2012 Renault Megane Dynamic Nav Coupe 1.5 Dci Eco2 Stop & Start from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good economical car, doesn't like rough roads, irritating rattles!

Faults:

Exhaust air flap: Replaced under warranty.

Large rear trim panel would stay secured causing major rattling: Replaced FOC.

Satellite steering wheel control doesn't work for phone book: Replacement stalk did not fix the issue, still broken!

Rattles, everywhere, despite the main dealer adding foam in various places!

Driver's seat ridiculously squeaky.

General Comments:

I bought this car to have a reliable commuter. I love the look of this car, it was the only high MPG car within 50 miles I actually liked. A year later I still admire the styling.

The small diesel is surprisingly torquey once moving, and longer drives give over 60 MPG. My shorter 17 mile each way commute is never less then 53 MPG, which is excellent seeing as I rev it to approx 3k RPM. I used to rev it higher, but as max torque is 2k to 3k RPM, I rarely do that anymore.

The 6 speed gearbox likes to be warm before you work it. It's a bit notchy and vague, but once warm you can speed through the gears quite nicely.

Being the coupe it's lower and stiffer than other models; that makes rough roads question your choice, especially as I'm middle aged, but it handles and grips very well. The downside of the handling is that the seat backs do not hold you in place in the corners; they really need to be a couple of inches deeper.

There is a lot of road noise on concrete.

Other than the constant rattles and squeaky driver's seat, the interior feels solid enough. The radio is pretty poor, but you get used to it. The Bluetooth streaming works well, and call quality via the car is good.

The heater is adequate, but the car doesn't get to normal temperature in 4 degrees Celsius which the main dealer said is normal.

The auto lights and wipers work well. Happily changing headlight bulbs is easy (not a bumper off job), as they slide out on rails.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th March, 2017

2nd Aug 2018, 01:06

I'm the original reviewer and I've now had this car for over 2 years. I've put nearly 40k miles of motorway miles on it and it's now on approx 85k miles. I have no new rattles, and the only non-service repair was 2 little bits of pipe to/from the DPF pressure sensor that split and caused severe running faults, but was a quick repair.

Good commuter car, but rear visibility is really bad when reversing!

15th Jan 2022, 22:26

I'm the OP and I finally sold this car on in Dec/2021 at a mileage of 136k. During the last report I had a new caliper and a couple of anti roll bar links and that's it.

16th Jan 2022, 16:20

Thanks for the update, Renault seem to be much more durable than Renault of the past.

2012 Renault Megane 1.9 turbo diesel from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Summary:

I'm very happy with it

Faults:

So far nothing.

Only thing I noticed is that interior build quality is a little bit poorer than what I had in my previous Megane III.

No big deal, but if you look you would notice.

General Comments:

After having a 1.6 Megane III petrol for almost 3 years, this 1.9 diesel is A DREAM.

All of my complaints are gone. The car just flies, and its 6 gears are perfect for this engine.

Recently I went on longer trip (over 3000 km) with it, and all I can say I'm very very happy with this car.

Very fast and low consumption.

Handling is good, comfort is good, but I expect more from Renault in that department. Only thing I REALLY miss is a hands free option. In my last Renault I had it, and now I'm having nightmares forgetting to insert the card to start it.

I was not a fan of diesel cars, but I'm starting to change my opinion about them. This IS one seriously fast car, and don't forget its caravan version.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th April, 2012