Talk to me about 2003 Renault Megane
Discussion
Easy one this,
Seems like every car I look at has a long list of common faults,
So as it's for the misses I've left it to her to choose and she want one of these, not specificly 2003 but "the shaking that a**" shape.
Are they any good, what really goes wrong with them, will I regret it ??
Looking at the 1.6 vvt
Thanks
Seems like every car I look at has a long list of common faults,
So as it's for the misses I've left it to her to choose and she want one of these, not specificly 2003 but "the shaking that a**" shape.
Are they any good, what really goes wrong with them, will I regret it ??
Looking at the 1.6 vvt
Thanks
My dad had one before he bought an Impreza. Total nightmare!
Numerous silly little niggles and quirks, but some that cost some real money to fix and some that made driving it a pain. I recall the boot hatch mechanism breaking, and the Renault dealer giving him the wrong part to replace it with. They then repeated this trick by giving him a tow bar that was clearly not designed for use with the Megane - good thing he never actually needed to use it.
He thought it had a flat spot when accelerating, which he looked into and is apparently a common fault. Car revs, and as it accelerates, power output cuts before coming back in before the engine stalls. Made it "feel like it's dying when it's pulling away". Total quash on the driving enjoyment. When it was working and not flat-spotting it was apparently a nice, if not terribly exciting car to drive. When he sold it to make way for the Impreza, one of the motors for the rear passenger windows died the day before it was due for a woman to come and look at it with a plan to buy it. £200 to fix the problem, and thankfully she bought it a day later. My dad was pretty happy to get rid of that car!
Numerous silly little niggles and quirks, but some that cost some real money to fix and some that made driving it a pain. I recall the boot hatch mechanism breaking, and the Renault dealer giving him the wrong part to replace it with. They then repeated this trick by giving him a tow bar that was clearly not designed for use with the Megane - good thing he never actually needed to use it.
He thought it had a flat spot when accelerating, which he looked into and is apparently a common fault. Car revs, and as it accelerates, power output cuts before coming back in before the engine stalls. Made it "feel like it's dying when it's pulling away". Total quash on the driving enjoyment. When it was working and not flat-spotting it was apparently a nice, if not terribly exciting car to drive. When he sold it to make way for the Impreza, one of the motors for the rear passenger windows died the day before it was due for a woman to come and look at it with a plan to buy it. £200 to fix the problem, and thankfully she bought it a day later. My dad was pretty happy to get rid of that car!
There's been a 1.9 dCi six-speed five door on a 54 plate in the family since it was a nearly-new ex demo car: it's now on about 50,000 miles and. The only thing that it's ever needed apart from routine servicing is the air-con regassing and the driver's side window motor replacing. I used it for about six weeks last summer when my E91 BMW 320D was in the body shop being repaired from someone in a 4x4 driving into the side of it, and while it didn't set the world on fire I thought it was a pleasant enough thing to drive and goes fairly well.
I'm an Alfa driver and I wouldn't touch a Megane with somebody else's bargepole. Absolute nightmares, the most common fault seems to be the window regulators, always breaking and 200 quid a pop to put right. Combine that with the idea of reducing the car down to its component parts to change a bulb, and poor interior build quality, and that just finishes it off. They're not even nice to drive (haven't driven a hot one though).
My sisters got an 06 plate 1.6vvt 5dr, primarily bought because of the 'shaking the ass' thing. Shes had it from 12 months/12000 miles old.
Its now got about 60k on it and it literally falling apart, she hasn't been able to open the 2 front windows for at least 12 months (it had the randomly opening window problem, she took it to Renault who first wanted £1000!!!!!
and then said they would 'solve' the problem by taking out the appropriate fuse 
).
It rattles worse than the AX GT i used to have when i was 18, the lights sometimes just decide to turn themselves off when shes driving along, fuel gauge only works when its in the mood, top coat of lacquer is coming off on the bonnet. If you think i'm being negetive you should here her talk about it.
Suffice to say she won't be getting another Renault when she changes it next year.
Hopefully I might have some input in the next car she buys, choise of cars not being a strong point in her house, her husband has just got rid of a mint prelude 2.2vti red top for a bright red automatic 55 plate mitsubishi outlander "because its the same underneath as an evo"
Its now got about 60k on it and it literally falling apart, she hasn't been able to open the 2 front windows for at least 12 months (it had the randomly opening window problem, she took it to Renault who first wanted £1000!!!!!
and then said they would 'solve' the problem by taking out the appropriate fuse ). It rattles worse than the AX GT i used to have when i was 18, the lights sometimes just decide to turn themselves off when shes driving along, fuel gauge only works when its in the mood, top coat of lacquer is coming off on the bonnet. If you think i'm being negetive you should here her talk about it.
