Megane 250 Cup vs Z4 3.0 vs S2000 vs 350z

[DUBS73P]

Thinking about changing my Meg 250 Cup for one of the above

Initially i was just looking to get an FN2 but gone off that idea now as its just a bit too pedestrian compared to my meg, and doesnt really offer anything different other than 100bhp less (mines running 300bhp)

So the only change i can think of is going away from a hatchback, it only needs to fit one passenger daily and golf clubs at the weekend so dont need anything massive

Would you make the change from the Megane to one of these? Budget is upto whatever i get for mine so about 12.5k

I have been offered an S2k for 8.5k with 54k on the clock mint condition, enthusiast owned also comes with hard top

Ive had renault sports for the last 5 years so time for something different i think, 2 182s, 200cup, R26 and the 250cup

[DUBS73P]

Well I test drove the s2k and it is absolutley lovely, doesn't feel as gutless low down as some say, but does get a little flat mid range, but the noise when you hit vtec with the top down is just awesome

And I made sure my clubs fit in the boot lol

I do really want to test a z4 still, soft top or coupe both look the dogs and obviously more powerful and more torque (si model)

The one thing that's putting me of the 350z is that my best mate had one, and it was modified so well, I'd be disappointed with anything less (and he wrote his off so can't buy it from him)

And as an added bonus to all this, because the s2k is so expensive to insure, it made me look around a bit and can now insure it for 480, instead of my company wanting 1099, it's also cheaper than I pay for the meg to at 590, the z4 is slightly cheaper still

[DUBS73P]

Another update

Test drove the z4 today, the car itself was in pretty bad condition, but my goodness is that engine beautiful, I really didn't care that it was less powerful than my Meg, it was jus so beautifully smooth and the engine pulled all the way through the revs, much nicer than turbo imo

The car felt much bigger than the s2k but the Honda definitely feels in a different class of handling even in sport mode on the bmw, not much worse than my Meg, just not as sharp as the s2k. Wouldn't really say the interior quality is any different between the two, just the Honda seems more cramped with all the dials and controls right by the driver

The 350z is now out of the running I think as they both are such good cars and between the 2 offer everything I want, so now it's just choosing between them

The s2k will be 8 k and realistically its gonna cost 10k for a nice 3.0si

[DUBS73P]

The s2k really wasn't that bad just town driving, it's just as comfy as the z4 imo, the word bit in the Honda is the flat spot in between pooling and trying to push on,

The z4 has effortless power non stop

I was considering the z4m until I drove the si today, I don't think I need it and it's not worth all the extra costs involved

I think I do prefer the z4 overall, but this s2k that I have been offered is so good for the money I could own it for a year and pretty much guarantee not loosing a penny,

[DUBS73P]

S2000 has been purchased.


Just couldn't ignore such a bargain, realistically the Z4 was going to cost 2k more minimum to get the spec i wanted, and getting the Honda meant I didn't need to sell my meg first to afford it

Cant wait to pick t up on sunday

[DUBS73P]

There she is!

[DUBS73P]

Just given it it's first clean and polish after driving it all weekend and I'm really loving it so far.

I have to say about the meg, it was an absolute demon in a straight line 300bhp was amazing, the problem was, it was never really that fun imo.

I had the same experience with clios, the 182s I had were absolutely brilliant to drive, then I wanted something newer and bought the 200 cup, the magazines favourite for what seemed like years, but I just didn't get it, never felt alive or fun like the 182s it just felt more grown up and slower more family car like.

Then I had the r26 which was just as fun as the 182s but properly fast in the twistys, not much would give you that much confidence on the road, but it was built like st and I just couldn't deal with all the problems and sold after 8 months to get the 250, it was lovely to start with because of all that power, I felt like I could out run most things, but it was never much fun in the twisties imo again felt huge and more like a cruiser or family hatch with mega power.

The worst thing was seeing a friends 335i which he bought for the same money and it just seemed to do every thing better than the meg, faster, much better engine and noise, better cruiser and just as fun to have a hoon in. The meg had grown up and become a lap time showpiece but it's lost some of what made me buy Renault in the first place.

The s2000 is similar to the 182 in how much fun it is to drive, but has the power of the r26, and the reliability of a honda, I'm only 22 so I don't need the practicality of a hatch really, it just made it easier to chuck things in.

I don't think I really agree with what some say about the build quality of the s2k, definitely feels a step up from all the renaults I've owned and only slightly worse than the z4 I drove, definitely better than the 350z and all it's hard plastics.

[DUBS73P]

J4CKO said:

So you judge build quality on plastics nowadays ?

That's the main difference for me so yes, the z4 want miles ahead of the others but it was nicer overall

[DUBS73P]

rb5er said:

He doesn't understand meaning of build quality like 90% of people.

Feel free to define it then,

[DUBS73P]

rb5er said:

Build quality has very little to do with soft touch dashboard plastics although so many people seem to think that is the be all and end all of build quality, but then so few people know/care about what it actually means.

Build quality is about fit and finish, panel gaps, quality/longevity/resilience of components and materials and how well various materials/components are coupled together.

How a vehicle fares over time mechanically and from a bodywork/structural perspective are what defines real build quality. Does it come apart and go back together properly? Does everything continue to work properly and for how long? Are solder joints good to last for 20 years or until warranty is up? Do components fowl on bodywork? Will it suffer from structural issues? etc etc.

I Dont really see what you are arguing then, with all the things you just said, the Honda still fares very well in regards to build quality, the z4 might look more modern inside, but its certainly not any better build quality wise.

Im Sure most will agree the honda will beat most things in terms of reliability

I See this car as a fairly good investment, the megane is close to losing a fair amount of value if the r26 prices are anything to go by, and i dont want to be owning the car when this happens. The S2k will see me by the time and i'd imagine will still be worth just as much in a year or two as they become rarer, i'd never rule out getting another 250/265 because its still the best hot hatch of that generation from what i drove even if its not as much fun as the older renaults