2009 Renault Megane Coupe: Long Distance Test – part 2
2009 Megane Coupe TCE 180
Patient: 2009 Renault Megane Coupe TCE 180
Distance travelled: 26 000 km
Age: 13 months old
Status: good as new, even better (I added the body kit 
)
First of all: As there was pretty much feedback from the readers of the first review – thank You for writing and commenting. It feels good to know that the first review was found helpful - it’s time for the part 2. Now, to the point. Current situation on the front?
Positive – everything works fine. There are no irritating noises in the interior, the suspension is still stiff and precise, there is no body damage (due to big city parking chaos). The back trunk shelf is rattling a little, but it’s something You would expect from a hatchback.
What I do like about the car after spending a year in it?
- Economy in the city – really!!! – in city traffic it uses ONLY 11 l/100km. That is a good result compared to the power available. My Focus 1.8 TDCI (115 hp diesel) used little over 9 l/100km. So Megane seems very efficient in this area, considering that it’s not a diesel and that it’s way “stronger”.
- The way the suspension works – again – it’s a great compromise between comfort and confidence. It’s way more comfortable than ex. Civic, and the car gives about the same confidence while driving.
- Surprisingly practical – I had a 42” TV in the trunk (+ the box size), huge home audio system box, skis: almost 180 cm long, pretty soon I will carry a 1,5 m long kids slide for Christmas. The car works, even though the trunk entry is high and narrow.
2009 Megane Coupe TCE 180
What I don’t like…
Well there are few things, that You notice when using the car for a longer period of time
- Economy outside the city – well, then traveling 160 km/h (of course on German autobahn it uses a little over 10l/100km. That is the main speed limiter there, as the Audi’s and BMW’s are just passing by with way higher speeds. The car is not a highway cruiser
But when driving calmer, on regular roads You will be able to achieve 7,3 l/100km. - AirCon – well… Renault could learn a little here from the competition. When AC is off – You set it for 19, when it’s on for 22. Otherwise it’s either too hot or too cold. Also when it’s fully automatic – it directs too much heat on the legs etc. I liked my Ford or Volvo AC better. Too bad, as probably some simple software upgrade would fix the “problem”.
- Automatic wipers – they activate without a reason and don’t activate when they should
Again Renault could learn something from Ford – in my 2006 Focus this feature worked really good. Here… it’s a little disappointing. Again probably some better software could fix it.
Don’t get me wrong. All the above are not a big deal – these features work ok, but they just could work better. It’s also not like there are more “cons” than “pros”. I don’t write about how I like the torque, hand’s free card, etc – because these are the attributes that made me buy the car. The points above only show what I noticed after spending some more time in it
2009 Megane Coupe TCE 180
Thank You for reading. If You have any questions: comment
Photos: Carsoblog.com
Hi jim,
great write ups on the tce 2.0.
I just put a deposit on one today looking to pick it up on the weekend its the exact same as yours only in the colour ‘stone’.
Was looking at the body kit on your and love it, where is it from? how much to get sprayed/fitted etc?
Also you found anyways to tweak a lil more power out the engine without going full crazy with remaps etc.
Many thanks for the write up on the car, ill let you know my impressions in a week or so.
Scott
Hi Scott!
The body kit is Renault’s! Got it few months ago for about 1k Euro (4 pieces + painting & fitting) from a dealer that I got my car from:) I’m sure that Your dealer can help You with this topic.
Regarding the tweaks. I know there is a company in Switzerland and Netherlands that can chiptune this particular engine. But I don’t want to travel so far + I would loose the warranty if anything happened. So I think I’ll pass on the engine upgrade
I hope You’ll enjoy Your new ride like I am! Let me know Your first impression!
Best regards,
Jim
Hi there,
I am From Malta in the middle of the mediterranean and I have a black Megane Coupe just like yours, but mine doesn’t have the body kit and it’s a 1.6 petrol 110 bhp version. I am hoping to get the body kit soon though.
I liked your review a lot, I feel the same way about my car. Some points I would like to mention that the car is weak upon that you might not have mentioned:
- The sound of the stereo is really bad (I added a subwoofer to the car and it’s a bit more decent, but it needs to be changed completely to do a proper job, and that made me loose my guarantee on electronics =/)
- The door handle makes a funny noise of cheap plastic, and it’s too far forward to get good leverage on the very large and heavy door.
Those are my main areas were I feel the car is lacking. The styling is simply stunning though, I get bad looks everywhere I go hehe! I also have some complaints about the engine, but yours sounds perfect for the car, more power and torque =) My engine (1.6 110bhp) lacks power and torque for the more adventurous such as myself.
One last pointer: I changed the factory air filter and replaced it with a K&N panel filter. It cost me around 45 Euro from ebay and the engine feels stronger and makes a nicer sound =) I also bought fuel savers (magnets) from ebay and they lowered my average fuel consumption from around 11L/100km to 9.8L/100km! I’m saving a good 5 Euro a week and the fuel savers only costs around 30Euro!!
Hi Daniel!
Thanks for commenting.
Either way it’s poor. Fortunately, I’ve seen on Megane bulleting boards that a lot of people make custom made car audio installations – so there is an easy way out and some know how already on the web. I hope that You won’t have any problems with Your electronics any time soon 
The stereo is indeed really bad. Especially if You pay for it extra – I bought this “3d arkamys sound system” and it really sucks. I don’t even want to imagine the way the stock version sounds. (You didn’t mention if You write about stock stereo or the “premium” one)
Regarding the door handles – You are right. I didn’t notice it. I found myself today grasping the door right where the window starts. This handle mounted in front of the door doesn’t work to well – the leverage is to big for this size of door, it squeaks as it works too hard.
Why did You choose 1.6 engine? Wouldn’t the 1.4 TCE be a wiser choice? Is this option available on Malta? The price difference isn’t big between these two, and the TCE engine has more “adventurous” characteristic:) In Poland most people choose the small TCE over 1.6.
I will surely mount the K&N filter soon enough… I forgot about this option
Thank’s for the suggestion 