Goodbye STI, Hello Renaultsport - Liquid Yellow R26 Megane
Discussion
Well last weekend was a busy one. I spent all day Saturday getting my Impreza ready to be collected at 7:30am Sunday morning!
Sale done and dusted, I then left for Dartford with the girlfriend to go and view/buy my new car.
As you can see it's a Liquid Yellow R26 Megane. 66k miles, FSH, stacks of receipts and the bodywork and interior are absolutely mint condition.
First pic of the car next to the girlfriends DC5 before we headed for home.
It's got a few subtle mods done to it already and to be honest bar possibly a remap there's nothing I feel the car needs.
Current mods are
Cooksport lowering springs
Short shifter
Silicone intake and boost hoses with uprated clamps
Pioneer double din head unit
R26.R clutch and single mass flywheel
Centre box removed from exhaust
Airbox mod with uprated panel filter.
Considering I've bought this as something cheaper to run than the Impreza while I'm in money saving mode I'm really starting to love this car already. It feels more than quick enough even with 100bhp less than the Scoob, actually feels a bit more fun to drive when it gets twisty and handles unbelievably well. Easily as good as if not even better than my old DC5.
And a couple of pics as soon as it arrived home. Will get more posted at the weekend.
Sale done and dusted, I then left for Dartford with the girlfriend to go and view/buy my new car.
As you can see it's a Liquid Yellow R26 Megane. 66k miles, FSH, stacks of receipts and the bodywork and interior are absolutely mint condition.
First pic of the car next to the girlfriends DC5 before we headed for home.
It's got a few subtle mods done to it already and to be honest bar possibly a remap there's nothing I feel the car needs.
Current mods are
Cooksport lowering springs
Short shifter
Silicone intake and boost hoses with uprated clamps
Pioneer double din head unit
R26.R clutch and single mass flywheel
Centre box removed from exhaust
Airbox mod with uprated panel filter.
Considering I've bought this as something cheaper to run than the Impreza while I'm in money saving mode I'm really starting to love this car already. It feels more than quick enough even with 100bhp less than the Scoob, actually feels a bit more fun to drive when it gets twisty and handles unbelievably well. Easily as good as if not even better than my old DC5.
And a couple of pics as soon as it arrived home. Will get more posted at the weekend.
plenty said:
You have good taste in cars, sir.
Why thank you good sir, always nice when someone agrees for a change 
Mind you, that Porsche in your profile is on my want list of cars.
mazdajason said:
Sad to see your Scooby go, I sent my mate the link in the hope he would buy it but you've found another willing buyer. Got a unique set of wheels planned for the R26?
I'll miss it but at least I can say I've done it now. Thas the one car I've gone pretty big on when it comes to mods etc. I'm aiming to keep this one pretty much as it is, it's a fairly sensible daily/fun car so no big plans other than enjoy it and maybe a remap in the future. Exterior will be staying as is on this one sadly, I pretty much like them as they are.
Though if a set of Speedline Turini'scame up at the right price I may be tempted....
adamwri said:
Looking at these two myself (R26 and STI) so would be interested in a decent comparison between the two. I think it's looking likely that the STI pips it - as you can they say it's one that you've done.
Standard vs standard there doesn't feel like a huge amount in them to be honest. The Impreza goes about things in a very old skool manner, to have fun in it you've really got to take it by the scruff of the neck and push it hard... Which soon gets you into licence losing territory. Add power to that and that only increases obviously. I'm impressed with the Megane massively though so far, it's handling feels sharper, turn in is definitely sharper of the 2 cars. Even with standard power it's not lacking in grunt even coming from the Subaru if I'm honest, it uses what it's got very very well. Don't get me wrong come rain/bad weather then it's a complete one horse race but in the dry it'd be very close until you got a decent straight bit in front of you.
The Megane so far feels like it takes the best bits of my DC5, handling, response, steering feel also, grin factor at relatively normal speeds and adds in the extra grunt similar to my old VXR and the Vauxhall's day to day comfort and cruisabity on long trips with some added Subaru style yobbery in the way it stands out, looks pretty aggressive and it's controls all fall easily to hand.
For a car I just fancied as a cheaper to run replacement (maybe :hehe) I'm genuinely impressed.
It's definitely an itch worth scratching. For the noise and stupid grip levels alone it's worth it.
Knowing what I know now I'd have searched out a wide track version for the extra cash I spent and had the DCCD diff. They can be a tad understeery as standard so having the option to send some power to the rear would've been a good thing to have.
