2004 Renault Megane Dynamique 1.5 dci from UK and Ireland - Comments

Puncture.

Absolutely nothing else.

This car is fantastic. The 1.5 dci engine goes like the clappers (100bhp) and yet will still give 60mpg unless you drive like a lunatic.

The keyless entry system is a great benefit, one day all manufacturers will copy this. You can just walk up to the car and open it, no need to turn a lock or anything. When you just get in a press the button on the dashboard to start the engine.

It is very comfotable and the build quality is good. Everything has a nice solid feel to it.

The seats are firm, but comfortable with a good range of adjustments.

There are so many storage bins and spaces in this car you will run out of oddments before you run out of spaces.

The double sunroof is lovely and the aircon keeps the interior cool whenit gets too hot.

Rear visibility is a bit restricted however, particularly when reversing.

I might agree that the megane dynamic is a super car apart from the keyless card - I have had problems with mine not starting even to the point of being towed back to the garage after a 40 minutes attempt. I am still in the dark as to what happens with this intermitted fault, which even the garage is unsure as to why it happens, could be interference, but no-one knows, after nearly a year, I am still going back and forward to the garage. Maybe one day, we might discover what the problem is.

K Scotland.

Have you tried changing the battery in the card?

Also there's a wire from the clutch pedal that can work loose apparently, although I've not had this problem. If it works loose, the car won't start. It's part of the safety device that allows the car to start only if the clutch is pressed.

I have a 1.6 05 plate, less than a week old the car would not start, had to cal, the AA, lead from the clutch had worked loose from its soldered joint.. did you know that you can start the car with the brake as well as a back up.. anyway Renault have a fix for this fault.

Hello,

I am just about to buy Renault Megane Berlin 1.5 dCi (diesel), but I was told by several people (Megan II owners) that there were huge problems with the electronics, which is very expensive to repair after expiring of the 2 year guarantee.

I really liked the car after I tried it, but I need to hear opinions of people who had this experience (problems with electronics).

Thanks.

I have the 1.5dci (80) Sport Tourer and have had no specific problems. Certainly nothing electrical. It's done 11,000 miles in 6 months and averaged 53 mpg on mixed driving. Official figures suggest a 61.4 average so I am hoping this improves.

My main gripe is the rattles from the dash, doors and other trim. It depends on temperature, speed etc, but is very annoying. I'll be raising this with the dealer at the first service.

Other wise, a fine car with plenty of space for our family of 5 and the junk I carry during the working week.

What can we say about the Megane 1.5dci. After owning 3 previous Renaults, this is far the best car that we have purchased from our local dealer. Nippy around town, fun on country roads and returning a fantastic mpg.

If you are considering a new car buy the Megane as the ad says you'll have fun shaking ur ass!!!

Update (original poster)

Megane is now on 18K and apart from a sticking sunroof (fixed in 10 minutes by the dealer) it has remained a totally reliable and enjoyable car. About three times a year I have to drive over 60 miles in a day (two drivers fortunately) and I find the seats to be fantastic for a mid range car. Certainly better in my opinion than the Ford Focus.

The only negatives I have are:

1. Changing the front bulbs is a real pain. Having invested in Haynes manual, they suggest removing the wheel arch liner, but this is all too much hassle. Come on Renault, give us an easier way to do it.

2. I am not completely happy with the auto wipers. Some aspects of them are very useful such as the speed sensitive intermittent fucntion. But sometimes the rain sensor doesn't seem to be sensitive enough. I would like the ability to over ride this and just have a conventional intermittent setting.

3. I am not convinced that the 18K service interval is wise on a diesel. So I do a change myself at 9K for peace of mind.

4. The height adjustable steering wheel does not go high enough for me.

But overall I am very happy with the Megane. I have not experienced some of the problems others mention so either I have been lucky or Renault have ironed out the bugs by 2004 build.

I am not sure whether I would buy a Megane again since I quite like the look of the New Laguna. Whatever I buy though it will have a diamond shaped badge on the bonnet.

