Archive for The Motor Forum talking cars since 2006
 


       The Motor Forum Forum Index -> Test Driven
Pkh72

New Megane 1.9DCi 130 Dynamique

I have a New megane 5-door for a couple of days, a 5 door 1.9DCi 130 in what i think is Dynamique spec.

I haven't been out too far in it so will just give a brief report on my findings so far -







Looks are a very subjective issue but i think the new megane is a reasonable looking car, the front and rear views are certainly more pleasing on the eye than the side profile view which makes it look a little frumpy.
This version was supplied in default metallic silver, whilst looking fairly smart i think i would choose a different colour, although this is by no means offensive on the eye.



The engine in this example is still very tight having only covered 1800 miles so i would expect it to improve with age. As it is it still developed reasonable punch from low down and was very refined, even at idle speeds not much noise comes in to the cabin, but i did notice that the rear view mirror was vibrating in synch with the engines idle.
The power and torque figures are broadly in line with the Fabia Vrs that we have in the household and whilst refinement is a step ahead the performance isn't as sprightly, again i would expect this gap to close up as more miles are piled on.

So on to the ride and handling, the ride is very comfortable and tightly controlled, i haven't thrown it down country lanes like i have with my ST so can't vouch for its sporty on limit handling but in the day to day ducking and diving the Meganes handling is safe, secure and sure footed and is blessed with oodles of grip.
Steering wise i assume this is fitted with an electronically assisted rack, it is fairly direct and accurate but is what i would describe as a bit gloopy, certainly not a patch on the focus or astra that i have tried recently, but it is acceptable.



Luggage space in the boot is fairly well provided for, being deep and well shaped, split fold rear seating is available should you need extra volume.



Unfortunately the boot space seems to have been provided at the expense of rear seat legroom, the drivers seat was set for my normal seating position, i'm only 6ft 1", there doesn't appear much room for an adults legs.





The dashboard is of a pleasing design and appears to be solidly constructed using agreeable materials. The electronic speedo is a nice attractive touch to these eyes and fits in nicely with the traditional rev counter.

The seats intially felt comfortable, if a little lacking in side support, but when i got out after an hours journey i had aching in the small of my back, whether it's the seats themselves or a seating position that needs fine tuning remains open to debate.

Equipment is generous, all the usual bits and pieces appear here including all round electric windows and mirrors, cruise control with speed limiter, traction control and ESP, auto lights and wipers.
i'm not sure what options this example had beyond the twin panoramic sunroof which lifted the cabin ambience to another level and would certainly be something i would choose.
Something i wasn't too keen on was the ignition keycard which is too bulky when compared with a traditional key.

So after a brief try out i am impressed with this Megane more than i thought i would be and would certainly bear it in mind if i was in the market for a car of this type. It certainly seems like a sound basis for the Renaultsport version which i am looking forward to trying as this version is more directly comparable to my ST so i can judge it against a direct rival.
"him"

Nice write up, I must admit I am looking forward to the new Scenic.

Ours has the 'panoramic' roof, and it is great.  Ours has keyless entry so the keycard just stays in my wallet.  The card is a bit on the bulky side to have to use as a "key".
PG

I'm really not sure about the dashbord architecture. The LCD speedo looks like a 1980's casio watch. And why have a "normal" tacho? Go all the way and go high tech or be traditional. Don't sit on the fence. The Atra GTE did it best back in the 1980's....



And the Megane seems to have its radio controls down by your ankles?
Dr. Hfuhruhurr

I still think (and I've seen a couple in the metal to confirm this) that it falls apart from the B-pillar backwards. The rear lights are particularly messy, which is a shame given how good they were on the previous model. And the rear does look cramped.
cbeaks1

The facelifted old model R26 R that they had on 5th Gear looked brilliant. Rear end especially.
Dr. Hfuhruhurr

The old model looked brilliant. The end.
PR

PG wrote:


Is it just a trick of the picture, or is that an amazingly skewed driving position? The steering wheel appears to be several inches off centre to the left with the pedals a similar distance in the opposite direction (relative to the seat)

Re. the Megane, I think the 5dr looks a bit awkward for the reasons Nick cites, but I do like the 3dr. I have high hopes that the RS version will be a craking car. Just give it a decent set of analogue dials - those in my 225 were lovely (much better than the Fisher Price-like ones in later Meganes).
"him"

PR wrote:
Is it just a trick of the picture, or is that an amazingly skewed driving position? The steering wheel appears to be several inches off centre to the left with the pedals a similar distance in the opposite direction (relative to the seat)

I thought that too, at least they have gone to the trouble of making sure the seat is skewed to face the pedals...  
scamper

PG wrote:
I'm really not sure about the dashbord architecture. The LCD speedo looks like a 1980's casio watch. And why have a "normal" tacho? Go all the way and go high tech or be traditional. Don't sit on the fence. The Atra GTE did it best back in the 1980's....



