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picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 8:15 pm
by edward2
Hello
I am picking up my megane next week from the garage i bought it from. I am sure it will be fine but just to be sure anything i should check work on it before paying balance.

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 9:57 pm
by davelowe
The list is of course too long to mention. Electrics are foremost - test everything, thereafter, the service schedule. Check all the fluids; finally, the only significant issue that is specific to the 1.4 that I know of is the throttle body sticking. Therefore, before you pay up, ensure the engine is cold (raise the bonnet and put your hand on it to check). Start up and observe that the revs are normal. Test again from a hot start.

There are many reasons that cause problems on these cars, but they are common to all. Best to take along someone with a good mechanical nous!

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 10:20 pm
by edward2
Cool i will check everything.
I am buying it from a renalt garage it was a trade in orginally sold by that garage i think. I had an old shape megane before which was reliable, are the megane 2s not so good? Worse that vauxhalls and others?

Would i be wise to buy a warrently when the 3 month one the dealer gives expires?

I was a little concerned by the keyless ignition entry but when waiting for my bus this morning I was looking in every car to see how many have keyless i noted that new luxary cars like jaguar range rover and nissan have no key holes either (until i thought probly look like a car theif looking in the car windows) so i figure this keyless thing is not just some werid renalt thing but quite normal on newer cars.

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 9:53 pm
by edward2
I was thinking of things to check
spefic to the megane
That both key cards work doors and engine.

That head gasket is ok.

That electric windows both work.

That lights work.

That handbrake button work ok.

The engine starts ok and idels.

Any other meganne spefic things that should check.

It is a nice 2 door door "extreme" I see that is a trim option. I get it the day after tommorow.

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 6:56 pm
by morganjake1544
The weak point of the Megane are the electrics as discussed many times on the forum.

You should be in a better position than most however as the 'Extreme' model is the entry level model in the 3 door and therefore doesn't feature a lot of the options that give Megane owners the most headaches.

For example, you only have 2 electric windows to fail, only 2 door lock mechanisms, no hands free entry, no panoramic sunroof, etc.

I often reminisce about my old Fords (Cortina's and Capri) because there was sod all to go wrong and if anything did break they were just like Meccano to fix. It's been a while since I adjusted my tappets! (Do cars even have tappets anymore?)

Good luck with the car and keep us posted (with pictures).

:)

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 9:10 pm
by edward2
The car was withdrawn from sale as was issues with it. There is a 1.6 vvt that looking at tommorow a 2003 model low milage 36000. Not so sure about this thought as most of the megane issues such as electric windows failing dont imoblise the car. The 1.6 vvt have reliabilty issues dont they?

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 10:00 pm
by davelowe
Yes they do. The VVT system is the only outstanding problem from the usual on this model - so far as I'm aware.

As before, if it is cold and sounds like a bag of spanners or a diesel when you start it, walk away.

Other's may have more intuition.

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 2:55 pm
by edward2
I sore the car today it appeared in nice condion almost perfect.

I was concerned about the vvt and did go with the decsion would not buy unless vvt had already been done. The paper work showed this was looked at last November.

It shows it came in to renault last year with noise from the vvt a new pully was fitted and then it say it sounds ok. The cam belt was also changed
the work coming to 600 ish.


I started the engine and reved it sounded fine, idelled about 800 on tacho. It touched the bonnet when i sore it , it was already warm so could not test it cold. I said will want to start it cold before paying balance just to be sure.

The electric windows have been repaired before, hand brake, timing belt and vvt pully belt changed. The off side window does not work but they say will fix this. Did not check under the bonnet, for hgf, but being a main dealer very much doubt would sell a car with that issue.

Although its hard to get useful figures relaibility index, megane are not the best, averages dont give devation rates. Relaibily index maths is not shown. I wsa talking to friend that did statistics at uni , with out devation rates it hard to draw meaning ful conclusion because people only buy the car once with the average data more routlette wheel where green may change size.

Most of the megane issues already new about and applicable to the 1.4. It just adding the vvt issues in the mix. The electical issues, such as windows or radio dont stop me going to work so would have a lower weghting in decsion making process.

I belive it is one owner since new only 36000 miles. It seems a lot of car for 2300 this appears to compares well with the price guide for this milage. This is from a main renault dealer. One key works everything the other one does everything apart from unlock.

It has air condioning and paint looks good undernear no signs of accident damage. It has very minior bumper scraps but seems sound.