I own the megane 1.5 dynamique dCI and although I was originally very impressed I'm now beyond dissapointed I mean first the wipers started going on without rain the the radio wouldn't work (volume on dash) now the injection system has packed up and I can't go over 38mph its been in the dealers for the past 2weeks. just wondering if this is common fault as I've heard or just a one off.

I'm glad I've read your reports, but now I dont know what to do? Should I buy one or not? What is a good price for a 1.5 dci about 35k on the clock.

I have just bought a high mileage Renault Megane 1.5 Dci dynamique 80. I bought because of low road tax and economy, and I only do about 1500 miles per year. This is a 2004 model. Anything I should know?

Freckles.

I commented last on this car on 18 May 2005. It's lease is up on 14 November and it now has almost 70k (miles) on the clock.

Lots of squeaks and rattles were gradually all sorted, together with water leaks and squealing brakes.

Generally a very reliable and quite comfortable car which has been to all corners of the UK with all sorts of loads. Nothing has gone seriously wrong with it and I still enjoy driving it.

Driving style has to be a relaxed one, and this leads to a constant 52-55 mpg. Thrash it down the motorway and it'll still return 48 mpg. Drive it like a vicar and it'll do 60 mpg. All measurements calculated on re-filling, not the trip on board computer. You should get good life from the car.

I have a Scenic 55 plate 1.5 DCi Dynamique. Had a recall back to dealer after 10.000 miles, and after that it came back with a fault that the revs would go up and down on their own.

Sorry sir, will raise this with Renault, but 18 months on, no resolution!

After 25.000 miles fuel leaked all over the top of the engine, again back to Renault, replaced the fuel pipes, drove to London the next day, fuel all over the car again, called the AA, Renault had not connected the leak off pipes, AA fixed it.

The rear brakes squeal all the time, again a recall.

After 70.000 today I had a loud whining sound from the engine, again called the AA and it would seem that the turbo has blown up. After calling two different dealers for a price of the part and giving the reg number, they have told me it could be one of two turbos; one cost £600, and the other costs £1100 just for the part. They don't have a clue?

This has been nothing but trouble. A nice looking car and that's where it ends.

I have a long list of other faults and recalls, but all I can do is get rid ASAP.

I also have a Renault Clio 1.5 DCi 51 plate with 38.000 miles, and the crank shaft shells all cracked in half, and one came through the sump pan. Renault said as it was not serviced by them, it was not covered under the warranty, and they could not sell me the parts to repair the engine, only a new engine.

This fault I have seen many times on the Internet, but they say it is not a common fault, the shells have been drilled and tapped in the centre making it weak, and it cracks in half. Renault 1.5 DCi owners beware!!!

Mr T Lund.

I bought a 2004 1.5dCi 6 months ago (Oct 08) and it has just cost me a grand to fix injectors & solenoid. I am also told to expect further issues with the high pressure pump, and that Renault would have recalled these models if it were not for the cost of replacing the faulty parts (circa 3k).

I am going to replace the car and have lost money.

I had a 1.5dci Megane Scenic 2004. It was great for the first six months, then it wouldn't start. I had to bump start it, then it would go OK again for about three weeks, then the check injection would come on the dash the odd time.

I had it into the dealers, they couldn't sort it. They said the injection was fine, but I had the problem for six months, so I got shot of it, which was a shame because I could get between 55 to 60 mpg. Has anyone else had the same problem?

The moral of the story is "don't buy french". You might as well throw your money down the drain. Take it from one who knows.

If you want a decent all rounder, then look no further than the Ford Focus, C-Max or Mondeo, petrol or diesel, very reliable.

I had a Focus 1.6 for 4 years and now a C-Max for three years, and in all those seven years I have never even had to replace so much as a bulb!!!.

I also own a 1.6 Renault Megane 2003, had it for three years now. Replaced:

Front headlight bulbs... twice

Steering mechanism.

Coils... twice.

Plugs.

TDC sensor.

Coolant sensor.

Lambda sensor.

Rear wiper mechanism.

Front windscreen.

Drivers side electric door mirror.

Take my advice, never, never buy French, especially a Renault Megane.

You have been warned!!!