2005 renault megane 1.6

[jdl1981]

Hello,

Are they any good? I'm in 2 minds whether to hand over the cash for an example with 57k on the clock. Does anything major go wrong with them? reliabilty is going to be important as it will be a family car.

[dannytherev]

These are very much hit and miss cars there are good examples out there but most are prone to problems inc elecs, window regulators being the most obvious the dash elecs can go into "Test mode" for no apparent reason, trip computer's tend to be very optimistic esp the range to empty and if fitted with tyre pressure monitor can say you've got a flat when you haven't
Check also for noisy front coil springs another common failing hth

[SpeedMattersNot]

dannytherev said:

These are very much hit and miss cars there are good examples out there but most are prone to problems inc elecs, window regulators being the most obvious the dash elecs can go into "Test mode" for no apparent reason, trip computer's tend to be very optimistic esp the range to empty and if fitted with tyre pressure monitor can say you've got a flat when you haven't
Check also for noisy front coil springs another common failing hth

- Window regulators/motors can fail.

- Instrument Panel's do not randomly go into "test mode". If you hold down the display change button while starting - this will occur.

- Tyre pressure monitors are pretty reliable. They operate within tolerences which can be set to summer or winter. If they are set to winter and someone sets their tyre temps after a long drive their tyres will be hot but when they cool overnight - they will, be below reccomended pressure. Always set pressures when cold.

- The top mounts for the suspension can become noisy. But I am yet to discover one that has failed or caused any real affect on the security or behaviour of the steering.

They can also;

- Suffer from premature wear to front, lower ball joints, axial balljoints.

- Generally very good on wheel bearings. If rears develop play, they need re-torquing with new nuts. The bearing has not failed.

- Engine wise; The K4M (1600 petrol) is prone to coils failing, TDC sensors, Dephaser pulleys can rattle on cold start (expensive to repair, inc. timing belt kits etc), cam sensor failures and are very unresponsive engines.

The F9Q (1900 diesel) models are prone to glow plugs failing, though do not tend to affect performance.

Try to get a K9K (1500 diesel) in my opinion. Sufficeint power and tend to be the most reliable in my experience.

[piratekiller]

As above spend a little more and find a 1.5 DCi model, will give you alot less probelms.

[Waugh-terfall]

Window regulators are prone to fail, about £350 inc. labour/VAT from a dealer, RenaultCards can be fragile, doors aren't really waterproofed so prolonged, heavy rainfall can result in door pockets filled with water (comes in through the speaker panel), exhaust mounts loosen quickly meaning exhausts often move more freely than they should, rattle and bash the underside of the car. I've had a window reg go, a card go, the body control module had been letting in water for 7yrs, rusted the connections and sent the whole thing into a £400 meltdown, and the other day, my door pocket was about half an inch deep in water, sponged it out, then the next day it was frozen INSIDE and out...

Mine is a 'lucky' December 02 model (lucky as in very few faults)
My Uncle had a 56-reg facelift 1.5dCi CC model, the only new car that has ever had to go back to the garage, due to a constant, unsolvable diesel leak...

Matter of luck really, I love mine, but I've seen/heard some MeganeII/ScenicII/LagunaII horror stories... Early ones are the worst

ETA: Mine's a 1.4 16v 100bhp petrol (K4J)

http://www.auto-journals.com/journals/Renault?mode...

Edited by Waugh-terfall on Thursday 18th November 00:12

[SpeedMattersNot]

The diesel leak is from the leak off pipes, from the injectors. Its a known fault, but the repair procedure is a delecate operation.

Renault advise just replacing the leak off pipes (and starter motor) without removing the high pressure pipes or swivvelling the injectors. It takes longer to do, but touch wood Ive not had a recall on any one Ive done yet since doing them this way.