RE: Driven: Renaultsport Megane 265
Discussion
rustytools said:
I've got to agree, £24-26,000 for a Megane. Maybe I'm just tight and stuck in the past but way too dear for me new.
Out of interest what kind of price difference is there between the Megane and a top spec Renaultsport Clio nowdays?
New cars are expensive nowadays. How much is a Golf GTI?Out of interest what kind of price difference is there between the Megane and a top spec Renaultsport Clio nowdays?
Danny Milner said:
Just quoting the official figures from renaultsport. The same figures that were quoted for the 265 trophy:
"Compared to the previous model, the Renaultsport 265 boasts improved performance statistics, dispatching 0- 62mph in six seconds exactly (instead of 6.1), w ith a top speed of 158 mph, up by an extra 2 mph. In everyday driving, its 360Nm is usefully available across a broad rev band betw een 3,000 and 5,000rpm. Its impressive pow er-to-w eight ratio is also a hefty 191hp per tonne.
To achieve these gains, Renaultsport’s w izardry has seen the engine’s maximum turbo pressure uprated to 2.5 bar, up by 0.2, together w ith the air intake being revised to take account of the higher pressure and running temperatures."
Text taken from the press release.
I would guess its 2.5 total presure inc atmo = 1.5bar of boost in the midrage, probably dropping of to around 1 bar in the upper rev range. Otherwise it would probably make more power, and thats where the chiptuners come in, some nice overreving of the turbo "Compared to the previous model, the Renaultsport 265 boasts improved performance statistics, dispatching 0- 62mph in six seconds exactly (instead of 6.1), w ith a top speed of 158 mph, up by an extra 2 mph. In everyday driving, its 360Nm is usefully available across a broad rev band betw een 3,000 and 5,000rpm. Its impressive pow er-to-w eight ratio is also a hefty 191hp per tonne.
To achieve these gains, Renaultsport’s w izardry has seen the engine’s maximum turbo pressure uprated to 2.5 bar, up by 0.2, together w ith the air intake being revised to take account of the higher pressure and running temperatures."
Text taken from the press release.
dot1989 said:
LuS1fer said:
Dear, dear, look at that dumpy side profile. How anyone can say that is good-looking, completely eludes me. Usual "modern" slab sides and tiny glass area so no thank you.
In what way does that make this a bad car? It could look like s
te but still provide an amazing experience?Do you have a new mini on order?
You can explain your hilarious Mini allusion yourself because I can't see what it means except perhaps the Countryman and Coupe may have been struck by the same extraordinarliy large ugly stick.
BlackCup said:
Hi, i was just wondering what the peak speed was around Spa for the 265? I would love to drive that track one day it looks amazing in the video in HD!
Matt
The speedo was nudging 130 at the end of the Kemmel straight. Larger cojones than i own through Eau Rouge would definitely improve on that! You're right: it is a brilliant track. Such a great mix of corners and elevation changes. Matt
I love my 250.
Renault build quality has come a long way in the last few years. Interior quality is pretty good, I had my OBC screen die after 6 months but I'm the only person who seems to have had that issue. Other than that it's been excellent, and mechanically it hasn't missed a beat.
It's a hugely fast car on the road and on a track it just gives you so much confidence to push on. It's fun to drive too though, and doesn't feel like a heavy car at all, especially when you're getting the power on early coming out of bends!
Renault build quality has come a long way in the last few years. Interior quality is pretty good, I had my OBC screen die after 6 months but I'm the only person who seems to have had that issue. Other than that it's been excellent, and mechanically it hasn't missed a beat.
It's a hugely fast car on the road and on a track it just gives you so much confidence to push on. It's fun to drive too though, and doesn't feel like a heavy car at all, especially when you're getting the power on early coming out of bends!
framerateuk said:
I love my 250.
Renault build quality has come a long way in the last few years. Interior quality is pretty good, I had my OBC screen die after 6 months but I'm the only person who seems to have had that issue. Other than that it's been excellent, and mechanically it hasn't missed a beat.
It's a hugely fast car on the road and on a track it just gives you so much confidence to push on. It's fun to drive too though, and doesn't feel like a heavy car at all, especially when you're getting the power on early coming out of bends!
I do like the current shape Renaultsport Megane. If I was in the market for a daily driver/occasional track day car then the Megane would definitely get a look in Renault build quality has come a long way in the last few years. Interior quality is pretty good, I had my OBC screen die after 6 months but I'm the only person who seems to have had that issue. Other than that it's been excellent, and mechanically it hasn't missed a beat.
It's a hugely fast car on the road and on a track it just gives you so much confidence to push on. It's fun to drive too though, and doesn't feel like a heavy car at all, especially when you're getting the power on early coming out of bends!
