Wobbly Renault Megane MK2 CC
Discussion
Well this isn't likely to excite many, my purchase of a 2007 Megane CC. Arn't they the answer to a question nobody asked? Well, don't be too quick to dismiss it...
It was very very cheap. And I must confess that all thoughts negative thoughts disappear when you forget about image and just appreciate it for what it is.
Surely it's one of the better looking of its type, and has attracted many positive comments. The seats are really comfortable. The body flex is hilarious but you don't notice it after a while. It's a comfort cruiser, and all the better for it.
You forget all about the badge on the grill when the folding top does its origami and you're cruising along in the fresh air - surely what it's all about? Every journey becomes gloriously extravagant, each drive makes you feel a million dollars! I haven't enjoyed driving so much in years!
Problems? Oh yes. The central locking is crazy, locking/unlocking itself randomly, only settling when driving. Goodness knows what's causing that.
Other than that, it's been a surprising joy of a car so far. And I never thought I'd say that about a Renault!
It was very very cheap. And I must confess that all thoughts negative thoughts disappear when you forget about image and just appreciate it for what it is.
Surely it's one of the better looking of its type, and has attracted many positive comments. The seats are really comfortable. The body flex is hilarious but you don't notice it after a while. It's a comfort cruiser, and all the better for it.
You forget all about the badge on the grill when the folding top does its origami and you're cruising along in the fresh air - surely what it's all about? Every journey becomes gloriously extravagant, each drive makes you feel a million dollars! I haven't enjoyed driving so much in years!
Problems? Oh yes. The central locking is crazy, locking/unlocking itself randomly, only settling when driving. Goodness knows what's causing that.
Other than that, it's been a surprising joy of a car so far. And I never thought I'd say that about a Renault!
Well the wobbly Renault is in for cambelt and water pump. No point in allowing the tractor unit under the bonnet to trash itself. Even if it sounds like it already has. Quite who thought a loud diesel would add to the cool convertible experience is anyone's guess, however once cruising it's quite quiet.
Next, how to solve the frenetic central locking...
Then the radio which someone kindly placed in the dash helpfully unsecured to anything at all. As you do.
Rather pleasingly the dashboard says the mighty tractor unit is returning 44mpg, quite impressive for something so heavy and wobbly.
I'm hoping the service might result in the tractor showing a vague interest in a teeny bit of performance. Hope springs eternal...
Next, how to solve the frenetic central locking...
Then the radio which someone kindly placed in the dash helpfully unsecured to anything at all. As you do.
Rather pleasingly the dashboard says the mighty tractor unit is returning 44mpg, quite impressive for something so heavy and wobbly.
I'm hoping the service might result in the tractor showing a vague interest in a teeny bit of performance. Hope springs eternal...
After a week of scrubbing off moss/fungus/mould/bird poo et la, this was what was underneath.
Today the garage informed me that some knuckle dragging mouth breather had recently replaced the water pump and crankshaft pulley, but then put the old cambelt back on. I was also sent photos of a pile of rust that was once a fuel filter.
Mon dieu!
Today the garage informed me that some knuckle dragging mouth breather had recently replaced the water pump and crankshaft pulley, but then put the old cambelt back on. I was also sent photos of a pile of rust that was once a fuel filter.
Mon dieu!
Edited by SirGriffin on Wednesday 20th July 19:24
Hmm, new cambelt, water pump, full service, and a replacement for a tyre with a bulge in it - the bank manager will see you now, sir. Still, at least catastrophe has been averted.
Some chav (sorry to all the chav's reading this, I'm sure you are not really chav's at all) has previously replaced all the interior light bulbs (of which there are rather a lot) with led's, which I loath - they produce such a cold, harsh light, which (don't laugh at this) don't actually produce much useable light at all. Am I the only one who thinks this?
Trouble is, old fashioned filament bulbs seem to have disappeared from sight now, and the few ones available on eBay seem to be a fortune!
Next task is to find a way to affix properly the stereo which some clown has just thrown into the hole in the dashboard, and which disappears every time I press a button. Sigh.
Wobble safely people!
Some chav (sorry to all the chav's reading this, I'm sure you are not really chav's at all) has previously replaced all the interior light bulbs (of which there are rather a lot) with led's, which I loath - they produce such a cold, harsh light, which (don't laugh at this) don't actually produce much useable light at all. Am I the only one who thinks this?
