Test Drive Renault Megane Sedan 2006 - 2009 Sedan

According to love and by calculation

In Russia, there was a stereotype, according to which a foreign car should be either German or Japanese. And Renault Megan, like most French cars, buy those who just like this car. Well, the marriage of love is not rebored. Especially if it is profitable
Personal opinion
Attachment to one or another brands exist in many countries. For example, in Spain, Mercedes is considered a prestigious car number one, and in neighboring France belated before BMW. England is cool refer to German cars, but adopts French well.
In Russia, if we talk about golf class sedans (officially segment C), undisputed sales leaders are expensive boron and economical almer and carism. You can also buy Bor or Almera so that it is no worse than a neighbor. But an increasing number of people seek to buy a car not the same as a neighbor, but such that I like. With regard to golf class models, this approach is fully justified. In terms of image, design and operating costs, they are all about the same. Therefore, it is necessary only to decide on personal preferences and with the main selection criteria, so as not to lose sight of the nuances fundamental for you. And the conversations that one model is better, and the other, similar, and for the same money - is much worse, it is relevant only in a warm company under cold beer.
 
After restyling 1999, Megan received headlights and grille of the new form radiator
      
The profile of Megan Classic is very proportional - rare quality for a compact sedan
  

Renault Megane
common data
 
Body
5-seater sedan
 
Curb weight, kg
1095.
 
Full weight, kg
1600.
 
Maximum speed, km / h
195.
 
Acceleration time 0100 km / h, with
9.8.
 
Fuel consumption Highway / city, l / 100 km
5.7 / 9.4
 
Fuel reserve
60 (AI-95)
 
Engine
 
Location
in front, transversely
 
Design

gasoline, 4-cylinder, row,
with two upper camshafts
and distributed fuel injection
 
Number of valves on the cylinder
4
 
Diam. cylinder x piston stroke, mm
79.5 x 80.5.
 
Working volume, SMZ
1598.
 
Compression ratio
10.0
 
Power, hp (kW) at rpm
107/5750.
 
Maximum torque, kgcm (nm) at rpm
15.1 / 3750.
 
Chassis
 
Transmission
front wheel drive
 
Transmission
mechanical, 5-speed
 
Transmission numbers
I; II; III; IV; V; s. X.
3.36; 1.86; 1.32; 1.03; 0.82; 3,55
 
Suspension
 
in front
independent, such as Mac-Fersson,
with transverse stability stabilizer
on the subframe
 
behind
 
torsion, on longitudinal levers,
elastic transverse beam
 
Steering
Rack with amplifier
 
Brakes:
in front / rear
 
disk ventilated / drum with amplifier and abs
 
Tires
195/60 R15, Pirelli P6000
 
What is interesting Renault? First of all, with its solid appearance. The point is not even that Megan's bumpers share an impressive 4.4 m for their class. A rare compact sedan looks so harmonious. Some will also pay attention to highly planted body. In our conditions, this is not the last dignity. More detailed pros and cons of megan will consider together. But to start learning
  price list
It follows that in the eyes of the Magan Owner, it will not be able to stop rich in Buratino, who bought a small car only because he doesn't need a lot. Unlike the same borse or focus, we do not have luxurious versions of Megan, which are a business class in a miniature - with a leather interior, climate and cruise control, cost more than $ 20,000. But all other modifications differ quite favorable price ratio and equipping.
This is achieved due to the fact that cars supplied to Russia are collected in Turkey, where labor is cheaper, and all is included in the system. In other words, the number of custom equipment is reduced to a minimum, and what is present in all machines has become significantly cheaper. The buyer can choose the body of a sedan, which is called a classic (emphasis on the last syllable), or station wagon - Brek, as well as one of the two 16-valve motors with a volume of 1.4 and 1.6 l with a capacity of 95 and 107 liters. With. respectively.
Megan-Classic-1,4 is sold for $ 13,500. In the car there are brakes with brake force distribution system, two front airbags, immobilizer, adjustable height steering column, air conditioning, filter in ventilation system, radio, front electric windows and central locking With a remote key. Even athermal windshield is included in the standard, which, when you get the sun rays, it darkens outside like glasses chameleon. In summer, the salon will heat up less. For a surcharge, only the color of metallic, which is estimated at $ 250. However, dealers usually inferior metallic for free.
Classic and Breck with a motor one and six stand equally - $ 14,900. In this case, the equipment is complemented by side airbags, electric mirrors and heating, onboard computer, pair of stereocolon, adjusting the lumbar side of the driver's seat and fonts. On request, alloy wheels are offered ($ 330) and a winter panel, which includes headlight washer, as well as heated seats and windshield ($ 520). Automatic gearbox (plus $ 1000) is possible only for sedan.
So, almost 15 thousand per model that will be replaced in a year. It would seem, not so profitable compared to younger Europeans do not rush with the conclusions. The new model will get to Russia far from immediately and even later the version adapted for our roads will appear. Yes, and it will cost, like young Europeans. That is, it is originally $ 13,500. But only for everything, except abs, two pillows and a central castle, it will be necessary to pay extra. If you adjust the level of equipping the young Europeans to today's megan-1.6, it turns out about 17 thousand. Agree, in this price category $ 2000 is money.
We came to the same conclusion and chose to meet the most sold modification - megan-classic-1.6 with a manual gearbox.
 
