RE: BMW M135i vs Renaultsport Megane 265
Discussion
Porsche reliability? A guy I knew had a first-gen Cayenne which he said spent more time being fixed than on the road.
M135i - dull! Electric steering and artificial engine noise? No thanks. The looks from the front are just horrible, though it's nice otherwise.
Megane - I'm sorry but I just couldn't live with a fast front-driver, and 4 cylinders is too few for me.
Need a fast, practical RWD car with a turbo 'six? The answer is an E91 335i or Alpina B3 Touring. Auto and manual both available, hydraulic steering and I think the Alpina came with a standard fit limited slip diff. If you need something smaller, wasn't there a first-gen 135i hatch? Never liked the 1er interior though - cheap and cramped.
M135i - dull! Electric steering and artificial engine noise? No thanks. The looks from the front are just horrible, though it's nice otherwise.
Megane - I'm sorry but I just couldn't live with a fast front-driver, and 4 cylinders is too few for me.
Need a fast, practical RWD car with a turbo 'six? The answer is an E91 335i or Alpina B3 Touring. Auto and manual both available, hydraulic steering and I think the Alpina came with a standard fit limited slip diff. If you need something smaller, wasn't there a first-gen 135i hatch? Never liked the 1er interior though - cheap and cramped.
Nohedes said:
I'd be interested to know what the sample was for each brand. How many Bentley drivers are reading What Car? and filling in the survey? I suspect that the What Car? reader demographic skews the sample towards certain brands in a less than accurate way.
Their article says the data's based on claims from Warranty Direct, shouldn't be affected in the way you've interpreted it hopefullyRoverP6B said:
Porsche reliability? A guy I knew had a first-gen Cayenne which he said spent more time being fixed than on the road.
M135i - dull! Electric steering and artificial engine noise? No thanks. The looks from the front are just horrible, though it's nice otherwise.
Megane - I'm sorry but I just couldn't live with a fast front-driver, and 4 cylinders is too few for me.
Need a fast, practical RWD car with a turbo 'six? The answer is an E91 335i or Alpina B3 Touring. Auto and manual both available, hydraulic steering and I think the Alpina came with a standard fit limited slip diff. If you need something smaller, wasn't there a first-gen 135i hatch? Never liked the 1er interior though - cheap and cramped.
Not read great things on the early 35i engines reliability wise though, suicidal fuel pumps & injectors apparentlyM135i - dull! Electric steering and artificial engine noise? No thanks. The looks from the front are just horrible, though it's nice otherwise.
Megane - I'm sorry but I just couldn't live with a fast front-driver, and 4 cylinders is too few for me.
Need a fast, practical RWD car with a turbo 'six? The answer is an E91 335i or Alpina B3 Touring. Auto and manual both available, hydraulic steering and I think the Alpina came with a standard fit limited slip diff. If you need something smaller, wasn't there a first-gen 135i hatch? Never liked the 1er interior though - cheap and cramped.
Edited by VeeFource on Monday 16th September 07:32
Durzel said:
Was a big fan of the M135i until I found out that the engine noise in the cabin is simulated.
For that reason alone if I had to choose (I wouldn't buy either with my own money) it would have to be the Megane.
Don't Renault offer a choice of entirely synthetic engine noises in the new RS Clio (including various non-Renaults)? Can't be long before this finds it's way into the Megane...For that reason alone if I had to choose (I wouldn't buy either with my own money) it would have to be the Megane.
Veefource said:
Their article says the data's based on claims from Warranty Direct, shouldn't be affected in the way you've interpreted it hopefully
If it's based on warranty claims, perhaps it's linked to cost of claims in some way, rather than the volume of claims, which might explain why so many prestige brands are near the bottom (I expect even a minor claim on a >3yr old Bentley might be quite expensive!).
Their article says the data's based on claims from Warranty Direct, shouldn't be affected in the way you've interpreted it hopefully
If it's based on warranty claims, perhaps it's linked to cost of claims in some way, rather than the volume of claims, which might explain why so many prestige brands are near the bottom (I expect even a minor claim on a >3yr old Bentley might be quite expensive!).
jerrytlr said:
toppstuff said:
And of course the Renault will be a shed , living its life only a moment away from MOT failure, long before the BMW will be - at least on past performance.
How many Renault 11 Turbo's are there left now? Next to none I think.
Even the Renault 19 16V, in many ways the spiritual predecessor of the Megane and only around in the 1990's, has long since disappeared from our roads. When was the last time you saw one?
Tons and tons of both 11s and 19s driving around quite happily over here in the Dordogne.How many Renault 11 Turbo's are there left now? Next to none I think.
Even the Renault 19 16V, in many ways the spiritual predecessor of the Megane and only around in the 1990's, has long since disappeared from our roads. When was the last time you saw one?
Which is more than can be said for similarly aged Fords and Vauxhalls.....
I really don't get this 'French cars don't last' thing that seems so endemic on Pistonheads. The French sorted out rust problems long before Ford or Vauxhall, or even the Italians, did. I have owned loads of French cars (as well as Brit and German ones, lest you think I am just biased!) including some 15+ years old, and none of them have ever suffered from rust.
To put this into context: My first car was an Alfasud, my second an SD1 Rover, after those I actively sought out cars that tended NOT to rust!
Regarding this series of comparisons to the M135i - I think it is great, comparing various interesting options at the 30Kish price point, I look forwards to the upcoming reviews.
