Comments On Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet 2.0

[Davetan86]

As above. Anyone driving one? please share your view and comments.

[Yattokame]

driven one for over a week when my fren went overseas

exterior wise not my cup of tea

interior wise nothing fanciful esp the gearknob...ewww

i find the rear quite spacious though

and I like the option of sunroof or no roof. but would prefer it to be operable when the car is moving (need not be fast)

4 spd auto right? I rem it was real heavy for the engine

 

many other options out there to consider, no?

[Furrynadz]

poor performing engine and outdated DP0 (AL4 clone) gearbox

infamous for dropping windows, iggy coils, gearbox TDC sensor failing problems, since 2003 till now same problem not solved by renault...buy with confidence:)

 

 

get the 308cc with new turbo engine and updated AL4 gearbox with higher spec torque converter and other internals

 

the chicken drumstick gearknob is the ugliest POS i seen in any car

Edited November 2, 2009 by Furrynadz

[Yattokame]

the VW Eos could be a better choice with the openable sunroof

but i have read about leaking in the roof

still, at least it has the performance to boot, and a 6spd DSG

[Davetan86]

but i heard that Renault have worked out with Mitsubishi now. so their cars will be more reliable than before? correct me if i'm wrong..

[Davetan86]

well, basically my friend has been eying for this car long ago.. so helping him out to get some info.

[Maxxtotal]

well, basically my friend has been eying for this car long ago.. so helping him out to get some info.

 

depends on what is yr fren looking for in a cabrio

 

If he dun mind not getting the latest model and technology, if he is not looking for a trail blazing sports car, if he dun mind a little nicks and pay the wonderful Wearnes service centre visits, Megane Cabrio is fine.

 

It still looks reasonably good and balanced in design, tho not as exciting as the new 308. The interior has improved, tho the gear shift stick looks odd.

 

 

It's auto box is the weakest and strangely also one of the strongest link. I hope the gearbox has been sorted, if not the weakest link is the over long ratio 2nd gear. It feels like when u are at 2nd gear, it takes forever to move to 3rd gear. Inf act sometimes it feels like a CVT, the 2nd gear feels like rubber band, where when u press hard, u feel that the gear drag to peak rpm and then falls back before picking up again. This is cause at least 1 sec delay in century sprint. but after that, 3rd and 4th is torquey, smooth and fast.

 

ok that may sound too much to understand...

 

in simple terms, 2nd gear sucks. but 3rd and 4th is fab. In fact the 4th gear coupled with the torquey engine, allows the car to accelerate quickly to overtake while cruising without downshifting.

 

The Engine power rating may look unimpressive, but its torque of over 190NM with good spread from 2.8k-4.5 allows the car to run briskly where needed. The only problem is when u drive lightly between 1.5-2.5, the 1.4ton+ car can be hard to move.

 

Handling

The steering does not feel too light or heavy. It is tuned for relaxed driving, to me, nicely weighted. But the weekness is the feel. If you like engaging spirited drive and manuevre, this steering wheel is not the ideal. Its cornering handling is reasonably good. It holds corner well and steadily at high speed. Better than most 2.0l japs I drove. Even better than some conti hatch (hint italian) i drove. It gives u the confident to drive hard corner w/o breaking cold sweat.

 

Performance

This car thrives at speed above 70km/h. From that speed onwards, it becomes very alive. the in gear acceleration is relaxed and fast. Even at 4th gear, you can cruise, relaxed and high speed at 140-150km/h and you feel that you are driving 100-110km/h in some jap cars. Because its very stable ride, you can easily go from 140-190 w/o breaking a sweat.

 

Below 70km/h dont ever attempt to out run any 2.0-2.5l normal car. alrite...not even some 1.6. Last time when I drove a 2.0l jap car, an Accord euro R

speed from behind and overtake me and disappears. No matter how hard I slam and downshift, full rpm while the car is still a distance away, I can never catch up with it. It will disappear away from my sight. But for Megane Cabrio, the story is different. It will be able to keep it in sight and tail, over take at Accord Euro R from 170 onwards if that car did not remove the factory speed limit.

 

Maintenance, reliability and dealer service

If buy new, buy with free service. Wearnes servicing is expensive. otherwise buy the complete 3 yr package at 1.5k. After warranty, servicing outside Wearnes is as cheap as any normal jap car.

 

What will surely fail? - The power window. Cant wind down. But Wearnes will honour the warranty even after 3yrs.

- what abt iggy coils? so far no Megane cabrio has this problem. Scenic and megane sedan yes.

 

How is dealer service? My opinion, I give them 4/5 stars. They investigate all complains. even replaced engine and gear mounting for free. The customer service is pretty well organised and pro-active, unlike some others I went. They even have someone to call you later to rate their service and give feedback.

 

 

Let me know if u need any more info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jadeband]

my neighbour just sold his. It has been in the workshop 3 times for past <2 yrs, excluding sending in for service.

i must say its glass top is impressive. At that price range, it was the Renault, Opel and Peugeot that offers hard-top convert then.

 

[Extramint]

i drive one. agree on the 2nd gear problem. at first i thought it's time to change transmission fluid but to no avail. the gearstick is downright ugly but i gotta love the glassroof. was comparing between astra twin top and renault MCC before my purchase. in the end went with the MCC for the roof design. peugeot 307cc was.. weird to me.

