1996 Renault Megane RT from UK and Ireland - Comments

I have a W reg 1.6 auto Megane Scenic. And had no problems until now with the exhaust rattle and some of the interior electrics going, and have now just discovered that when it rains, water leaks in through the aerial and into the controls for the electric sunroof, causing it not to work. I won't be buying another Renault.

I've got a 1999 Megane 1.6 Sport. Had to replace the exhaust as it completely rusted, and the bolts connecting the rear to the middle exhaust snapped, dragging the rear exhaust pipe on the road - sounded like dragging a wine bottle underneath the car. New exhaust fitted 18th Dec 08 - 2 weeks later, middle muffler split along weld. Had this replaced under warranty. Shortly after that, the annoying rattling noise started. Exhaust rattles against the suspension arm. Generally happens when accelerating up hills, 1st gear slow starts, slow moving traffic crawling. Rubber bracket points appear to be stretched.

Electrics are shot - LCD Tacho doesn't work in different settings, remote steering wheel controls for radio don't work, radio display doesn't show when radio is on. Offside track end ball joint front has play and needs replacement. Rear wheel arches are rusting nicely.

Other than that, pretty reliable car - touch wood. An example of mass produced, laid back French, cigarette chewing workmanship - I reckon if I lived in the city, the stress of short journeys would have killed the car by now.

PS. The swivel - 2 part spare wheel socket wrench that is kindly provided to 'assist' you changing wheels - nice if you could actually remove a bolt without breaking it. I bought a straight arm socket bar - more leverage to actually remove a bolt.

I just got a Renault Megan Science S reg, had to drive it 196 miles to my house, at low speed it rattles, I think it's just lose exhaust, and also when am in gear 1 I found that it loses power. When I stopped to enter a road because of on coming traffic, I tried to move off, it moved, then it stalled on me, even though I had foot on gas, well I slightly pressed it, even though my other car Daewoo Lanos, same engine 1.6SX, just pressing gas slightly the car flies off LOL.

Oh yeah, I also noticed that the Renault is slow in accelerating from gear 1 - 3, but once it hits 50Mph, it's faster then, any help?

I have a 1998 Renault Scenic 2.0l RXE, which currently has 120,000 miles on it. It's been in my family from new, and has had a relatively hard life for a car, lots of short trips, and two learners! However it has never had any major problems. After four years I think the water pump was replaced (which is independent of the cam belt - bonus) and that was pricey through Renault, but probably could have been a lot cheaper through a trusted garage.

I also have this exhaust rattle however, and it is due to the second generation exhausts being too long for the car basically. This puts extra stress on the rubber mounts at the back (holding the box up).

However, this problem is VERY easily solved - for about£10 any Kwik-fit, national or self respecting exhaust man will replace them for you! The new ones last about 2 years, but if you buy some yourself, it's probably worth getting a stock in...

Failing this the budget option is to get some steel wire or similar and fix it solidly, but this may lead to vibrations destroying a well-rusted exhaust.

The door sticking problem did present itself a few years back, and it is the solenoids (usually) in the door system not being powerful enough. But give all the locking parts a good greasing with some plastic-friendly grease and that normally sorts it out a treat. (or you can replace them with some more powerful ones).

To be honest, 11 years is a fairly good innings for a car these days, and it should be expected that normal wear and tear will occur...

Whoever had that juddering problem may want to consider replacing his accelerator cable, these do stretch over time...

I have a 1996 automatic Renault Megane 1.6 RT done 55000 miles. Just committed to spend 1330 pounds overhauling the gearbox - all soft parts in the gearbox were perished and the gearbox oil had become contaminated - the "gearbox repairers" have just called me to say the gearbox is fixed, BUT that the front brakes are locking and that this has got nothing to do with the gearbox job.

I have not picked the car up yet. I regret committing to spend such a fortune on the gearbox, and now already there is another problem looming - anyone with similar problem?

We have a 1998 Renault Megane RT, literally just bought it yesterday (£380 good deal?), exhaust rattling loudly today, then broke in half two minutes away from my house. Weird as is MOTd till end of next October! Same problems with the electrics, the back right door's seized, the driver window won't open/close, the reverse lights work intermittently. Also, annoyingly, sometimes the speedo cuts out for several minutes at a time... Anyone know what's up with the electrics in Meganes? Same problems as others have listed in terms of engine sometimes cutting out when moving away, and poor acceleration until about 40, where it gets much better.