Renault megane or Ford focus?

cuculainn

Hi am looking to get a car and am looking at a 2007 megane or 2007 focus.

There is a bit of a price difference with the focus pricier.

What are peoples opinions of these models.

They are going to be 1.4 petrol.

The megane is Dynamique trim and the focus is Lx?


Thanks for your help

bazz26

Focus without any shadow of a doubt but find at least a Zetec model, LX is fairly bare. That model Megane has patchy reliability issues around electrics that could break your heart. I wouldn't take a chance on one and there is a reason they are dirt cheap.

d1234

Focus by miles. That generation of Renault were not that totally reliable.

porsche boy

do not ever give anyone your hard earned money for a Renault. This one rule will make your life a whole lot better. :-)

cuculainn

Thanks for all your replys........bazz was there any other models of megane that were more reliable.??

My budget is tight, so the price of the reno is tempting.....any other cars in the reno price range that would be worth looking at?

colm_mcm

cuculainn wrote: »

bazz was there any other models of megane that were more reliable.??

There were but they came out 19 years ago.

Wholeheartedly go for a focus.

cuculainn

colm_mcm wrote: »

There were but they came out 19 years ago.

Wholeheartedly go for a focus.

Ha ha they were called a renault 19 as well

Drop the Ball

Go for the focus, there is good reason why the Renault is cheaper.

galson

There is but one option really here - Focus. May be pricier now but will save you a lot of money (and hassle) in the long run. Couple of friends used to own Renault cars, none of the would buy it again. Just make sure you have a good mechanic with you when test driving so he can pick if there's anything wrong, may help you to bring the price down a bit too.

Damien360

Had an 02 focus which I traded for an 05 renault scenic. Worst mistake ever with cars. Scenic broke my heart and my wallet. Result of which, I would never buy a Renault again. If I won one, I would sell it for a focus in the morning.

colm_mcm

If you can get a kia ceed or Hyundai i30 within budget they'd be worth a look, I'd have either over a focus,

Tzardine

Drop the Ball wrote: »

Go for the focus, there is good reason why the Renault is cheaper.

The Renault is cheap, The Ford is inexpensive:D

Avoid the Renault. I had one of that model year as a company car a while back and I had so many problems with it that it became hilarious.

Coming out to the carpark to find the windows were all down and would not come back up was one particular good one, or the fact that you have to bring it to the dealer to change a headlight bulb. Nightmare of a car.

corktina

Go for the Renault.....













haha only joshing....

d1234

What exactly is your budget OP?

Keano

Get the focus. My brother fell into the trap of getting a Renault because it was cheap! I'd say it's every second week he asks for my car to bring the kids to school!

bazz26

cuculainn wrote: »

Thanks for all your replys........bazz was there any other models of megane that were more reliable.??

My budget is tight, so the price of the reno is tempting.....any other cars in the reno price range that would be worth looking at?

If a 07 Focus is outside of budget then drop back a year for a 06 example If you are on a tight budget then the last thing you want is a temperamental Megane.

Others to consider are the Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla hatchback. Again drop back a year if not within budget.

BrianD3

The Focus is a sharper handling car with more space and higher quality feel to the dashboard. The timing belt needs changing less often on the Ford. A Dynamique Megane is I think better equipped than an LX Focus. The Renault rides better with better soundproofing and has a more powerful engine if you compare the Ford 1.4 with the Renault 1.4. The Renault is slow but the Ford is noticably worse again. If this forum wasn't Ford fanboy central the Focus would be getting slammed for its weedy engine and poor fuel economy which results.

As for reliability, the facelift Megane II (which an 07 is) is at least as reliable as a same year Focus. The problem is that specifics like this are lost on pub "experts" who only see "the badge" and post from a position of ignorance and start bringing in different models eg the Mk 1 Focus which one poster brought up.

The German AA do a reliability report every year based on actual breakdowns. Each report looks back 6 years so the latest one is for cars registered in 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12. Check out the reports for yourself you don't have to speak German as the story is obvious from the illustrations

http://www.adac.de/infotestrat/unfall-schaeden-und-panne/pannenstatistik/pannenstatistik_archiv.aspx

In terms of perosnal experience we've owned an 05 and 07 Focus and an 06 Megane in the family the 07 Focus and the Megane had no problems the 05 Focus was pretty poor in a short period (probs with immobiliser and rear wiper motor, water from windscreen draining onto plugs causing misfire, major gearbox oil leak, crappy plastic bonnet catch broke) Earlier models of the Megane II from 2002-2005 also have signficantly more issues on average than the later facelited ones. A common story among various manufacturers - new models get introduced and there are issues that improve later on in the model cycle.

