1996 Renault Megane Coupe from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing went wrong yet although rear disks and pads are shot, got them, but can't be bothered to put them on.

A real boneshaker of a car though.

Drivers seat "worn in"

Well quite a wolf in sheeps clothing. The problem is that most Megane Coupe's out there are only 1.4 16v, 1.6 16v or even 1.6 8v. This downgrades the 2.0 16v bu other drivers maybe think it is a 1.4 or 1.6.

The only few differences I can see are rear disks only for 2.0 16v, drum brakes others. The others is on both wings as follows-

1.6e-1.6 8v

1.4 16v-1.4 16v

1.6 16v-1.6 16v

2.0i -2.0 8v

16v -2.0 16v (NOTE!)

Since I've had the car I've added 17" TSW Imolas, sports tailpipe and de-catted it, I've also put on a JR induction kit. A big EVO spoiler has been put on and soon to be Impreza Scoop and Morette twin headlight conversion.

I had three other cars in mind when I bought the Megane. See below-

Nissan Almera 2.0 GTi (143 bhp)

+japanese reliability -oh so boring.

Astra Sport or GSI (136bhp (after '96)

+modding potential -everywhere you see.

Fiat Bravo HGT (155bhp)

+styling, most powerful engine -Italian reliability, lack of modding goods.

There you have it then, on a final note even before I put my exhaust on and filter on, did any other 2.0 16v owners notice how oniy the engine is at 80+mph. They sound as if they are about to blow up!!.

What speed have all you other owners have managed out of this car? (on a private road or track of course!)

I thought I got 120mph out of a 1.6i, but it's has been 6 years so my memories getting vague now... I had two in a row, I think they had some award for safety and I can vouch that I walked away from an accident that wrote off the first one thanks to airbags, seat belt pretensioners and crumple zones.

You might think I am a bit of a boy-racer, but I was copped doing 135mph in a 1.6 8v, I had a crash a short while afterward, but £600 later its back on the road... I have had problems with the guides on the sunroof breaking. which meant taking the roof lining out to fix, that cost £700 to fix.

I own a 2ltr 16v coupe on a P reg I've got a full powerflow exhaust with a de-cat and the engine has been re-built with a 2ltr laguna g/box added for better acceleration it revs very freely even at 80 so get that checked mate. Oh as for top speed on "private road" I've had 145mph with photo evidence. The 16v coupe is the best car I've owned to date and considering my last car was a W-reg saxo vts that says a lot.

When I say it gets noisy at 80mph+, I mean it in a sort of good way. It just roars. I probably should have put that instead. Saxo's are too common and a 1.6 16v should not be a match for a 2.0 16v.

Calibra drivers "think" they are faster however.

Yeah, I've had my 98 1.6 8v cruising along happily at 120, but i've never pushed it more than that. As for the noise, mine sounded like a wheezy jet engine until i put my K&N on, and now it roars.