 

i usually cruise topless at around 90~120km/h. any speeds higher than 120km/h, the wind noise is slightly there.. i can feel the wind entering the cabin from the top of the rear windows (the 2 smaller ones). i duno if it happens with other cabrio after certain high speed cruising. any speeds lower than 120km/h, it's really comfortable. as mentioned, engine is responsive with 3rd gear and above but don't expect supercar performance. personally, i don't speed too much when the car is topless. it doesnt feel as rigid. i tried speeding at 140km/h+ with other makes and felt the same. maybe its a mentality problem. roof down = safer = dare to speed more.

 

the technology is not there, the design is handsome, the comfort is decent, the price is really affordable while the performance is mediocre. i can't complain much for how much i paid this cabrio for but this car served as a stepping stone for me, and has greatly reinforced my interest in a cabriolet / convertible. i didnt wanna buy a more exp cabrio just to regret or dislike the experience, but renault MCC has done the job for me and it's enough.

 

next up, i'll still be looking at a cabriolet or convertible.

[Maxxtotal]

yup, the 307cc is weird tome as well esp the back.

 

the glass roof is the main selling point. It makes the cabin roomy and airy. otherwise I can imagine how claustrophobic it can be with the roof down.

 

I think other than normal luxury cars costing a lot more, any other cars will have significant wind noise exceeding 120km/h.

 

I'd say for a convertible it is not bad. an audi a canvas top cabrio will be much worse.

 

Most makes esp Jap cars (2.4NA and below) are good up to 140km/h after that the pick up is rather slow or needs lots of grunt to push further. The real bright spark for MCC that makes it shine and performs brilliantly and easily after 140. It is usually after 140, u'll see other makes struggling behind.

 

Initially I dare not go top down more than 110, but after tried cruising to 140, there is no stopping cruising beyond to the limit. But of cos I'm not encouraging you to do that. but u can rest assured it is quite safe.

 

 

 

 

[Maxxtotal]

my neighbour just sold his. It has been in the workshop 3 times for past <2 yrs, excluding sending in for service.

i must say its glass top is impressive. At that price range, it was the Renault, Opel and Peugeot that offers hard-top convert then.

 

when i bought the car I expected some niggy issues here and there...the enjoyment the car brought far outweigh the extra visits to the workshops. Furthermore the Wearnes did quite a job in customer service, and when I get the new parts the car feels a lot better so it is somewhat bearable as a result.

[Extramint]

yup, the 307cc is weird tome as well esp the back.

 

the glass roof is the main selling point. It makes the cabin roomy and airy. otherwise I can imagine how claustrophobic it can be with the roof down.

 

I think other than normal luxury cars costing a lot more, any other cars will have significant wind noise exceeding 120km/h.

 

I'd say for a convertible it is not bad. an audi a canvas top cabrio will be much worse.

 

Most makes esp Jap cars (2.4NA and below) are good up to 140km/h after that the pick up is rather slow or needs lots of grunt to push further. The real bright spark for MCC that makes it shine and performs brilliantly and easily after 140. It is usually after 140, u'll see other makes struggling behind.

 

Initially I dare not go top down more than 110, but after tried cruising to 140, there is no stopping cruising beyond to the limit. But of cos I'm not encouraging you to do that. but u can rest assured it is quite safe.

 

contrary to the bad comments i researched upon the internet before getting the renault MCC, i'm one satisfied customer.. it has done nothing but reinforced both my dad's and my own choice of cars down the line in the future. now he wants something hard top convertible too

 

never tried 140km/h often enough yet to feel you ^^ but sometimes.. maybe.

[Lipingasia]

is Audi canvass top much worst? I am contemplating a switch from Opel Twintop to Audi A3 cabriolet. What's the downside?

[Yattokame]

I was real close to getting the audi A3 cabriolet but the sales cocked up along the way and the deal was off.

 

 

anyway...

A3 cabrio, apart from the perceived insecurity due to the soft top, is a much better car. U get better performance, looks, space....just that u dun get a sunroof.

[Davetan86]

thanks for all the replies. still helping my friend to source a Cabriolet car for him.. A3 Cabriolet looks nice.

Is it the same class as the BMW 1 Series Cabrio?

[Davetan86]

hi Lipingasia, are u refering Opel Astra Twin Top Cabriolet 1.8?

[Extramint]

the opel astra twintop convertible 1.8 is decent, but not outstanding. test drove one before deciding on my renault because i know of someone who has one, who kept telling me of rattling noises in the roof when driving even on normal road surfaces. also saw similar reviews given on the internet for the same problem. and it's true. on uneven road surfaces, even worse. found some sources saying the noise is due to the 3piece folding roof, compared to other convertibles which has 2.. which should has lesser rattling noise.

 

other than this noise problem, if u can get over it, it's okay. don't expect supercar performance, only 1.8. but its eager to perform and responsive, have not tested it above 80km/h to judge properly. interior wise, i prefer the renault black interior / red leather combo then the opel's black interior / white or silver leather combo (havent seen red leather as an option before), but renault gearknob is ugly lah. one thing is for sure, your girlfriend or mother or sister or anyone female, some of them will have problems opening the door if they were to have 1 hand occuppied.

 

its really alot heavier than a renault's and peugeot's.

[Maxxtotal]

any canvas top regardless audi, BMW, Merc or Porche will be worse in sound insulation compared to a hard top.