It's wrong to say that changing Megane II headlight bulbs is a dealer job, I know several people who own these cars (with no issues BTW) the owner are hamfisted and clueless about cars yet they have changed headlight bulbs themselves with a bit of effort. I'll concede that the bulbs are easier to change on the Focus.

Tzardine

BrianD3 wrote: »

It's wrong to say that changing Megane II headlight bulbs is a dealer job, I know several people who own these cars (with no issues BTW) the owner are hamfisted and clueless about cars yet they have changed headlight bulbs themselves with a bit of effort. I'll concede that the bulbs are easier to change on the Focus.

Having to remove a wheel and wheel arch panelling is a fair bit of effort to change a bulb lets be honest here.

BrianD3

Tzardine wrote: »

Having to remove a wheel and wheel arch panelling is a fair bit of effort to change a bulb lets be honest here.

IIRC you don't have to take off the wheel. yes there is trim to be removed and access is tight but it can be done by a hamfisted person or a Halfords "fitter".

Similar story with many other cars which need trim or headlights removed, knuckles skinned and have a "bring to dealer" instruction in the manual yet it is the Megane that gets constantly bashed for this.

Bpmull

I'm going to go against what everyone else is saying. I had a 07 Renault megane 1.5dci (to make it worse) and it never ever caused an ounce of bother. I got the megane with 130k km on it sold it with 170k km on it. Met the guy I sold it to recently and he said it was the best car he ever bought 250k km on it and all he put on it was tyres and a timming belt.

Now the focus :mad: I currently have a 07 ford focus 1.6tdci I know it's not a 1.4 but we will ignore that for a second. Words cannot actually describe the grief I have had with that car. I have it just over a year or 30k km there's 133k km on it now. even ignoring any engine problems as yours would have a different engine. There had been a serious amount of problems with the car itself. It's literally that bad that if you look at it crookedly it will break. After spending years of listening to people going on about how great the ford focus is this is what I get sitting on a motorway for 6 hours as the car decides to break down and the engine decides to cut out at 70mph. Everytime I fix a problem a new one comes along. Words really can't describe how I feel about the car I will never touch a ford again in my life so over rated. I can pm you a list of what gone wrong with it if you want it's too long to put up.

Anyway I better leave before all the ford fanboys come along. But this post is my honest experience of both cars.

Tzardine

The Megane I had did have some good points to be fair. I also had the 1.5 Diesel engine and it was a peach. It was powerful and with a 6 speed. The car was also very comfortable and had some nice kit in it.

But in terms of reliability I can honestly say that it was in the garage on a bi-monthly basis for non routine work. It used to blow window regulators constantly and burn oil heavily. It also would wear out suspension components fairly quickly.

cuculainn

d1234 wrote: »

What exactly is your budget OP?

Budget is about 4 1/2-5 k

I ve heard that the megane from 07 onwards isnt too bad but I guess there is a risk

I might broaden the search althogher and include the ceed and hyundai, mazda

Leonard Hofstadter

Given the specific choice laid out by the OP, there is no question that the Focus is by far the best option. However, it cannot be emphasised enough that the 1.4 is a pathetic engine in a Focus, WAY too underpowered. Get the 1.6 petrol.

Now if we were comparing a diesel Focus and Megane, it would be a different story. The 1.6 TDCi in the Focus is only worth buying if it has a full and verifiable service history, these engines do not tolerate neglect, and given the usual Irish attitude towards anything even remotely resembling maintenance, it's going to be very hard to find a properly maintained 1.6 TDCi Focus here now. Best to go to the UK where a full service history is seen as a useful selling feature in a second-hand car.

bazz26

2007 Kia Ceed here:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lk-kia-ceed-for-sale-5-200/6504534

colm_mcm

Worth a L@@k anyway.

d1234

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/307/Zenith-1/201408221851018/advert?channel=CARS

cuculainn

d1234 wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Peugeot/307/Zenith-1/201408221851018/advert?channel=CARS

would the peugeot be much better than the focus? I dont know much about them to be honest other than them being french like renault....does that put them in the same category?

bazz26

307s have patchy electrics too though a 07 would be a run out model so you'd imagine most issues would be sorted by then. I still wouldn't choose one though.

ProudDUB

I bought an '07 Focus two years ago. It had 45,000 miles on it when I bought it. I have done another 25,000 in it since then, and I have not had a moments trouble with it. It handles just as well on the motor way, as it does in Dublin traffic, or going around the Ring of Kerry. They are quite wide cars though, so parking can be tricky.

