Shall I shan't I

[mnde]

Sooner or later my mother's P-reg Renault Megane 1.4 RT will be surplus to requirements, and its future doesn't look good, in that, if Renault accept it as a trade-in, it will probably be scrapped. Which would be a shame as it's a one owner with only 64K miles. I'm getting all sentimental and I'm wondering whether to take it on as a mid-90s motor that would have been typical scrappage fodder under the govt scheme.. and save it from an uncertain fate. If I did, the BX would have to move on.

 

Pros

 

Low miles, cheaper tax, more economy = less £££

Been in the family since new

Bodily in VGC

I quite like the smart first generation Megane shape (it's maroon metallic)

Roomy boot etc. a la Renault 19

It sounds like an old Renner

 

Cons

 

It's got a partial blockage in the matrix so the heater is marginal. The coolant looks the colour of sand. I would hope I'd be able to flush it through and all would be well... as I hear a matrix change is a FAFF on these.

 

It's been neglected for a while & has hardly driven. Not sure how much servicing it's had apart from yearly around MOT time... Still has original clutch etc. I drove it last year after fitting a new battery and it seemed to go pretty well. 1st gear sometimes reluctant, but that could be me not being used to the box... Interior is mouldy due to standing so long and needs a really good valeting. Has a battery drain problem - probably due to standing and moisture/crap.

 

Engine sounds a bit soulless...

 

 

BX pros

 

I've had it 4-5 years and know it well & have history from day one

The ride & comfort, great brakes

Distinctive styling and I'm in the CCC so it goes to meets etc. if the GSA is indisposed

Carb petrol so relatively easy to work on... and I had a 1.6 before it as well. Lots of support through the club

 

BX cons

 

Getting generally tired, over 110K miles. Needs B pillar / sill weldage for next MOT, iffy handling (needs new steering rack), needs new flow diverter valve and poss hydraulic pump. I haven't got much time to work on it...

Not the most economic on fuel. Slight cold starting issues that are liveable with but...

Rattly engine

Looking tatty due to peeling lacquer

Time for a change?

 

The way I see it, the Megane is worth £300 tops.... and I guess the BX is more or less the same really.

 

How is the early Megane, corrosion wise - anyone had experience?

 

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

[dollywobbler]

I think after a BX, the Migraine would be dullness personified. My biggest problem with replacing my BX is that I just can't find anything that does the job so well, so cheaply.

[messerschmitt owner]

I think after a BX, the Migraine would be dullness personified. My biggest problem with replacing my BX is that I just can't find anything that does the job so well, so cheaply.

buy a BX!

[Cheggers]

I'm with DW on this, the BX has buckets of charm & character whereas the Megane (apart from any sentimental attachment) is just a bit bland & vanilla flavoured.

[mnde]

^^This is the thing...

 

The Megane is the car I was taken to University and back in, and has lots of memories with it. It's a decent car but it will be a bit dull. I just can't bear the thought of it being scrapped. And I really need to save money on fuel, tax and insurance - and this would fit the bill.

 

Mark.

[dollywobbler]

I reckon emotion is a crap reason to save a car. Maybe I'm just bitter after blowing loads of cash on that Bond that I saved from scrappage.

 

No-one can save them all. I'd love to still own my first car or my first 2CV, but they were both scrapped even though both meant a lot to me.

[Cheggers]

Until he gave up driving, my Dad had a Clio...now any time I go in any Clio, the memories flood back. With a standard everyday car like a Renault it doesn't have to be the actual car as, putting it bluntly, they're all the bloody same. Also, you could take the car on and end up hating it, which would probably make you feel worse than letting it go now.

[chaseracer]

Surely somebody here would give the Migraine a good home, when the time came?

[Cavcraft]

Spending half an hour in a Megane is like spending three weeks trapped in a lift shaft with only Nigel Mansell and a map of Telford for company. They're incredibly forgettable cars with no interest or excitement factor at all.

However, if your mum had it for yonks and it holds memories then why not?

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Spending half an hour in a Megane is like spending three weeks trapped in a lift shaft with only Nigel Mansell and a map of Telford for company. They're incredibly forgettable cars with no interest or excitement factor at all.

 

Don't you like Vauxhalls?

[chaseracer]

/\/\

 

LOLz @ Billy

[Guest]

A couple of hours in the Renault would feel like a year. Once the mileage ups a bit its a another worthless old Renault. BX Is the better option in this case and forget the sentiment.

