2 years in, will I replace or change to different car?

[Milkman]

Hi all, I'm considering my options....change, wait or keep. The usual thoughts that most of us get looking out the window at our depreciating "asset" .
I've driven Renault for years but have to say, for the money I find our car a little underwhelming. Maybe I'm just old and grumpy but I've had better finished renaults years back. I know it's economics etc., you just feel for the cost they should all be better.
My key issues for the megane are not major but a bit annoying.

I feel the steering wheel obscures the dashboard somewhat.
While it's comfortable it's not overly so, I've never really managed to find the ideal position between seat, wheel and dash.
Significant wind noise from around door mirrors (major)
Small rattles from both seat belt housings/behind dash
Sound system below average/lacking body at rear.
General visibility at front pillars poor.
Windscreen scratches very easily.
Rear tailgate, dirty button and water on the head.
Parcel shelf angle when open is lethal if your head hits it.
Padding on door armrests minimal/hard.
Infotainment system needs rebooting regularly.
Sterring wheel getting damaged from entry/exit (soft material)
Windscreen wipers leave water on screen after final swipe (blade design probably).
Horn non existent.
Even with heat pump, winter performance is significantly reduced (as low as 160m/240km).

Main positives,

Very user friendly car, smooth acceleration and holds the road well unless you push it.
Technology integration is excellent when it works.
Air conditioning is excellent.
No serious issues at all since purchase.

I would be interested to know if anyone has mostly the same issues or am I unlucky or too particular .

More importantly, I would like to know if anyone has had a second megane and feels there has been any improvements to what they had before?

[neilgall]

I would agree with all of your list but I feel they are all fairly minor and no car is perfect. The considerably more expensive Volvo I owned previously had a longer list of more major usability problems. We also recently got a Mini Cooper E (my wife's choice, I'd have gone for the R5) and it does some things better - great efficiency, proper one pedal driving, good audio - and some worse - fiddly heating controls, awkward charge scheduling, poor interior storage - so it's swings and roundabouts as always.

I have about 6 months left on my PCP and as you say the depreciation means I'm almost certain to hand it back to the finance company. Right now I'm enticed by the good lease offers available on the Scenic, but I'm starting to think about looking elsewhere. Smart #3 or an Elroq or depending on price the newly announced Toyota C-HR+. Also the Xpeng G6 is much more car (on paper anyway) but roughly in the same price bracket.

[Milkman]

Neilgall - I totally agree, it's never perfect and certainly could be worse as a car. A tough choice as I don't want to move from Renault. I drove the new scenic in the top spec recently. It is a superior car, more comfortable and quieter, smoother I thought. Almost identical to the megane inside to drive. I thought the power was lacking though. The Iconic had the bigger motor (same as ev60 we have) and I found it dead in comparison, probably the extra weight of the scenic. Not worth the huge extra outlay. PCP may be better terms? The Elroq in the top spec is a fabulous machine but again pricey. I would worry about where prices are going to end up. I would think another year or so will bring a bit more reality to it all with so many new options and competitive offers. It's why I'm hesitant.

[Thermal runaway]

Hi Milkman,

I agree with your list here for the negatives bar maybe a couple...
My steering wheel too is marked ever so slightly from fingernails I think, but I believe the newer Renaults use vinyl steering wheel coverings, am I right?
I've driven the new Scenic all day long and it's basically a bigger Megane, but the ride is rougher somehow and the efficiency is slightly lower.

I've pushed my Megane once or twice when I was feeling ready and the roads were dry, and it is phenomenal in tight turns and long straights.

I'm on my fourth EV and they're only getting better except my KIA which too often was just dead on the drive, or dead in a car park, and let me down too many times.
Plus none of the equipment worked correctly. Bad car that KIA. Lovely warranty, but I've not got the time to keep taking it back to the dealer again and again (and again).
First and last KIA! (style above substance).

Getting into efficiency: I like to get as many miles out of each kW.
The KIA was utterly awful to drive, but actually very efficient; returning about 3.7m/kW in winter.
Having said that, my Megane is returning even better than this. So I'm chuffed to bits about the handling, and the efficiency!

I know someone who bought a BMW which is very quick except when it comes to its pitiful 11kW AC charging.
The Megane is twice as fast with 22kW AC charging. So, choosing an EV is a bit of a minefield.

I recommend EV-database it's got real world believable figures for range.

Thanks for the interesting post. I hope it works out for you!

[Milkman]

Thanks Thermal runaway, posts like these give a very objective view to us all. It's exactly what I had hoped. I too think overall that it's a pretty good car. The 22kw ac charging is extremely handy as these older chargers are less busy these days and offer a decent top up in a short stop which other cars can't do. I find the car a bit unstable when really pushed but in normal driving is rock solid. I'm inclined to think that I'm wrong about the efficiency as it seems like you many feel it's quite good. I have a heat pump even though she's the MY23. It's probably just the winter thing that makes it seem worse. If it had a slightly bigger battery, it would be ideal. The Kia story is interesting, I'm surprised as most things I heard were positive but software seems to be a big issue for them. I suppose you heard the new refresh announcement has a new bi-directional 11kw ac fitted, not the 22kw. You can opt for the 22kw at a cost but lose the V2L and possible V2G capability.
Thanks for your response, a lot to think about.

[Thermal runaway]

Hi Milkman,

Yeah, I do think the KIAs have software issues. Also, mine was just unlikeable.
Can't say that about the Megane.
Yes, I wish the carpets were deeper, and the plastics were softer, but driving the car; the enduring word to describe it is Smoooth.
Can't say that the passenger has a smooth experience with the UK roads being what they are though!

The Refresh... There's going to be a Megane Esprit Alpine with blue carpets!
Looks very nice I must say, but the wheels will take some getting used to.
11kW bi-directional is very cool indeed. Presumably you can charge the car overnight and use it to power your home? Useful if you've got a home heat pump?
I'm not at all bothered by losing V2L as my vacuum cleaner, lawn mower, electric razor, toothbrush etc are all battery anyway so nothing left that I need to plug-in.
I think V2G is going to become important.

Going back to efficiency, mine's a MY24 with heat pump too, and I tend to drive between 60 and 70mph on the motorway. You've probably overtaken me!!

[p50kombi]

Going back to efficiency, mine's a MY24 with heat pump too, and I tend to drive between 60 and 70mph on the motorway. You've probably overtaken me!!

Is yours white on white? In that case I think I actually do overtake you quite often.
Waiting for my megane e tech to be delivered hopefully soon.

[neilgall]

Hmm, Renault announced an updated Mégane range the other day with an Esprit Alpine mid-range version. Like the Scenic this seems to be only a trim level without any specific features but I like the look of it. Hopefully 22kW AC charging is still an option as that's useful in rural Scotland. Maybe I'm back looking at another Mégane this autumn...

Update: the new models are showing on the French site, but not the UK one yet. https://www.renault.fr/vehicules-electr ... sions.html

[SomersetBob]

Looks like Renault are updating the Megane to 11kW bi-directional charging, 22kW will be a cost option (and not bi-directional as far as I can tell). Also a V2G module at extra cost.

[neilgall]

Yes this is disappointing. I have no use for V2G (I have solar panels and a home battery) but have used 22kW AC charging almost as much as DC.

22kW is a €1500 option in France