The only thing I hate about it is the 5 second time lapse between the last and second last swipe of the wipers when you spray your windscreen cleaner on the windscreen. By the time the wipers do their last rotation, all the liquid has already been wiped away and the rubber on the bone dry glass leaves an annoying smear mark. But I suppose as far as niggles go, that is relatively minor.

It is also not a powerful car. At all. If you are overtaking on a national road, at say 80/100 mph, you have to do it on a very, very long stretch of straight road, where you can see that there are no cars coming towards you. The lack of power means that you need A LOT of time to get up to speed to over take the car in front of you. I know that you should always give your self lots of room to overtake, but this car needs a lot more time to get up to speed to do so, far more than any other car I have ever driven.

Renegade Mechanic

Pretty much as per the three pages. Go for the focus. That gen Megane (03-09) are notorious. HOWEVER...... If it were just diesels then I would take a 1.5dci Megane over a 1.6tdci. The reason? The 1.6 is actually the Hdi unit made by Citroën/Peugeot and, frankly, it's just a pure and utter c*nt of an engine/box/electrical system in absolutely every way possible! :mad:. Sure, the Renault Dci's have more than their share of problems but Christ almighty they are at least much easier (relative) to work on than the 1.6. And they are WAY less complicated than the 1.6...

EDIT: Just read Bpmull's post on the previous page. Bpmull, see above:D

Mister Jingles

ProudDUB wrote: »

It is also not a powerful car. At all. If you are overtaking on a national road, at say 80/100 mph, you have to do it on a very, very long stretch of straight road, where you can see that there are no cars coming towards you. The lack of power means that you need A LOT of time to get up to speed to over take the car in front of you. I know that you should always give your self lots of room to overtake, but this car need a lot more time to get up to speed to do so, far more than any other car I have ever driven.

Is this the 1.4 you speak of or 1.6 ?

ProudDUB

1.6, which makes the serious lack of oomph (and the size of the motor tax bill) even feckin' worse ! :mad:

The_Honeybadger

Op you could also go for a Mitsubishi lancer, you'd get an 07 comfortably within budget and they are seriously reliable. They come with a 1.3 or 1.6 petrol engine, I had the 1.3 and racked up 60k miles on it without a bother, an acquaintance bought it from me a few years ago and they haven't had a minutes trouble with it either. It lacks power like the focus and isn't as attractive as other cars in its class but if it's a good value for money A to B car. It's a very underrated car IMO.

Mister Jingles

ProudDUB wrote: »

1.6, which makes the serious lack of oomph (and the size of the motor tax bill) even feckin' worse ! :mad:

Well the mk2 is a heavier car then the mk1 so I suppose the performance difference somewhat noticeable between the two, the mk1 been better ?

Re: the Megane I wouldn't go near one or if was was giving to me I'd just sell it. Nine years ago the aul fella bought one at nearly 22 grand brand new, now I'd say he'd do well getting 2250. It has broke his heart many a time, though not lately but he would never go near one again. Parking the car up and coming back to find a window or two down is piss poor quality in my opinion. I also said this yesterday but I don't find them a comfortable car to sit in either. Leg room in the rear is also very poor.

cuculainn

mickeyk wrote: »

Op you could also go for a Mitsubishi lancer, you'd get an 07 comfortably within budget and they are seriously reliable. They come with a 1.3 or 1.6 petrol engine, I had the 1.3 and racked up 60k miles on it without a bother, an acquaintance bought it from me a few years ago and they haven't had a minutes trouble with it either. It lacks power like the focus and isn't as attractive as other cars in its class but if it's a good value for money A to B car. It's a very underrated car IMO.

Had forgotten about the lancer alright....good reliability.....but not too easy on the eye

cuculainn

bazz26 wrote: »

2007 Kia Ceed here:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/lk-kia-ceed-for-sale-5-200/6504534

thanks for the link.....I am going to have a look at a couple of meganes anyway jsut to see......but leaning towards a focus......I like the i30 but they are think on the ground

homeless student

ProudDUB wrote: »

I bought an '07 Focus two years ago. It had 45,000 miles on it when I bought it. I have done another 25,000 in it since then, and I have not had a moments trouble with it. It handles just as well on the motor way, as it does in Dublin traffic, or going around the Ring of Kerry. They are quite wide cars though, so parking can be tricky.

