Renault Megane Sport Tourer (2003 – 2008) Review
Renault Megane Sport Tourer (2003 – 2008) At A Glance
Very roomy cargo bay. Quality improvements making the car more reliable. Sporty 220GT launched February 2015.
Electrical, mechanical and build quality problems can still occur. 220GT slower, less fuel efficient and higher CO2 than Leon ST Cupra.
We have to thank the bravery of BMW and Renault. Just as car styling was becoming samey and safe, along came Chris Bangle and Patrick le Quemant. Their designs have polarised opinion, but at least they got people talking and no one can accuse either of them of building boring Euro boxes.
However, you'll find no bustle bottom poking out of the back of the Renault Megane Sport Tourer. Instead, and unlike the Laguna Sport Tourer, it's squared off as a station wagon should be and offers an impressive 1,600 litres of loadspace.
That makes it quite a big car. At 4,500mm it's longer than the average family hatchback-derived wagon, though not quite as long as a 4,804mm Mondeo estate.
Reviews for Renault Megane Sport Tourer (2003 – 2008)'s top 3 rivals
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Renault Megane Sport Tourer (2003 – 2008) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.4 16V to 2.0 VVT
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 33–65 mpg
This length and strong self-centring variable ratio steering give it a very secure feeling on straight roads; better than the Megane hatchback. But in the rain the front-end can get a bit unruly, seemingly wanting to unstick itself and forcing a slower pace through the twisties than normal. It could all balance itself out with a load in the back, of course, but I didn't try that. And Renault does offer an optional understeer reducer as part of its £750 handling option pack.
The 136bhp 2.0 litre VVTi version I drove had plenty of power, fed through a six-speed box giving about 23.5 mph per 1,000 rpm in 6th. Prices aren't crazy either because it's quite a lot of car for list prices from £12,613 to £16,813, off which you should be able to chip £2,000 - £3,000 in today's market.
But the car is undeniably good value for money. The 1.5 diesel is very economical. The 1.9 DCI 120 goes very well indeed and is the obvious engine of choice. The 2.0 136bhp petrol model I had is quick enough to satisfy the ‘driver' in most people. With the Megane range, Renault seems to have covered every niche in the medium family car market, which is probably why it is now one of Europe's top sellers.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 16V | 40 mpg | 13.1 s | 166 g/km |
| 1.5 dCi 106 | 60 mpg | 11.4 s | 124 g/km |
| 1.5 dCi 86 | 60 mpg | 13.1 s | 124 g/km |
| 1.6 VVT | 40 mpg | 11.3 s | 166 g/km |
| 1.9 dCi | 50–51 mpg | 9.3 s | 154 g/km |
| 2.0 dCi | 51 mpg | 8.8 s | 146 g/km |
| 2.0 VVT | 35 mpg | 9.7 s | 191 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Renault Megane Sport Tourer (2003 – 2008)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
93%
Real MPG
33–65 mpg
MPGs submitted
83
Renault Megane Sport Tourer (2003 – 2008) interior
- Boot space is 520–1600 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4500 mm |
| Width | 1777 mm |
| Height | 1505 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2686 mm |
Obviously the reason to buy this car is as a traditional estate car load-lugger (otherwise you'd buy the hatchback, the sport saloon, the coupe cabriolet or the Scenic). So, though the luggage space is big and well-shaped it was disappointing to find the back seats fiddly to fold, difficult to fold flat, and the loadspace carpet very cheap looking. Really it needs to be coated in tough, ribbed plastic.
