Megane RS 300 Trophy - bought it for the dog!
Discussion
Some quick background….
For the past two years I’ve owned a Nissan 370Z, which I almost thought I’d never ever sell. It was both my daily and weekend fun car, and my other half also occasionally drove it when she needed to. It worked fine as our only car…until this guy came along!
Goes without saying that a 370Z is useless as a dog-mobile; I needed something with a decent boot.
Initially I’d planned on getting a second car, however after looking at various options/running the numbers I eventually admitted it was just more sensible to replace the 370Z with something still fun but practical…we didn’t need two cars, and I was just trying to keep it for the sake of keeping it.
In two years with the 370Z I’d done plenty with it; NC500, four trackdays (three at Knockhill and one at Spa-Francorchamps), a few minor upgrades…I realised there was nothing left that I still wanted to do. Plus, deciding to replace the 370Z instead of buying a second car meant my budget for a new car was now much bigger.
I decided its replacement had to be a hot hatch. After the 370Z where the driving experience is dominated by the powertrain, I wanted to go for something more chassis focused. Out of the crop of family-sized hot hatches from the past several years, it was the Megane RS that stood out for me. I couldn’t live with the looks of a FK2/FK8 Type-R, I’ve owned a Golf GTI previously and simply wanted something different, and the A45 AMG/RS3 “4WD mega hatches” don’t interest me at all. The Hyundai i30N was probably my second choice if I couldn’t find a good Megane RS.
After a lot of searching for the right car (and some man-maths...), here’s what I’ve ended up with;
Didn’t think I could stretch to a Trophy but I just managed it! The Trophy has all the Cup chassis bits; LSD, slightly stiffer springs and bi-material front brake discs, then also adds 20bhp (up to 296bhp) and 10lb-ft (up to 295lb-ft) over the non-Trophy cars, plus different exhaust maps and a 20kg weight reduction.
My car also has the optional bigger infotainment screen & Bose stereo, which were available on all Meganes, plus the Trophy-only option of Recaro CS seats. Not only do these look absolutely fantastic, they are without question the most supportive and comfortable seats I’ve ever sat in, sports seats or otherwise. Cannot thank the first owner enough for ticking the box.
The only thing the car doesn’t have that I’d have liked is Liquid Yellow paint…but unfortunately hardly any of this generation of Megane RS are Liquid Yellow, or even Orange Tonic. Blame Renault I guess for making their signature colours a £1,500 option! But it’s a minor thing as I think the car still looks brilliant in black, and it works better with the red calipers/accents on the wheels than yellow or orange.
Yeah, the Trophy wheels…I’ve never had a car with such a busy wheel design! Not to everyone’s taste but I really like them. However I am slightly terrified of kerbing them…
shame about Renault's signature rusty wheel nuts, need to do something about them.
Obviously a Nissan 370Z and a Megane RS aren’t anywhere close to natural rivals, but since that’s what my motoring experience has gone from and to, we might as well compare;
- The Megane is about 30bhp down on the 370Z but 25lb-ft up. Coupled with 70kg less weight, shorter gearing plus the power/torque curves you’d expect from a turbocharged engine, the Megane genuinely doesn’t feel any slower in a straight line.
- The Megane actively encourages you to drive it hard. When pressing on in the 370Z it was happy until a point, but made it very clear when it didn’t want to be pushed any harder. The Megane on the other hand constantly seems to be going “more, more, I can go faster!”
- Interior quality: it’s 12 year old Japanese sports car vs 3 year old French hatchback…so not that different! The infotainment screen/gauges in the 370Z were starting to show their age whereas the Megane’s displays are super modern and sharp looking, but as for material quality etc the two cars are pretty similar.
Over a typical British B-road, this is the quickest car I’ve ever driven, ever. It feels like a BTCC car with numberplates. It just destroys twisty, undulating sections of road. There’s pretty much zero body roll and it feels like it doesn’t matter what radius of corner it’s going round or how quickly, it’s never going to run out of grip.
The four-wheel steer was a bit of bone of contention with reviewers, and some claimed it got in the way a little too much without really adding anything to the experience. Dan Prosser on the other hand in his PH review of the car said all the chat about four-wheel steer was a lot of fuss about nothing. I totally agree with him, and when you’re pressing on you barely notice it doing its thing. Where you do notice it more is in low-speed, tight corners where you can feel the car pivot around its axis and do things your brain tells you a car of its size shouldn’t be doing.
In summary, I’m thrilled with it. Looking forward to living with a car that’s easier to use day-to-day than a 370Z, but arguably no less interesting/special. And only costs £160 a year to tax rather than £600, and will do 35mpg rather than 24mpg!
Don't really have any big plans with it other than enjoy it, daily it, potentially take it to Knockhill later this year and next year probably do the NC500, or possibly a Le Mans road trip.
For the past two years I’ve owned a Nissan 370Z, which I almost thought I’d never ever sell. It was both my daily and weekend fun car, and my other half also occasionally drove it when she needed to. It worked fine as our only car…until this guy came along!
Goes without saying that a 370Z is useless as a dog-mobile; I needed something with a decent boot.
Initially I’d planned on getting a second car, however after looking at various options/running the numbers I eventually admitted it was just more sensible to replace the 370Z with something still fun but practical…we didn’t need two cars, and I was just trying to keep it for the sake of keeping it.
In two years with the 370Z I’d done plenty with it; NC500, four trackdays (three at Knockhill and one at Spa-Francorchamps), a few minor upgrades…I realised there was nothing left that I still wanted to do. Plus, deciding to replace the 370Z instead of buying a second car meant my budget for a new car was now much bigger.
I decided its replacement had to be a hot hatch. After the 370Z where the driving experience is dominated by the powertrain, I wanted to go for something more chassis focused. Out of the crop of family-sized hot hatches from the past several years, it was the Megane RS that stood out for me. I couldn’t live with the looks of a FK2/FK8 Type-R, I’ve owned a Golf GTI previously and simply wanted something different, and the A45 AMG/RS3 “4WD mega hatches” don’t interest me at all. The Hyundai i30N was probably my second choice if I couldn’t find a good Megane RS.
After a lot of searching for the right car (and some man-maths...), here’s what I’ve ended up with;
Didn’t think I could stretch to a Trophy but I just managed it! The Trophy has all the Cup chassis bits; LSD, slightly stiffer springs and bi-material front brake discs, then also adds 20bhp (up to 296bhp) and 10lb-ft (up to 295lb-ft) over the non-Trophy cars, plus different exhaust maps and a 20kg weight reduction.
My car also has the optional bigger infotainment screen & Bose stereo, which were available on all Meganes, plus the Trophy-only option of Recaro CS seats. Not only do these look absolutely fantastic, they are without question the most supportive and comfortable seats I’ve ever sat in, sports seats or otherwise. Cannot thank the first owner enough for ticking the box.
The only thing the car doesn’t have that I’d have liked is Liquid Yellow paint…but unfortunately hardly any of this generation of Megane RS are Liquid Yellow, or even Orange Tonic. Blame Renault I guess for making their signature colours a £1,500 option! But it’s a minor thing as I think the car still looks brilliant in black, and it works better with the red calipers/accents on the wheels than yellow or orange.
Yeah, the Trophy wheels…I’ve never had a car with such a busy wheel design! Not to everyone’s taste but I really like them. However I am slightly terrified of kerbing them…
shame about Renault's signature rusty wheel nuts, need to do something about them.
Obviously a Nissan 370Z and a Megane RS aren’t anywhere close to natural rivals, but since that’s what my motoring experience has gone from and to, we might as well compare;
- The Megane is about 30bhp down on the 370Z but 25lb-ft up. Coupled with 70kg less weight, shorter gearing plus the power/torque curves you’d expect from a turbocharged engine, the Megane genuinely doesn’t feel any slower in a straight line.
- The Megane actively encourages you to drive it hard. When pressing on in the 370Z it was happy until a point, but made it very clear when it didn’t want to be pushed any harder. The Megane on the other hand constantly seems to be going “more, more, I can go faster!”
- Interior quality: it’s 12 year old Japanese sports car vs 3 year old French hatchback…so not that different! The infotainment screen/gauges in the 370Z were starting to show their age whereas the Megane’s displays are super modern and sharp looking, but as for material quality etc the two cars are pretty similar.
Over a typical British B-road, this is the quickest car I’ve ever driven, ever. It feels like a BTCC car with numberplates. It just destroys twisty, undulating sections of road. There’s pretty much zero body roll and it feels like it doesn’t matter what radius of corner it’s going round or how quickly, it’s never going to run out of grip.
The four-wheel steer was a bit of bone of contention with reviewers, and some claimed it got in the way a little too much without really adding anything to the experience. Dan Prosser on the other hand in his PH review of the car said all the chat about four-wheel steer was a lot of fuss about nothing. I totally agree with him, and when you’re pressing on you barely notice it doing its thing. Where you do notice it more is in low-speed, tight corners where you can feel the car pivot around its axis and do things your brain tells you a car of its size shouldn’t be doing.
