I need something cheaper to run than my current 5-series, without giving up too many creature comforts, looking to spend not too much over £10k (11 at a push). I've been looking at the options among 1-2 year old diesels and my shopping list's shrunk down to 2 (an odd couple you might think): a Megane hatch 120 DCi Privilege or a Mondeo TDCi Ghia (or maybe Zetec) 115 or 130PS. I've been given derisory spins around the block by dealers and both seemed very nice, lovely smooth engines with lots of mid range urge, and the Megane's handling seemed better than I'd been led to believe.
I know that if I want a Mondeo Ghia for the price of the Megane, I'd be looking at a pre-facelift model with a few more miles on the clock. Also I don't really need a car as big as the Mondeo, there just don't seem to be many smaller diesels around that offer that kind of refinement. I've read lots about how cheap the Mondeo is to run, but I was amazed to find cost per mile figures in What Car showed the Mondeo at 49p and the Megane at only 34.
I know I'm comparing apples with oranges here, but I really don't know which one to go for. Can anyone help me decide?
Thanks!
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Not such a strange choice in my mind.
I have got a Mondeo Ghia X TDCi 130 '02, it has been good to drive, great engine, excellent performance and economy plus very entertaining handling/steering. Intersting thing is that I have, I think, come down to the Megane as being a great replacement. I would consider another Mondeo though a Megane hatch is quite big enough, wife wants a Grand Scenic (7 seats) though I prefer the looks and the more conventional dash in the hatch. The 1.9 DCi is a fair bit less torquey than the TDCi 130 though is smooth and punchy nonetheless, also the Megane is of course lighter. I like the characterful nature of the Megane, also while not perhaps quite as sharp as the Mondeo it is also fun to drive.
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I used to drive a 523i as a company car (since replaced), and also have a Megane Privilege, so hopefully my comments will be of some interest.
TBH, if you don't need the space, you'll find the Megane is a good substitute. Its well equiped in Privilege form, and if you can find one with the Luxury Pack (heated leather seats and panoramic sunroof) so much the better, and comfortable.
Reviews often comment on handling, but I find it perfectly acceptable and, having driven the Golf, Focus and Astra actually prefer Renault's emphasis on comfort, which I thought better than the competition (and more useful most of the time)in contrast to the rather hard ride but 'better' handling, particularly of the Focus and Astra.
No complaints on quality of the interior, and though my partner and I have had a couple of new shape Meganes (and am picking up the third in a couple of weeks after number 2 was written of when I was shunted at speed) the only problem has been that one of the electric folding mirrors stopped folding. The dealer fixed it quickly and efficiently and all is well.
Check you are comfortable with the driving position though, as you seem to sit quite high in the Megane even with the seats in their lowest position. Also, quite suprisingly given the emphasis on safety at Renault, no form of traction control is fitted - this is a £750 extra.
WRT to the Mondeo, I've only a driven a few hire cars, all petrol, and though they went quite well (as hire cars always do...)I found ride comfort somewhat lacking, even in the new model. Quality, as always with Ford, is so so. Not driven a Ford diesel though, so can't comment on the engine. The new Mondeo is quite large, not much smaller than a 5 series - maybe 4" or so shorter, that's all.
Hope this helps.
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Thanks Peter S, very interesting. I'd agree with you about favouring comfort over "better" handling. If you want brilliant on-the-limit handling, you buy a Lotus Elise, but for most of us does it really matter how our car handles at ten-tenths, so long as you can have a bit of fun driving reasonably quickly?
On the (admittedly short) drive I had in a Dynamique, I found the driving position very comfortable, in fact I found the seat more comfortable than the Beemer's which I find quite hard on my lower back.
Perhaps the Megane might be the better bet... one other thing, I read that the stereo in the Megane isn't very good - I didn't get the chance to turn it up in my 5 minutes accompanied by a salseman. How good is it on the Privilege? I think a 6 disk changer comes as standard, but a "premium" system is only an option. Not that the Beemer's system is so brilliant...
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Renault Stereos? Nah not brilliant. BUT fortunately they use standard size speakers, and 80 quids worth of pioneers or Sony's makes the sound 100% better.
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Although a great lover of the Renault marque, and an admirer of the Megane, specially when fitted with the 1.9DcI, I would urge caution about buying a pre owned Megane2.
In this cycle of its life, it would mean buying one of the first years production run, never a good idea for most cars, probably even less so for a Renault. In this case it was introduced in the UK not long after it appeared in France so there was even less time to get things sorted.
They seem to have the new ones sorted now tho.
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look at
www.renault.co.uk
they are doing 4 years 0% finance on megane tourer privilege
put down £6K, then have the rest on 0% using your £5K over 4 years, ablic addin a bit, but you would get a brand new one.
i have had 4 mondeos in the last 6 years, and 2 lagunas.
new mondy very fast, excellent cruising at v fast on mway.
take a look at my thread
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=26...3
i think the megane for what you are describing is right up your street !
I am having one, best motor i have test drove for a long time.
also see my thread here, on the last 9 cars i have owned this year !
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=26...7
the only reason megane sport tourer wasnt on my list, was the electric PAS.
drove a civic with elec PAS and it was pants.
didnt realize how big the megane is on the inside too.
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Malcy B
Slightly off-topic. Why are the costs of your 5-series too much? I'm interested as a 5 is on my list of next cars!
Back on-topic! I would go for the Mondeo. I have driven a new Megane in the past and I can't think the quality will be a patch on the Mondeo. Too many electronic gizmos on a French car to go wrong.
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Runboy,
I doubt the running costs of my 5 series (W-reg 523i SE) are any worse than any other exec car. But Gp 15 insurance, 28 mpg and fairly pricey servicing all add up. My financial position's not so rosy as when I bought the car early last year, so I figured that if I could downsize fairly painlessly it would be worth doing - with the mileage I do, I get to save the better part of a grand a year.
So don't let me put you off. It's a superb car (I'm going to sell it privately if you're interested!), but it inevitably comes at a slightly higher price than Mondeo man is used to.
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malcy b
Thanks for the info. I'm still in two minds. Looks like I have tough decision ahead of me!
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