Renault Megane (2002 – 2008) Review

Renault Megane
1.3 TCE GT Line 5dr
£10,629

Renault Megane (2002 – 2008) At A Glance

Bold styling, a decent drive and good value for money. Estate version has a roomy cargo bay. Excellent crash test rating.

The hatchback's load bay isn't big. Electrical, mechanical and build quality problems are common.

Insurance Group 35
On average it achieves 92% of the official MPG figure

Reviews for Renault Megane (2002 – 2008)'s top 3 rivals

Peugeot 307

Comfortable ride. Plenty of head and leg room.

Citroen C4

Brave styling, decent quality interior and excellent crash test ratings. 1.6 HDi EGS qualifies for £30pa...

Ford Focus

Superb blend of keen handling and ride comfort. Seats five in comfort. five-star Euro NCAP crash test...

Renault Megane (2002 – 2008) handling and engines

Engines range from 1.4 16V to Renaultsport 230 R26
Readers report Real MPG to be between 24–70 mpg

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, youll find no bustle bottom poking out of the back of the Renault Megane Sport Tourer. Instead, and unlike the Laguna Sport Tourer, its 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 its longer than the average family hatchback-derived wagon, though not quite as long as a 4,804mm Mondeo estate.

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 didnt 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 arent crazy either because its 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 todays market.

Obviously the reason to buy this car is as a traditional estate car load-lugger (otherwise youd 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.

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 Europes top sellers.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO₂
1.4 16V	41–42 mpg	12.5–12.7 s	164–165 g/km
1.5 dCi 106	60 mpg	11.1–11.2 s	120–124 g/km
1.5 dCi 86	60–64 mpg	12.7–12.8 s	117–124 g/km
1.6 16V VVT	41 mpg	10.9 s	164 g/km
1.6 VVT	42 mpg	11.1 s	163 g/km
1.9 dCi	50–51 mpg	9.0–9.1 s	149 g/km
2.0 16V VVT	35 mpg	9.2 s	191 g/km
2.0 dCi 150	51–52 mpg	8.7 s	144–146 g/km
2.0 T	37 mpg	8.3 s	184 g/km
2.0 VVT	35 mpg	9.4 s	191 g/km
Renaultsport 225	33 mpg	6.5 s	200 g/km
Renaultsport 230 R26	33 mpg	6.0–6.3 s	199–200 g/km
Renaultsport dCi 175	44 mpg	8.3 s	172 g/km

Real MPG average for the Renault Megane (2002 – 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

92%

Real MPG

24–70 mpg

MPGs submitted

308

Renault Megane (2002 – 2008) models and specs

Dimensions
Length	4209–4498 mm
Width	1777 mm
Height	1437–1460 mm
Wheelbase	2625–2686 mm

Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight	1145–1490 kg
Boot Space	330–1190 L
Warranty	3 years
Servicing	9000–18000 miles

Costs
List Price	£11,670–£24,040
Insurance Groups	35
Road Tax Bands	C–J
Official MPG	31.3–64.2 mpg

Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult	5
Child	-
Pedestrian	2
Overall	-

On sale until June 2009

Hatchback
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Renaultsport R26.R 3dr	£24,040	33.2 mpg	6.0 s

On sale until May 2009

Saloon
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Dynamique 1.6 VVT 4dr	£16,385	41.5 mpg	11.1 s
Dynamique dCi 106 4dr	£17,385	60.1 mpg	11.2 s
Expression 1.6 VVT 4dr	£15,835	41.5 mpg	11.1 s

On sale until December 2008

Hatchback
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Renaultsport 230 Renault F1 Team R26 3dr	£20,021	33.2 mpg	6.3 s
Renaultsport dCi 175 3dr	£19,129	43.5 mpg	8.3 s
Renaultsport dCi 175 Lux 3dr	£20,499	43.5 mpg	8.3 s
Renaultsport dCi 175 Lux 5dr	£20,964	43.5 mpg	8.3 s

Saloon
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Dynamique 1.4 16v 4dr	£14,768	41.5 mpg	12.7 s
Dynamique 1.9 dCi 130 4dr	£17,401	50.4 mpg	9.1 s
Dynamique 1.9 dCi 130 4dr Auto	£17,401	-	-
Dynamique 2.0 VVT 4dr	£16,238	35.3 mpg	9.4 s
Dynamique 2.0 VVT 4dr Auto	£16,238	-	-
Dynamique dCi 86 4dr	£15,658	60.1 mpg	12.8 s
Expression 1.4 16v 4dr	£14,279	41.5 mpg	12.7 s
Expression dCi 106 4dr	£15,854	60.1 mpg	11.2 s
Expression dCi 86 4dr	£15,169	60.1 mpg	12.8 s

On sale until September 2008

Hatchback
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Dynamique 1.6 16v VVT 3dr	£14,350	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Dynamique 1.6 16v VVT 5dr	£14,815	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Dynamique 1.6 16v VVT 5dr Auto	£14,815	-	-
Dynamique 1.9 dCi 130 5dr Auto	£18,035	-	-
Dynamique dCi 106 3dr	£15,465	60.1 mpg	11.1 s
Dynamique dCi 106 5dr	£15,930	60.1 mpg	11.1 s
Dynamique dCi 86 3dr	£14,765	64.2 mpg	12.7 s
Dynamique dCi 86 5dr	£15,230	64.2 mpg	12.7 s
Dynamique S 2.0 16v VVT 5dr	£16,815	35.3 mpg	9.2 s
Dynamique S 1.6 16v VVT 5dr	£15,815	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Dynamique S dCi 106 5dr	£16,930	60.1 mpg	11.1 s
Expression 1.4 16v 3dr	£12,850	40.9 mpg	12.5 s
Expression 1.4 16v 5dr	£13,315	40.9 mpg	12.5 s
Expression 1.6 16v VVT 3dr	£13,350	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Expression 1.6 16v VVT 5dr	£13,815	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Expression 1.6 16v VVT 5dr Auto	£13,815	-	-
Expression dCi 86 3dr	£13,765	64.2 mpg	12.7 s
Expression dCi 86 5dr	£14,230	64.2 mpg	12.7 s
Extreme II 1.4 16v 5dr	£12,495	40.9 mpg	12.5 s
GT 2.0 dCi 150 3dr	£18,070	51.4 mpg	8.7 s
Tech Run 1.6 16v VVT 3dr	£13,850	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Tech Run 1.6 16v VVT 3dr Auto	£13,850	-	-
Tech Run 1.6 16v VVT 5dr	£14,315	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Tech Run dCi 106 3dr	£14,965	60.1 mpg	11.1 s
Tech Run dCi 106 5dr	£15,430	60.1 mpg	11.1 s
Tech Run dCi 86 3dr	£14,265	64.2 mpg	12.7 s
Tech Run dCi 86 5dr	£14,730	64.2 mpg	12.7 s

On sale until July 2008

Hatchback
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Dynamique 1.4 16v 3dr	£13,695	-	-
Dynamique 1.4 16v 5dr	£14,160	-	-
Dynamique 1.6 Ethanol E85 5dr	£14,885	-	-
Dynamique 1.9 dCi 130 3dr	£16,415	-	-
Dynamique 1.9 dCi 130 3dr Auto	£16,415	-	-
Dynamique S 1.9 dCi 130 5dr	£17,880	-	-
Dynamique S 2.0 dCi 150 5dr	£18,880	-	-
Expression dCi 106 5dr	£14,775	-	-
Extreme II 1.6 16v VVT 5dr	£12,840	-	-
Extreme II dCi 86 5dr	£13,260	-	-
GT 2.0 dCi 150 5dr	£18,380	-	-
GT 2.0 Turbo 3dr	£16,895	-	-
GT 2.0 Turbo 5dr	£17,360	-	-
Renaultsport 225 Cup 3dr	£19,395	-	-
Renaultsport 225 Lux 5dr	£20,760	-	-
Renaultsport 225 Renault F1 Team 3dr	£20,295	-	-
Renaultsport dCi 175 5dr	£19,860	-	-
Tech Run 1.4 16v 3dr	£13,195	-	-
Tech Run 1.4 16v 5dr	£13,660	-	-
Tech Run 1.9 dCi 130 3dr	£15,915	-	-
Tech Run 1.9 dCi 130 3dr Auto	£15,915	-	-
Tech Run 1.9 dCi 130 5dr	£16,380	-	-
Tech Run 1.9 dCi 130 5dr Auto	£16,380	-	-

On sale until April 2008

Saloon
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Privilege 1.6 VVT 4dr	£16,250	41.5 mpg	11.1 s
Privilege 1.6 VVT 4dr Auto	£16,250	-	-
Privilege 1.9 dCi 130 4dr	£18,440	50.4 mpg	9.1 s
Privilege 1.9 dCi 130 4dr Auto	£18,440	-	-
Privilege 2.0 VVT 4dr	£17,250	35.3 mpg	9.4 s
Privilege 2.0 VVT 4dr Auto	£17,250	-	-
Privilege dCi 106 4dr	£17,240	60.1 mpg	11.2 s

