2007 Renaultsport Megane 230 F1 Team R26
Discussion
Picked up my Renaultsport Megane 230 F1 Team R26 last week (will be referred to as "R26", due to the ridiculously long title..) and is pretty much my 1st car that, i think at least, is worthy of a readers cars post.
I've come from a list of smaller engined french hatches which have been oodles of fun, but nothing that has felt quite like this.
We've actually hung on to my Peugeot 206 so SWMBO can learn to drive - I'm 2nd owner and have had it since 20k miles. Its on 97k miles now and still going strong!
I'll be honest, I've never really been into modifying or looking after cosmetics of cars. Mainly just keeping them running nice and comfortably. I don't think the modifying side of things will change too much, but I'd really like to start to understand the finer points of keeping the R26 looking as good as it drives.
Anyway, the car. (Apologies in advance for poor pics, I don't own a decent camera and I've been busy driving rather than cleaning it!).
- 62k miles on the clock
- FSH
- New (unbranded) tyres on the front, part worn on the rear
- Nearly new standard disks and pads all round
- Few small marks / chips in the paint here and there as to be expected.
Spec:
- 1998cc 16V turbo, 227bhp @ 5500rpm, 229 lb ft @ 3000rpm
- Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive, limited slip differential
- 6.1 sec 0-62mph, 147mph
- 1355kg
1 by the northern monkey, on Flickr
2 by the northern monkey, on Flickr
3 by the northern monkey, on Flickr
No plans as such at the moment, off to Devon for a check over and service at the end of the month to give me chance to spot any niggles. Crappy tyres are ok for the time being, will be changed for something more suitable post service. Need the air con regassed and I picked up a small chip in the windscreen yesterday so will get the window people out.
Thats all, for now at least!
Cheers,
Ben
I've come from a list of smaller engined french hatches which have been oodles of fun, but nothing that has felt quite like this.
We've actually hung on to my Peugeot 206 so SWMBO can learn to drive - I'm 2nd owner and have had it since 20k miles. Its on 97k miles now and still going strong!
I'll be honest, I've never really been into modifying or looking after cosmetics of cars. Mainly just keeping them running nice and comfortably. I don't think the modifying side of things will change too much, but I'd really like to start to understand the finer points of keeping the R26 looking as good as it drives.
Anyway, the car. (Apologies in advance for poor pics, I don't own a decent camera and I've been busy driving rather than cleaning it!).
- 62k miles on the clock
- FSH
- New (unbranded) tyres on the front, part worn on the rear
- Nearly new standard disks and pads all round
- Few small marks / chips in the paint here and there as to be expected.
Spec:
- 1998cc 16V turbo, 227bhp @ 5500rpm, 229 lb ft @ 3000rpm
- Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive, limited slip differential
- 6.1 sec 0-62mph, 147mph
- 1355kg
1 by the northern monkey, on Flickr2 by the northern monkey, on Flickr3 by the northern monkey, on FlickrNo plans as such at the moment, off to Devon for a check over and service at the end of the month to give me chance to spot any niggles. Crappy tyres are ok for the time being, will be changed for something more suitable post service. Need the air con regassed and I picked up a small chip in the windscreen yesterday so will get the window people out.
Thats all, for now at least!
Cheers,
Ben
Edited by North3rn Monk3y on Sunday 7th June 12:11
Edited by North3rn Monk3y on Sunday 7th June 13:03
Edited by North3rn Monk3y on Friday 11th August 20:22
Yup a F4RT... goes like stink too!
Specialist found already, hence driving to Devon (from South Wales) for a service.
Will have to get used to the harder ride and still adjusting the Recaro's, but even with the pants tyres its incredibly planted and stable in corners. Turn in is exceptional!
Got some standard fitted mats on the way now, had some halfords things in there which I chucked after about 2mins..
Specialist found already, hence driving to Devon (from South Wales) for a service.
Will have to get used to the harder ride and still adjusting the Recaro's, but even with the pants tyres its incredibly planted and stable in corners. Turn in is exceptional!
Got some standard fitted mats on the way now, had some halfords things in there which I chucked after about 2mins..
Cheers 
Its definetely fun!
Come across a few minor niggles which I'll slowly get sorted.
Need to get the balancing checked on the front, may just be the crapy tyres but get a bit of vibration at 70 on the mway.
Also, noticed I have one or 2 leaky rocker cover bolts. Its a known issue, but nothing serious. Seems to be a design flaw in that oil can seep up the cam cover threads due to them not being properly sealed from the factory. The only way to fix involves the timing belt (and most people seem to leave it until the timing belt is due) but luckily I'm dropping it in for the timing belt at the end of the month.
Started to clean up the engine bay tonight as there was some muck and dried oil on the cam covers, also gives me chance to monitor any leakage. Still a bit of work to do, but looks miles better (should have taken a before picture really).
4 by the northern monkey, on Flickr
Its definetely fun!
Come across a few minor niggles which I'll slowly get sorted.
Need to get the balancing checked on the front, may just be the crapy tyres but get a bit of vibration at 70 on the mway.