Suffice to say she won't be getting another Renault when she changes it next year.
Hopefully I might have some input in the next car she buys, choise of cars not being a strong point in her house, her husband has just got rid of a mint prelude 2.2vti red top for a bright red automatic 55 plate mitsubishi outlander "because its the same underneath as an evo"
robsco said:
I'm an Alfa driver and I wouldn't touch a Megane with somebody else's bargepole. Absolute nightmares, the most common fault seems to be the window regulators, always breaking and 200 quid a pop to put right.
My window regulators were replaced without charge 6 months outside of warranty. It's a known issue which Renault UK has been addressing well from what I've heard. Doesn't BMW have issues with it's windows too? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...robsco said:
Combine that with the idea of reducing the car down to its component parts to change a bulb, and poor interior build quality, and that just finishes it off.
I've changed a headlight bulb. Admittedly, I had to remove the wheel to access the access panel, but it took all of 10 minutes to fit. It's possible that I could have managed it by simply putting on full lock but I wasn't sure where I was going with the bulb.Interior quality is on a par with Ford in my experience.
robsco said:
They're not even nice to drive (haven't driven a hot one though).
I understood that they were quite well rated for their ride. And of course the hot ones are probably the best value good-to-drive hot hatches you can buy.Most modern cars have "issues" these days. If I was in the market for a cheap runabout, I'd probably go with a focus, just because of the low running costs.
so about 50/50 on here for / against. Bugger I'm no more sure on this or worse off... Going to go for a low miles FSH model and see what comes up.
We only have £2500 to spend, no more, and in that range really not a lot about. Crash ratings for the first time mean a lot to me as it's going to be carrying the first born.
I think i need to loook with open eyes.
Most japps are out of range for something she'd actually want to drive, Corolla, Jazz and we've had 2 VW polo's that were nothing but trouble, so not going to touch another VW
We only have £2500 to spend, no more, and in that range really not a lot about. Crash ratings for the first time mean a lot to me as it's going to be carrying the first born.
I think i need to loook with open eyes.
Most japps are out of range for something she'd actually want to drive, Corolla, Jazz and we've had 2 VW polo's that were nothing but trouble, so not going to touch another VW
I had one, beware of the coil packs in the engine that just seize violently and then the car shakes around till a shop.
Other than that, it was absolutely fine.
Was a lovely first car until I wrote it off. I survived a 70mph crash into the side of a Nissan X-Trail without so much as a scratch.
Other than that, it was absolutely fine.
Was a lovely first car until I wrote it off. I survived a 70mph crash into the side of a Nissan X-Trail without so much as a scratch.
I have a '53 Megane as a daily driver.
It's "OK". By "OK", I mean it does the job that I want it to... mostly.
Electrics are a typical French affair - lots of show-y stuff and bling, but f
ks off when the going gets tough (i.e. all the time!).
Suspension is awful. I am going to have to investigate yet ANOTHER strange noise from the front suspension.
Had bits of the suspension replaced a while back at great £££ to myself (thank you Mr pothole!) - not really a "fault" as such, but compared to other cars I have owned, the suspension feels fragile.
Did, at one point, develop a horrible starting problem where the engine sounded like it was firing on a lot less than 4 cylinders and would quit almost straight away. Never seen that problem since in over 2 years of ownership though *touches wood*.
Handbrake is, by far, teh WORST design ever. Ever. Fragile as heck, randomly breaks and stops working when the rear wheels encounter the SLIGHTEST of potholes.
Did develop a fault with the driver side leccy window. Fixed and fine.
The circular control for the electric sunroof is a VERY dodgy connection. Sometimes requires twiddling back and forth several times to get it to "wake up" and close the fecking thing!.
The electric folding mirrors worked once for me, and that's it. Once. Never worked since.
The speaker in the driver's door stopped working, roughly at the same time as the window motor replacement. Come to think of it, that's when I noticed the folding mirrors not working. Some may care, I don't - I view the car as my own personal bus, only I have to do the driving.
All in all, I'd say it was a good car, but don't expect anything close to Jap/Deutsch quality, especially wrt the electrics. The ride is OK, noting exciting, but does the job. Engine is rather revvy and willing, decent economy (I'm in the 1.6 VVT petrol, have a rather heavy right foot (at times, guv!), half my journey is stop-start traffic and STILL see over 32-35 MPG AVG on the trip computer. Not bad considering the town/city stuff), gearing seems a little bit short, but OK).
All in all, a lot of car for the money as a decent example can be found for decent money and will make a good little motor. Just don't set your expectations too high. Also, don't bother with Renault dealers. Ever. Not that they're "bad" as such, but they're expensive.