The Little Light Bulb indicator of the central lock was sheltered on the ceiling, in front of lamps of internal lighting

Cup holders are located on the back of the glove box cover
         
Make-up mirrors on sunscreen visors for some reason enclosed in a black frame
 
Outside and inside
If you judge objectively, a hatchback or wagon is best suited as a family car. And golf class sedans usually buy, guided by an emotional motive: despite the modest sizes, the car must be the most solid and representative. Unfortunately, many compact sedans look noncains, because they are created by gluing to the hatchback of a separate trunk.
Megan-Classic is a pleasant exception. Long bodies, elegant feed line. With such proportions, it is not ashamed to appear in a higher - middle class. In favor of the 1999 restyling, thanks to which the shape of the headlights and the radiator grille changed. Adds solidity chrome-plated molding between the rear lamps (with a 1.4-black motor). Walking around the car, I did not find a single reason to express fir about the Turkish assembly: all the details are detailed, the gaps are uniform, the quality of the color is quite decent.
But it's still time to open the door. After all, truly cars with chrome-plated rhombus on the hood are known in the cabin. This is what Renault or love, or not accept. This is nothing comparable to French charm. If I were a psychiatrist, certainly prescribed to secured patients with Renault cars as a means to achieve sincere comfort. Moreover, not only a cute brittle creature, but also aggressive guys who believe that those surrounding prevent them from living.
        
Extremely spacious Magan's salon for its class has a pleasant to the touch velor's upholstery. And the rear sofa in the folded state forms a flat loading platform
 
It is worth flourishing in the megan chair, how the law of preserving negative energy ceases to act. Where did the aggression and irritability come? Is it really dissolved in soft teddy seats or in the bizarre invodes of light gray plastic? Once in the cabin of Megan, you begin to handle with various buttons, levers, handles without too much effort. No, not because the details of the sloping salon. Just inside the car is perceived by a living creature that does not want to hurt. This is one of the reasons why Megano likes the ladies.
However, a pair of roughness was found: the asset asset and light, installed with a small diskupine, when braking, penetrating into the slot between the rear shelf and the body of the third stop signal installed on it. But only one who is familiar with European can write off such trifles to the Turkish assembly. Therefore, as they say, drove.
The main advantage of the cabin is space. Megan is one of the few golf class cars, in which four people are quite comfortable, 185 cm increases. And with some constraint, the fifth can be taken to them. The benefit of the place above the head is missing, and the low tunnel on the floor practically does not interfere.
 
The universal is offered only with the engine one and six
 
Unlike the sedan, there is an upholstery on the lid of the trunk, and the inner handle

The trunk threshold of Megan-Brek is on the same floor, and the rear sofa folds in parts

Behind the wheel
The originality of the Megan's interior sometimes turns into strange quirks - both pleasant and not very. This is most brightly manifested at the driver's seat. You open the door and count on long to fall down, as in most cars. But the support under the sedlication part appears unexpectedly early. Indeed, even in the lower position, the seat cushion is pretty high. This is good. You will appreciate when during the Saturday stores shopping will have to enter the car to come out. But there is still adjustment in height. Plus, it is possible to change the deflection of the lumbar roller, which does not look excerpt for a soft, typical French chairs.
The steering wheel, as well as on many Renault models, is located in a bus, in a semi-risal plane. Little pedalings are suspended, too, almost horizontally - you press them, as if on the piano keys. Such a landing, along with a highly located armchair, really likes miniature women. But I had to lower the Branca almost until the stop down. Only then she took a more or less vertical position. True, having mastered the wheel, you find out that the devices are read well, and the steering wheel switches are easily easily. It is especially convenient to move the readings of the on-board computer with the button in the end of the right lever, which are managed by wipers.
But the climate control control unit fell victim to designer delights. On the convex, like a hemisphere, the central console there was a place only at the very bottom. Not only are all regulators are rejected from the driver in the opposite direction, and the lever of the PPC interferes. Long searched for the button locking the central lock. It turned out to be in the same place, on the console, only on the part of the passenger and, accordingly, it was deployed to it clicked a couple of times. But how to figure out, locked the doors or not? After all, the lifting buttons - pins or swivel dogs from the inside are absent. It turned out that under the ceiling, near the mirror, a little light bulb was plugged with the image of the castle. When it is blocked, the light bulb burns a strange solution.
Ta-AK, it is our own, in French. On both sunscreen visors there are make-up mirrors, the driver's, which is nice, covered with a lid. But it is worth lifting the cover, as you see your own display in the black frame. Apparently, it is necessary to understand this: look into the make-up mirror on the move dangerously a good farewell. Now, prying, you can and on the road. Although not. To translate the Spirit, we will examine the trunk.
      
