Megane RS 300 Trophy - bought it for the dog!
Discussion
Love these and fancy one as a ‘do it all’ family car to run alongside my wife’s f56 JCW and impractical 2 seaters (my GR Yaris would go, but not yet!).
Issue for me is I will be doing 25k work miles a year and would quite like 40 mpg ish on a motorway cruise and not sure if that’s realistic? Also, boot size looks big in litres, a fair bit bigger than a Golf for example, but is it as good as it sounds and pretty usable?
Enjoy, and maybe I will get one at some point!
Issue for me is I will be doing 25k work miles a year and would quite like 40 mpg ish on a motorway cruise and not sure if that’s realistic? Also, boot size looks big in litres, a fair bit bigger than a Golf for example, but is it as good as it sounds and pretty usable?
Enjoy, and maybe I will get one at some point!
Great write up.
I've a 2020 280 in black with cup pack but with 18" wheels which TBH, I'm glad I went with.
Biggest annoyance for me by quite some margin is the gearbox, both in the quality of it's shift and it's positioning, I really wish I'd gone for the auto which is what I'm led to believe the car was designed around.
It's a frighteningly capable hatch and full of character on the right road.
I switched to Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6's from ContiSport 5's based on reviews and I slightly regret it, I'm sure they have dulled the steering somewhat.
I've a 2020 280 in black with cup pack but with 18" wheels which TBH, I'm glad I went with.
Biggest annoyance for me by quite some margin is the gearbox, both in the quality of it's shift and it's positioning, I really wish I'd gone for the auto which is what I'm led to believe the car was designed around.
It's a frighteningly capable hatch and full of character on the right road.
I switched to Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6's from ContiSport 5's based on reviews and I slightly regret it, I'm sure they have dulled the steering somewhat.
TheFungle said:
Great write up.
I've a 2020 280 in black with cup pack but with 18" wheels which TBH, I'm glad I went with.
Biggest annoyance for me by quite some margin is the gearbox, both in the quality of it's shift and it's positioning, I really wish I'd gone for the auto which is what I'm led to believe the car was designed around.
It's a frighteningly capable hatch and full of character on the right road.
I switched to Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6's from ContiSport 5's based on reviews and I slightly regret it, I'm sure they have dulled the steering somewhat.
I’d recommend putting in a CAE quick shift. Transforms the gear change.I've a 2020 280 in black with cup pack but with 18" wheels which TBH, I'm glad I went with.
Biggest annoyance for me by quite some margin is the gearbox, both in the quality of it's shift and it's positioning, I really wish I'd gone for the auto which is what I'm led to believe the car was designed around.
It's a frighteningly capable hatch and full of character on the right road.
I switched to Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6's from ContiSport 5's based on reviews and I slightly regret it, I'm sure they have dulled the steering somewhat.
2 degrees outside, winter tyres on, sun out...be rude not to.
Really enjoying the car on Cross Climate 2's, just feels unstoppable!
I've been living with the car for five months now, so probably long enough to provide something of a "things I like/things I don't like" update.
Things I Like
- The ride is so much better than I expected. Some reviews have said "you can't daily it, it's a hatchback GT3 RS etc"...rubbish. It's not a Rolls Royce, but it's got a supple, smooth ride and very comfortable, supportive seats. Could easily drive it the length of the country. It doesn't have adaptive dampers so there's no "comfort" mode for the suspension, but with the hydraulic bump-stops it doesn't need it.
- This is subjective, but for me it's the best looking family sized hot hatch of the past decade or so. Passes the "look back after you've parked it" test every time.
- Still can't get over how planted it feels. It's got the sure-footedness of a mountain goat and body roll of a single-seater.
- The interior is a mixed bag in terms of quality, but the alcantara is lovely.
- Stereo is brilliant.
- Initially I wasn't that thrilled with the gearbox (the car was designed to be optimised with the dual-clutch EDC, not the manual) but it's grown on me. Not the most precise feeling but the throw is nice and short, the weighting is spot on and no complaints about the ratios. It's never made me think "I wish I'd gone for the auto".
Things I Don't Like
It definitely has foibles, of shall we call them "French car idiosyncrasies"
- Pretty much everything to do with fuel is annoying;
Of all the cars I've owned, the Megane RS seems to have the most volatile mpg during normal driving; really doesn't take much to push the fuel economy down. If you're not careful 35mpg very easily becomes 30mpg and that means barely over 300 miles to a tank. My old 370Z would do 400+ miles to a tank standing on its head. Yes it had a big tank and poorer mpg, but big range is just nice.
The fuel gauge irrationally annoys me because it's un-symmetrical. Why is there one line in the top segment, two in the second, three in the third...it would have been so easy to just make it all even and less awkward to use at a glance.
Also, when the fuel light comes on...the range readout disappears. The only time when you'd actually want a properly accurate picture of how much fuel you have left, and not have to make a guess by looking at the needle, and the range readout just says "- -".
It goes;
"50 miles"
"45 miles"
"40 miles"
fuel light on
"- -"
Now THAT'S annoying.
- The infotainment very occasionally throws a wobbly and the car can't decide whether it wants to communicate with your phone via bluetooth or Apple CarPlay, so does neither.
- The cabin mood lighting is a bit tarty but I really, really like it. However, three of the five available colours are disgusting
Overall though I’m still so chuffed with it. Can see it sticking around for a long time. Really excited to explore its capabilities on track later on this year!
Really enjoying the car on Cross Climate 2's, just feels unstoppable!
I've been living with the car for five months now, so probably long enough to provide something of a "things I like/things I don't like" update.
Things I Like
- The ride is so much better than I expected. Some reviews have said "you can't daily it, it's a hatchback GT3 RS etc"...rubbish. It's not a Rolls Royce, but it's got a supple, smooth ride and very comfortable, supportive seats. Could easily drive it the length of the country. It doesn't have adaptive dampers so there's no "comfort" mode for the suspension, but with the hydraulic bump-stops it doesn't need it.
- This is subjective, but for me it's the best looking family sized hot hatch of the past decade or so. Passes the "look back after you've parked it" test every time.
- Still can't get over how planted it feels. It's got the sure-footedness of a mountain goat and body roll of a single-seater.
- The interior is a mixed bag in terms of quality, but the alcantara is lovely.
- Stereo is brilliant.
- Initially I wasn't that thrilled with the gearbox (the car was designed to be optimised with the dual-clutch EDC, not the manual) but it's grown on me. Not the most precise feeling but the throw is nice and short, the weighting is spot on and no complaints about the ratios. It's never made me think "I wish I'd gone for the auto".
Things I Don't Like
It definitely has foibles, of shall we call them "French car idiosyncrasies"
- Pretty much everything to do with fuel is annoying;
Of all the cars I've owned, the Megane RS seems to have the most volatile mpg during normal driving; really doesn't take much to push the fuel economy down. If you're not careful 35mpg very easily becomes 30mpg and that means barely over 300 miles to a tank. My old 370Z would do 400+ miles to a tank standing on its head. Yes it had a big tank and poorer mpg, but big range is just nice.
The fuel gauge irrationally annoys me because it's un-symmetrical. Why is there one line in the top segment, two in the second, three in the third...it would have been so easy to just make it all even and less awkward to use at a glance.
Also, when the fuel light comes on...the range readout disappears. The only time when you'd actually want a properly accurate picture of how much fuel you have left, and not have to make a guess by looking at the needle, and the range readout just says "- -".
It goes;
"50 miles"
"45 miles"
"40 miles"
fuel light on
"- -"
Now THAT'S annoying.
- The infotainment very occasionally throws a wobbly and the car can't decide whether it wants to communicate with your phone via bluetooth or Apple CarPlay, so does neither.
- The cabin mood lighting is a bit tarty but I really, really like it. However, three of the five available colours are disgusting
Overall though I’m still so chuffed with it. Can see it sticking around for a long time. Really excited to explore its capabilities on track later on this year!
Edited by thatguy11 on Wednesday 4th January 12:57
That's two trackdays for this year booked; Knockhill in May (will be my fourth time driving there) and Anglesey in August.
Knockhill will be a good learning experience, as I know the track well and I'll be able to get a really good handle on what the Megane can do. Then I'll be able to go to Anglesey with confidence and really enjoy it. Been wanting to drive Anglesey for years, looks a good mix of both quick and technical, and it's definitely the UK's most picturesque circuit!
Knockhill will be a good learning experience, as I know the track well and I'll be able to get a really good handle on what the Megane can do. Then I'll be able to go to Anglesey with confidence and really enjoy it. Been wanting to drive Anglesey for years, looks a good mix of both quick and technical, and it's definitely the UK's most picturesque circuit!
First trackday in the Megane last weekend, got a great afternoon for it at Knockhill. Bone dry and 20 degrees.
The car is now on Michelin PS5's, and I'm not sure if it was the tyres or the chassis or both, but the car was absolutely on rails. I've never had so much confidence in a car on track before. Anyone who knows Knockhill will know it's the elevation change that makes it challenging as there's plenty of opportunity for the track to unsettle the car, but the Megane felt stuck like a barnacle. So impressed with it.
It definitely felt a little more wayward if you drive like a spanner with the four-wheel steer in race mode, but it's fun and controllable lift-off oversteer rather than "trying to kill you" lift-off oversteer.
The brakes couldn't really handle more than a few hot laps without fading but I suspect that's more down to brake fluid than discs/pads. Will need some higher dot fluid for Anglesey in August.
The car is now on Michelin PS5's, and I'm not sure if it was the tyres or the chassis or both, but the car was absolutely on rails. I've never had so much confidence in a car on track before. Anyone who knows Knockhill will know it's the elevation change that makes it challenging as there's plenty of opportunity for the track to unsettle the car, but the Megane felt stuck like a barnacle. So impressed with it.
It definitely felt a little more wayward if you drive like a spanner with the four-wheel steer in race mode, but it's fun and controllable lift-off oversteer rather than "trying to kill you" lift-off oversteer.
The brakes couldn't really handle more than a few hot laps without fading but I suspect that's more down to brake fluid than discs/pads. Will need some higher dot fluid for Anglesey in August.
thatguy11 said:
First trackday in the Megane last weekend, got a great afternoon for it at Knockhill. Bone dry and 20 degrees.
The car is now on Michelin PS5's, and I'm not sure if it was the tyres or the chassis or both, but the car was absolutely on rails. I've never had so much confidence in a car on track before. Anyone who knows Knockhill will know it's the elevation change that makes it challenging as there's plenty of opportunity for the track to unsettle the car, but the Megane felt stuck like a barnacle. So impressed with it.
Great photos, and sounds like you had a lot of fun around Knockhill!The car is now on Michelin PS5's, and I'm not sure if it was the tyres or the chassis or both, but the car was absolutely on rails. I've never had so much confidence in a car on track before. Anyone who knows Knockhill will know it's the elevation change that makes it challenging as there's plenty of opportunity for the track to unsettle the car, but the Megane felt stuck like a barnacle. So impressed with it.
How do you find the PS5's in terms of performance and durability? I'm presuming you came from the standard Bridgestone S001's?
C70R said:
Just spotted this thread. How did you find your 370 on track?
I keep coming back to them as a 'do it all' second car, but worried they might feel a bit leaden when pushed.
It was honestly way more competent than I thought it was going to be. Happy being hustled, but flat-out on track doesn't really happen! Gearbox hated being rushed (and the gearing is far too long for the track) and suspension just a bit too unresponsive. Never found it wanting on the road though.I keep coming back to them as a 'do it all' second car, but worried they might feel a bit leaden when pushed.
resolve10 said:
Great photos, and sounds like you had a lot of fun around Knockhill!
How do you find the PS5's in terms of performance and durability? I'm presuming you came from the standard Bridgestone S001's?
The Bridgestones were ok, lasted 20,000 miles on my car and felt good. PS5s are night and day though, once they're warm it's the best tyre in that "performance tyre but still very road-friendly" tier I've ever used. And they still look nearly new after leaning on them pretty damn hard on track. How do you find the PS5's in terms of performance and durability? I'm presuming you came from the standard Bridgestone S001's?
Edited by thatguy11 on Tuesday 23 May 10:25
You're not putting me off getting one of these...
Sounds like they're both capable on the track and comfortable on the way home...
What's the rear like? I used to have a VW CC which had a poor combination of low rear seats and a high window line, which made rear seat passengers feel claustrophobic and travel sick.
Sounds like they're both capable on the track and comfortable on the way home...
What's the rear like? I used to have a VW CC which had a poor combination of low rear seats and a high window line, which made rear seat passengers feel claustrophobic and travel sick.
Cambs_Stuart said:
You're not putting me off getting one of these...
Sounds like they're both capable on the track and comfortable on the way home...
What's the rear like? I used to have a VW CC which had a poor combination of low rear seats and a high window line, which made rear seat passengers feel claustrophobic and travel sick.
Same as any other Megane, so totally fine. I had my 2 kids in the back, aged 9 and 12, and they were fine. Used to get travel sick in our i3 the whole time.Sounds like they're both capable on the track and comfortable on the way home...
What's the rear like? I used to have a VW CC which had a poor combination of low rear seats and a high window line, which made rear seat passengers feel claustrophobic and travel sick.
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