Skip advert
Advertisement
Long term tests

Renaultsport Mégane dCi 175

There had to be a catch to all the economical motoring our diesel Renaultsport Mégane provides

Renaultsport Megane dCi 175

There had to be a catch to all the economical motoring our diesel Renaultsport Mégane provides, and I’ve found it: servicing costs. The petrol-powered Mégane Trophy Andy Morgan ran on our fleet a couple of years ago had its first service at 18,000 miles, at a cost of £188, yet our dCi 175 has just had its first service at a mere 12,000 miles with a bill of £266. So, mile-for-mile, servicing costs are doubled with the diesel. Mind you, it’s not that big a deal when you’re seeing the right side of 40mpg on a regular basis – you’ll still be around 700 quid better off every 18,000 miles.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It was West’s Garage Cambridge who looked after Andy’s Trophy and it was there that I took our 175, leaving it with them for a couple of hours during which they agreed they could carry out the service. In fact they hadn’t quite finished when I returned on time, but at least they had a good excuse: refilling the dCi engine with oil is a slow process because it has to be poured down the small hole used by the dipstick. No, I didn’t believe it either – until I checked the handbook and looked under the bonnet myself. Weird.

Running Costs

Date acquiredApril 2008
Total mileage12,323
Costs this month£266.61 (service)
Mileage this month682
MPG this month41.2
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation
MST Ford Escort front
News

MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation

Costing a tenth of most made-new classics, the MST Mk1 Sports is comparatively accessible
8 Jul 2025
New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused
Aston Martin Vantage S front
News

New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused

With a bump in power output among myriad detail changes, the Vantage S could be the ultimate driver’s Aston
8 Jul 2025