It is a nice landrover ish, shade of green. The tires have some life in them, I forgot to check to make sure it was not 17 inch wheels and dont ride so well and make changing blubs a pain. The wheel did not look that big so would doubt also being a 1.6 would doubt that anyone would have gone for 17 inches at extra cost.

There was diesel sedan in but priced 700 more 2 year newer milage i think 38000 miles ,would take year and half driving before the cost would be offset againt increased cost. Also be 177 inches long compared to 165. For parking on the street would not want much longer than 165. Alos like the vvt diesels i could have costly issues may be more so and dont start as well in the ice etc. So did not enquire about sedan. That was the only other megane in around what paying.

The car will be ready thusday or saturday. It seems a lot a nicer than other cars have seem around similar money. One owner low milage main dealer relativly perfect for the money and also french so will most likly drive smoothly and not have been hammered by the PO.

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 10:29 pm
by davelowe
The keycard is a cause to contemplate - they can be very expensive to repair.

The mileage seems suspiciously low for the age - as does the paperwork.

Forget about the wheel size - you will have to remove them to change the bulbs.

On these occasions, I wish I was there to look at the car - it seems too good to be true. Should you go for it, make sure you have a cast-iron warranty.

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 6:36 pm
by morganjake1544
One key works everything the other one does everything apart from unlock

Not really a 'spare key' if if doesn't gain you access to the car! As Dave says it's expensive to sort.

make sure it was not 17 inch wheels and dont ride so well and make changing blubs a pain

They have same rolling diameter as the 16" and I've changed my bulbs quite easily without having to remove wheel, just turn it to full lock and it's fine. IMO 17" wheels ride lovely.

The mileage seems suspiciously low for the age

My wife's Twingo is three and a half years old and has done 6,800 miles! I'm now driving it to try get some use out of it.
However, we have stamped service history and an MOT to back it up. I'd want to see old MOT's for a 2003 with very low mileage.

Only observations.

:)

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:24 pm
by edward2
I edited as was overly negative.

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:19 pm
by davelowe
Look, all cars have their own individual issues. Go on a Ford website and you will be disheartened. Same for Toyota, and everyone else. Not all Renaults have all or any of the so called common problems.

An impeccable history and so on will only guide you so far. You want it, perform the checks here, and are satisfied, buy it. We, if you run into trouble will be able to help.

Start the 1.6 engine from cold (insist on it), check the electronics, test drive it. There is not much else you can do. At the end of the day, you have to go on instinct and figures (the mpg, the safety record, and much else either pro or con).

Good luck.

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 11:42 pm
by edward2
Yes my last post was a bit too negative I am quite temperamental.

The megane at the dealer one owner full service 35000 miles for 2300 provided no major issues seem good deal.

Well my current postion is when go to pick up megane on saturday will do the checks if engine runs ok from cold will buy. As car seems perfect in others ways a lot of car for the money seems like a good deal.

I had to have a day of work today as some issues, so cant actually cant take thursday of so will be saturday. Now will try and makes sure up to speed with the checking the engine.

So yes will go ahead with megane I think if the engine sounds ok from cold.

Just to add the risk aversion to megane, is kinda inconsiant. If was left completly to my own devises could possibly of ended up buying a porsche 944 which on the face of it would have been taking on a greater risk. I think friends and family would have been quite unimpressed by this choice. If it had gone wrong, badly it would have been "what do you expect of a 25 year old car". At least with megane it does not show a lack of due dilegence on my part, or does not appear too. Another car considering suziki alto which makes the megane look like a risk buy but also makes the megane an exoitic by comparison in terms of style. One extreme to another normally take the view that buy a car I want or buy one as an applicane. Meganne is a little more than applicance.

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 10:10 am
by edward2
The megane i am getting on saturday a 2003 1.6 vvt expressions opens by pressing a button the remote key card, is this what is called keyless entry?

My megane is ready garage just called. Unfortunly can not pick up today as my megane 1 is not tidy and have to find paper work in a mountain of papers, garage open for 30 mins, Would not be able to get there quick enough then check it starts ok 15 mins drive even after tidy car and find paper work.

Re: picking up my 1.4 2004 megane next week

Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 6:25 pm
by morganjake1544
Yes, keyless entry in so much as there is nothing to put in a keyhole, only buttons to press (apart from in an emergency, when you slide the end out of the card and use it in the hidden lock on the passenger side).

Some models; Privilege, Oasis, Dynamiques with the option fitted, have 'hands free' operation with sensors behind the door handles to unlock the doors and buttons on the exterior handles to lock. With this you can keep your card in your pocket or bag.

:)