Look what joined the household fleet...

ciden · Post by **ciden** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 5:52 pm

I know it's ugly...

...but I have to add, the drive is wonderful!

Babe RuthLess · Post by **Babe RuthLess** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 6:21 pm

Very nice ciden...

In South America we won't be getting this MÃ©gane until later this year or maybe early next year, but from your photos I can see it's not as bad looking as people claim it is.

Front looks nice. What about build quality, is it a match for VW?

Cheers,

polo2k · Post by **polo2k** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 6:23 pm

yes, its fugly
yes, it looks lower than your polo unfortunatly
but wonderful drive??? erm ok
dont even get me started on working on those "things" i just hope for your sakes you didnt get the pressure sensing system!

ciden · Post by **ciden** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 6:29 pm

Build quality is superb. It was put up against the Golf IV for comparison in a local car magazine, and it was found that the Megane's build quility sets new standards....but I suppose that will be only till the new Golf V arrives - which will be build in S.A. - starting sometime during 2004 (as reported by CAR South Africa).

Babe RuthLess · Post by **Babe RuthLess** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 6:37 pm

Yep I read that too.

Golf production will stop in Brazil and we should get our Golfs from Mexico or South Africa (VWB hasn't decided yet) but with Brazilian engines. Our BMW 3-series are all African (I find that kinda cool!).

BTW had a look at the photos of your Polo engine bay and it looks identical to mine, I'll be out soon to have the car washed and check a few telltale signs to check if our engines are identical.

Cheers,

Carlos

ciden · Post by **ciden** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 6:44 pm

@ Polo2K

...coooool down, it will be gone in 6 month! I said the drive is wonderful, NOT better than the Polo. But I've got to hand it to the French...the quality is good...and it's better than the Clio it replaces. And also, it's one Renault between 3 VW's

Nelson_Wilbury · Post by **Nelson_Wilbury** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 6:48 pm

For a Renault I think it looks quite good and this coming from a person who can't stand ANY French car!! Only problem is its white...

polo2k · Post by **polo2k** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 6:50 pm

ciden wrote:@ Polo2K

...coooool down, it will be gone in 6 month! I said the drive is wonderful, NOT better than the Polo. But I've got to hand it to the French...the quality is good...and it's better than the Clio it replaces. And also, it's one Renault between 3 VW's

phew you had me worried but if you do have the pressure surveilance make sure that the front left wheel only ever goes on the front left hub and that when you remove/ replace the wheels the valve MUST be at 12 o`clock

ciden · Post by **ciden** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 6:53 pm

It doesn't have the 'presure' thingie that you're talking about...actually none of the Renaults on the S.African market has that function, except the Laguna 3.0 V6.

Babe RuthLess · Post by **Babe RuthLess** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 7:01 pm

@Nelson

I agree most cars look better in dark colours, but if you lived in South Africa or Brazil you'd be prepared to sacrifice a little beauty for less ÂºC!

polo2k · Post by **polo2k** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 7:01 pm

you mechanics/ tyre fitters have no idea how lucky they are

Speedlaw · Post by **Speedlaw** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 7:19 pm

I kinda like it, it's different. Not that I would ever buy one, but still. And it's safe as can be innit?

Babe RuthLess · Post by **Babe RuthLess** » Sat Jun 28, 2003 7:28 pm

Yep it's even got knee-level airbags.

But Volvo claims Renault safety is just for EuroNCAP show, and their cars are safer in real-world conditions.

I wouldn't buy either brand anyway so that's just rethoric to me.

Robo-Toda · Post by **Robo-Toda** » Tue Jul 01, 2003 10:20 pm

Errm,how do I put this.Volvo and Renault have been sharing all of their R&D for the last 15 years that I know about......
That's true,whether you're talking about cars,or trucks.
Volvo 740/760 had Renault electricals.
Renault use engines developed by Volvo.

Babe RuthLess · Post by **Babe RuthLess** » Wed Jul 02, 2003 2:47 am

I think they have shared some of their R&D in the late '80s/early '90s (they almost merged but the deal was blocked by Volvo minority shareholders, remember?). So yes there was some component sharing and Renault did borrow some larger fours from Volvo, in the car division.

In such a context, it was only obvious that the two companies shared some safety R&D, but in recent years (after the merger collapsed, and that was 1993, 10 years ago, if I remember correctly) Renault and Volvo have been battling for top positions in the safety field.

Now, things have turned sour after their divorce (as so often is the case with divorce) and Renault and Volvo have been involved in this PR battle for the 'safest car' for a few years now. That's what I mentioned.

Cheers,