Megane RS 300 Trophy - bought it for the dog!
Discussion
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.
Absolutely no complaints about the back seats in terms of space and/or environment, it's what you'd expect from a family-sized hatch. The privacy glass plus black suede interior means it's not exactly the brightest place to be, but it's not like it's gloomy or anything.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.
In terms of comfort, ride quality is obviously subjective and it is a firmly sprung car, but I commute in it every day without any annoyances.
Edited by thatguy11 on Wednesday 12th July 16:32
Anglesey track day was great fun, if a little wet! What a brilliant circuit, great mix of fast sweeping corners and tighter technical bits.
Literally rivers in the pit lane first thing in the morning, and across the circuit...
Having a garage was a massive relief
Fortunately the weather eased off late morning and stayed relatively calm, even got a bit of sunshine towards the end. The track was never 100% dry but to be honest "slightly damp" are my favourite track conditions; barely slower, no less fun, and kinder to brakes and tyres.
Javelin killing it with the photography on the day as usual
The Megane was faultless. When it was soaking wet at the start, it was one of the quickest things out there; just wasn't really bothered by the conditions unless there was actual standing water. The brake upgrade was well worth it too, didn't get any fade all day.
Literally rivers in the pit lane first thing in the morning, and across the circuit...
Having a garage was a massive relief
Fortunately the weather eased off late morning and stayed relatively calm, even got a bit of sunshine towards the end. The track was never 100% dry but to be honest "slightly damp" are my favourite track conditions; barely slower, no less fun, and kinder to brakes and tyres.
Javelin killing it with the photography on the day as usual
The Megane was faultless. When it was soaking wet at the start, it was one of the quickest things out there; just wasn't really bothered by the conditions unless there was actual standing water. The brake upgrade was well worth it too, didn't get any fade all day.
Edited by thatguy11 on Thursday 17th August 09:50
The Megane has been treated to a few small visual bits;
Trophy decals on the rear doors. The factory decal on the flat section of the front bumper is black on silver, so went silver on black to match
Exhaust surround re-painted matte black. Never liked the chrome plated finish, too shiny, plastic and fake looking.
Finally replaced Renault’s awful rusty wheel nuts with some black ones.
Trophy decals on the rear doors. The factory decal on the flat section of the front bumper is black on silver, so went silver on black to match
Exhaust surround re-painted matte black. Never liked the chrome plated finish, too shiny, plastic and fake looking.
Finally replaced Renault’s awful rusty wheel nuts with some black ones.
Another couple of visual tweaks up front;
The badge has been smoked using window tint film. Makes such a difference as the badge is gigantic, and visually just dominates the front of the car when it’s bright/chrome.
Also now sporting a Maxton Design front splitter. Adds the right amount of aggression and muscle without being too much.
The car has also had another track outing, back at Knockhill this time. Felt great all day, although the turbo did get rather hot at one point! Had to sit in the paddock with the bonnet open for a few minutes…
Zero brake fade though, the upgrades clearly doing their job very well. Just love this thing on track, feels right at home (and looks it!)
I am however going to have to do something about the wheels, as the lacquer seems to be coming off which is letting water in and causing these pretty ugly marks. Don’t know if this is just crap French wheels, or a result of stone chips, but it’s got to go!
Going to take the opportunity to move away from the Trophy wheel finish as I’ve gone off it a little, and I’ve never been a big fan of diamond cut wheels. These wheels can look really great powder coated in a solid colour, so I’m probably going to go gloss anthracite, or charcoal or something similar.
The badge has been smoked using window tint film. Makes such a difference as the badge is gigantic, and visually just dominates the front of the car when it’s bright/chrome.
Also now sporting a Maxton Design front splitter. Adds the right amount of aggression and muscle without being too much.
The car has also had another track outing, back at Knockhill this time. Felt great all day, although the turbo did get rather hot at one point! Had to sit in the paddock with the bonnet open for a few minutes…
Zero brake fade though, the upgrades clearly doing their job very well. Just love this thing on track, feels right at home (and looks it!)
I am however going to have to do something about the wheels, as the lacquer seems to be coming off which is letting water in and causing these pretty ugly marks. Don’t know if this is just crap French wheels, or a result of stone chips, but it’s got to go!
Going to take the opportunity to move away from the Trophy wheel finish as I’ve gone off it a little, and I’ve never been a big fan of diamond cut wheels. These wheels can look really great powder coated in a solid colour, so I’m probably going to go gloss anthracite, or charcoal or something similar.
sam.rog said:
The wheels are just doing what diamond cut wheels do. I have no idea why manufacturers persist with it.
Agreed, it's been an issue at least since the 1980s - I remember having a 3 year old Porsche 924 Turbo that had diamond cut wheels on it, the lacquer was already peeling on those. Steered clear of them ever since as not a fan of the 'bling' look they give and just prefer silver. Good excuse for the OP to go for some silver or gold wheels, would look mean against the black paintwork...Thanks for the regular updates, I've enjoyed going through the thread just now.
Smoked front badge is a great idea! Consider shadow chrome for the wheels. I went from OEM gloss black + diamond corrosion detailing on my vRS wheels to shadow chrome powder coat and haven't looked back.
Here's a photo
I am very interested in this era of Megane RS as a potential next car. How are you finding the gearbox/shift action? And what do you make of the sound of the engine/exhaust?
Cheers
Smoked front badge is a great idea! Consider shadow chrome for the wheels. I went from OEM gloss black + diamond corrosion detailing on my vRS wheels to shadow chrome powder coat and haven't looked back.
Here's a photo
I am very interested in this era of Megane RS as a potential next car. How are you finding the gearbox/shift action? And what do you make of the sound of the engine/exhaust?
Cheers
Fuzzarr said:
Thanks for the regular updates, I've enjoyed going through the thread just now.
Smoked front badge is a great idea! Consider shadow chrome for the wheels. I went from OEM gloss black + diamond corrosion detailing on my vRS wheels to shadow chrome powder coat and haven't looked back.
Here's a photo
I am very interested in this era of Megane RS as a potential next car. How are you finding the gearbox/shift action? And what do you make of the sound of the engine/exhaust?
Cheers
That wheel colour looks great, I'm definitely going for something in that area.Smoked front badge is a great idea! Consider shadow chrome for the wheels. I went from OEM gloss black + diamond corrosion detailing on my vRS wheels to shadow chrome powder coat and haven't looked back.
Here's a photo
I am very interested in this era of Megane RS as a potential next car. How are you finding the gearbox/shift action? And what do you make of the sound of the engine/exhaust?
Cheers
The manual gearbox is good, the car was developed around the EDC box with the manual as a bit of an afterthought. If you're coming into it from a Civic type R or something, the shift action is going to be disappointing but it's still a satisfying box to use. The engine sounds like you'd expect a 4 cylinder with a big turbo to sound! The exhaust sound is great, especially in the Trophy which has changeable exhaust valves.
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