Knowing what I know now I'd have searched out a wide track version for the extra cash I spent and had the DCCD diff. They can be a tad understeery as standard so having the option to send some power to the rear would've been a good thing to have.
I haven't said anything about the different being open/locked. Simple that I'd buy a DCCD car next because of the option to have more rear bias.
Anyway that's my old car, there's already a thread on that one.
First small upgrade has been ordered tonight, some Pioneer TS-Q 131C door speakers. The standard items are utterly appalling and these are Renault specific so a nice easy straight swap, in theory anyway. I think I might look at having an underseat active sub in the car again to add some bass. Had one in the Impreza but just couldn't be bothered to take it out.
Anyway that's my old car, there's already a thread on that one.
First small upgrade has been ordered tonight, some Pioneer TS-Q 131C door speakers. The standard items are utterly appalling and these are Renault specific so a nice easy straight swap, in theory anyway. I think I might look at having an underseat active sub in the car again to add some bass. Had one in the Impreza but just couldn't be bothered to take it out.
rb5er said:
Quite a nice downgrade but I heard they can be a bit problematic. Will it really be cheaper to run?
Some bits can be expensive to do but so far this week it's averaged 27-28mpg with some hard drving and long routes home from work. The Impreza was at very best doing low 20'a on a sreadyish drive to work. My route is all b roads and hills so nothing will be amazing but 25-30 miles a day it makes the difference. Plus I'm not going to modify this car in anything like the way the Subaru was, so using mostly man maths it's a cheap to run daily
Insurance is a wedge cheaper, cars nicer to drive as well to be honest, and although not as quick proving to be more fun. And have a wedge of cash left over from selling the Impreza is a nice side bonus. Plus it's not likely to cost me 10 grand in the next 2 years which is pretty much bang on what the Subaru has done. And wheels, front lip, sideskirts, exhaust and remap aside it's pretty much all been stuff that needed to be fixed or replaced. For a standard car wit a stack of history and receipts when I bought it it's hardly been the model of reliability they're made out to be. It's good but I don't think I'd have another one if I'm honest.
It was this or an E46 M3 and it appears you can't get a nice one of those for less than 12k anymore and as I'm in cash saving mode spunking a wedge to have the BM didn't seem like a great idea.
It was this or an E46 M3 and it appears you can't get a nice one of those for less than 12k anymore and as I'm in cash saving mode spunking a wedge to have the BM didn't seem like a great idea.
Fuel part is more a bonus saving, the 5k plus engine rebuild was the big cost. Came apart to do the bearings, crank needed grinding which isn't recommended so new crank, pistons weren't at their best so they got replaced etc etc etc. Did the clutch and flywheel while it was apart, new oil pump, water pump belts. The list just gets bigger as you're going.
I kept going because I loved the car but I need to save a house deposit, half of that's covered now with the money freed up from selling it.
I've got into mountain biking more recently and it's a nice positive I can just thrown the bike in the back if I can't be arsed to put the carrier on the roof at 7am on a Sunday morning.
I kept going because I loved the car but I need to save a house deposit, half of that's covered now with the money freed up from selling it.
I've got into mountain biking more recently and it's a nice positive I can just thrown the bike in the back if I can't be arsed to put the carrier on the roof at 7am on a Sunday morning.
Just a wee small update over the weekend. The logbook arrived Friday so I've swapped my private plate onto the car this weekend, complete with shorter height front number plate that fits snugly into the recess in the front bumper.
Also given the car it's first proper clean today, washed, polished, waxed, windows done, engine bay given a quick going over etc and managed to get a few more pics of it once it was done. Oh and the obligatory PH smiley is now on the car.
A couple of interior shots complete with my Guy Martin Racing Snapon seat cover.
And as it received a few positive comments a few extra pics and spec on the GF's DC5. It was a fresh import car into the country last year arriving with the kit and different set of 18inch work wheels that looked good but weighed more than the moon and a set of HKS coilovers, one of which snapped! just before Christmas last year. Current spec of the car is -
Full INGS+1 bodykit
949 Racing 17 inch wheels
Mugen style rear wing
BC racing coilovers
DC Sports catback exhaust
Pioneer double din headunit
LED taillights
Also given the car it's first proper clean today, washed, polished, waxed, windows done, engine bay given a quick going over etc and managed to get a few more pics of it once it was done. Oh and the obligatory PH smiley is now on the car.
