Megane II, any advice

Captain Slow IRL

I'm looking at a few options for a cheap runabout, and 1 that's getting serious consideration is a 2002/3 Megane hatch, 1.4 petrol.

Is there anyone on here with 1st hand experience; good, bad or indifferent? I know they have a sh*t reputation but after talking to friends/neighbours that own different models from the same era, they seem to be reliable enough (relatively speaking!)

wonski

The launch models (02-03) are the ones to avoid actually.

The engine itself is fine btw. It is the electrics (silly nct failures like window regulators, boot lock, stop lights etc) that I would be worried about.

Interslice

Keycards is the only reoccuring issue my mam has with hers. Windows will go at some stage on every renault of that era, Can be sorted relatively cheaply if you shop around but still a pain in the hole. Hers only has 60k miles and it's minded fairly well so it's grand. Probably plenty of high mileage victims of the BS irish car maintainance but no more than any other car. There better than a 1.4 golf of the same year in nearly every way apart from the keycard thing. Much better engine. 95 vs. 75 hp. Use renault spark plugs and your good!

wonski

Interslice wrote: »

Keycards is the only reoccuring issue my mam has with hers. Windows will go at some stage on every renault of that era, Can be sorted relatively cheaply if you shop around but still a pain in the hole. Hers only has 60k miles and it's minded fairly well so it's grand. Probably plenty of high mileage victims of the BS irish car maintainance but no more than any other car. There better than a 1.4 golf of the same year in nearly every way apart from the keycard thing. Much better engine. 95 vs. 75 hp. Use renault spark plugs and your good!

You mean coils;)

These are an easy fix and nothing to worry about.

02-03 are not recommended for a reason. 60k mileage is very unlikely for a 12 years old car anyway. Not saying they are all bad, but they are nowhere near good.

Comfy ( Comfort module) and well equipped - and that is where the problem starts.

You won't have it with Golf's windey windows;)
Engine is very good, the rest is *****, though.

Interslice

wonski wrote: »

You mean coils;)

These are an easy fix and nothing to worry about.

02-03 are not recommended for a reason. 60k mileage is very unlikely for a 12 years old car anyway.

No plugs.

She bought it when it was 2 years old, off my aunty, who I highly doubt has the knowledge or equipment to access the clocks!

wonski

Interslice wrote: »

No plugs.

She bought it when it was 2 years old, off my aunty, who I highly doubt has the knowledge or equipment to access the clocks!

Spark plugs make no difference, and they are not made by Renault anyway.

There is an issue with their coils (pencil types) that fail, but it is not connected to the brand of spark plugs used iirc.

Just to clear it up - coils are not made by Renault either, and I have used cheap ebay replacement (95 euro a piece vs 40-50 euro a set of four) without a problem.

02-03 Megane is asking for trouble - that is not just my view, it is based on experience. Not the first hand one, but still valid.

Interslice

Gotten 25k miles so far and 2.5 years out of genuine renault plugs and a set of 4 beru coils. Still going strong. The theory is the aftermarket plugs kill the coils. But anyway you have to buy every 10+ year old car as an individual and forget about reputations. I would just double check every electrical button on a renault before buying as they can be a pain to sort particularly more complex parts like the keycard an central locking.

Plugs are made by renault. A pack sitting here in front of me!

wonski

Interslice wrote: »

Gotten 25k miles so far and 2.5 years out of genuine renault plugs and a set of 4 beru coils. Still going strong. The theory is the aftermarket plugs kill the coils. But anyway you have to buy every 10+ year old car as an individual and forget about reputations. I would just double check every electrical button on a renault before buying as they can be a pain to sort particularly more complex parts like the keycard an central locking.

Plugs are made by renault. A pack sitting here in front of me!

They are not. Just because there is a Renault logo on the box doesn't mean it is made by them;)

They make cars, not plugs.

Every car you buy is an individual - be it 1 year or 10 years+. Keycard and all the rest is ridiculously priced to replace - 200/piece iirc for the card.

Interslice

wonski wrote: »

They are not. Just because there is a Renault logo on the box doesn't mean it is made by them;)

They make cars, not plugs.

Every car you buy is an individual - be it 1 year or 10 years+. Keycard and all the rest is ridiculously priced to replace - 200/piece iirc for the card.

