Brand new car - noisy gearbox?

[Peter C]

Gents (ladies?),

My 08 reg Megane 1.4 has 600 miles on the clock. I bought it brand new with 9 miles on the clock and have driven it very gently. I'm not sure why, but I can hear a whine coming from the gearbox. It is most noticeable at 50MPH in fifth gear, up to around 55. Acceleration from a standstill is accompanied by a series of whines and the gearchange is quite stiff, especially from neutral into first. The dealer reckons this is normal and the gearbox just needs a few miles under it's belt. The whining is not terribly loud but surely a brand new gearbox should be silent?

Any ideas?

Peter

[IainMW]

I would give it a few more miles to loosen up a bit, and I think your are now safe to drive it more realistically after 600 miles
I have read that the 1.4 does have "charateristic" noises that don't affect say the 1.6. But not sure if that's engine or gearbox related
The Megane is a very refined and quiet car (inside) so any noises do tend to be very noticeable.

Has your dealer checked the gearbox oil level?

[Peter C]

The car is very quiet and therefore the gearbox noise (if that's what it is) is so noticeable!

I don't think the dealer has checked the oil level. I'll give it another 400 miles and will pop back to the dealer at 1k miles if the noise is still there.

Is the 1.4 gearbox different to the 1.6 engined car?

Peter

[Jonault]

I get a whine when accelerating past 50mph but I think it's the differential rather than the g/box. I suspect it's just a resonance as it has always been there and has not got any worse after 22,000 miles. I also get a slight resonance at around 30mph but I only notice this on particularly smooth, quiet roads.
You still have plenty of warranty time left so just see if it gets worse over time.

[Peter C]

I get a whine when accelerating past 50mph but I think it's the differential rather than the g/box. I suspect it's just a resonance as it has always been there and has not got any worse after 22,000 miles. I also get a slight resonance at around 30mph but I only notice this on particularly smooth, quiet roads.
You still have plenty of warranty time left so just see if it gets worse over time.

Ditto and agreed!

[keeforelli]

and just to give you confidence in numbers...my 1.4 has the very same noise on acceleration and in 4th and 5th when cruising... the gear change can also feel stiff....

just part of the 1.4s character..there will be a few things that take a little getting used to!!!

[AlexB]

This subject again... Have you ever driven a car without synchromesh on any gear? It is the synchromesh which adds stiffness by not permitting gear change until the gear speeds are equalised.

I already wrote about it. If you don't believe me, then just open the parts part of the manual and look at the mechanical diagrams...

You may have noise/stiffness problems either because of a fault (manufacturing/damage/wear) or incorrect oil used. If the stick feels strange, then the linkage may require adjustment. How long ago did you change the gear oil, BTW? I normally change it after the break-in period and then every 4 years after it.

Added later:
The message I replied to has been revised, thus putting mine out of context. True, there was a bit of irrational frustration in the tone... regretfully. Not much, though, just enough to make me spend some time digging out the diagrams for this model.

[keeforelli]

hi alex b

why the tone of reply here? not really appropriate to vent your frustration at a post surely?...and who is this aimed at?....the guy with the new megane with gear box concerns or me that was just telling him it would seem normal?

[Peter C]

This subject again... Have you ever driven a car without synchromesh on any gear? It is the synchromesh which adds stiffness by not permitting gear change until the gear speeds are equalised.

I already wrote about it. If you don't believe me, then just open the parts part of the manual and look at the mechanical diagrams...

You may have noise/stiffness problems either because of a fault (manufacturing/damage/wear) or incorrect oil used. If the stick feels strange, then the linkage may require adjustment. How long ago did you change the gear oil, BTW? I normally change it after the break-in period and then every 4 years after it.

Hi,

I have driven a car without a synchromesh on first and reverse, but never one with a full crash gearbox. I am not sure what that has got to do with the noisy 'box in my Megane.

I accept that an old fashioned straight-cut or a knackered high mileage gearbox will whine, but why should a brand new modern gearbox make so much noise?

Peter

[keeforelli]

hi peter


i didnt quite understand the post you are replying to either- i have had my megane for a year since it had 18000 miles on the clock and it sounded the same then as it does now- it is transmission whine that is annoying but is ever present- and mine does everything yours does- i think it is just a design issue that you get used to. welcome to the world of megane!!!

[Peter C]

hi peter


i didnt quite understand the post you are replying to either- i have had my megane for a year since it had 18000 miles on the clock and it sounded the same then as it does now- it is transmission whine that is annoying but is ever present- and mine does everything yours does- i think it is just a design issue that you get used to. welcome to the world of megane!!!

Great!

Getting used to annoying design issues won't be easy. My last three four cars were 2 BMWs, a Mercedes and a Saab, none of which suffered from silly problems!

I'll keep you posted.

Peter

[Jonault]

Sadly, you get what you pay for. I only paid £8,995.01 for my 1.4 brand new. You would probably have to pay a hell of a lot more for a BMW, Merc or Saab with it's associated quality.

[Peter C]

Sadly, you get what you pay for. I only paid £8,995.01 for my 1.4 brand new. You would probably have to pay a hell of a lot more for a BMW, Merc or Saab with it's associated quality.

Fair point, but despite the great value for money that these cars offer, I would still expect them to be manufactured and sold without mechanical defects!

I've paid sod all for my Megane. I took advantage of the no deposit + 48 x £160 payments, then either return the car or buy it for £2,200. There was no better deal at the time and only Fiat have offered a similar deal on the new Bravo (Brava?) since. The car is brand new and comes with a three year warranty, hence I am not too bothered about repairs and faults!

Peter