Renault Megane Hatchback (2002 - 2006) 1.9 dCi Dynamique (120bhp) 5d (2004/54) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Ok until they ask about reliability...

Would you buy this car again and why?

Not a chance. Best summed up as a good car spoiled by abysmal build quality and shocking electrics.

What are you likely to buy next?

Anything but a Renault.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£8,500

When did you buy the car?

July 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

Fair price at the time, car was only 18 months old with less than 18,000 miles on the clock. The market is a bit differen now though.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

What was the dealer like?

Hassle free.

What's it like to drive?

No complaints on this front - good in all environments as engine is pretty tourquey, and road noise not all that intrusive. Long-legged and relaxing on long journeys, but small enough to handle the urban crawl.

What's it like to park?

Fine - steering is light enough at low speeds, and lock seems to be decent. The only thing you have to be wary of is judging the extremities at the rear due to the unusual design of the hatchback - no problems yet though.

Have you had any problems with the car?

It has had more trips to the garage than any car owned previously. The drivers window operation failed twice, it comes with a free swimming pool in the drivers door pocket, the heater blower ceased working altogether (£217), it's had 2 glow plugs on 2 separate occasions at £90 each to fix a rough idle problem (which it hasn't) and now the local dealer thinks it might be something else but they're going to charge me the cost of putting it on the diagnostic machine (again) to see if this is the case... The silver finish on the door handle caps peeled off but this was replaced under warranty, it eats front tyres for breakfast, and has now decided that it'll only start when it wants to. Better not forget about the well-documented headlamp bulb-changing fiasco either.

What's most practical about your car?

5 doors.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Nothing in particular stands out, but it seems to have just the right amount of "toys" for the money.