under-rated megane doesnt like tall people (Renault Megane in general)

Member Name: michaeljuffs

Product:	Renault Megane in general
Date:	28/08/02 (1337 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliability, Safety, Engine flexibility of 1.6

Disadvantages: Headroom, Windscreen wipers, Average interior fit and plastics dont match competitors

I own a 5 door 1.6 16v Megane Sport. Unlike many commentators I think the chrome radiator finish suits the car well epecially in blue and a fairly discreet spoiler compliments the smooth organic shape. I do find that at only 5'10" there is not enough headroom if i sit up properly in the front or back. This is a shameful design flaw in a multi million sale European car explicitly aimed at a mass market-completely stupid, especially as the leg room front and back is excellent for this size car and the controls are so excellently placed. Go for the sport seats which are a vast improvement on the standard ones, again a good feature let down by not being able to sit up properly.

Touch wood, at 28,000 miles i have nothing but praise for its reliability and it uses barely any oil. On continental journies (not in this country at all of course) it will cruise happily at 100 mph plus, and still have reserves to accelerate cleanly at high speeds even in fifth gear if you keep the revs at 4000 plus. I feel very safe and confident on motorway journies (except when it rains see later), not because of all the obvious safety features but because the engine, chassis and brakes respond quickly and confidently enough to avoid/get out of troubles way-particularly useful when you mix it with 40 ton lorries and coaches regularly on motorways.

Sadly i do not have air conditioning which is a must on this car because of all the sloping glass areas making it a greenhouse in summer. Cruising at 80mph (including the odd enthusiastic bit of wellie) returns at least 40 miles to the gallon!!!!! In town it does go down to 28mpg. At speed the noise in the cabin is respectable and no raised voices are needed.

The mirrors are fantastically biker friendly, covering blind spots excellently -why cant all cars have these (Volkswagen especially please note). The best car mirrors I've ever used-which again especially helps safety on motorways.

However the s
lippery shape means that using windscreen wipers is a living hell. The noise and distraction as they judder against the screen at motorway speeds in ANY cross wind will put you off using them for long periods. I have repeatedly tried changing the blades to no avail so i reckon its an air flow thing. Having spent a shed load to design a superbly safe car, this is another strange and idiotic flaw by Renault.

The build is fine, though the materials are a little on the cheap side and the inconsistent gaps between dashboard panels will have anally retentive folks (I've read the car mags)going berko, especially compared to a Focus, Golf or even a Fiat Bravo!!! It is all tightly put together though and doesnt come apart, no rattles or squeaks at 28,000 miles.

Plus points- a pretty car with poise, fine confident handling and very perky (the 16v 1.6 litre Renault engine would make an EXCELLENT kit car engine). Reliable.Cheap to run. Good legroom, a good lugger of loads (heavy loads dont sap it of much oomph). Drivers foot rest makes up for slightly odd driving position. Excellent audio (again Volkswagen take note at this price-ditch the Sony and get Phillips). Control layout excellent. Current Renault models are (?)well equipped(Volkswagen should we really expect less these days for what is after all TEN THOUSAND pounds plus-isnt that what a lot of people live on for a year?)and it all works to enhance safety (not just the air bags). How Ford get away with not even having ABS as standard on a Focus and avoid blasting by the car mags I do not know, let alone the extra air bags, remote audio controls and mirrors that actually work. This car is under-rated, even on safety (i know we all know about the obvious safety features).

Minus points- lack of headroom for average heights plus(how comes nobody EVER mentions this-do NONE of you sit up straight), windscreen wipers not designed to suit the aerodynamics of the car (this is actually dangerous-not
just aesthetic-ask Volvo or Saab). Plastics not as tightly fitted or as pretty as competitors (does it matter I spose if you are spending 10 grand plus maybe it does/maybe not). Tyres on my model are VERY expensive for a mid range car-less purportedly 'sporty' versions may have more widely available cheaper tyres you do need to check this they can be £50 extra for EACH tyre. Gear box a bit mushy for such a pokey little engine. Also bearing in mind how clever Renault are with stuff like the Scenic-why dont the rear seats fold completely flat without having to take the seat squabs out?

Get a phase two model (post 2000) and air conditioning and a 1.6 16valve (all 1.6's are 16 valev after 2000). The 1.4 is a bit underpowered and doesnt save much on fuel and the 1.8 uses too much extra fuel for minimal extra go. Would I have another one though-yes,yes,yes. Roll on Megane 2 in October 2002. And Renault-can we assume that we 5'10"ers plus can sit up properly in the next model (it doesnt look so from the pics :( )and that one of you has actually tried the windscreen wipers on a windy wet motorway???? If it has pretty and tight plastics like a VW these cars will be even more of a bargain then they are now. They are a laugh (just don't tell anyone).

Summary: