Goodbye Clio 197 hello Megane 275 trophy
Discussion
So after 4 years I've decided it's time to part with my 197 (not least because it's cost me in the region of 10-11k in the last year to keep it going) yes that's nearly 4 times what it's worth as a 100k miler
Windscreen wipers packed in a few days ago and I stopped in a local to work Renault garage to wait out the rain and get a price/check it was the motor (turned out to be seized linkage having killed the motor)
Parked up by the sales door was a gorgeous LY 275 trophy. Fully kitted out (ex Renault. I'm aware it was a press car, I've seen the video lol)
One test drive later and I'm hooked (I'd been half heartedly looking for the right megane since July last year)
Went home, did my sims and they all worked out, sorted insurance and next day signed all the paperwork and she is mine. Now just the wait until Friday, work schedule
, to retrieve her and hand in my Clio (must say I'm surprised at what I was given for trade in for her, didn't expect as high a figure)
I wanted to go as new as possible as I'll probably end up keeping it for 4-6 years. Depreciation wasn't a massive factor but having 3 years and some months left on warranty and 2 years and some months before its first MOT was great peace of mind considering what I've put up with with the Clio. Tax was cheaper, mpg is better so cheaper fuel, insurance was near enough the same. Even the gopping 19s (I would have preferred 18s) aren't to bad. I spend similar price wise on my clios rubber.
Anyway some pictures
Here is the outgoing 197. Beautiful car that's put many smiles on my face. Loved the rarity factor of the sunroof too.
The new 275
Wil have a lot more pictures once she is in my possession on Friday.
Windscreen wipers packed in a few days ago and I stopped in a local to work Renault garage to wait out the rain and get a price/check it was the motor (turned out to be seized linkage having killed the motor)
Parked up by the sales door was a gorgeous LY 275 trophy. Fully kitted out (ex Renault. I'm aware it was a press car, I've seen the video lol)
One test drive later and I'm hooked (I'd been half heartedly looking for the right megane since July last year)
Went home, did my sims and they all worked out, sorted insurance and next day signed all the paperwork and she is mine. Now just the wait until Friday, work schedule
, to retrieve her and hand in my Clio (must say I'm surprised at what I was given for trade in for her, didn't expect as high a figure) I wanted to go as new as possible as I'll probably end up keeping it for 4-6 years. Depreciation wasn't a massive factor but having 3 years and some months left on warranty and 2 years and some months before its first MOT was great peace of mind considering what I've put up with with the Clio. Tax was cheaper, mpg is better so cheaper fuel, insurance was near enough the same. Even the gopping 19s (I would have preferred 18s) aren't to bad. I spend similar price wise on my clios rubber.
Anyway some pictures
Here is the outgoing 197. Beautiful car that's put many smiles on my face. Loved the rarity factor of the sunroof too.
The new 275
Wil have a lot more pictures once she is in my possession on Friday.
Edited by LovelyTia on Monday 4th May 19:59
Yeah sentimental attachment goes a long long way (it was in for a repair to something every month). The repair this month was the straw that broke the camels back.
I could have paid off half the cost of the megane over the last year. Something for me to consider next time the bills start to mount up.
Off the top of my head it's head 2x driveshafts and needs the drivers one doing again. New exhaust manifold, it's third set of alloys (because pot holes buckle them like crisp wrappers apparently) fuel pump, wiper motor, arm linkage, steering rack, various sensors, alternator, indicator stalk, had a partial respray by back passenger wheel arch, front suspension, universal joint. There's more but I'll be buggered if I can remember without looking through its folder with all the receipts.
I could have paid off half the cost of the megane over the last year. Something for me to consider next time the bills start to mount up.
Off the top of my head it's head 2x driveshafts and needs the drivers one doing again. New exhaust manifold, it's third set of alloys (because pot holes buckle them like crisp wrappers apparently) fuel pump, wiper motor, arm linkage, steering rack, various sensors, alternator, indicator stalk, had a partial respray by back passenger wheel arch, front suspension, universal joint. There's more but I'll be buggered if I can remember without looking through its folder with all the receipts.
Edited by LovelyTia on Sunday 3rd May 21:02
LovelyTia said:
Yeah sentimental attachment goes a long long way (it was in for a repair to something every month). The repair this month was the straw that broke the camels back.
I could have paid off half the cost of the megane over the last year. Something for me to consider next time the bills start to mount up.
Off the top of my head it's head 2x driveshafts and needs the drivers one doing again. New exhaust manifold, it's third set of alloys (because pot holes buckle them like crisp wrappers apparently) fuel pump, wiper motor, arm linkage, steering rack, various sensors, alternator, indicator stalk, had a partial respray by back passenger wheel arch, front suspension, universal joint. There's more but I'll be buggered if I can remember without looking through its folder with all the receipts.
