2009 Renault Megane Expression 1.6 16v petrol

Summary:

Pretty average

Faults:

Clutch (expensive).

Oil leak advisory at most MOT's, never did investigate as it never leaked any significant amount.

ABS sensors.

Interior plastics snapped/squeaked/rattled. Climate control was near useless.

General Comments:

The Megane of this generation is nothing special, though it was fairly reliable for a Renault.

Mine was a pretty mediocre experience. The car had the usual wear and tear bills, I looked after it well however and drove carefully.

1.6 petrol was OK, middle of the road performance and economy (0-60 mph in about 10 seconds, and it did about 38 mpg on average). Insurance and repair costs were reasonable.

Exterior was good looking and unmarked for age and mileage even when I was finished with it.

Interior plastic quality left a lot to be desired (some plastics breaking). The car had a nice stylish looking interior despite this, very comfortable seats and ride. Quiet and smooth. Big loading area for shopping.

When it was 10 years old and approaching the infamous 100,000 mile mark, I decided to sell it, just wouldn't trust it to last longer, it didn't feel very well built.

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

Review Date: 25th March, 2024

26th Mar 2024, 06:39

Looks like it was reliable, good fuel economy, cheap insurance, lots of storage room, and comfortable seats. Not bad really. I might have kept it even longer. I had a clutch go out in a 7 year old car before. Not unheard of. The ABS light might have come on after slamming on the brakes too hard in wet weather and hydroplaning. Otherwise, looks like it held up well over 50k miles.

2009 Renault Megane MK3 1.5 DCI 106 turbo diesel

Summary:

Not too bad for a Renault

Faults:

Loud noise on cold start, fuel return pipe, whining sound when driving - not solved.

General Comments:

Bought this Megane used with 45000 miles on the clock. After a few days, took it back to the dealer with a fault when cold starting (a loud sound). The dealer needed three weeks to solve this, but now it's good. Still have a whining sound when driving, but the radio is good to cover the sound!!

The car drives very well; it's comfortable and refined. Loads of extras and looks good.

I am a little worried about the reliability side of the car? But until now it has always done its job.

It's a little loud on higher revs, so I change gear at about 2000 revs, which gives me an average of about 57 MPG, which is okay.

It has keyless entry, a start button, automatic lights, wipers, cruise control and loads more, all working (good for a French car). They are great and make life a little easier.

Overall I am happy with the car, and hope it will give me many years of happy driving??

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th April, 2015

2009 Renault Megane Dynamique 1.5 dCi turbo diesel

Faults:

I bought a pre-registered Renault Megane 1.5 diesel car with 700 miles.

This car is advertised as getting 55 MPG urban, 70 MPG extra-urban, and 64 combined. I have contacted Renault UK as I can only achieve at the very best 42 MPG. Something is quite obviously wrong here; either this car is a rogue or the company is mis-selling this vehicle as being economic.

What comparisons have I based this on? A 52 plate 1.5 Renault Megane, which achieved over 60 MPG, a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.6 diesel, which gets 50 MPG, and a Seat Toledo 1.9 TDI, which gets 58 MPG. The trip from home to work, which has provided the comparison is 28 miles, a mixture of town traffic, country A road, dual carriageway and motorway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th February, 2011

24th Jun 2011, 18:22

You have to wait a few thousand miles for the engine to break in before you can accurately measure fuel consumption...

12th Apr 2012, 12:09

I had 1.6 Petrol Renault Megane III fully equipped, and I had a similar experience, BUT I know why it consumes that much. Read till the end for my conclusion, or if you want to skip it, here is the short version.

The 1.6 is too weak an engine, especially if you have a 6 speed gearbox.

For me too, what Renault claim consumption is and what I could get were 2 worlds apart.

For almost 3 years I was driving this car, and I was going CRAZY with the fuel consumption. In the city I was happy if I could get 11l/100km. It took me almost 1 year to get to 7L/100k consumption on the open road. Very careful driving and not much speed. If you go 110km/h or 130km/h, then forget about economy. This thing would drink 9 or 10 liters or more, depending how fast you want to go.

In the city, same issues. Initially my consumption was over 12l/100km, then after A LOT of practice and careful driving, I could do 11 (sometime 10) in the city. Try to drive NORMALLY and forget about economy.

If you ask me reason for so high consumption is the gear box. 6 gears on a 1.6 is just too much. Avoid this engine if you like your wallet. Not fast enough, and drinks petrol like crazy.

35.000+ km later I had my first ever accident with the car. Flew into a 10 meter deep hole (guy push me from the road). Air bag didn't open, but luckily we landed on soft land. When I went to complain to Renault, they took the car for a test, and then I got their "perfect" answer. Nothing is wrong with the airbags. The fact that I totaled the car, and that I hit with my head on the steering wheel is not relevant. And yes, I always use a seat belt, and in that moment I had my wife and 2 year old kid in the car, so I was not driving crazy.

Anyway, since the car was totaled and I got my insurance, I went and bought a new car. Since Renault gave me the best (but REALLY the best) offer that I just couldn't reject, I bought a 1.9 diesel station wagon.

WHAT a difference. The 6 gear gearbox is perfect for this engine and consumption is very low. If I drive carefully I get 5l/100km (or even less) open road. In the city maximally I get 9l/100km.

Even if you drive fast, 130 km/h and over on the open road, average consumption is below 6.4.

So as a conclusion. Buy a weak engine with a 6 speed gearbox, and you are doomed.

In reply to 12th Apr 2012, 12:09

13th Nov 2021, 08:58

I fail to see having 6 gears to be the fault. The more gears you have reduces the ratios needed for power and/or economy. That's why semi trailers have heaps of gears.

Your theory would mean a single gear would be more advantageous, and that does not make any sense to me.

In reply to 13th Nov 2021, 08:58

13th Nov 2021, 20:54

Depends on the car really. I have driven a BMW M5 with a top speed of well over 150mph. 6 gears in a manual transmission is required and justified.

My Vauxhall Astra with a lethargic 1.4 petrol engine also has a 6 speed manual, which I feel is a bit unnecessary in this car. 5 speed would have been fine. Maybe I am just so used to a 5 speed manual as that is what I have used for decades. Some faster automatic cars have 7 gears now, but when you aren't shifting, it does not matter so much.