Faults:

Injection fault on dash. Won't start when cold.

Track rod ends failed at 80000 miles.

Now it won't start at all, not even with a little help from Easy Start.

General Comments:

So good on fuel, very nippy, very comfortable.

I love this car, it looks lovely.

Faults:

I used to drive between 5000 and 6000 RPM all the time, so you should take the into consideration when reading the stuff below.

Within a few months, I got a problem with the transmission, it was changing gears very roughly, like I can hear and feel a big shock going on. It was an electrical problem and they just changed a chip on the warranty. (2005)

And once in 2008, I washed the car on the gas station, they moved the front seat because I didn't really move it for more than a year. A wire moved, and the airbag light went on. It was like the passenger airbag is turned off, even though after I asked about it, they said it was a false alarm.

And at the same time, I had a problem starting the car with the ignition. The mechanic taught me a way that if the car didn't start I just move the part and it will work again! I mean, what is that? Very weak stuff! I can change it and buy another, but he said it's no big deal.

After that, I started having problems with the engine, like when I stop at a crossroad, the engine revs, will just go to zero and not stop on 600! Also I could hear like I had a cylinder that is not working. I was in an area away from home, and the car broke down, I had to stop, and call the mechanic. It really sucks, I had to drive all the way, and afraid that the engine will just fail me on every stop.

After that last problem, I kept on going to the mechanics many times, and I replaced lots of parts in the engine. It was like a never ending cycle!

I don't drive much, so my car stays in the garage more than I drive it!

General Comments:

I bought the 1.6 16V petrol engine, and it's a Sedan.

So it was already a weak engine. What did the French do? They split the second gear into 2 gears! So when the RPM reaches 4,000 it goes back to 3,000 it's like an added half gear, to add fuel economy, but to kill the already weak power!

They didn't tell me that before I bought it!

So if you want to take it on mountain roads, even a bit of hill, it will give you problems especially if you have 3 or more people in the car.

The handling on highways is really good, even at high speeds, but I don't advise going fast in fast corners on water (because that's how the car died), unless you have add a rear wing. But still it's a big risk, especially here.

I had driven 24,000 kms in that car before crashing it.

I certainly don't advise anyone to buy Renault, the style is good, but the essential stuff, they are a real failure at. Buy a Subaru.

Faults:

Roof mechanism broke after 9 days - took over 2 months to repair.

Leak on drivers side repaired only to cause worse leakage on passenger side.

Air conditioning re-gassed three times and still struggles when outside temp over 20 degrees.

Roof mechanism broke second time when car was just 4 years old, causing damage to the bodywork.

Faults:

Interior trim falling off.

Interior bulbs failing.

Engine warning light at approx 60k miles, disappeared, came back at 65k, car now stutters and lurches on occasion, loses power and slows down when putting your foot on gas, and does not pick up until you floor it.

General Comments:

On the whole I have found it to be a great car to drive; it's comfy, stylish, and has plenty of power for a car of this type / size.

Servicing can be a little pricey, my last service was over £600, to change all the brake pads and disks, full service etc.

Interior trim is typical French build quality and will generally fall apart after a year or so. I.e. electric window panel pulling out of the door.

If you buy a Megane new, make sure you sell it before the warranty runs out. If you buy one used, be prepared for it to fall apart.