The only thing I hate about it is the 5 second time lapse between the last and second last swipe of the wipers when you spray your windscreen cleaner on the windscreen. By the time the wipers do their last rotation, all the liquid has already been wiped away and the rubber on the bone dry glass leaves an annoying smear mark. But I suppose as far as niggles go, that is relatively minor.

It is also not a powerful car. At all. If you are overtaking on a national road, at say 80/100 mph, you have to do it on a very, very long stretch of straight road, where you can see that there are no cars coming towards you. The lack of power means that you need A LOT of time to get up to speed to over take the car in front of you. I know that you should always give your self lots of room to overtake, but this car needs a lot more time to get up to speed to do so, far more than any other car I have ever driven.

there is plenty of power in the 2002 1.6 focus, id stay away from the 1.4 focus though, very underpowered

cuculainn

just an up date....took a 07 megane hatch for a drive......i didnt believe when you said they were underpowered (1.4 petrol) my god it was.....

Other than that they are fairly tight for space in the rear, and that keyless ignition could be pain full if it give trouble.....

Bpmull

cuculainn wrote: »

just an up date....took a 07 megane hatch for a drive......i didnt believe when you said they were underpowered (1.4 petrol) my god it was.....

Other than that they are fairly tight for space in the rear, and that keyless ignition could be pain full if it give trouble.....

Well a 1.4 focus won't be quicker if anything it'll be worse.

GvidoR

I wouldn't buy either of them, but if I had to pick between the two, I'd pick the Focus.

Oryx

I drove a 02 petrol focus for years, great car never missed a beat. Changed to a 08 diesel focus and its been a proper nightmare, and thats what I keep getting told by anyone with experience of them. Newer models are not as good.

Wouldn't take a Renault for free though.

Renegade Mechanic

Bpmull wrote: »

Well a 1.4 focus won't be quicker if anything it'll be worse.

As a normally peaceful man, Its with difficulty that I admit entertaining thoughts of genocide against the french while I merged a motorway in a 1.4 Megane Estate. And as a grown man, its with no small amount of shame I say that an overtaking manoeuvre in a 1.4 Scenic made me cry like a slapped child.

Bpmull

Oryx wrote: »

Changed to a 08 diesel focus and its been a proper nightmare

Join the club :pac: I have a 07 diesel which calling it a nightmare would be putting it kindly. I'll never touch a ford again seriously overrated cars IMO.

GvidoR

Oryx wrote: »

Wouldn't take a Renault for free though.

I'll take it if it's free. :P

colm_mcm

Bpmull wrote: »

Join the club :pac: I have a 07 diesel which calling it a nightmare would be putting it kindly. I'll never touch a ford again seriously overrated cars IMO.

Maybe just avoid French engines :pac:

Frankie Lee

colm_mcm wrote: »

Maybe just avoid French engines :pac:

I still reckon the 1.8tdci is more troublesome.

dr.fuzzenstein

Frankie Lee wrote: »

I still reckon the 1.8tdci is more troublesome.

I've had (many years ago) the 1.6 diesel Escort Breadvan (in fairness it's sh*te), two '04 Focus vans with the 1.8 TDDI, an ancient Focus 1.8 TD, an 09 Connect with the 1.8 TDCI and currently run an 06 1.8 TDCI CMax.
Between all those cars I have done more than half a million km's and the worst trouble I had where two electrical faults, a fuel line drawing air and 2 blown intercooler pipes.
The 1.8 Ford diesel lump is as reliable as rock. And the CMax is just about the most comfy car I ever had and a serious mileage muncher.
Only thing to look out for is the later units with a wet belt, change every 100k km and you're good.

cuculainn

Just to give an update.....we are now considering a seat leon 1.4 petrol....drove one and while it hasnt great power it seems better than the megane anyway.....it also seems to be a fairly straight up car....not too much fancy **** to go wrong....

any opinions?

NIMAN

I have no experience of owning a Renault, but siblings have and had so many issues that I will NEVER buy a Renault. EVER.

bazz26

If you can get a Leon with the 1.4 TSi engine then definitely worth a look, if it's the 1.4 litre with 75/80bhp then I'd look at something else, that engine is in the Golf too and it's reliability track record is not great.

cuculainn

bazz26 wrote: »

If you can get a Leon with the 1.4 TSi engine then definitely worth a look, if it's the 1.4 litre with 75/80bhp then I'd look at something else, that engine is in the Golf too and it's reliability track record is not great.

really, what issues in particular? I'm pretty sure its not the 125 BHP so it must be this...

Thought the Golf was bullet proof