Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2003 – 2009) Review
Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2003 – 2009) At A Glance
Beautiful-looking, relaxed cruiser with an elegantly simple folding hard-top. Excellent crash test rating. Proving reliable.
Don't expect it to go round corners like a sports car. Reports of leaky roof seals.
Who would want to be a mainstream car manufacturer right now? You can't just run off a million identikit Cortinas every year and expect people to buy them.
These days the punters want to be different. They want niche cars. So, like Polyfilla, you have to offer something to fill every single niche.
Hence the current compulsion to saw the roofs off every saloon and hatchback there is, then fit some electric motors to it so it stows away in the boot at the touch of a button.
Reviews for Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2003 – 2009)'s top 3 rivals
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Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2003 – 2009) handling and engines
- Engines range from dCi to 2.0 T
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 24–63 mpg
I actually thought it handled a lot better than I remember a Megane Sport Tourer having done a few years ago. And with the 165PS Turbo it goes well too. This is one of those nice low-pressure turbos that make petrol engines feel both powerful and flexible without suddenly flinging you and the car ten feet in front of yours stomach.
So I liked it. I wouldn't pay more than £20,000 for it, though. I'd expect a decent discount. But I would seriously consider the turbo over the other petrol models because it's such a nice engine to drive.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 dCi 106 | 57 mpg | 12.2 s | 133 g/km |
| 1.6 16V VVT | 40 mpg | 11.8 s | 166 g/km |
| 1.6 VVT | 40 mpg | 11.8 s | 166 g/km |
| 1.9 dCi | 49 mpg | 9.6 s | 154 g/km |
| 2.0 16V VVT | 34 mpg | 9.9 s | 194 g/km |
| 2.0 dCi | 50 mpg | 9.5 s | 151 g/km |
| 2.0 T | 35 mpg | 8.7 s | 191 g/km |
| dCi | 57 mpg | 12.2 s | 133 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2003 – 2009)
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
24–63 mpg
MPGs submitted
91
Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2003 – 2009) interior
- Boot space is 190–490 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4355 mm |
| Width | 1777 mm |
| Height | 1404 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2522 mm |
Some roofs split into three parts and, with much whirring of motors and tensioning of cables, eventually disappear into a boot the size of an elephant's bum.
Making the car look like a cross between an elegant coupe and a 25 stone builder.
They're all at it: Mercedes, Peugeot, Ford, Volvo, Vauxhall, Daihatsu, Lexus, Volkswagen, Nissan, Mitsubishi...and achieving various degrees of success.
But the first time I put the roof down on the Renault Megane CC I realised Renault had cracked it. This two-piece top is incredibly simple. Instead of cables and wires all over the place the mechanism is simpler than the average sports car soft top.
The second time I realised Renault were the runaway winners. I had returned to the car to find an elderly neighbour admiring it. He was nonplussed to see how I opened the door without appearing to unlock it. Then knocked off his feet to watch the roof of the elegant hard top coupe that had attracted his attention magically disappear into its elegant rump.
I was privileged with the top model (the ‘Privilege') and it looked really good in dark blue metallic with creamy beige leather interior. It cruised quite well at a relaxed 30mph per 1,000rpm in 6th with no more wind noise than you'd expect from a pillarless hardtop, let alone one that doffs its top at the touch of a button. It does crash a bit in potholes and you can actually feel it doing a Chubby Checker impression over speed humps. But you expect that sort of thing from a four-seater convertible with no pretension of being a sports car.
Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet (2003 – 2009) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4355 mm |
| Width | 1777 mm |
| Height | 1404 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2522 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1320–1495 kg |
| Boot Space | 190–490 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 9000–18000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £17,645–£22,853 |
| Insurance Groups | 14–19 |
| Road Tax Bands | E–J |
| Official MPG | 34.4–56.5 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5 |
| Child | 3 |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until January 2010
| Open Car | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dynamique S 1.6 VVT | £20,542 | 40.4 mpg | 11.8 s |
| Dynamique S 1.6 VVT Auto | £20,542 | - | - |
| Dynamique S dCi 106 | £21,667 | 56.5 mpg | 12.2 s |
| Dynamique S dCi 130 | £22,791 | 48.7 mpg | 9.6 s |
On sale until May 2009
| Open Car | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dynamique dCi 106 | £21,210 | 56.5 mpg | 12.2 s |
On sale until February 2009
| Open Car | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dynamique 1.6 16v VVT | £19,395 | 40.4 mpg | 11.8 s |
| Dynamique 1.6 16v VVT Auto | £19,395 | - | - |
| Extreme 1.6 16v VVT | £17,645 | 40.4 mpg | 11.8 s |
On sale until December 2008
| Open Car | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dynamique 1.9 dCi 130 | £20,895 | 48.7 mpg | 9.6 s |
| Dynamique 1.9 dCi 130 Auto | £20,895 | - | - |
| Dynamique 2.0 16v VVT | £19,732 | 34.4 mpg | 9.9 s |
| Dynamique 2.0 16v VVT Auto | £19,732 | - | - |
| Dynamique 2.0 dCi 150 | £21,874 | 49.6 mpg | 9.5 s |
| Dynamique 2.0 Turbo | £20,906 | 35.3 mpg | 8.7 s |
| Privilege 1.6 16v VVT | £19,731 | 40.4 mpg | 11.8 s |
| Privilege 1.6 16v VVT Auto | £19,731 | - | - |
| Privilege 1.9 dCi 130 | £21,874 | 48.7 mpg | 9.6 s |
| Privilege 1.9 dCi 130 Auto | £21,874 | - | - |
| Privilege 2.0 16v VVT | £20,711 | 34.4 mpg | 9.9 s |
| Privilege 2.0 16v VVT Auto | £20,711 | - | - |
| Privilege 2.0 dCi 150 | £22,853 | 49.6 mpg | 9.5 s |
| Privilege 2.0 Turbo | £21,885 | 35.3 mpg | 8.7 s |
| Privilege dCi 106 | £20,797 | 56.5 mpg | 12.2 s |
On sale until July 2007
| Open Car | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Dynamique S 1.9 dCi 130 Coupe-Cabriolet | £20,800 | 48.7 mpg | 9.6 s |
| Dynamique S 1.9 dCi 130 Coupe-Cabriolet Auto | £20,800 | - | - |
| Dynamique S 2.0 dCi 150 Coupe-Cabriolet | £21,800 | 49.6 mpg | 9.5 s |
Model History
June 2003
Stunning looking wedge shaped folding glass top coupe cabrio, prices starting at £16,500 for a 1.6, discounted down to £13,800. Range includes a very perky 120bhp 1.9 common rail diesel with 6-speed gearbox. See Megane II. Optional cruise control and speed limiter. Passenger airbag can be deactivated by keyswitch.
Has become one of the more reliable Coupe Cabrios. Few reports of trouble.
What to watch out for
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%.