Renault Megane Sport Tourer (2003 – 2008) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4500 mm |
| Width | 1777 mm |
| Height | 1505 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2686 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1210–1315 kg |
| Boot Space | 520–1600 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 9000–18000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £14,133–£19,701 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | D–J |
| Official MPG | 35.3–60.1 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5 |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until May 2009
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dynamique 1.6 VVT | £16,700 | 40.4 mpg | 11.3 s |
| Dynamique dCi 106 | £17,800 | 60.1 mpg | 11.4 s |
| Dynamique dCi 86 | £17,100 | 60.1 mpg | 13.1 s |
On sale until February 2009
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dynamique 1.4 16v | £15,600 | 40.4 mpg | 13.1 s |
| Expression 1.6 VVT | £15,100 | 40.4 mpg | 11.3 s |
| Expression dCi 106 | £16,200 | 60.1 mpg | 11.4 s |
| Expression dCi 86 | £15,500 | 60.1 mpg | 13.1 s |
On sale until December 2008
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dynamique 1.9 dCi 130 | £17,744 | 50.4 mpg | 9.3 s |
| Dynamique 1.9 dCi 130 Auto | £17,744 | - | - |
| Dynamique 2.0 dCi 150 | £18,722 | 51.4 mpg | 8.8 s |
| Dynamique 2.0 VVT | £16,580 | 35.3 mpg | 9.7 s |
| Dynamique 2.0 VVT Auto | £16,580 | - | - |
| Dynamique S 1.6 VVT | £16,579 | 40.4 mpg | 11.3 s |
| Dynamique S 1.6 VVT Auto | £16,579 | - | - |
| Dynamique S 1.9 dCi 130 | £18,722 | 50.4 mpg | 9.3 s |
| Dynamique S 1.9 dCi 130 Auto | £18,722 | - | - |
| Dynamique S 2.0 dCi 150 | £19,701 | 51.4 mpg | 8.8 s |
| Dynamique S 2.0 VVT | £17,559 | 35.3 mpg | 9.7 s |
| Dynamique S 2.0 VVT Auto | £17,559 | - | - |
| Dynamique S dCi 106 | £17,665 | 60.1 mpg | 11.4 s |
| Expression 1.4 16v | £14,133 | 40.4 mpg | 13.1 s |
On sale until November 2007
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Expression 1.9 dCi 130 FAP Sport Tourer | £16,920 | 50.4 mpg | 9.3 s |
| Expression 1.9 dCi 130 FAP Sport Tourer Auto | £16,920 | - | - |
On sale until May 2007
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Privilege 1.6 VVT Sport Tourer | £16,230 | 40.4 mpg | 11.3 s |
| Privilege 1.6 VVT Sport Tourer Auto | £16,230 | - | - |
| Privilege 1.9 dCi 130 FAP Sport Tourer | £18,420 | 51.4 mpg | 9.3 s |
| Privilege 1.9 dCi 130 FAP Sport Tourer Auto | £18,420 | - | - |
| Privilege 2.0 dCi 150 Sport Tourer | £19,420 | 51.4 mpg | 8.8 s |
| Privilege 2.0 VVT Sport Tourer | £17,230 | 35.3 mpg | 9.7 s |
| Privilege 2.0 VVT Sport Tourer Auto | £17,230 | - | - |
| Privilege dCi 106 Sport Tourer | £17,220 | 60.1 mpg | 11.4 s |
Model History
November 2003
Sport Tourer and Sport Saloon versions in UK November 2003. 4,500mm long. At 1,600 litres, wagon is bigger inside than Laguna Sport Tourer. Handling kit option includes understeer control.
February 2006
2006 updated model on sale from 1 February 2006. Detail changes to exterior and interior design with improved quality and materials. New flagship 2.0 dCi 150hp. Facelift coincides with revised range of engines, all EU4. High power 150hp version of 2.0 dCi unit as well as the inclusion of a periodic regeneration particulate filter for 1.9 dCi unit, output upped to 130hp.
New Mégane diesel range extended to include 85hp and 105hp versions of 1.5 dCi. 105hp has best power/fuel consumption/CO2 emissions ratio in its class. Petrol engines include 1.4 16V (100hp), 1.6 16V (110hp), 2.0 16V (135hp) and 2.0T (165hp) to 225hp 2.0 16V Turbo unit which powers Mégane Renaultsport. Optional cruise control and speed limiter. Passenger airbag can be deactivated by keyswitch.
What to watch out for
If buying used, make sure all electrics work. On 225 have an emmissions test carried out because misfires may have spiked the cat.
On 1.5 and 1.9 dCi EGR valve should open to allow carbon dioxide, which acts as a cooling gas) into the combustion chambers when the engine is under load (>30% boost). This allows the combustion chamber temperature to drop and thus the temperature of the exhaust gases. If it sticks in the closed position the exhaust gas temperature will rise causing a) the turbo bearings to fail and b) engine oil into the induction system. This will cause the engine to go on running until it has consumed all its oil and then it will go bang. Problems with EGR valves in Renault dCi engines are often the cause of rough running when the valve is stuck in the open position as well. In several cases turbos have blown but the EGR valve has not been replaced. Inevitably the new turbo unit will not last long. This seems to be confined to early 1.5DCIs as Renault modified the EGRs and no further reports of trouble in the 9 months to April 2007.
Keycard failsafe requires driver to press clutch before starting with card, but electrical cable for this can dangle into footwell and get snapped. Meganes with 17" wheels can suffer high rear tyre wear down to 8,000 miles (due to tyre compound and camber of rear suspension). Widespread ignition coils failures.
RenaultSport Megane 225 can be plagued with misfires caused by injector failures www.meganesport.net
Failure of front electric windows seems to be increasingly common and fixing both sides is a £900 job at a Renault dealer, though you may get some goodwill towards this. The problem with the window regulators is so prolific with the Megane Mark 2 that Renault customer services have a recorded message for Renault owners with window problems within its main Customer Service menu. It details that the cost will be between £150 and £250; Renault contributes 70% and expects customers to contribute 30%.
