Opinions - Renault Megane

[mnde]

How much d'ya think this is worth:1996 Renault Megane 1.4 RT 5dr, dark red metallicc. 60-70K.1 family owner since new.Bodywork and interior in vgc.Known problem with partially blocked heater matrix due to neglected coolant changes.Some service history.Cheers!Mark.

[AXrescuer]

Sorry mate, if it were me I'd give any earlyish Megane a wide berth.

[wuvvum]

I have to say the only Mégane I've ever owned (a 1.4 RN) was a bit of a pain in the arse. I also found it rather underpowered when it was running. I'd say probably about £400-£450 if it's in good nick with plenty of T&T. I paid £100 for mine but it had 150K on the clock and only a week's MoT left.

[r.welfare]

"Some history" allied with "1 family owner" would indicate to me it hasn't had a lot of maintenance recently; underlined by the partial matrix failure. Probably due a cambelt (on mileage) too. Avoid.

[mnde]

Okay, I should say it's my mum's car - she said she was thinking of getting rid. Without meaning to seem unkind it's probably got its yearly service as minimum, prolly has four different budget tyres etc. She's not car minded at all. TBH I don't have a clue of its service history unless I asked if she had receipts etc. EDIT: I got it wrong, it's a '97 model on a P plate.Just had an idle, crazy idea I might offer to take it off her hands to replace my BX if only because its in a lower tax bracket...................... Can imagine if it was PXed at Renault it would end up being crushed that's all (Why get all sentimental about a Mk1 Megane you may ask? Well, it was the car that ferried me and all my stuff to Uni and back between 97 and 99.)Already an older low mileage K plate Clio went that way because it was neglected and my mum/brother/sister didn't want to know any more. I'd have had it and rescued it but no way I could run three cars Mark.

[Albert Ross]

I'd sooner shove stones up my arse than have a Renault made in the last 15 years.........................The best stuff ended mid 90s. Savanna etc....

[AnthonyG]

If she's thinking of P/X ing it at a Renault garage for a new/newish car then she might get far more than it's actually worth, due to their need to sell new/nearly new cars.On the other hand they may give her some blather about disposal costs and offer her £50.If she is thinking of buying a new car I'd tell her to wait and see if the scrappage scheme comes in - then it might be worth £2500.Without knowing anything about how serious the coolant fault is (will it affect the h/g etc) it's hard to say what it's actual value is.

[Renault18]

Mentioned about my good experiences with 99- Scenics/Meganes t'other day - wouldn't touch phase one stuff tho'Heater matrix replacement? You just don't want to go there. Not sure that Renault dealers (or any other) would want to give you much for it. Friends 2004 Laguna Dynamique - 38k FSH and mint - £1495 offer against new model!Mind you, even with a blocked heater matrix, your Meg is still a better car!

[Torsten2001]

Working on the premise that all Reno's are trouble anyway, I quite fancy them!

[Pillock]

My mum had a 97 'P' Megane, it went OK (although hers was the 1.9 dT) but the quality was terrible. Plastics felt like the cheapest of the cheap Kia Pride quality, the seats were starting to pull apart at the seams after only two years too. Sunroof leaked, centrol locking and 'leccy windows were tempremental and it chewed brake disks and pads up front.How big is the matrix job? Dahboard out? If so I'd be tempted to PX it and not mention it (I know, very naughty, but it's likely to get squished anyway). I certainly wouldn't sell it privately without mentioning it, and buyers are likely to mentally knock off a couple of hundred to sort it.

[RENOMAD]

I bought a new Megane Coupe in 2000. It was a 1.4 16V Sport.After about a week the immobiliser jamed on stranding me.A week later the sunroof leaked wetting both the front seats----I was not happy. In fairness to the dealer at the time,he did look after me with courtesy cars and could not have been more helpful. I did try to reject the car at the time,but unfortunately Irish consumer law does not make this easy,so it was a case of put up/shut up.I traded it in for a 5 door hatch the following year as our first child was on the way. 2 days after the new owner got the Coupe he was t-boned at a junction and that was the end of that car.

[mr-reno-139]

just to let you know that i have recently discovered that descaler (available in 5 litre bottle at trade cleaning wholesalers about tenner)designed for cleaning stainless steel work surfaces will flush out renault matrixes sucessfully have done 2 R19s 2 clios and a megane disconnect both pipes fill matrix leave for half hour then flush with hose

[Parky]

My sister had a 1998 Megane and yes, it was comfy but it wasnt exactly a paragon of reliability. I would consider a povo spec model but anything with electrical equipment in excess of a stereo is generally best left well alone - unless you are an auto electrician with lots of spare time. I think my nightmare car would be a late nineties high spec Megane with an auto box........

[25v6turbo]

Phase 1 meganes are a bit nasty,a later facelift one is better,but not an auto,steer clear...As for a nightmare Renault with electrics,yep i own the ultimate a V6 RXE fully loaded Safrane(WITH ELECTRIC SUSPENSION!!!!)I think i,am right in saying its one of the most electrically loaded Renaults ever built,evan has electric rear seats,and before you all ask,after laughing for ages,everything works perfect,even the A/C is gas tight and freezing.