Also, noticed I have one or 2 leaky rocker cover bolts. Its a known issue, but nothing serious. Seems to be a design flaw in that oil can seep up the cam cover threads due to them not being properly sealed from the factory. The only way to fix involves the timing belt (and most people seem to leave it until the timing belt is due) but luckily I'm dropping it in for the timing belt at the end of the month.
Started to clean up the engine bay tonight as there was some muck and dried oil on the cam covers, also gives me chance to monitor any leakage. Still a bit of work to do, but looks miles better (should have taken a before picture really).
4 by the northern monkey, on FlickrEdited by North3rn Monk3y on Friday 11th August 20:22
Renaultsport fitted mats installed...
5 by the northern monkey, on Flickr
Big question though, what colour PH sticker? I wanted the french flag LM one, but its black so probably won't stand out
5 by the northern monkey, on FlickrBig question though, what colour PH sticker? I wanted the french flag LM one, but its black so probably won't stand out
Edited by North3rn Monk3y on Friday 11th August 20:22
Had the car a few weeks now, tallying up a few niggles / annoyances.
The clutch pedal seemed to "catch" when being released and after a bit of poking around, the plastic clip holding the clutch master cylinder to the pedal was clearly worn and the reason for the issue. Took it to a local garage, who have changed it out for me. Luckily, all covered under warranty, which is great as it now means the warranty has paid for itself and I'm £100 up!
While it was in, I also had the tracking and balancing done on all 4 wheels. While the tyres will be changed asap, the vibration was very annoying.. got told the tracking was well out, wouldn't be surprised if its never been looked at! Feels like a different car now!
Also noticed I need some new wheel arch liners on the front, both sides have cracks and bits missing, so that will be an eBay hunt I think.
The clutch pedal seemed to "catch" when being released and after a bit of poking around, the plastic clip holding the clutch master cylinder to the pedal was clearly worn and the reason for the issue. Took it to a local garage, who have changed it out for me. Luckily, all covered under warranty, which is great as it now means the warranty has paid for itself and I'm £100 up!
While it was in, I also had the tracking and balancing done on all 4 wheels. While the tyres will be changed asap, the vibration was very annoying.. got told the tracking was well out, wouldn't be surprised if its never been looked at! Feels like a different car now!
Also noticed I need some new wheel arch liners on the front, both sides have cracks and bits missing, so that will be an eBay hunt I think.
Great car, I actually miss mine. Only car I have ever owned that mad me sliding out of the drivers seat before the front end lost grip!
I stuck a K&N panel filter in mine and it did run smoother, managed to gain a couple of mpg as well.
Only word of warning would be the cambelt, the change can be quite expensive. Mine had a full history from Renault so when I dropped it in their for the change they tried to relieve me of nearly £1400.
I stuck a K&N panel filter in mine and it did run smoother, managed to gain a couple of mpg as well.
Only word of warning would be the cambelt, the change can be quite expensive. Mine had a full history from Renault so when I dropped it in their for the change they tried to relieve me of nearly £1400.
Yeah cambelt is already on my mind and is being done on payday for peace of mind..
Had a few quotes, ranging from "not a fecking chance" to £500
Had a quote locally of £700, which included all pulleys, belts, water pump and any other bits they could possibly think of, so is a worst case scenario. Other quotes have been belts and water pump only and are obviously cheaper. Think I'm going to go with the local garage for convenience + the fact I trust their judgement!
No work on the Megane today, apart from thinking about PH sticker location. Have ben changing the brake pads on SWMBO's 206 while avoiding the rain!
Had a few quotes, ranging from "not a fecking chance" to £500
Had a quote locally of £700, which included all pulleys, belts, water pump and any other bits they could possibly think of, so is a worst case scenario. Other quotes have been belts and water pump only and are obviously cheaper. Think I'm going to go with the local garage for convenience + the fact I trust their judgement!
No work on the Megane today, apart from thinking about PH sticker location. Have ben changing the brake pads on SWMBO's 206 while avoiding the rain!
Edited by North3rn Monk3y on Sunday 21st June 13:21
North3rn Monk3y said:
Yeah cambelt is already on my mind and is being done on payday for peace of mind..
Had a few quotes, ranging from "not a fecking chance" to £500
Had a quote locally of £700, which included all pulleys, belts, water pump and any other bits they could possibly think of, so is a worst case scenario. Other quotes have been belts and water pump only and are obviously cheaper. Think I'm going to go with the local garage for convenience + the fact I trust their judgement!
No work on the Megane today, apart from thinking about PH sticker location. Have ben changing the brake pads on SWMBO's 206 while avoiding the rain!
Take it to a specialist, the chance of a "local garage" not timing it up right are very high. Had a few quotes, ranging from "not a fecking chance" to £500
Had a quote locally of £700, which included all pulleys, belts, water pump and any other bits they could possibly think of, so is a worst case scenario. Other quotes have been belts and water pump only and are obviously cheaper. Think I'm going to go with the local garage for convenience + the fact I trust their judgement!
No work on the Megane today, apart from thinking about PH sticker location. Have ben changing the brake pads on SWMBO's 206 while avoiding the rain!
Edited by North3rn Monk3y on Sunday 21st June 13:21
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