Trouble is, old fashioned filament bulbs seem to have disappeared from sight now, and the few ones available on eBay seem to be a fortune!
Next task is to find a way to affix properly the stereo which some clown has just thrown into the hole in the dashboard, and which disappears every time I press a button. Sigh.
Wobble safely people!
Hmm, water getting into the electrics when raining causing mayhem isn't very convenient
. How very Renault. Something else for the to-do list.
Meanwhile wobbling on the road is pronounced - something to do with what appears to be a completely ineffective n/s damper according to the garage. Another thing for the to-do list.
Those small matters aside, it must be said that the build quality on these cars is complete rubbish. Still, it must be said that it's great fun zipping along with the top down, which curiously seems to be the most reliable part of the car...
. How very Renault. Something else for the to-do list. Meanwhile wobbling on the road is pronounced - something to do with what appears to be a completely ineffective n/s damper according to the garage. Another thing for the to-do list.
Those small matters aside, it must be said that the build quality on these cars is complete rubbish. Still, it must be said that it's great fun zipping along with the top down, which curiously seems to be the most reliable part of the car...
SirGriffin said:
Some chav (sorry to all the chav's reading this, I'm sure you are not really chav's at all) has previously replaced all the interior light bulbs (of which there are rather a lot) with led's, which I loath - they produce such a cold, harsh light, which (don't laugh at this) don't actually produce much useable light at all. Am I the only one who thinks this?
No, you're not. One of my more spectrum-y dislikes. I think the filament bulbs make the interior feel a way warmer place to be. Weirdly I don't have an issue where it's OEM. I feel the same about LED sidelight bulbs! SirGriffin said:
Hmm, water getting into the electrics when raining causing mayhem isn't very convenient. How very Renault. Something else for the to-do list.
That will be the drain holes underneath the front scuttle blocked and letting water in the car, it has happened to virtually every MK2 Scenic/Megane we have owned. Does your car have the underfloor storage pockets in the front? If so open them and I bet they are full of water.. How very Renault. Something else for the to-do list. The fix is to remove the wiper arms and then remove the plastic scuttle under windscreen. In each corner you will see a drain hole and I bet they are clogged up with 15 years of decomposed leaves and mud. These drain holes have a tube which leads under the car with a valve on the end. The valve clogs up and this causes the issue, the best thing I have found is to rod them with a piece of net curtain rod and some warm water.
Well after throwing many spanners at the car, I thought an update was in order to placate the hoards of uninterested piston heads readers.
This car has tried my patience considerably over the last couple of months, but in fairness to it, it really the result of previous owners complete neglect and bodges. The ludicrous bodge to the rear number plate lamps defied belief, especially since I obtained brand new ones for just £8 online! Why oh why...
I ended up doing a lot more work on the car than intended, mainly because of the amount of stupid bodges I kept finding... But it's starting to feel like it may have been worth it.
Knocking CV joints were cured by me replacing both driveshafts in their entirety - strangely far cheaper than just the outer joints. A bit of a struggle due to seized bolts etc, but got there in the end.
The lack of oomph had to be addressed next. Cue replacement intercooler pipe (difficult to find the correct part and ridiculously expensive), map sensor, turbo solenoid, and egr cleaning, plus replacement of various seals, and missing bolts! The gratifying result is a miraculous awakening of interest from the turbo, and a much happier sounding engine. Economy has also improved to high 40's. Result!
A new engine mounting helped quell vibration, with another still to be fitted. A £3 lock cover replaced the missing one on the n/s door, but I can't find the little black rectangular piece that goes behind the door handle - anyone scrapping one?
Severe vibration and wobble issues (not ideal on an already wobble car) were down to unbalanced wheels, which took several attempts from 2 garages to sort about 90% of - good enough for daily use.
Poking and prodding resurrected the cruise control, and a cheap cage from eBay meant the stereo no longer falls down the back of the dashboard! Little things...
Has all this been worth it?
Downsides? Well...
Anything left to do? Yes, but I'm not trying to restore it, rather make it reliable and usable. Some of you guys on here have encouraged me to tackle some jobs I never imagined I would - it's saved me a lot of money! The last big job I'm not looking forward to is repairing the driver's door hinges, many thanks to Kelvinator and his Marina for showing the way!
