From adding to counting down
When Ronald Schraa bought this Renault Mégane in 2015, the first three 14 percent years were over for this popular addition stunner. For almost a third of the new price, he had a three-year-old, economical diesel with all conceivable options. Ronald has been driving a younger Mégane since this year and as far as judge Tim is concerned, the countdown has started for the 99-XJS-5.
The production employees of the factory where the Renault Mégane rolls off the line are working overtime in 2012 in order to meet the gigantic demand from the Netherlands. Because we massively embrace the French C-segment diesel with 14 percent addition and exemption from motor vehicle tax. Almost the entire sales top 10 from that year consists of cars with a 14 percent addition, with the Renault Mégane as the proud leader with 21,468 units. When the emission rules for 2013 are tightened slightly, Renault will succeed in reducing the emissions of the Mégane for the Dutch market from 90 to 88 grams. In that year, the Volvo V40 and Ford Focus overtook the Mégane, both with diesel engines. After that, long live the plug-in Outlander, while die-hard diesel enthusiasts embrace the extremely economical Peugeot 308 SW BlueHDi en masse.
So much for a bit of background, back to Ronald’s advantageous Estate. “My previous car was also a Mégane diesel, with the same engine. During holiday in France the timing belt broke. Because I always have all maintenance done on time and according to instructions at the Renault dealer in Sneek, I did not pay for the damage myself. I then suggested that instead of repairing the car they give me vouchers for maintenance because I was already planning to buy another car. Unfortunately, the dealer did not want to cooperate and I got it back repaired.”
Traffic jam-free free kilometers with this Mégane diesel
After three lease years, the Mégane starts its second life with an owner who does not put the technology to the test during the journey from his home in Lelystad to the workplace in Bolsward. Just under 90 kilometers one way, then you are already at 900 km per week. That explains the three tons in seven years. “I’m a calm driver, there’s no point in rushing at such a distance. Just leave on time,” explains Ronald. “An additional advantage is that I hardly ever suffer from traffic jams or congestion towards the north. At most once at the Ketelbrug on the A6. At Joure you can also drive on for a few years now that the roundabout is gone.” To keep the engine healthy, Ronald adds Slick 50 to the oil. “You can have your doubts, but in my experience it really helps. The proof is here for you! According to the Consumer Association, this would be the worst car ever. Anyway, that’s not my experience. I wonder if this is the Mégane with the highest odometer reading, they are not for sale anywhere with almost five tons on the clock.”
We check that on the accelerator pedal and indeed, we find an identical Mégane Estate with an X license plate that has already covered 557,711 kilometers. With an asking price of €3,600, not even dirt cheap. It is and remains a kind of Russian roulette to buy an occasion with an astronomical odometer reading. You might make it to the next MOT with the occasional liter of oil and a light here and there, but it can also get seriously out of hand.
Bad luck again
Tim already knows after the first test kilometers that there is a lot of work to be done for this copy. This is mainly due to the worn shock absorbers. And there doesn’t seem to be much left of the original 110 hp and 260 Newton meters of torque. “Respect for this mileage, that must be said. To make the Renault drive a bit decent again, a lot of money has to be put into it. He’s not worth that anymore.” As mentioned, Ronald now drives a 2018 Mégane with 120,000 km on the clock and his son Reinder, who is still studying, uses the old one to drive to Harderwijk, among other things. “After I bought the new one, it doesn’t get as much maintenance anymore. Only the bare essentials. The timing belt should have been replaced a long time ago, but according to the garage it still looks good.”
In 2021, Ronald was again unlucky in France, on the infamous ring road through Paris. Suddenly the clutch was out, according to him without any prior notice. “Just before we went on vacation, he had another service at the dealer. Just dumb luck. We were towed away and the car would be ready the next day. But after everything was put back together, the starter motor turned out to be broken. It had to be ordered and we received a replacement car through the ANWB. How to proceed with this one? There’s more to it than I thought. Maybe first a few new springs and rear shock absorbers and then see it for a while. I will no longer invest large amounts, that is for sure.”
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl