2005 Renault Megane EX 1.5cdi
Summary:
The Megane 2 is an improvement over the old model, but ride/handling and refinement could be better
Faults:
Nothing has went wrong with this car, never let me down. It's very reliable, no problems with the engine and electrics.
I use it every day and I use it hard; just normal things like wear and tear, and servicing.
General Comments:
The Megane 2 is an improvement over the Megane 1.
All the car is different from the Megane 1. The hatchback looks beautiful.
The biggest improvement was the quality materials used in the cabin (high quality and luxury).
The Megane 2 rides firmer than the Megane 1. The soft ride of the previous Megane is gone, and it had been replaced by a firm ride. At slow speeds the ride feels very firm, but it improves with speed.
The steering is also better than the previous model, but it still lacks feel and you need a firm hand sometimes, but road holding is very good and body roll is well controlled, and it feels always stable and safe.
There is some road noise over poor surfaces especially, from the 16 inch wheels upwards, they suffer over potholes and bumps, but at high speed the ride becomes quite and very comfortable.
The 1.5 dci engine is very economical and smooth.
Space is not very good in the rear. Rear legroom is poor, rear headroom is good, and in the front space is good; both headroom and legroom.
Things I like in this car are:
Impressive high speed ride and stability
The economical engine
High quality cabin
Handling
Safety
Things I do not like:
The traditional french soft ride has been replaced by a firm ride
The CD player sound quality is not very good
Road noise, especially at low speeds
You need a firm hand on the steering
Poor rear space
The ride can be fidgety on some roads at low speeds, but this improves greatly and settle as speeds increase.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th April, 2008
18th Aug 2006, 10:47
My son has also experienced the failure of the alternator belt which then manged to get into the toothed cam-belt and yes it has scrapped the valves. This is particularly frustrating as it is the second time the cam-belt has failed resulting in considerable expense. I too would be very reluctant to purchase a Renault Megan in view of the many many complaints about the vehicles cam-belt life. Why in this day and age do we rely on a vulnerable belt to drive the valves when failure is so terminal. Have the motor manufacturers no better idea or do they not care once they have made the sale!