On balance I think it's a bit of a curio - some practicality shortcomings, yet in some ways quite interesting and enjoyable, especially sans roof. It's stylish and unusual. And the cheap running costs are very welcome.
It can stay, as long as it behaves itself...
Wobble safely people!
This car has tried my patience considerably over the last couple of months, but in fairness to it, it really the result of previous owners complete neglect and bodges. The ludicrous bodge to the rear number plate lamps defied belief, especially since I obtained brand new ones for just £8 online! Why oh why...
I ended up doing a lot more work on the car than intended, mainly because of the amount of stupid bodges I kept finding...
But it's starting to feel like it may have been worth it.Knocking CV joints were cured by me replacing both driveshafts in their entirety - strangely far cheaper than just the outer joints. A bit of a struggle due to seized bolts etc, but got there in the end.
The lack of oomph had to be addressed next. Cue replacement intercooler pipe (difficult to find the correct part and ridiculously expensive), map sensor, turbo solenoid, and egr cleaning, plus replacement of various seals, and missing bolts! The gratifying result is a miraculous awakening of interest from the turbo, and a much happier sounding engine. Economy has also improved to high 40's. Result!
A new engine mounting helped quell vibration, with another still to be fitted. A £3 lock cover replaced the missing one on the n/s door, but I can't find the little black rectangular piece that goes behind the door handle - anyone scrapping one?
Severe vibration and wobble issues (not ideal on an already wobble car) were down to unbalanced wheels, which took several attempts from 2 garages to sort about 90% of - good enough for daily use.
Poking and prodding resurrected the cruise control, and a cheap cage from eBay meant the stereo no longer falls down the back of the dashboard! Little things...
Has all this been worth it?
- It was very cheap to buy, and running cost are excellent.
- It's not rotten underneath!
- It's great on longer trips, comfort and just enough power not to be embarrassing
- It must admitted that it's a rather good looking car, and has garnered some very positive comments. It appears to be one of those cars that looks way more expensive than it was.
Downsides? Well...
- The doors are the longest/heaviest I've ever seen, and carparks are a real problem...
- Those sleek looks are very low - cue much head bashing getting in...
- A previous owner (or the original buyer) specced it with huge 17 inch wheels, which can lead to a rather brittle ride at times. Oh the price of vanity...
- Rough roads produce lots of wobble
Anything left to do? Yes, but I'm not trying to restore it, rather make it reliable and usable. Some of you guys on here have encouraged me to tackle some jobs I never imagined I would - it's saved me a lot of money! The last big job I'm not looking forward to is repairing the driver's door hinges, many thanks to Kelvinator and his Marina for showing the way!
On balance I think it's a bit of a curio - some practicality shortcomings, yet in some ways quite interesting and enjoyable, especially sans roof. It's stylish and unusual. And the cheap running costs are very welcome.
It can stay, as long as it behaves itself...
Wobble safely people!
Edited by SirGriffin on Friday 14th October 05:10
Edited by SirGriffin on Friday 14th October 05:17
Edited by SirGriffin on Friday 14th October 06:07
My late partner had a 2005 (54) Megane CC, Privilege spec with the ‘luxury” pack that included the 17” wheels. It was a 1.6 petrol, and did 40odd thousand miles in a little,over three years. The only fault in that time was a dodgy coil pack. It had a couple of punctures, but we’d bought a steel spare from Renault anyway for when we took it to France. Not at all quick, but a comfy car to waft about in. The doors were extremely long and heavy, and I was always slightly nervous every time the roof was operated. It never went wrong though, though you’re right about the body flex for sure! Did leak once, but that was after a sub standard accident repair, that can’t be blamed on the car, and that was rectified quickly enough. I do remember that the non xenon headlights were remarkably good. I thought it looked okay roof down, but the nature of the folding glass roof is that the boot is a bit too long and high IMO so it looks unbalanced. It was a good car though, for what it was used for. Much heavier than the hatch though - he’d had a 1.6 Privilege 5 door hatch before which felt much quicker to accelerate (in absolute terms it wasn’t quick mind you) and also had the luxury pack which meant a massive panoramic glass roof. I think the Mk2 Megane was an underrated car, and very safe. I wrote the hatch off when someone smashed into the back of it on the A3 - apart from a slightly stiff back for 48 hours I was absolutely fine.
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