Safety
The Germans and Scandinavians like to throw out that they make safe cars. The French are modestly silent. As long as in 1999, Megan was not recognized as the safest model in its class according to the results of the frontal and side crash tests carried out according to the EURO NCAP technique. Even with two frontal airbags, the results were very high, and after in 1999, side pillows were included in the European market, the car earned the highest assessment. Is it worth talking about such things as belts pretensioners, shockproof bars in the door, the optimized power structure of the body (see Fig.) And so on.
In Russia, we will remind, side pillows are offered only with a 1.6 liter engine. And the buyers of modifications are one and four are satisfied with frontal. It should be noted that the front passenger pillow is not turned off. Therefore, the children's chair on the front passenger seat can only be fixed in the course of the movement. This warns instructions on sunscreen visors. In our conditions, as a means of providing personal security should perceive the ability to program a central lock on automatic locking when 6 km / h is reached. To do this, the lock button must be kept pressed for a few seconds before the signal appears.
In storage room
The trunk of the megan-classic with a capacity of 530 L is a record large on the standards of the golf class. It is possible that it is small at the inner height, but on the square - just a huge one. In many ways, this is achieved due to the compact torsion pendant, which is almost completely felt under the floor. The possibilities of transformation are surprised. Usually, only the back of the rear sofa is formed in the sedans. She falls on the pillow, which does not allow to get a flat site. Here the pillow rises up as in the universal, and the backrest falls in her place. As a result, an absolutely smooth floor is formed. The size of the opening between the trunk and the interior is impressive. This is not a narrow ambrusura, as in most sedans, and the present rectangular window in the entire wall. Here you can actually carry a bike.
It was not without a spoon of tar. Even two. Firstly, the sofa is not laid out in parts, although the backing of the back is clearly divided into half. Secondly, the trunk lid does not have an internal upholstery. At your service are sharp edges of internal amplifiers.
After that, survitically remembered amazingly beautiful and functional megan-broke. He and the rear seat folds in parts, and the upholstery on the fifth door is available, and over the head of the rear passengers of the space - the car. And, most importantly, it costs as much as a sedan, although the universals are usually $ 500-700 more expensive. If you can overcome the Soviet complex of the barn, I recommend to look at Brac.
 
Controls
1. Buttons of electric windows.
2. Handle of the electric motor mirrors.
3. Airbags.
4. Remote control panel of the radio.
5. Information display.
6. Emergency alarm switches and a central locking lock.
7. Rear window heating switch.
8. Ventilation and heating control unit.
 
   
Podkapot warning signs are made in Russian

Thanks to the compact rear suspension, which has bent under the floor, the trunk managed to make very large on the area
 
On roads and without them
Up to this point, we, as if on the scales, weighed the pros and cons of Megan. Does it have a real raisin? There is. And she is hidden under the hood. 1.6 L engine is one of the most powerful and dynamic in the class. This is indirectly indicated by the numbers of overclocking up to 100 km / h. Compare them with competitors. Like many 16-valve, he lacks thrust on small revolutions, so when attaching a hill, you have to play the gas pedal. But after 3,500 revolutions and up to the triggering of the limiter - the song.
True, in this range the motor becomes too noisy, so after a while you will handle the gas pedal more delicately. Yes, and no one forces you to unscrew the motor into the ringing. With moderately intensive overclocks in the city, the motor rarely works at high speed, and in the country road you can quickly go on high gear. The benefit of tenacious and very sensitive brakes are ready to swallow any speed suggested. ABS enters work when it is really necessary. By the way, I quickly began to feel the rear envelope machine. But through the rear window of many modern sedans you see only the horizon line. Another plus megan.
Not bad selected and gear ratios in a five-speed box. Here is just the clarity of the inclusion of gear leaves much to be desired, and the lever itself lives his own life: deviates forward when the gas is discharged and back when accelerated. This is the proprietary feature of many models of Reno, to which you just need to get used to.
There are also no special claims to manageability: reactions are clear, predictable, and the steering wheel is always poured sufficient effort. If you go over with speed in a steep turn, the feed is explicitly hinting at the skid. It is unlikely that it can be considered a serious disadvantage for a sedan with a long trunk. Moreover, it is possible to be in a similar situation only in the case of a surrounding a sudden obstacle or if the road turns earlier than the driver.
On our roads should be worried about the smoothness of the course. Well, the adapted megan suspension copes with its task not bad. And the shallow irregularities do not annoy the shaking, and the potholes hold more seriously. True, large irregularities, for example, tramways, are spread over the body muffled and metal boom m. But, I think, Megan can be forgiven. Indeed, in the Russian specification, the machine is designed not only for parquet asphalt. Road clearance is quite decent. The engine and gearbox below are covered with a powerful iron sheet of protection, pipelines are also enclosed in a steel shell. And the rear suspension is designed so that there is nothing to tear in it. Therefore, on a broken rubble embankment, where the Zhiguli can drive without problems, it should be remembered only about the bodies of the bodies.
 
