Megane RS model/option/pack differences

[mischmaster]

I'm new to the French world (well, I do still own a Saxo VTS but that's another story) and am finding the Megane RS model/pack/option differences rather confusing.

Potentially considering a Trophy amongst other cars (Golf GTI Clubsport 40, etc) but looking online I'm really not clear what these cars come with as standard, what the added options are, how they compare to the cup, and so on. Is anyone able to break this down?

If my understanding is correct, the Trophy is the top of the range, exclusive model, with the lovely Alcantara bucket seats and steering wheel, LSD as standard, uprated chassis, Ohlins suspension, akra exhaust.

Is the above correct? How do they differ from the cup? I also see 250, 265 and 275 thrown about, what are the differences other than the power - is this age related, and was the Trophy I'm referring to just available from 2015-2016?

Finally, how does the latest RS 300 Trophy compare to the previous 275 gen? I do prefer manual for engagement, and also not a massive fan of 5 doors for a hot hatch, but curious to know how much they have moved on as all I hear is "the Megane RS is the best hot hatch money can buy" when reading reviews. Also considering the GTI Clubsport 40 as I much prefer going for something rare and exclusive, as opposed to the Golf R for example - so how the two compare will be interesting. Really i need to get out and drive a couple but there aren't many of either cars about.

Cheers

[mischmaster]

vaderface said:

Wife has just bought a mk4 300 Trophy, i have a mk3 250 cup.
Looks subjective so ill leave that out. Depending on what your after, If it was just driving pleasure I would go 250/ 265 cup.
The 300 Trophy has 4 wheel control and feels a bit twitchy to me, the 250/ 265 handles more controlled in my opinion.
Both have Lsd.
The interior and spec on the 300 Trophy is a lot better than the 250. The touch screen is Very distracting tho!!
If i had to pick just one i,d go for the 300 as a daily as its a nicer place to be, the 300 also is a fair bit louder but if you want a blast i,d go for a 250/ 265.
Whatever you go for have a look here.
https://www.performanceonly.co.uk/stocklist
Well known in Renault circles.

edit, the gearbox on the 300 is a bit notchy, if that is even a word
But i would say the build quality is a lot better on the 300 Trophy.

Edited by vaderface on Tuesday 2nd April 19:15

Thanks - really useful. I need to try both the MK3 and MK4 Trophy's back to back I think. I quite fancy a Trophy of either model as I do like going for something more exclusive. I haven't driven a FWD hatch for quite some time, both of my current cars are 4WD. Is the torque an issue in your cup, does it ever cause you issues in the wet, and do you find that the MK4 puts the power down much better being 4WD?

Good to know about PerformanceOnly as I had come across them when briefly looking on eBay so if they are well rated in the Renault circles that is positive news.

RS_MAN_CHILD said:

Trophy R MK4 RS has the Akra exhaust as standard otherwise its an expensive after market purchase! (£6.2K for the full Trophy R system or £3.8K for the lesser Akra system - both made out of Titanium hence the high costs). From what you posted it seems like your more interested in the MK3 RS range (although MK4 RS is the ultimate edition really its a long way ahead of the MK3 RS IMO). Best you go on the facebook groups that's where all the RS Megane owners frequent! Few visit here! For MK4 there are several different models; Trophy R, Trophy 300, Sport 300, Cup 280 not enough room here for the differences! Just buy whatever one you can afford they are all amazing! Not many t choose from either only 332 (32 Trophy R) ish ever made it to the UK so your choices will be determined by that anyway with regards to colour & spec its not like you have a massive selection of used RS to choose from! Personally I would avoid the manual as too much torque means some need expensive repairs! EDC Trophy or Sport 300 is the best option for a quiet low bills experience!

Not considering the Trophy R - I don't want to spend £40k on a Megane
Was more trying to understand the differences between the standard Trophy, and the other models offered such as the Cup and the Nav.

I'll have a look on some of the Facebook groups. I need to get out and drive a MK3 and MK4 back to back, preferably the Trophy editions of each.

When you say avoid manual, are you specifically referring to the MK4? Am I right in saying the MK3 was manual only and the MK4 was offered in both manual and auto?