1320kg and 265 bhp, thats a nice recipe, but I can not help wondering why they do make an all out bonkers version with say 300bhp, that would equate to a very fast missle indeed.. or why not do an RS500 Rival with 350 bhp, yes its a lot of power to handle in any FWD car, but come on, where but on a race track is that going to be an issue?
anything fast said:
1320kg and 265 bhp, thats a nice recipe, but I can not help wondering why they do make an all out bonkers version with say 300bhp, that would equate to a very fast missle indeed.. or why not do an RS500 Rival with 350 bhp, yes its a lot of power to handle in any FWD car, but come on, where but on a race track is that going to be an issue?
Thats not what R.Ss philosophy is,they once said better 100 kg less than 100 hp more,this Megane is fast enough,350 hp would just make it more complex and not enjoyable on track as it's a fwd,what they do is a 1230 kg version or less with a cage in the back ,suspension tweaks/chassis maximum grip,same unchanged hp output and there you have a supercar killer on track.I suspect they will never do this thought,they did it with the R26.r and even they sold it all the examples (worldwide) it was a commercial flop.
The only time I've felt mine has needed more power has been on tracks with short straights where passing isn't allowed through the corners (like Llandow).
Sometimes you wish you had that extra push just to get by when the person in front isn't so keen on having anyone pass them, especially when you're right up behind them in the braking zones and corners (which is something the car does soooo well! the brakes are absolutely fantastic, especially with some track pads on them.).
Sometimes you wish you had that extra push just to get by when the person in front isn't so keen on having anyone pass them, especially when you're right up behind them in the braking zones and corners (which is something the car does soooo well! the brakes are absolutely fantastic, especially with some track pads on them.).
mikey k said:
I'm contemplating one as my 25k miles/yr car (Recaros & Cup pack 
)
It will probably be a 1 year old 250 though as they are going to ~£18k!
Two questions for those that have driven/own them;
1) Is the build & material quality still bad? (My old 19 16V was bad
)
2) Is 15 BHP and a few more torques really going to make a difference? (I'd probably remap it anyway )
I have 58 plate R26 owned from new, now has 34k miles, including 6 track days, and has also been chipped (+ had bigger discs and better pads installed, for what it's worth!) )It will probably be a 1 year old 250 though as they are going to ~£18k!
Two questions for those that have driven/own them;
1) Is the build & material quality still bad? (My old 19 16V was bad
)2) Is 15 BHP and a few more torques really going to make a difference? (I'd probably remap it anyway
)Edited by mikey k on Monday 7th May 18:24
No issues reliability issues save for one oxygen sensor replaced under warranty, less problems than i've had with the Audi A5 that went before it.
Yes the dashboard creaks, but fairly well known on the R26 - and don't know of similiar issues on the new one, from my scan of megane forums at least.
So, based on first hand evidence, i can only assume either build quality is a myth or greatly exaggerated, or that quality stepped up for the last R26s... residuals are crap, although better for the glacier white/black wheel combo i have, happily!
I keep looking for a replacement option that blends ability to modify, to track, and to also commute/transport a toddler with comfort: only the BMW 1M coupe' comes close, but that's £40k+ and the new megane isn't. With the reviews of the Toubaru being a little underwhelming this is looking like best thing out for my requirements and budget. Looks a great car!
mikey k said:
I'm contemplating one as my 25k miles/yr car (Recaros & Cup pack )
It will probably be a 1 year old 250 though as they are going to ~£18k!
Two questions for those that have driven/own them;
1) Is the build & material quality still bad? (My old 19 16V was bad )
2) Is 15 BHP and a few more torques really going to make a difference? (I'd probably remap it anyway )
Since the launch of the 265 any renault dealers with existing stock of the 250 are doing really good deals )It will probably be a 1 year old 250 though as they are going to ~£18k!
Two questions for those that have driven/own them;
1) Is the build & material quality still bad? (My old 19 16V was bad
)2) Is 15 BHP and a few more torques really going to make a difference? (I'd probably remap it anyway
)Edited by mikey k on Monday 7th May 18:24
You can pick up a new 250 for around 21k, maybe less if you negotiate well
I love these cars and am lucky to live near Renault specialists K-tec, so if it was my money, I'd just buy a 250 Cup at about £16K and spend the £500 or so on a re-map.
People who knock it for being "dear" or "french" are just snobs...I see plenty of articles which highlight problems with german stuff, but havent read any major failings of Renaultsport models. For a new car, £26 buys a very quick piece of kit that will humble £50 models. I remember autocar running an article on the Millbrook alpine handling circuit a couple of years back. the 250 Cup split the RS5 and M3 on lap time. Says it all really, on british roads, its as fast as you will EVER need!
People who knock it for being "dear" or "french" are just snobs...I see plenty of articles which highlight problems with german stuff, but havent read any major failings of Renaultsport models. For a new car, £26 buys a very quick piece of kit that will humble £50 models. I remember autocar running an article on the Millbrook alpine handling circuit a couple of years back. the 250 Cup split the RS5 and M3 on lap time. Says it all really, on british roads, its as fast as you will EVER need!
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