Chrome-plated molding on the trunk lid - a distinctive feature of machines with a motor one and six
       
Dashboard

1. Speedometer. 2. Fuel level index. 3. Coolant temperature pointer. 4. Tachometer. 5. Odometer table. 6. Block of control lamps.
  
Engine

1. The plug-in glass washer tank. Accumulator battery. 3. Air filter. 4. Tank of the main brake cylinder. 5. The expansion tank of the cooling system. 6. Oil dipstice. 7. Power steering tank. Oil plugged neck.

 
Service
Having bought Megan, you can be sure that during the year any malfunction arising from the fault of the plant, you will be eliminated for free. The mileage is not limited. Attending the branded technical center prescribed once a year or every 15,000 km, but dealers recommend in our conditions to reduce the intersavice interval to 10,000 km. Today in the 18 cities of Russia there are 32 dealers of Renault, of which 13 in Moscow and 2 in St. Petersburg.
Since 1999, a training center has opened in Moscow for the staff of authorized technical centers, thanks to which the quality of the work of small and newly created dealers has increased. From the same time, the central warehouse of spare parts is functioning, which stores more than 13,000 items of details. Moscow and St. Petersburg spare parts are delivered in 24 hours, and in the regions - within a week.
Special attention deserves a program of round-the-clock technical assistance Renault Assistance, which since October last year operates in Moscow and the nearest Moscow region. Your car will be renovated in place or delivered to authorized technical center. In the service of Renault Assistance, fixed rates are operating: $ 40 - repair in place and $ 35 - evacuation, regardless of distance.
 
Dimensions of the car, mm
 
Salon dimensions, mm
 
We liked

Management of the main functions of the radio tape recorded on a subwoofer

Availability in standard configuration of side airbags
 
The parallelogram mechanism of the trunk lid does not eat its volume

Protective rubber moldings not only on the doors, but also in the most vulnerable places - at the corners of bumpers

As well as:
spacious salon,
clean trunk,
powerful motor,
good smoothness
  
We did not like
  
Climate control control knobs deployed down

Lack of internal upholstery lid trunk

Without lifting buttons of the lock it is impossible to visually control the locking of the doors

As well as:
Door thresholds are pretty quickly covered by road mud
The back of the rear sofa does not fold in parts
Engine noise at turns above average
Uncomfortable access to the battery and oil schu motor
The ABS unit is immediately behind the bumper. It may be damaged even with a relatively light collision.
  
Measure the experts of the Limousine magazine
Weather
Temperature + 12-18.
Pressure, mm RT. st. 740.
Humidity,% 80-95
Asphalt concrete coating
Dynamic qualities
(partial load - 2 people. + 25 kg)
Acceleration, with:
040 km / h 2.6
060 km / h 5.1
080 km / h 8.1
0100 km / h 12.1
0120 km / h 17.9
0140 km / h 26.1
0160 km / h 38.3
0400 m 18.2 (121.0 km / h)
01000 m 33.8 (153.9 km / h)
Maximum speed, km / h 183.2
Speedometer error,% 3.9
Elasticity, S.
60-100 km / h (IV) 11.8
80-120 km / h (v) 18.2
Night, M.
12050 km / h 1394
500 km / h 570
Brake with 100 km / h
Brake path, m 41,5
Slowness, m / s2 9.3
  
Prices for spare parts and then usd
TO1 10 000 km $ 166
TO2 20 000 km $ 260
TO3 30 000 km $ 166
Hood $ 247.
Front wing $ 92
Wing rear $ 752
Front door $ 353
Rear door $ 344
Front bumper assembly $ 221
Rear bumper assembly $ 223
Windshield 166/326 *
Side glass $ 80
Front headlight assembly $ 151
Rear lamp assembled $ 105
Oil filter $ 7
Air filter $ 15
Filter fuel $ 7.6
Brake pads
front / rear $ 69/76
Timing belt $ 25
Front shock absorber $ 70
Rear shock absorber $ 65
Tip Steering Tract $ 46
Ball support $ 26
* Athermal glass.
    
We decided:
If you need a sedan (or wagon) of the golf class, and Renault Megan just like, do not torment yourself with doubts.
 
Alexander Konov, photo Alexander Gardeners
 

A source: Limousine magazine [01-02 / 02]