[mischmaster]

vaderface said:

Yeah PerformanceOnly know their Renaults, I have nothing to do with them BTW. Just have a look at their sold page, plenty on there.
Just so ive not misunderstood the MK4 isnt 4WD, its 4 wheel steer.
As suggested have a look through Megane groups on Facebook. Loads of knowledge on there.
I would say the wifes 300 Trophy does torque steer more than than my RS250, And yes the MK3 was only manual as far as I know, The MK4 is both manual / auto. My preference is manual so cant comment on the EDC box.
Try them both and enjoy!

Thanks for your help, will get out and test drive some!

RS_MAN_CHILD said:

£40K for a Trophy R will be the best £40K you ever spent in your life mate!

Manual boxes on Mk3 or MK4 are prone to expensive failures! £2-3K plus range! All that torque means when drivers mis time gear changes it eventually breaks something as they are not that strong to begin with!

The MK4 EDC Trophy 300 or EDC Sport 300 has 420nm of torque. The manual MK4 only have 400nm of torque! highest MK3 has 360nm of torque. Do your research its unlikely you get a manual which has not been thrashed or unintentionally had gearbox abuse is it as they stopped making MK4 Manuals about 3 years ago now! & MK3 even longer around 2016 I believe!

EDC is awesome it has a dual wet clutch (DW6) for seamless changes plus you can still use it in manual mode with the steering wheel F1 style paddle shifters!
https://www.eco-torque.co.uk/renault-edc-dct

Ah, French cars and chocolate gearboxes! I thought those days were behind me with the Saxo.
It's a shame the MK3 especially has manual gearbox issues as there's no auto alternative. The build quality and problems like this are the only thing putting me off the Megane as a whole to be honest. I've always owned VAG cars, hence my other consideration of the MK7 GTI Clubsport. But it feels no matter how hard VW try to make a 'competitor' to a fast French hatch, they fall short in terms of handling and outright raw performance. Pros and cons I guess.

I'll try and test drive both a manual and auto of the new gen, and a manual of the old gen too so I can do some back to back comparisons. Cheers

Zarco said:

250/265/275 is the power output in PS (rather than BHP).

I think the only thing a Mk3 Trophy will have exclusively over a 'normal' Megane is alcantre steering wheel and Recaro trim. You can get Ohlins and Recaro seats as options on all 265/275.

For me the essential options are Recaro (lifts the interior IMO) and Cup suspension (so you have the LSD). I prefer the 18" wheels over 19" too. Akro exhaust is just more noise (take your parcel shelf out if you want to hear the exhaust!).

I have Ohlins but they aren't a massive upgrade over the Cup suspension IMO. I've run both. One thing to bear in mind with the Ohlins is they need to be rebuilt after around 20-30k miles.

Gearboxes are an issue, but only because of a bad batch of bearings during manufacture I think. I've had my 2016 275 since 1yr old/6k miles. Gearbox was replaced under warranty at approx 20k. I've still got it on nearly 70k and no issues with the 'box.

I've toyed with the idea of getting a Mk4, but tbh when I finally get rid of my 275 it will be for something very different (a weekend car and a daily most likely). That and the battery, fuel pump, and 4 wheel steer put me off. It's never been as well received as the Mk2 and Mk3.

Thanks - great info!

I do love the Alcantara wheel and Recaro trim - something extra special about them.
Interesting to know that the seats and Ohlins can be spec'd on the other models though.

Yeah agreed the LSD is key. So is the LSD only available on Cup and Trophy variants, or could this be spec'd too?
How can such a reputable brand like Ohlins only last 20-30k miles, that is just crazy. I also own an RS4 and lots of owners fit Ohlins and rave about them. Maybe the Megane variant is not as high quality or it's a chassis issue causing it - but that's a terrible lifespan.

Interesting re your comments on the MK4. All subjective I guess as other comments I've read have said they are a step up compared to the MK3. I prefer a lot about the MK3 if I'm honest (prior to driving either), but it sounds like finding a non-abused version with no suspension or gearbox issues in Trophy format is not going to be an easy task.