Renault Megane 1.5dCi (2008) CAR review

Yes, this car is very bland. Also, I do not believe they will resolve their quality problems overnight either, despite perceived quality seemingly being better... Also, I would like to comment on the gearchange quality. Too often manufacturers get away with producing cars with awful gearboxes. The old Megane's was a joke (like most French cars to be honest), even just sitting in an R26 Megane and moving the gearstick through the gears resulted in outright laughter; the throw was massive and felt as precise as stirring custard - and that was from the hot model of the range! Compared to a Civic Type R for example, there was just no comparison - the gearchange is such a fundamental, important and tactile part of the driving experience but straight away the car failed at the first hurdle. Again, getting behind the wheel of a new Laguna I had the same feelings, and no matter how competent the rest of the car maybe, the manual gearbox was a source of hilarity... Come on, how hard can it be to produce a decent manual gearbox in this day and age?!

"As a result, the new model is completely anonymous, like the currrent Laguna, and doesn't draw on anything that could be part of a distinctive Renault heritage." This could basically be said of any Renault since the 9/11 with the possible exceptions of the early Megane, Clio and Espace. I think Renault now hope that with a good engine and a good finance deal it can sell enough cars. Renault used to have a unique approach to suspension and powertrain (although vague gear changes were common)but I persume that they can no longer justify those costs. Ford seem to have taken over the lead on the chassis side but as that does not appear to translate into huge sales success maybe Renault are right not to try harder.