WRT the headlamp stuff. Even more funny trying to replace a front indicator bulb - you have to reach further and fiddle around in a space smaller than the average man's hand to replace the bulb. Half the operation is done by feel. I paid a Halford's person to fit mine. Funny as fk hearing the curses as he scraped his hands to buggery!
It's "OK". By "OK", I mean it does the job that I want it to... mostly.
Electrics are a typical French affair - lots of show-y stuff and bling, but f
ks off when the going gets tough (i.e. all the time!).Suspension is awful. I am going to have to investigate yet ANOTHER strange noise from the front suspension.
Had bits of the suspension replaced a while back at great £££ to myself (thank you Mr pothole!) - not really a "fault" as such, but compared to other cars I have owned, the suspension feels fragile.
Did, at one point, develop a horrible starting problem where the engine sounded like it was firing on a lot less than 4 cylinders and would quit almost straight away. Never seen that problem since in over 2 years of ownership though *touches wood*.
Handbrake is, by far, teh WORST design ever. Ever. Fragile as heck, randomly breaks and stops working when the rear wheels encounter the SLIGHTEST of potholes.
Did develop a fault with the driver side leccy window. Fixed and fine.
The circular control for the electric sunroof is a VERY dodgy connection. Sometimes requires twiddling back and forth several times to get it to "wake up" and close the fecking thing!.
The electric folding mirrors worked once for me, and that's it. Once. Never worked since.
The speaker in the driver's door stopped working, roughly at the same time as the window motor replacement. Come to think of it, that's when I noticed the folding mirrors not working. Some may care, I don't - I view the car as my own personal bus, only I have to do the driving.
All in all, I'd say it was a good car, but don't expect anything close to Jap/Deutsch quality, especially wrt the electrics. The ride is OK, noting exciting, but does the job. Engine is rather revvy and willing, decent economy (I'm in the 1.6 VVT petrol, have a rather heavy right foot (at times, guv!), half my journey is stop-start traffic and STILL see over 32-35 MPG AVG on the trip computer. Not bad considering the town/city stuff), gearing seems a little bit short, but OK).
All in all, a lot of car for the money as a decent example can be found for decent money and will make a good little motor. Just don't set your expectations too high. Also, don't bother with Renault dealers. Ever. Not that they're "bad" as such, but they're expensive.
WRT the headlamp stuff. Even more funny trying to replace a front indicator bulb - you have to reach further and fiddle around in a space smaller than the average man's hand to replace the bulb. Half the operation is done by feel. I paid a Halford's person to fit mine. Funny as f
k hearing the curses as he scraped his hands to buggery! Parents had one, 2003ish 1.6 manual. It was ok, I liked the basic shape.. but comedy wheel-to-arch gap.
The main thing that annoyed me when driving it; it was nearly impossible to pull away cleanly without bogging down. It was so easy to stall when pulling away, both of my parents and myself would regularly stall it, probably once per trip. I didnt like the handbrake lever, but thats personal preference. Keyless entry/go is very good, although I was there was another option to the 'card' its too thick to go in a wallet and too card-like to go on a keyring.. which means you just put it in your pocket, and I am always worrying about loosing it out of my pocket. (Have the same design 'key' now with my Clio)
The main thing that annoyed me when driving it; it was nearly impossible to pull away cleanly without bogging down. It was so easy to stall when pulling away, both of my parents and myself would regularly stall it, probably once per trip. I didnt like the handbrake lever, but thats personal preference. Keyless entry/go is very good, although I was there was another option to the 'card' its too thick to go in a wallet and too card-like to go on a keyring.. which means you just put it in your pocket, and I am always worrying about loosing it out of my pocket. (Have the same design 'key' now with my Clio)
I recently got in touch with Renault UK after some issues. I pointed out that many of the common faults with their cars should have been sorted out as recalls. They are the least helpfull manufacturer in existence. Here's some info regarding reliablity scores on various cars. Source Whatcar? Any Renault highest score is 76 out of 100.
If you fancy a Megane, you might want to consider another engine. The 1.6 is notorious for dephaser pulley problems. The 2l petrol doesn't seem to have the problem despite also being VVT. Diesels should be OK if you service properly and look after it. Window regulators are a common problem but, as with many of the others, you should be able to find one that has had lots of the problems sorted.
Oh , and the headlight bulb replacement thing has been blown out of all proportion - the biggest problem is the lack of proper instructions. I struggled with my first before I discovered that the spring catch holding the bulb released very easily to the side rather than trying to pull down from the top. Easily done within a minute after this discovery.
Oh , and the headlight bulb replacement thing has been blown out of all proportion - the biggest problem is the lack of proper instructions. I struggled with my first before I discovered that the spring catch holding the bulb released very easily to the side rather than trying to pull down from the top. Easily done within a minute after this discovery.
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff