General Comments:
I leased this through Renault whilst in Europe. You actually own the car when you lease it, with Renault buying it back at the end of the lease.
This was a very nice car with loads of extras. 6 speed manual (I used the 6th gear once at 170kph), automatic windscreen wipers, automatic lights, 6 stacker CD system, 16" alloys, storage spaces throughout, keyless start & entry, cruise control, stereo stalk on the steering wheel.
The ride was firmish on country French roads, handling was like a go cart. Autoroute travel was comfortable. The perfect mix! Leather steering wheel was superb.
Overall build quality was excellent, no niggling rattles or gaps. Although the rear hatch was difficult to keep closed, tending to stay open occasionally.
As it was a diesel, I could not "wind it out" as with a petrol driven motor, however it did get up and go. Driving in towns and cities I forgot it was a diesel, the whir of the turbo being the only give away.
Autoroute cruising was a breeze, the gearing is relatively high and the 1.9 turbo keeps it motoring along. Whilst it doesn't throw you back in your seat, it does seem to get to top speed quickly. The 6th gear would only be good for the German Autobahn, I used it once briefly on the Auroute.
Braking was good.
No problems with the electrics apart from the language barrier with the onboard computer. Annoying beeper when seat belt wasn't fastened.
The interior is fabulously designed (although better quality carpet would have been preferred), seats are fantastic, as is the retro- exterior which has the typical Renault "Love it or hate it" appeal.
5th Jan 2005, 10:28
I bought my pre-registered 1.9 Dynamique in November, last year. I managed to obtain it at £4,500 less than list new.
For a vehicle with 40 miles on the clock, I believe this makes it an absolute bargain, when you consider my following observations and impressions:
BODYWORK
The shape is probably love it or hate it. Most people, recognise it as a Megane and are impressed with its style
The pearl black metallic paintwork is really stunning, if kept clean and polished. The boot is awkward to open and you will get grimy hands, if the car is only slightly dirty. The front doors on the sports model are long and heavy and you need ample parking space to open and close them.
SEATING
The seats are comfortable with good lumbar support and do achieve the optimum driving position, with the adjustable height steering wheel. I drive up to 500 miles a day, so its important that my back, legs and neck feel relaxed and stress free!
A major complaint is the lack of leg room for the rear passengers. If you regularly travel with adult passengers, then you should be very aware of this design shortcoming.
GEARBOX
The gear change isn't brilliant being clunky and difficult to change down at speed, into corners etc. This rather takes away the pleasure and smoothness of the drive.
HANDLING
This is very much a motorway vehicle and it goes well in the wet. It seems to under steer, but equally the back end is not twitchy. It sits down on the road and goes straight. It did have a tendency to wander, but I had the front tyres changed around and this seems to have cured that niggly problem
BRAKING
The brakes on this car are simply brilliant. When I first drove the car the front disc's squeaked and rumbled, but these now seem to have bedded in after 4,000 miles.
ENGINE
The car is powerful and very quiet. Its hard to believe diesels can be this refined. There is little or no engine or transmission noise inside the car. The car will stall if you attempt to pull away in a high gear. You must keep the revs up. However, it will just keep pulling along in 1st, at idling speed, if you are caught in traffic. The car feels really solid. I drive at 95mph on motorways and its doing this at around 2,400 RPM's. The car goes along so effortlessly and without any noise or vibration, that its hard to believe your speed! The only things generally passing me are MERC's! and those cars are £30k more to buy and probably no more comfortable a drive.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Typically, on a 120 mile drive using Motorway and A road's with some heavy traffic, I get around 48 MPG, when I'm averaging 63MPH.
SAFETY
The safety of this car is proven. The seat belts, are however, quite awkward to buckle. The drivers fastening is buried deep beside the seat and difficult to clip into.
Only a little whinge really.
OVERALL PERFORMANCE
I challenge anyone to beat this car on value for money. Its specification and levels of comfort, surpass my expectation and it's a pleasure to own and drive.