In summary, I’m thrilled with it. Looking forward to living with a car that’s easier to use day-to-day than a 370Z, but arguably no less interesting/special. And only costs £160 a year to tax rather than £600, and will do 35mpg rather than 24mpg!
Don't really have any big plans with it other than enjoy it, daily it, potentially take it to Knockhill later this year and next year probably do the NC500, or possibly a Le Mans road trip.
Great start, always been a fan of the 370Z but never had one on the drive - properly love the Nismo after seeing one at a show last year and had a little punt on one via CoPart but didn’t win.
Now these Meganes have really grown on me, having owned a LY Clio 200 Cup I know what you mean about the bright signature colours and actually saw an orange one only a few days ago.
My first real life experience was following one back from a Breakfast Meet at Haynes one slippery morning. I was in my Stage 2 VXT and the Megane was QUICK and like you say in full on attach mode just disappeared. From the back the wide track looks incredible!
Still a big fan and interested to hear about your journey.
Si
Now these Meganes have really grown on me, having owned a LY Clio 200 Cup I know what you mean about the bright signature colours and actually saw an orange one only a few days ago.
My first real life experience was following one back from a Breakfast Meet at Haynes one slippery morning. I was in my Stage 2 VXT and the Megane was QUICK and like you say in full on attach mode just disappeared. From the back the wide track looks incredible!
Still a big fan and interested to hear about your journey.
Si
Dog loves it…thankfully the firm suspension isn’t firm enough to make him sick!
Took it out on another quick drive to get to know it better; god it’s quick in the twisties. Impossibly quick.
And the pops/bangs/crackles when it’s in race mode are hilarious, once the exhaust is properly warm it sounds like a firing squad!
Got a nice evening for it
Took it out on another quick drive to get to know it better; god it’s quick in the twisties. Impossibly quick.
And the pops/bangs/crackles when it’s in race mode are hilarious, once the exhaust is properly warm it sounds like a firing squad!
Got a nice evening for it
Looks lovely. I had a red one for 18 months until 6 months ago.
It looks like yours is on the original Bridgestones? I got through my fronts in 4,000 miles! No track work either. Replaced the fronts with P4Ss which were far better, both grip and wear.
Have you driven it in the wet yet? Traction is somewhat limited away from the lights, and it can be entertaining round corners with a lively rear.
The Trophy battery is a weakness if the car is left for more than a few days. Mine was replaced under warranty, but even after that I always made sure it was run every 3-4 days or left on a trickle charger.
It looks like yours is on the original Bridgestones? I got through my fronts in 4,000 miles! No track work either. Replaced the fronts with P4Ss which were far better, both grip and wear.
Have you driven it in the wet yet? Traction is somewhat limited away from the lights, and it can be entertaining round corners with a lively rear.
The Trophy battery is a weakness if the car is left for more than a few days. Mine was replaced under warranty, but even after that I always made sure it was run every 3-4 days or left on a trickle charger.
Lovely car OP.
I own a Renault Clio RS200 and I've looked at the 300 Trophy a few times as a potential upgrade. They do look great, especially in Liquid Yellow or whatever the orange color is called.
Out of interest, how have you found going from a lovely sounding V6 to an IL4 turbo charged engine?
I own a Renault Clio RS200 and I've looked at the 300 Trophy a few times as a potential upgrade. They do look great, especially in Liquid Yellow or whatever the orange color is called.
Out of interest, how have you found going from a lovely sounding V6 to an IL4 turbo charged engine?
damolong said:
Looks lovely. I had a red one for 18 months until 6 months ago.
It looks like yours is on the original Bridgestones? I got through my fronts in 4,000 miles! No track work either. Replaced the fronts with P4Ss which were far better, both grip and wear.
Have you driven it in the wet yet? Traction is somewhat limited away from the lights, and it can be entertaining round corners with a lively rear.
The Trophy battery is a weakness if the car is left for more than a few days. Mine was replaced under warranty, but even after that I always made sure it was run every 3-4 days or left on a trickle charger.
I don’t know if they’re the original Bridgestones, car is on 16,000 miles so unlikely as there’s plenty of tread left. Can’t say I’m thrilled with them…when it’s time for new tyres it’s definitely going on PS4s!It looks like yours is on the original Bridgestones? I got through my fronts in 4,000 miles! No track work either. Replaced the fronts with P4Ss which were far better, both grip and wear.
