2005 Renault Megane Sport Tourer Expression 1.5 DCI turbo diesel

Summary:

One of the better Renaults

Faults:

A faulty auto gearbox sensor (repaired under warranty). Apparently it's a known problem, causing gearbox to jump, or stick in 3rd gear.

Failed drivers electric window regulator (repaired by Renault free of charge, as window motors have an extended 4 year warranty on them)

Another common problem, apparently.

Rear brake light bulb failed (twice).

Brake switch also had to be replaced, as it affected the engine ECU, causing the engine to slow OR speed up when the lights were switched on!

Rear brake discs corroded (according to recent Renault servicing report), but seem to work OK.

I was surprised to hear that they had corroded at all on 4 year old car.

No other major problems so far, but I've had 3 Citroens previously without ANY problems, 1 Xsara Picasso, and 2 C3s, and apart from servicing and tyres, very cheap to run.

General Comments:

The Renault, however, is roomy, economical, and quite nippy, and quite a nice looking car, and although I have had problems, I still quite like it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th October, 2009

2005 Renault Megane Dynamique 1.6

Summary:

A good all round performer let down by dodgy electrics

Faults:

New coil pack and associated parts.

New front suspension arm.

New driver's window motor.

New water pump.

New rear discs.

Push button door locking on driver's and rear passenger door has failed.

General Comments:

All these new parts and problems have occurred within the last 7 months, and I now await the failure of another part.

Problems aside, I do love the car. It is comfortable, responsive and gives reasonable fuel economy. Keyless entry/ignition is wonderful when it works. Would consider another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th August, 2009

2005 Renault Megane Dynamique 3dr 1.9dci

Summary:

Not as cheap to run as it should be

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong yet (touch wood!), but reading the other reviews it sounds like there are good cars and bad ones. Hopefully mine is the former!

General Comments:

Generally happy with the car, haven't had any problems.

The performance is good for a diesel, no complaints there. If I stick to 70ish then I get just over 50mpg. Keeping up with the traffic doing 80-85 the fuel consumption drops to around 47mpg which isn't too bad.

Handling is miles better than my old Volvo S60, although that's probably down to the Volvo being terrible as much as anything. Cornering is fairly neat, understeering if you overdo things. I do worry that the brakes might not be up to the job, fading quite quickly under moderate braking. Maybe some different pads will resolve that.

The seat would be better for long journeys if it had a bit more support and adjustment. The stereo sound quality is a bit lacking as well.

The headlights are also a bit of a let down. I was going to upgrade the bulbs, but have read reports of the headlight lenses melting when other people have done this! There is also the issue of changing the bulbs, which requires removal of the front bumper unless you're a gynaecologist.

I was also shocked to find that the service intervals are every 9k miles, and most dealers charge around 250-300 pounds a go!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th October, 2006

1st Nov 2006, 06:06

You don't need to remove the bumper, although it is quite tricky to replace the bulbs. Details on Meganeownersclub.co.uk.

19th Aug 2007, 14:10

Original Poster here with an update:

Well, after 42k miles I thought I had a (rare) good'un. Unfortunately the other day whilst driving down the M4 there was a terrible stink of diesel every time I slowed down.

Turns out that the high pressure feed line from the fuel pump to the injectors had a fracture and was peeing diesel everywhere. This part has an advisory recommending an updated bracket and bolt. It would have been a five minute fix to replace, but nowhere had the part in stock and it had to be ordered from France. Luckily the Renault Assist service from the AA was able to organise a hire car for the 3 days it took to sort out.

I was a bit disappointed that a part which has an obvious design fault (hence the advisory) had to be ordered from France. Oh, and the car now stinks of diesel, but hopefully this will go away.