And the Megane seems to have its radio controls down by your ankles?


My impreza makes that dash architecture look positively modern.  

The in-laws have just bought the new megane to replace their current last model megane diesel, so i look forward to having a poke around.

That dash reminds me of a 1 series.  The boot looks a good size, but the rear seats seem a bit upright as a result.  Must be a bit cramped sitting behind someone who is "only 6ft 1"  
ALF

PG wrote:
I'm really not sure about the dashbord architecture. The LCD speedo looks like a 1980's casio watch. And why have a "normal" tacho? Go all the way and go high tech or be traditional. Don't sit on the fence. The Atra GTE did it best back in the 1980's....



And the Megane seems to have its radio controls down by your ankles?


The father of a school friend of mine had an Opel Monza GSE that did it even better than that!

I abhor digital speedometers, personally - nearly as much as I abhor S2000-style digital tachometers!
Dr. Hfuhruhurr

PR wrote:
Re. the Megane, I think the 5dr looks a bit awkward for the reasons Nick cites, but I do like the 3dr. I have high hopes that the RS version will be a craking car. Just give it a decent set of analogue dials - those in my 225 were lovely (much better than the Fisher Price-like ones in later Meganes).

I haven't seen a 3-door yet but I'm also hoping it looks more exciting.
D.

I hopr you done mind, I put it onto the website:

Click here
Martin

ALF wrote:
I abhor digital speedometers, personally - nearly as much as I abhor S2000-style digital tachometers!


Digital speedometers are very useful / essential in some cars, the ones in the bottom of the rev counters for example.
Pkh72

Dan wrote:
I hopr you done mind, I put it onto the website:

Click here


Not at all.  


I have this Megane on a 48 hour test drive, i completed the details on t'web, Avis run it on behalf of Renault.

Apparently my local Avis office have had some new staff and they haven't quite got the hang of what they are doing.
Initially the car was due to arrive on Friday afternoon, but they rang me to re-arrange because the snow had caused mayhem with where all their cars had ended up, which was fair enough.
New arrangements were made for them to drop it off at 4pm on Monday, this went by with nothing turning up, no phone call or anything so i fired off an email to them and forgot about it.
Out of the blue on Tuesday the car was dropped off and i was told they would pick it up on Friday.
Yesterday two chaps arrived to pick it up and left empty handed when i explained i was due to have it until Friday.
I then had a phone call from an apologetic woman at avis who after apologising for all the mix ups told me i could keep the car until Monday.

So i will end up having it for just short of a week, which is nice.
.

Is it meant to be a 48 hour test drive, or a 24 hour one?  Renault Website says its 24 hours only.

FIAT are doing a 48 hour test drive of the Bravo at the moment.
Pkh72

Torque Junkie wrote:
Is it meant to be a 48 hour test drive, or a 24 hour one?  Renault Website says its 24 hours only.

FIAT are doing a 48 hour test drive of the Bravo at the moment.


To be perfectly honest with you i'm not sure anymore, when i spoke to them originally it was from Friday to Monday, then Monday to Thursday, then Tuesday to Friday, now i have it until Monday.

Humphrey The Pug

The reason for the digital speedo and analogue rev counter is that research showed that people quite liked a digital speedo but prefered the sweep of the needle of an analogue rev counter when revving the car.
"him"

Humphrey The Pug wrote:
The reason for the digital speedo and analogue rev counter is that research showed that people quite liked a digital speedo but prefered the sweep of the needle of an analogue rev counter when revving the car.

I would personally prefer an analogue speedo too (perhaps with a digital display), but agree about the rev. counter, the digital "blocks" in the Megane are useless.  But in that it is almost forgiveable as you don't tend to 'chase the red-line'...  
PG

PR wrote:
PG wrote:


Is it just a trick of the picture, or is that an amazingly skewed driving position? The steering wheel appears to be several inches off centre to the left with the pedals a similar distance in the opposite direction (relative to the seat)


I had an Astra GTE for a few months. I don't remember the driving position being that skewed and the centre dash did face towards the driver that may be making it look worse. On the other hand, the driving position may have been terrible, but the effort required to control the torque steer meant that I never noticed.  
Matt

I watch the rev counter a lot more than the speedo.

Rev counters fascinate me a lot.
BeN

I like digital speedos...
Frank Bullitt

Initially the Megane seemed like a nice car, but the more I see them the more they look like amorphous blamanche's - even worse, the coupe is an amorphous blamanche with stupid grey 'bucked teeth' on the front...
Humphrey The Pug

Having a chat with my slaes Manager this morning we have both come to the conclusion that we prefer the previous Megane, it's different, drives better, and the diesels seem more refined, and it just has more character.
       The Motor Forum Forum Index -> Test Driven
Page 1 of 1