Wednesday 2nd October 2013

Renaultsport Megane (Mk2): PH Buying Guide

The Clio RS for grown-ups, now from £2,500

---

The second generation X84 Renault Megane may have been launched as shakin' its ass, but the original Renaultsport Megane hot hatch version was very far from kickin' ass. It was something of a disappointment to begin with, though its 225hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine offered 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and a 147mph top speed for a reasonable £18,600 when it touched down in the UK in 2005. It was also offered in both three- and five-door shapes to give buyers an alternative to the Golf GTI.

Search for Renaultsport Meganes here

Story started with the 225, which spawned...

Stung by this criticism and many comparisons that said Renault wasn't able to emulate the brilliance of the Renaultsport Clio, the French firm responded with the Trophy model. This strictly limited edition model only came in three-door Sport Hatch form and used the same 1,998cc engine. However, revised suspension and electric power steering settings transformed the softly-softly feel of the standard car into something much more alluring. It also featured improved brakes. Only 160 Trophy models made it the UK, all painted in Nimbus Grey.

However, Renaultsport fans were not denied these benefits for long as they were incorporated into the Cup version that pitched up in mid-2005. As with all Cup models from Renault, this Megane was stripped of luxuries and focused on handling and performance.

...a harder, more focused Cup option.

Renault still wasn't done laying the ghost of the early Renaultsport Megane to rest and the 2006 F1 Team Special Edition was launched to mark the company's success in the Formula One Constructors' Championship. With further revisions to the suspension and steering, this model also has Recaro front seats and ushered in a facelift most easily identified by a front bumper that incorporates the foglights into the curve of the lower grille rather than having them stuck pod-like on the outer edges of the bumper.

The French firm then surprised us with the 230hp F1 R26, which had a limited-slip differential as standard. Again, there were more refinements to the suspension, while a new exhaust gave a more satisfying sound under acceleration. Lux versions of this model came with leather upholstery and Renault's not always reliable keyless entry and ignition system.

Trophy was the first of several special versions

For those more concerned with running costs, Renault also offered a diesel-powered Renaultsport Megane from 2007 with 175hp 2.0-litre turbodiesel motor. It gives 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds, 137mph and 43.5mpg.

A last hurrah was offered in the shape of the R26.R that shed 123kg from the standard three-door's kerb weight by ditching the rear seats in favour of an optional half roll cage. It also did away with air conditioning, passenger and curtain airbags, stereo, much of the sound proofing, rear wiper and front fog lights. A carbon fibre bonnet saved more weight, as did a polycarbonate rear screen and side windows. Carbon fibre was also used to make the front seats, while six-point Sabelt harnesses hold the driver and passenger in place. Revised suspension, grooved disc brakes and new alloys with the option of Toyo Proxes R888 tyres completed the R26.R's specification. Renaultsport produced 450 of these special Meganes, with the UK allocated 230. Each R26.R cost £22,990. Production of the X84 Renaultsport Megane ceased in 2009.

The hardcore R26.R will set you back from around £15,000 as it is now highly collectable, but other Renaultsport Megane models can be picked up from £2,500 for an early car with tax and ticket. Look for a Cup and expect to pay from £4,000.

---

PHer's view:
"I was keen when the car was first announced but put off by negative press. Glad I waited until the Cup model was launched as it was a great car for every type of driving - even went to the Nurburgring and didn't embarrass myself. Depreciation was a bit alarming, though, and build quality was flaky in places."
Rich Wight

---

Buying guide contents:
Introduction
Powertrain
Rolling Chassis
Body
Interior

Search for Renaultsport Meganes here

---

Renaultsport Megane 2 spotter's guide:

Renaultsport Megane 225 five-door	Renaultsport Megane 225 Cup
Renaultsport Megane 175 DCi	Renaultsport Megane F1 Team Edition
Renaultsport Megane R26	Renaultsport Megane R26.R

[Roma101]

Don't forget the lovely titanium exhaust on the .R! Pricey at c. £2,250 though!

I owned two of these (an R26 and an R26.R). Both brilliant cars and I often find myself in the classifieds looking for a decent .R to appear.

The .R came with A/C as standard btw. It was CC which was ditched. It was an option though.

[NISR227]

R26.r is a very special hatch, but don't overlook the R26 which is the better every day proposition. The lsd makes the world of difference on a twisty road, especially in the wet , great fun.

[NGK210]

Roma101 said:

Don't forget the lovely titanium exhaust on the .R! Pricey at c. £2,250 though!

...

But at least titanium doesn't corrode/rust, which is why it's used for submarine hulls and hip replacements, etc. Or will there be some sort of reaction - eg, same as ally + steel - because it comes into 'contact' with the car's steel underbody?

[NISR227]

Double post

[Maty]

Got rid of my 175DCi in March this year after 2.5 years and 45,000 miles. Exactly the same as the one pictured in the article in fact, red, 5 door.

Great round corners and I really liked the engine (despite it being a diesel). Went very well indeed and still returned 35mpg no matter how you drove it. However it was let down, massively, by the shocking build quality. It would rattle, groan, squeak and shake itself everywhere I went on all types of road surfaces. You could be on the finest piece of brand spanking new tarmac with not a pothole or stone in sight and something would still be rattling away in your ear, it got very tiresome and even the radio didn't drown it out in some cases.

That coupled with an 'electrical fault' list longer than that of the 'electrical working' list spelt the end of my days in a RenaultSport and I doubt I'd ever have one again.................although I do really like the latest RS250 or as a track day toy 2.5k is mighty tempting for an older one.

[renaultgeek]

To avoid the dreaded window regulator issue, don't double lock the car.

[Darren61]

renaultgeek said:

To avoid the dreaded window regulator issue, don't double lock the car.

Lies... I always did this and had both window regulators fail within 2 months of each other on my 07' R26. I paid 24% of the cost for the first one that went. (£115) and Renault paid the second one in full no questions asked. Great cars though and the R26 I had felt so special to drive. Forget the Focus RS, the Megane had it all first, liquid yellow paint, F1 team stickers, Recaro's, LSD, Brembo 4 pots, unique build number and of course 230bhp!

[NGK210]

No-one's mentioned how long it takes to change a headlamp bulb...

[Escort Si-130]

But the Focus ST had it before :-). Or even the mk1 Focus RS.

I am surprised though the R26 starting at £2500, surely that cant be right or very high mileage.

Darren61 said:

Lies... I always did this and had both window regulators fail within 2 months of each other on my 07' R26. I paid 24% of the cost for the first one that went. (£115) and Renault paid the second one in full no questions asked. Great cars though and the R26 I had felt so special to drive. Forget the Focus RS, the Megane had it all first, liquid yellow paint, F1 team stickers, Recaro's, LSD, Brembo 4 pots, unique build number and of course 230bhp!

[Darren61]

Escort Si-130 said:

But the Focus ST had it before :-). Or even the mk1 Focus RS.

I am surprised though the R26 starting at £2500, surely that cant be right or very high mileage.

Not the lurid paint job. The LSD yes. And it's the original 225's that are knocking around at £2500. The R26 for a good one upto £8k, a dog for about £5k. Even £8k is great value for the overall package you are getting

Edited by Darren61 on Wednesday 2nd October 19:30

[Amirhussain]

One of the best looking cars ever made, IMO.

[David87]

Great cars. My R26.R was fab.

[V8RX7]

Amirhussain said:

One of the best looking cars ever made, IMO.

Presume you must have a braille keyboard

[Rob R26]

I remember when you first had yours David. Met you at Boreham on the way to a meet at Thurrock. Ever since that day I wanted one and I'm now the proud owner of one

[David87]

Rob R26 said:

I remember when you first had yours David. Met you at Boreham on the way to a meet at Thurrock. Ever since that day I wanted one and I'm now the proud owner of one

Awesome! I'll keep an eye out for you around then. I've seen a Liquid Yellow one around Chelmsford recently and they still look great.

[van cleef]

I bought my 55 plate Capscium red 225 cup new with being a practical choice to possibly buying an evo 7.

I loved it so much I kept it for Seven years, it was one of my favourite cars I've owned.

[joe_90]

NGK210 said:

No-one's mentioned how long it takes to change a headlamp bulb...

I have that down to an art now, 10 mins + cuts fingers.

[Technomatt]

Bit of a bargain these now, particularly the R26 with the LSD and Recaros.

For similar money used, much faster and more dependable than the 197/200 Clio, particularly with a Megane remap for about 260 bhp.

[madmatteo]

For anyone who reads this and is concerned about the alleged "humdrum" noise, just drop the back seats and take the parcel shelf out. It reveals a totally different character (especially in the R26) with lots of turbo whistle at anything below full throttle and then the "jet" type noise at full throttle.

Completely changed the car for me and no need to pay for an aftermarket exhaust. It does, of course, reduce on practicality but that's a price worth paying.

[LuS1fer]

I was tempted by one of these but a nice one is around £4k and above. Liquid Yellow ones are even more.

I think time has been very kind to the design which still looks sharp and certainly better than the current blob.