Have you driven it in the wet yet? Traction is somewhat limited away from the lights, and it can be entertaining round corners with a lively rear.
The Trophy battery is a weakness if the car is left for more than a few days. Mine was replaced under warranty, but even after that I always made sure it was run every 3-4 days or left on a trickle charger.
Thankfully the car got it’s battery replaced under warranty by the dealer when I bought it; annoyingly the new battery took seven weeks to arrive which delayed me picking it up.
Great choice OP.
I've always had a hankering for the previous Renaultsport Megane, and since this came out i've been a fan.
I think your exact spec is probably my ideal - I like that the black is a bit more subtle, I'd need the Recaro CS and I'd definitely want the Trophy with the manual box.
Question, as one of my main considerations would be it's use as a daily. How is it in terms of comfort on a long journey? What sort of MPG do you think you can get pootling along the motorway at 65/70?
Sorry for the banal questions for a hot hatch, a big part of my usage would be commuting to work which is entirely M25/M4.
I've always had a hankering for the previous Renaultsport Megane, and since this came out i've been a fan.
I think your exact spec is probably my ideal - I like that the black is a bit more subtle, I'd need the Recaro CS and I'd definitely want the Trophy with the manual box.
Question, as one of my main considerations would be it's use as a daily. How is it in terms of comfort on a long journey? What sort of MPG do you think you can get pootling along the motorway at 65/70?
Sorry for the banal questions for a hot hatch, a big part of my usage would be commuting to work which is entirely M25/M4.
thatguy11 said:
I don’t know if they’re the original Bridgestones, car is on 16,000 miles so unlikely as there’s plenty of tread left. Can’t say I’m thrilled with them…when it’s time for new tyres it’s definitely going on PS4s!
Thankfully the car got it’s battery replaced under warranty by the dealer when I bought it; annoyingly the new battery took seven weeks to arrive which delayed me picking it up.
Sorry, I meant original Bridgestones as in the standard fit tyres for the car. I would definitely advocate the PS4Ss. My 2nd battery was definitely better (they also replaced the alternator).Thankfully the car got it’s battery replaced under warranty by the dealer when I bought it; annoyingly the new battery took seven weeks to arrive which delayed me picking it up.
I like the look of that, the seats look great. A friend took me out in his 260 which was rapid in standard form! The French really did know how to make the impossible seem possible on a B road.
The tyres appear to have a 2019 date code on them in the picture, which isn’t often more than 6 months after manufacture. Perhaps the previous owner had different rims or they were the rears put on the front or such judging by the horror stories above of tyre wear. Maybe they’re a different Bridgestone model because 4000 miles is laughably poor.
The tyres appear to have a 2019 date code on them in the picture, which isn’t often more than 6 months after manufacture. Perhaps the previous owner had different rims or they were the rears put on the front or such judging by the horror stories above of tyre wear. Maybe they’re a different Bridgestone model because 4000 miles is laughably poor.
Obligatory frosty badge photos
Also this week I've had the unwelcome realisation of just how appalling the Trophy is in the snow/ice! So, I've bitten the bullet and ordered a set of Michelin CrossClimate 2's. A worthwhile investment given the Megane is our only car and my other half also drives it fairly regularly, so it's worth the expense to not have to worry about the conditions rendering it stranded (or crashed...).
Had a set of CrossClimates as winter tyres on my old Mk5 Golf GTI and they utterly transformed how it performed in freezing conditions, so looking forward to more of the same.
Also this week I've had the unwelcome realisation of just how appalling the Trophy is in the snow/ice! So, I've bitten the bullet and ordered a set of Michelin CrossClimate 2's. A worthwhile investment given the Megane is our only car and my other half also drives it fairly regularly, so it's worth the expense to not have to worry about the conditions rendering it stranded (or crashed...).
Had a set of CrossClimates as winter tyres on my old Mk5 Golf GTI and they utterly transformed how it performed in freezing conditions, so looking forward to more of the same.
thatguy11 said:
Dog loves it…thankfully the firm suspension isn’t firm enough to make him sick!
Took it out on another quick drive to get to know it better; god it’s quick in the twisties. Impossibly quick.
And the pops/bangs/crackles when it’s in race mode are hilarious, once the exhaust is properly warm it sounds like a firing squad!
Got a nice evening for it
Took it out on another quick drive to get to know it better; god it’s quick in the twisties. Impossibly quick.
And the pops/bangs/crackles when it’s in race mode are hilarious, once the exhaust is properly warm it sounds like a firing squad!
Got a nice evening for it
Great pictures and car is not bad 
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff