want a cheap runabout for under €2k I'd avoid a 9 year old Megane.

Stinicker

canhefixit wrote: »

On the other hand come across a 03 Xsara 1.4 120k no nct,

Any opinions on these folks?

Cheers again

Yes, the same as Renault, absolute rubbish of a car, the first thing you need to do is forget anything French, and that means Renault, Citroen and Peugeot all three manufacturers equally as bad and as each other and each setting new levels of absolute junk.

http://www.crushmy307.co.uk/messages.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCZ2v-nIF4

naughtysmurf

canhefixit wrote: »

Thanks for your honesty!

I did hear electrics let some off them down but with the 99 I had I didnt have any issues was hoping newer one would be the same

That's how I was thinking too, had a 00 one for seven years before we bought the 05 & drove the 00 until 2011 with no issues

Leonard Hofstadter

Stinicker wrote: »

the first thing you need to do is forget anything French, and that means Renault, Citroen and Peugeot all three manufacturers equally as bad and as each other and each setting new levels of absolute junk.

Wow, talk about making a sweeping statement, especially one that's not entirely true!

The Mk2 Megane is terrible, and the 307 is even worse, but that does NOT mean that every French car is unreliable. For example, the Mk1 Megane is a much better car than a 1.4 Golf, and there's nothing wrong with a Xsara from a reliability perspective either. While it's hardly the most reliable car in its class, the Mk1 Megane is nevertheless a rather durable car; it's also very comfortable and the 1.4 engine is quite sprightly with 98 bhp. It's quite a shrewd buy actually, especially in ignorant Ireland, where sentiments like the above are all too common.

canhefixit

OK think ill avoid the Megane now...

Any other ideas on a budjet of 2k ish?

I want to rule out a mk1 focus and any mk corolla, the bigger the car the better and I know options limited being 1.4 but how are the 1.4 Octavias? Nice enough looking machine hoe bout reliability? They dont share the 1.4 engine from the oil guzzling Golf do they?

Again open to suggestions

Cheers

HappieChappie

canhefixit wrote: »

OK think ill avoid the Megane now...

Any other ideas on a budjet of 2k ish?
Again open to suggestions

Cheers

At least one person saved the pain of having a Megane.....

If you could get your hands on an Octavia for 2k you would be doing well good reliable cars.

Avoid older Opels/Vauxhall's engine problem's (head gasket cam shaft problems)develop at 80,000k+

Ronnie Beck

Stinicker wrote: »

Yes, the same as Renault, absolute rubbish of a car, the first thing you need to do is forget anything French, and that means Renault, Citroen and Peugeot all three manufacturers equally as bad and as each other and each setting new levels of absolute junk.

http://www.crushmy307.co.uk/messages.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCZ2v-nIF4

It takes less than five minutes

galwaytt

Renault's from 03-06/07 have the worst rep.

The generation of Renaults 98 - 03 are quite the opposite. The 'facelift' Scenic was around 'til 05 and is a good car, and still 1.4. As soon as I can sell my current diesel car, I'm going back to getting one of them.

galwaytt

captainspeed wrote: »

it's also very comfortable and the 1.4 engine is quite sprightly with 98 bhp. It's quite a shrewd buy actually, especially in ignorant Ireland, where sentiments like the above are all too common.

...indeed: I was beside a lovely 99 Mégane Coupé yesterday, and thought it one of those cars people keep forgetting. Underrated imho.

canhefixit

Lads came across an 05 Citroen C4 1.4 with 60k klms and 2 years test, looks very clean the seller says it was the wifes car and was rarely used just to shops and back, 2 owners from new current one has it 5 years...any opinions on these yolks or common problems with them??