On sale until November 2007

Hatchback
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Authentique 1.4 16v 5dr	£11,960	40.9 mpg	12.5 s
Authentique 1.6 16v VVT 5dr	£12,460	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Authentique dCi 86 5dr	£12,730	64.2 mpg	12.7 s
Dynamique 2.0 16v VVT 3dr	£14,760	35.3 mpg	9.2 s
Dynamique 2.0 16v VVT 3dr Auto	£14,760	-	-
Dynamique 2.0 16v VVT 5dr	£15,260	35.3 mpg	9.2 s
Dynamique 2.0 16v VVT 5dr Auto	£15,260	-	-
Expression 1.9 dCi 130 FAP 5dr	£15,950	50.4 mpg	9.0 s
Expression 1.9 dCi 130 FAP 5dr Auto	£15,950	-	-
Extreme 1.4 16v 3dr	£11,960	40.9 mpg	12.5 s
Extreme 1.6 16v VVT 3dr	£12,460	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Extreme dCi 86 3dr	£12,730	64.2 mpg	12.7 s

Saloon
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Expression 1.9 dCi 130 FAP 4dr	£16,670	51.4 mpg	9.1 s
Expression 1.9 dCi 130 FAP 4dr Auto	£16,670	-	-

On sale until May 2007

Hatchback
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Privilege 1.6 16v VVT 5dr	£15,260	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Privilege 1.6 16v VVT 5dr Auto	£15,260	-	-
Privilege 1.9 dCi 130 FAP 5dr	£17,450	51.4 mpg	9.0 s
Privilege 1.9 dCi 130 FAP 5dr Auto	£17,450	-	-
Privilege 2.0 16v VVT 5dr	£16,260	35.3 mpg	9.2 s
Privilege 2.0 16v VVT 5dr Auto	£16,260	-	-
Privilege 2.0 16v VVT Auto 5dr	£17,260	-	-
Privilege 2.0 dCi 150 5dr	£18,450	52.3 mpg	8.7 s
Privilege 2.0 Turbo 165 5dr	£17,460	36.7 mpg	8.3 s
Privilege dCi 106 5dr	£16,230	60.1 mpg	11.1 s

On sale until January 2007

Hatchback
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Renaultsport 225 3dr	£19,570	33.2 mpg	6.5 s
Renaultsport 225 5dr	£20,070	33.2 mpg	6.5 s

On sale until October 2006

Hatchback
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Authentique 1.4 16v 5dr	£11,670	40.9 mpg	12.5 s
Authentique 1.6 16v VVT 5dr	£12,170	40.9 mpg	10.9 s
Authentique dCi 86 5dr	£12,470	62.8 mpg	12.7 s
Dynamique 2.0 dCi 150 3dr	£16,670	52.3 mpg	8.7 s

Saloon
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Dynamique 2.0 dCi 150 4dr	£17,850	51.4 mpg	8.7 s
Privilege 2.0 dCi 150 4dr	£18,850	51.4 mpg	8.7 s

On sale until July 2006

Hatchback
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
Dynamique 2.0 dCi 150 5dr	£17,170	52.3 mpg	8.7 s
Dynamique 2.0 Turbo 3dr	£15,670	36.7 mpg	8.3 s
Dynamique 2.0 Turbo 5dr	£16,170	36.7 mpg	8.3 s

November 2003

Sport Tourer and Sport Saloon versions in UK November 2003. At 1,600 litres, wagon is bigger inside than Laguna Sport Tourer. Handling kit option includes understeer control. 225bhp RenaultSport RS Turbo announced at September 2003 Frankfurt Show. RenaultSport Megane 225 Trophy feels very much quicker than Golf GTi 2.0T FSI despite mere 25bhp more.

February 2006

Updated model on sale. 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.

April 2007

Megane Renaultsport dCi 175 launched April 2007 43.5 mpg and insurance group 12E. Two trim levels – dCi 175 and Lux, in either three- or five-door hatchback, priced £18,950 to £20,850.

December 2007

Mégane Hatch E85 bioethanolon sale at the end of 2007. Uses the 1.6 16V 105 engine modified so it adapts automatically to bioethanol fuel. The main upgrades have been made to the fuel tank, injection system and combustion chambers. developed from expertise gained in Brazil, where Renault has been selling FlexFuel versions of Clio and Mégane running on bioethanol E100 since 2004. New tax incentive sees a 2% discount on employees’ taxable car benefits where the car is capable of running on E85 fuel, an ethanol fuel based on a mix of at least 85% ethanol with conventional petrol.

What to watch out for

01-01-0001:

If buying used, make sure all electrics work. By late 2009 these cars were suffering repeated electric windown and keycard problems.

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

19-01-2012:

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%.

03-09-2012:

Report of transmission failure of 4+ year old 48k mile RenaultSport Megane 2.0 dCI 175. Renault contributed 75% of the cost of the repair.

21-03-2014:

Engine main support bolt failed in 70,000 mile 2004 (10 year old) Megane.

06-07-2014:

Timing belt failed on 60k mile 2002 Megane. (It had never been replaced in 12 years.)