Hi guys, I'm looking for a sporty daily driver and my heart is set on the RS Megane 265. Here in Switzerland the choice in the classifieds is quite limited (around here it's pretty much a VAG monopoly), but I found a very nice 2015 model with all the option boxes ticked and only 19.000km on the clock, for sale at a fairly reasonable price. Of course this combination should raise some concern... On a close inspection (but no test drive, yet) I couldn't find any glaring issue... Until I checked the service booklet, where I found out that the timing belt and water pump have been replaced after only 3 years and 11000 km! Now, considering that the car really seems spotless and has been serviced religiously each year even though the yearly mileage was very low, should this be enough of a reason to steer clear of this particular example? Do you guys have any idea on what could have led to such an early demise of the timing belt and water pump? Thanks!
Hey Renault say the timing belt should be done every 6 Years or 120.000 km. Maybe they changed this over guarantee not inspection. So there was a issue like rattling or something. Do the original owner sell the car? Ask him about that What does the (MFK), or pickerl documents say about the kilometers? To change the mileage at the megane they needed to flash the chip in the speedometer, UPC and the Airbag module so very complicated. (but not impossible) If I would be you I would look in which state the leather of all parts like steering wheels or the shift knob and interior is and sound what my feelings are saying =) (oh sorry, I though you write over a megane 225. But I guess my text is also good for the 265 one )
Hi Jukidam, thanks for your answer. The car is for sale at used car park, so I have no way to get in touch with the previous owner. All the services have been carried out by official Renault garages and each entry in the service booklet reports the milage as well as the jobs carried out, so I don't think the milage has been tinkered. Moreover, the car does look pristine inside and out (even the side bolsters of the Recaro are in excellent conditions). This is the car I'm talking about, by the way: https://www.autoscout24.ch/it/d/renault-megane-coupe-2014-occasione?vehid=7409446 That's why it sounds very strange to me that such a new car would need to have the timing belt and the waterpump replaced. I got the chassis number, so tomorrow I'll go and make an enquiry at my local Renault dealer.
The car looks really good. And it's really strange, try your luck with the Renault partner. I hope they have answers to you. In Germany The can't say something about the history of a car because data Privacy... If they can't help you could ask on a Switzerland Facebook group or a forum if someone works at Renault It's really strange.. But in my opinion if even the sides of the Recaro has no little damage and the mileage is at the service book understandable And the car is technically in a very good condition I would buy the car.
even though reno give a time or mileage to change the belt any owner can ask for it to be changed at any time if they're concerned rest of sales info seems good, assume comes with some sort parts warranty
Thank you guys, I'm actually more and more convinced it's worth a shot. Worst case, it comes with 1 year warranty...
during test drive try go over some rough/cobble stone surface and listen for front rattle/clank/mechanical sounds should be total silent on rough surface
gearbox bolt can sheer on these..easy fix with uprated bolt. To be fair the mk3 is actually a very reliable car. as others have said..the balljoints are the only real glaring weakness...listen for clunking.
Thanks. My current daily driver is a Lotus Elise, so it'll be hard to re-calibrate my hearing for the noises on the Megane Actually the examples I have test driven so fare seemed to me incredibly silent.
that's one of my biggest complaints of the mk3 , my mk2 i didn't even need to look at the rev counter to change gear on or near the red line, i have hit the limiter so many times on track. Its very nice to drive to tracks though
if its on 19 inch wheels,the this can make the ride less compliant on bad roads.But i suspect your roads are in far better shape than the UK`s!
Yes, roads around here are seldom less than perfect. In any case, most of the year will be spent with the 18" winter wheels set on.
In Australia most RS enthusiasts will change at 4 years or 100,000 kms, whichever is first I have a 2015 275. It has done 13,000 kms and I did the timing and accessory belt kit in January this year. It’s wise preventative maintenance. Snap a timing belt and your engine is gone.
May have had a rattling dephaser pully and had it changed under warrenty, and done the rest whilst at it.
have to confess as a former L.O.T.U.S owner never thought hear anyone say another car was louder for rattles, a Mk3 megane will be brutal quiet compared
why don't you pay for a report on this car, here a few I found: https://vindecoder.eu/check-vin/VF1DZY10652293759 https://uk.vin-info.com/order-reports/VF1DZY10652293759 Better to pay 10 euro for a report that CHF19900 for a car that is not worthwhile plus all the issue to get your money back if there is an issue with it.