A couple of interior shots complete with my Guy Martin Racing Snapon seat cover.
And as it received a few positive comments a few extra pics and spec on the GF's DC5. It was a fresh import car into the country last year arriving with the kit and different set of 18inch work wheels that looked good but weighed more than the moon and a set of HKS coilovers, one of which snapped! just before Christmas last year. Current spec of the car is -
Full INGS+1 bodykit
949 Racing 17 inch wheels
Mugen style rear wing
BC racing coilovers
DC Sports catback exhaust
Pioneer double din headunit
LED taillights
I encouraged the Mugen wing, and the wheels just something I really like about them. Fortunately she thought the same....
There is one thing I've noticed now after a few quick blasts in it, I'm genuinely convinced that standard vs standard there's very little if anything between the Megane and the STI. Wet weather will be a different matter though I'm sure.
just something I really like about them. Fortunately she thought the same.... There is one thing I've noticed now after a few quick blasts in it, I'm genuinely convinced that standard vs standard there's very little if anything between the Megane and the STI. Wet weather will be a different matter though I'm sure.
Just a quick update, the new door speakers gave arrived today so they've gone in this afternoon. I managed to discover why the drivers door spraker seemed to be broken, it just wasn't there the new speakers are an absolute doddle to fit though, 2 screws and as they're Renault specific they just clip into the existing connectors.
All in all for 70 quid I'm pretty pleased, good improvement in sound quality especially for the cost and sheer ease of fitment.
Half done after 10 minutes...
Just a simple connector...
I just need an active underseat sub now for that bit extra bass and to let take some work away from just the door speakers.
the new speakers are an absolute doddle to fit though, 2 screws and as they're Renault specific they just clip into the existing connectors. All in all for 70 quid I'm pretty pleased, good improvement in sound quality especially for the cost and sheer ease of fitment.
Half done after 10 minutes...
Just a simple connector...
I just need an active underseat sub now for that bit extra bass and to let take some work away from just the door speakers.
Just a quick update really, took the car to it's first PHSS at the weekend, and in my rush to get my name down didn't even notice that there was track time, having a quick session around Silverstone would've been quite good fun.... But the car did bump into one of it's more hardcore family members...
I have ordered one small upgrade this week, after seeing the difference spacers made to the looks of the R26.R I've ordered some 10mm front and 18mm rear spacers which should be going on tomorrow afternoon all being well. Other than that I'm just enjoying driving the car the moment, nice to drive just going to work and back day to day but huge fun when I'm in the mood for a spot of hooning.
I have ordered one small upgrade this week, after seeing the difference spacers made to the looks of the R26.R I've ordered some 10mm front and 18mm rear spacers which should be going on tomorrow afternoon all being well. Other than that I'm just enjoying driving the car the moment, nice to drive just going to work and back day to day but huge fun when I'm in the mood for a spot of hooning.
It's averaging around the 28-30 mark day to day. Until the blast round Wales it was showing 28.9 on the computer, that was over 2 weeks normal driving and a bit of a blast here and there. The 200 miles or so going to wales and back at a good pace bought that down to 25. something after 3 weeks since then it's back up to 27 average over about 1000 miles.
A full tank will do me 2 weeks now going to work and back and it's about 65quid to fill it, the Impreza used 50quid in a week.....
after 3 weeks since then it's back up to 27 average over about 1000 miles. A full tank will do me 2 weeks now going to work and back and it's about 65quid to fill it, the Impreza used 50quid in a week.....
Just a quick update, ordered some spacers from Pure Motorsport (10mm front and 18mm rear) this week and they're now on after some faffing about and then being told that that the rear hubnut caps need to be removed for them to sit properly on the hub. Excuse the car being dirty, Rally GB on Friday and then being out all day yesterday has meant I haven't had time to wash it.
Before
After
Only other thing to report is that the rear discs and pads are due to be replaced this week, at a frankly horrific £174 from Renault Parts Direct, I dread to think how much they'd be from a Renault main stealer. Could do with getting some new Brembo high carbon front discs in the near future but they aren't in particularly desperate need just yet.
Before
After
Only other thing to report is that the rear discs and pads are due to be replaced this week, at a frankly horrific £174 from Renault Parts Direct, I dread to think how much they'd be from a Renault main stealer. Could do with getting some new Brembo high carbon front discs in the near future but they aren't in particularly desperate need just yet.
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