Jesus. I thought I was a sucker for a French chariot! That car is like triggers broom!I could have paid off half the cost of the megane over the last year. Something for me to consider next time the bills start to mount up.
Off the top of my head it's head 2x driveshafts and needs the drivers one doing again. New exhaust manifold, it's third set of alloys (because pot holes buckle them like crisp wrappers apparently) fuel pump, wiper motor, arm linkage, steering rack, various sensors, alternator, indicator stalk, had a partial respray by back passenger wheel arch, front suspension, universal joint. There's more but I'll be buggered if I can remember without looking through its folder with all the receipts.
Edited by LovelyTia on Sunday 3rd May 21:02
I chopped in my 172 at Christmas way past it's sell by date. Probably 3 years too late but once you start spending silly money it's hard not to justify keeping it because you know it's history. My 172 is currently on autotrader as the highest mileage in the uk but it was a great car. It cost £1400 to get it through the mot before last. I chopped it in with 2 weeks mot left.
There is a black 197 in a garage near me. I'm kind of put off it now!
Good luck with the new one.
Don't be. I had 3 wonderful trouble free years with it and before me it was 3 years of the same. It's the last year and a bit and 15k that's been the killer.
That was me too. I know this car, this'll be the last repair it'll need. I finally saw the error of my ways but the next owner will probably have no problems with it now!
I see you learned your lesson then. Rather then wait to see if it fails get ahead of it.
That was me too. I know this car, this'll be the last repair it'll need. I finally saw the error of my ways but the next owner will probably have no problems with it now!
I see you learned your lesson then. Rather then wait to see if it fails get ahead of it.
Edited by LovelyTia on Monday 4th May 19:58
Err.... SNAP!
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/NATA4Rlo[/url][url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/AIH4KqJd[/url]
9000 miles in and loving it just as I loved its predecessor 265 Trophy (No 30 if anyone knows it )
The remap thats just been done has it a little over 300 bhp. The Ohlins are easy to play around with and very classy. no bottoming out when compared to a regular 265 in Wales on a run. Tyres make a big difference. I passed on the Michelin Cups and had it with the Bridgestones but the fronts were replaced with MPSS and the difference is dramatic.
More playing with the set up to come. Only downside is the grill in the front bumper offers virtually no protection for the intercooler which is very beaten up already. Really need a finer mesh to protect it.
[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/NATA4Rlo[/url][url]|http://thumbsnap.com/AIH4KqJd[/url]9000 miles in and loving it just as I loved its predecessor 265 Trophy (No 30 if anyone knows it )
The remap thats just been done has it a little over 300 bhp. The Ohlins are easy to play around with and very classy. no bottoming out when compared to a regular 265 in Wales on a run. Tyres make a big difference. I passed on the Michelin Cups and had it with the Bridgestones but the fronts were replaced with MPSS and the difference is dramatic.
More playing with the set up to come. Only downside is the grill in the front bumper offers virtually no protection for the intercooler which is very beaten up already. Really need a finer mesh to protect it.
I have bridgestones on mine. Pretty good tyres.
They do look identical and sound like the same spec too. Mines a 14 plate though. I'm not remapping mine till it's out of warranty and I have less points in my licence.
That doesn't surprise me. First thing I said to the salesperson was have you had any facelifted megs in with intercooler problems yet? Its like a large open goal really. Just have to keep an eye on it.
Mines number 006
Yeah I've been on 197.net since I first got my 197 so I'm not surprised you've seen it on there. It's a great forum and I learnt so much from there.
They do look identical and sound like the same spec too. Mines a 14 plate though. I'm not remapping mine till it's out of warranty and I have less points in my licence.
That doesn't surprise me. First thing I said to the salesperson was have you had any facelifted megs in with intercooler problems yet? Its like a large open goal really. Just have to keep an eye on it.
Mines number 006
Yeah I've been on 197.net since I first got my 197 so I'm not surprised you've seen it on there. It's a great forum and I learnt so much from there.
Edited by LovelyTia on Sunday 17th May 19:37
LovelyTia said:
I have bridgestones on mine. Pretty good tyres.
They do look identical and sound like the same spec too. Mines a 14 plate though. I'm not remapping mine till it's out of warranty and I have less points in my licence.
That doesn't surprise me. First thing I said to the salesperson was have you had any facelifted megs in with intercooler problems yet? Its like a large open goal really. Just have to keep an eye on it.
Mines number 006
Yeah I've been on 197.net since I first got my 197 so I'm not surprised you've seen it on there. It's a great forum and I learnt so much from there.
The Michelin is really massively better than the Bridgestone. The difference with just the front axle was substantial making the car grip harder and turn in sharper but rear grip was comparatively reduced on the Bridgestones.They do look identical and sound like the same spec too. Mines a 14 plate though. I'm not remapping mine till it's out of warranty and I have less points in my licence.
That doesn't surprise me. First thing I said to the salesperson was have you had any facelifted megs in with intercooler problems yet? Its like a large open goal really. Just have to keep an eye on it.