[Torsten2001]

I reckon emotion is a crap reason to save a car. Maybe I'm just bitter after blowing loads of cash on that Bond that I saved from scrappage.

 

No-one can save them all. I'd love to still own my first car or my first 2CV, but they were both scrapped even though both meant a lot to me.

 

For me emotion is everything, I would save it and treasure it if I were you. In years to come it will be a car you'd wished you'd saved and you can run it on a shoestring. It's certainly worthless and I wouldn't give it a second glance but my Dads old Rover 218 is in my Mums drive unused for 6 years and I could never part with it, a much nicer car in my opinion though!

[Guest]

I bet whatever value they're offering in part-exchange is feeble, you might as well clean it up and sell it on.

[barefoot]

Why not keep them both?

 

swap tax/ins for a bit?

 

I'm a bit of a German bloke, but I fancy a bit of French & both of yours are on my list,

I was admiring an incredibly rusty 97/R Megane today

but still have memories of a motorway ride in s diesel BX - the first decent diesel I'd ever been in

[theorganist]

I am probably going to be in the minority here. We had a P reg Megane 1600 RT and I found it comfortable and pretty quick, it handled well and was a good motorway car. I always enjoyed driving it.

 

If it is in good condition and low mileage I am sure it would be useful for someone.

[wuvvum]

I had a 1.4 Mégane for a while. It was far from the most interesting car I've ever owned, and it was a little gutless if I'm honest, but it was pleasant enough, comfortable, quiet and surprisingly good on fuel. I'd consider another if I was just looking for something cheap to run around in. Not sure I'd sell a BX for one though - the emotional ties would have to be pretty strong to induce me to do that.

[pogweasel]

These Meganes are at their absolute lowest ebb.

 

My brother recently bought a Megane Sport Coupe, full moo & wind for £170.

That is ridiculous, and surely with those prices extinction beckons. The new R14? SAVE IT.

[Lord Sterling]

For me emotion is everything, I would save it and treasure it if I were you. In years to come it will be a car you'd wished you'd saved and you can run it on a shoestring. It's certainly worthless and I wouldn't give it a second glance but my Dads old Rover 218 is in my Mums drive unused for 6 years and I could never part with it, a much nicer car in my opinion though!

 

+ 1 Gotta agree there.

 

Its also one of the reasons why I still have 3 Rovers, I've grown rather attached to them. Some people dont and change cars all the time. If its playing on your mind about keeping it, then at least try to keep the car or at least sell it on someone who may look after it.

 

If you dont want to let go of either car, try and bother the council until they give you a garage/lock up, that way you get to keep both cars and can rotate usage whenever it suits you.

[STUNO]

JEEEEZ....if you want it have it.

But check out the cooling system and flush it first Just in case repairs are too costly. Could the problem be just a heater tap not fully on?

[mattblack]

I had a 'P' plate 1.4 Megane RN 'Paris' for about 3 years. It was perectly adequate for what it was, a mid 90's medium sized hatch. I can't get my head around the OMG ORDINARY FAMILY CARZ R BORING crowd TBH...

 

They all seem to suffer from rear arches bubbling up on the front edge by the door shut, round the rear screen and randomly above the 'Megane' badge on the back. The fabric on the seats had come apart at the seams on mine. Mechanicaly, I fitted new rear shocks as one snapped at the top mount, they have a plastic shroud that traps the muck. They seem easy enough to work on the whole, with pleny of room around the donkey. Mine died due to suspected ECU failiure, and I sold it with full MOT (I'd just had it done) and 6 months tax for £150 to a local bloke, and it sat outside his house for a while before dissapearing...

[Owain-328i]

Megane's are horrid things! My old dear had a new one about 10 years ago, a 1.6 (something with leather didnt interest me), and i thought it was dreadful to drive, horrible pedals, and it drove like the engine mounts were knackered, hideous thing. It was a total dissapointment compared to the early S plate Focus 1.8 she traded in for it, which was a fantastic car.

 

A few years ago a mate bought a new shape megane on a 56 plate, with a 1.4 engine in it, and that was equally as dreadful to drive, they feel so lose like the engine mounts have failed. And again that was a new car!

 

Megane's were scrappage scheme fodder for a reason! There shit.