And for what it's worth - I would take the Megane, despite that fact that I actually quite like the look of the 1 series ............
Cheers
Jerry
PS - Totally off the wall comment, Jerry - I think I remember your username, I bought your black S2000 about 8-9 years back, I'm the chap that used to live in Claydon, hope you're keeping well!
Picked up our M135i on Saturday. I thought it looked pretty good in Grey. Wife loves it.
Had a short drive before flying back to Switzerland. Lovely. My daily drive is a 330XD. Great car but just doesn't have the same character as a 6-cylinder petrol engine.
It was a very easy decision for us. We wanted 5 doors and auto so the 265 wasn't in the running. Even if it was, for us the BMW is better 99% of the time so no way I'd buy the Megane (or other hot hatch equivalent), because it might be a bit more fun on the back roads.
If there is a factory fit LSD available from next year that would sort the one blot on the BMW's book (although I will wait until I've got used to the car first to see if it really needs it).
Had a short drive before flying back to Switzerland. Lovely. My daily drive is a 330XD. Great car but just doesn't have the same character as a 6-cylinder petrol engine.
It was a very easy decision for us. We wanted 5 doors and auto so the 265 wasn't in the running. Even if it was, for us the BMW is better 99% of the time so no way I'd buy the Megane (or other hot hatch equivalent), because it might be a bit more fun on the back roads.
If there is a factory fit LSD available from next year that would sort the one blot on the BMW's book (although I will wait until I've got used to the car first to see if it really needs it).
CraigV6 said:
Side on view is the best of a bad bunch of views, really awfully designed car.
Very difficult to tell it apart from the rest of the range too, which is disappointing for a "flagship"!
Well, yes, that's kind of half the appeal. Q cars are much classier than shouty-looking be-winged versions of otherwise non-sporty designs. Unless you are a teenager.Very difficult to tell it apart from the rest of the range too, which is disappointing for a "flagship"!
KMB said:
PS - Totally off the wall comment, Jerry - I think I remember your username, I bought your black S2000 about 8-9 years back, I'm the chap that used to live in Claydon, hope you're keeping well!
I saw your username and wondered if it was the same KMB....! sure enough your comment above confirmed that it was. I occasionally wonder if I should get another S2K, it was a great car....jerrytlr said:
KMB said:
PS - Totally off the wall comment, Jerry - I think I remember your username, I bought your black S2000 about 8-9 years back, I'm the chap that used to live in Claydon, hope you're keeping well!
I saw your username and wondered if it was the same KMB....! sure enough your comment above confirmed that it was. I occasionally wonder if I should get another S2K, it was a great car....Although, maybe it's better to hold out and start saving for the forthcoming new NSX...
Your comments read like you might be considering a Megane RS. I test drove one and loved it, but ended up with the RS200. It was bought new from Renault in Ipswich and I drove it straight down to Lyon, the RS range was almost half the price UK side after some hard haggling - Although you do of course have to live with the steering wheel on the wrong side!
Nohedes said:
Don't Renault offer a choice of entirely synthetic engine noises in the new RS Clio (including various non-Renaults)? Can't be long before this finds it's way into the Megane...
Choice being the operative word. It's just a bit of fun, you can simply not use it and hear what ever occurs naturally. It's not and always on feature!!!gaz1234 said:
sanctum said:
The M135i may look good on paper but it looks like a munter in the flesh. If I had to choose between the two I'd take the renault, but if you gave me the cash to spend? I'd buy an A45 in a heartbeat.
The endVery ordinary looking thing IMO and much like the RS3 a leaden thing to drive. Its just not about massive horsepower and paddle shift 4wd transmissions. Just so boring and very expensive.
toppstuff said:
Roma101 said:
toppstuff said:
And of course the Renault will be a shed , living its life only a moment away from MOT failure, long before the BMW will be - at least on past performance.
How many Renault 11 Turbo's are there left now? Next to none I think.
Even the Renault 19 16V, in many ways the spiritual predecessor of the Megane and only around in the 1990's, has long since disappeared from our roads. When was the last time you saw one?
Where is that "can't tell if you are joking" picture when you need it. (BTW Renault have improved their design and manufacturing processes in the last 20/30 years. Amazing, I know!)How many Renault 11 Turbo's are there left now? Next to none I think.
Even the Renault 19 16V, in many ways the spiritual predecessor of the Megane and only around in the 1990's, has long since disappeared from our roads. When was the last time you saw one?
Come to that, even first generation Meganes are disappearing from our roads.
Clios and Lagunas too - all being scrapped at a rapid rate.
In contrast, you still see plenty of old 3 series BMWs knocking around. I don't for a moment believe things have suddenly changed and the French are suddenly making cars with deep down build quality. And there is no evidence in the modern reliability surveys to suggest things are changing either.
In short. This shiny Megane will be a shed not long after the finance payments are finished.
Seriously, PH, can we stop this silly anti-French rubbish once and for all.
Roma101 said:
Seriously, PH, can we stop this silly anti-French rubbish once and for all.
I'm not one for prejudice and have stayed out of it until now. However, Which? has this to say:Which said:
Renault urgently needs to sharpen up its act in terms of reliability. Its showing in the latest Which? survey of owners was among the very worst.
For what it's worth, they don't give the Germans an easy ride either.
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