possible Megane DCi 120 Dynamique purchase

[jaypez]

HI all
just found the brilliant site today and wanted to see if anyone could offer any buying tips/what to watch for etc as I am considering buying a 5-dr Megane DCi 120 Dynamique with 60-80k mileage at approx £4.5k. Any members with experience of this particular model that could offer any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I have prev had Mk 4 golf GTTDI and I know about all these car's little problems (cam belts/suspension bushes/changing headlight bulbs/rear wiper motor failure etc) and wanted to see if someone could offer buying tips. I have read somewhere that electrics can sometimes be a bit suspect but maybe that's just hearsay? It would be my first renault purchase so I want to be sure before I invest my hard earned cash..
Thanks very much in advance! jaypez

[AlexB]

More details, please. The first advice is to avoid 03 reg cars, 53 and later are OK.

[jaypez]

How come avoid 03 plate and prev? Has their been some major revamp on models after this (say electrically?) I also read about the warranty issue with water getting into the (is it ECU or main fuse board - not sure) 'brain' and it being changed under warranty by dealers FOC?
Thanks for the feedback. Jaypez

[AlexB]

ECU part numbers were changed frequently before August 2003 and most turbo failures reported at Parkers occurred in 03 registered cars. There were also issues with oil. See this thread:
https://www.meganeownersclub.co.uk/forum ... php?t=4518

Before you asked, the fabrication number is found on the oval plate behind the driver's door.

[flash gunner]

Sorry mate but where is the oval plate? i cant find it

[AlexB]

Open the driver's door. Look for a sticker on the middle pillar. There is also a sketch of it in the doc-s pointed at in my message in Links section (second pointer).

[jaypez]

Ended up buying a clean 1.5Dci Dynamique on a 54-plate wih 70k for £4850, 1 owner, clean and tidy looking - lets hope the megane ownership is a pleasant experience.
Incidentally anyone know where to get the rear boot badges from - the one on mine the 'M' has broken off?
cheers
jaypez