Doesn't say renault on the plugs/box. Cards can be gotten new for 125 or repaired for 50 at a locksmith. Not the end of the world in terms of the cost of motoring. A new one should last you 5-10 years depending on abuse of it. Dropping it etc.

goochy

Wonski while renault might not make all parts u cant say that all spurious parts are a similar quality to genuine parts . Where i work mechanics are always moaning about how u should always get certain parts from dealer . If u can find out who makes parts for manufacturer allthe better

goochy

Wonski while renault might not make all parts u cant say that all spurious parts are a similar quality to genuine parts . Where i work mechanics are always moaning about how u should always get certain parts from dealer . If u can find out who makes parts for manufacturer allthe better

slimjimmc

This is my experience as an long time owner of a early Megane II.

Common issues:
- key cards don't like being flexed too much too often so don't make a habit of sitting with it in your back pocket. My card failed and as typically happens I didn't have the spare. Got the card repaired by in Dublin for about €100.
- window regulators. My front windows failed at 4 years old but were replaced by Renault under warranty. Had 1 front and 1 rear fail since then. Cause was moisture in the window controller (made in Germany by Temic, a subsidiary of Continental). A good dose of WD40 into the controller seems to have sorted that out, no issue in the last 4 years.
- Pencil coils. Like many cars these are considered a consumable item. You'll know when one fails when the car suddenly starts spluttering, is down on power and the emissions warning on the dashboard. There are 4 coils, 1 for each cylinder and as they're wired in pairs it's recommended to replace both coils in a pair at the same time. A coil is about €25-€30 in a motor factors and is quite an easy fix for a DIYer.

Repairs :
- Had to replace the reversing light switch once. No biggie.
- Ongoing niggle with clutch pedal position switch. The Megane has a safety feature that prevents someone pressing the Start button and accidentally starting the car while in gear. To start you must either press the clutch and you press the brake pedal while in neutral. This switch is tucked under the dash just above the clutch pedal and detects if the clutch pedal is pressed. Unfortunately the toe of my shoe tends to snag the wires going into the switch and over time causes them to break. All this means is that you have to use the foot brake to start the car. It doesn't happen often and it's not hard to repair the wiring but the position of the switch tends to make it a recurring niggle.
- replaced inner tie rod ball joint @ 120,000 miles. I'd consider this reasonable normal wear and tear. Not expensive.
- replaced one lower ball joint @145,000 miles. Again wear and tear and not expensive.

Things to watch out for:
- In the front wheel arches are ports with a pull-off covers for access when changing headlamp bulbs. The covers are secure when properly fitted but unfortunately some people don't clip them back into place properly and they can be lost. If the cover is missing from the left side wheel arch road spray can get up and corrode the fuse box and cause all sort of odd behaviours.
- hub caps are held on by a special screw. There should be a tool supplied with the car but if not a needle nose pliers will do the trick; keep one in the boot in case you need to change a wheel or NCT.

No other issues with mechanicals, locks, or electrics in general, 170,000 miles clocked up.

Reasonably comfy car, well equipped for it's era. Has plenty of cubby holes and storage bins. One of the first cars of that time with 5 star NCAP safety rating.


Edit: forgot to mention that contrary to popular myth you don't have to dismantle the front of the car or remove wheels or headlamps to replace the bulbs. It's all doable in about 10mins through the wheel arches but it is awkward and you're fumbling around blind. If you've smallish hands you can do it from under the bonnet (remove battery cover for access to LH lamps).

Interslice

Would agree with all of that slijim. Another thing to watch is the exhaust. Mounts can go and ours split upstream of the middle box. The only mechanical failure we had was a rear wheel bearing.

JohnBoy26

Probably the most comfortable car in its class but they are flimsy.

Captain Slow IRL

Thanks a lot for all the replies.

The biggest attraction to this car is the 5 star ncap rating; tbh, it's the only reason I'd consider one.

AMKC

wonski wrote: »

They are not. Just because there is a Renault logo on the box doesn't mean it is made by them;)

They make cars, not plugs.

Every car you buy is an individual - be it 1 year or 10 years+. Keycard and all the rest is ridiculously priced to replace - 200/piece iirc for the card.

I know someone who left the keycard to there Megane in there trousers.They forgot to take it out.It was then but into the washing machine and after the wash it still worked and still does. I would not recommend doing it do lol.