Mines number 006
Yeah I've been on 197.net since I first got my 197 so I'm not surprised you've seen it on there. It's a great forum and I learnt so much from there.
Edited by LovelyTia on Sunday 17th May 19:37
so it was a little tail happy. But I recently swapped them over front/rear again and it changed the balance back gain confirming the difference. Soon as the Bridgestones are done the Supersports are on.
LovelyTia said:
I have bridgestones on mine. Pretty good tyres.
They do look identical and sound like the same spec too. Mines a 14 plate though. I'm not remapping mine till it's out of warranty and I have less points in my licence.
That doesn't surprise me. First thing I said to the salesperson was have you had any facelifted megs in with intercooler problems yet? Its like a large open goal really. Just have to keep an eye on it.
Mines number 006
Yeah I've been on 197.net since I first got my 197 so I'm not surprised you've seen it on there. It's a great forum and I learnt so much from there.
Try having an "open goal" like this one!They do look identical and sound like the same spec too. Mines a 14 plate though. I'm not remapping mine till it's out of warranty and I have less points in my licence.
That doesn't surprise me. First thing I said to the salesperson was have you had any facelifted megs in with intercooler problems yet? Its like a large open goal really. Just have to keep an eye on it.
Mines number 006
Yeah I've been on 197.net since I first got my 197 so I'm not surprised you've seen it on there. It's a great forum and I learnt so much from there.
Edited by LovelyTia on Sunday 17th May 19:37
As for tyres, both of these are on Yokohama AD08, I want to try the Pilot Sport Cup 2s but don't think they come im 17s for the EVO
Edited by don logan on Sunday 17th May 22:26
Edited by don logan on Sunday 17th May 22:48
That's a daily large hole there.
My clio pretty much always ran contisports 3/5 the 5s were very good imo but the 3s weren't great for the money.
Also ran federal rsr and thought they were brilliant tyres, allowed me to push the clio that little bit more and the grip was great. Even ran them when we got caught out by snow one year and never had issue getting stucknor sliding about.
Gonna be a while until I need a tyre change for the Megane but I'm going to be doing a bit of shopping around as I've noticed every so often the back tyres have 'squealed' and I've managed to spin the fronts a few times, when not even accelerating hard.
Still think the Bridgestone are good tyres though. Would I pay for them? Maybe not, at least on the Megane but it takes me a few changes to find tyres that feel right to me.
My clio pretty much always ran contisports 3/5 the 5s were very good imo but the 3s weren't great for the money.
Also ran federal rsr and thought they were brilliant tyres, allowed me to push the clio that little bit more and the grip was great. Even ran them when we got caught out by snow one year and never had issue getting stucknor sliding about.
Gonna be a while until I need a tyre change for the Megane but I'm going to be doing a bit of shopping around as I've noticed every so often the back tyres have 'squealed' and I've managed to spin the fronts a few times, when not even accelerating hard.
Still think the Bridgestone are good tyres though. Would I pay for them? Maybe not, at least on the Megane but it takes me a few changes to find tyres that feel right to me.
LovelyTia said:
That's a daily large hole there.
My clio pretty much always ran contisports 3/5 the 5s were very good imo but the 3s weren't great for the money.
Also ran federal rsr and thought they were brilliant tyres, allowed me to push the clio that little bit more and the grip was great. Even ran them when we got caught out by snow one year and never had issue getting stucknor sliding about.
Gonna be a while until I need a tyre change for the Megane but I'm going to be doing a bit of shopping around as I've noticed every so often the back tyres have 'squealed' and I've managed to spin the fronts a few times, when not even accelerating hard.
Still think the Bridgestone are good tyres though. Would I pay for them? Maybe not, at least on the Megane but it takes me a few changes to find tyres that feel right to me.
It is a "daily" massive gaping hole! :-)My clio pretty much always ran contisports 3/5 the 5s were very good imo but the 3s weren't great for the money.
Also ran federal rsr and thought they were brilliant tyres, allowed me to push the clio that little bit more and the grip was great. Even ran them when we got caught out by snow one year and never had issue getting stucknor sliding about.
Gonna be a while until I need a tyre change for the Megane but I'm going to be doing a bit of shopping around as I've noticed every so often the back tyres have 'squealed' and I've managed to spin the fronts a few times, when not even accelerating hard.
Still think the Bridgestone are good tyres though. Would I pay for them? Maybe not, at least on the Megane but it takes me a few changes to find tyres that feel right to me.
One thing that really muders an intercooler is a powerful jetwash so mine never gets it directly!
I know what you mean about trying different tyres but your car needs to be at it's best in order for it to truly shine, it's with the best tyres that your Megane is something extraordinary!
On the Clio front, I've been using Toyo T1R on my 182 for a long time which have been very impressive but wouldn't have them on my Megane
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