RE: Renault Megane RS250: Spotted
Thursday 21st April 2016
We all know that in 2008 Renaultsport set a high standard with the Megane R26.R. That was such an achievement for the French brand that its replacement would always struggle to reach such heady heights. Yet from its release the Megane III Renaultsport has been considered the best car on track among the hot hatch group, outperforming its always-strong competitors. We rated it highly enough to pitch against the more powerful and more expensive BMW M135i in fact. Could a FWD, four-cylinder Renault challenge the almighty rear-wheel drive six-cylinder BMW? Yes, it really could. Though perhaps not as accommodating or versatile as the BMW, the Renault was certainly the more exciting driver's car.
Alright, so it's not the most practical hot hatch...There are many factors that make the Megane great, and they're worth repeating. The chassis is brilliant, with the limited-slip diff in the Cup-equipped cars providing incredible levels of traction out of corners. It is most definitely one of those vehicles that gets better the harder you push it, and its engine allows that. The 2.0-litre turbo under its bonnet develops 250hp in this early car, more still than a new Golf GTI. Offering only a manual gearbox always appealed too, and that seem unlikely in the next Megane RS.
A set of 18s away from full purist specialThe third-generation Megane RS offered a driving experience that not much else at that price (£23,935) could match. But what if today you could get this car for a smaller amount? There are many deals out there, but probably not as good as the red RS250 Cup seen here, which could be yours for just £10,750. The cambelt has recently been changed, the condition is good and the red ones are fastest, right? Some may prefer the additional luxury of a 'full-fat' Megane with the Cup pack on a regular model, but for full purist kudos this is the one to have.
Renaultsport Megane 250: Spotted
Still the best hot hatch for track, now available at just £10K
Alright, so it's not the most practical hot hatch...
On the negative side, it could be argued that is not the best everyday car. It works brilliantly at high commitment levels, but it's far from the most comfortable hot hatch out there. The exhaust sound from the turbo was never as good as on its smaller brother, the Clio III RS, either. The back seats can also be claustrophobic but this is a driver's car, remember; who cares about passengers?
A set of 18s away from full purist special
Car enthusiasts should not ignore the opportunity, especially at a time when Renaultsport aims to broaden the appeal of the future generations. Is this the last enthusiast-oriented Megane RS?
RENAULT MEGANE RS250
Engine: 1,998cc, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive, limited-slip differential
Power (hp): 250@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 251@3,000rpm
MPG: 34
CO2: 190g/km
First registered: 2010
Recorded mileage: 57,800
Price new: £22,995
Yours for: £10,995
See the original advert here
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[Nacho Salvador]
Discussion
That looks like a lot of car for the money. I seriously considered one of these instead of the Fiesta ST and was only put off by the fact that the economy was likely to be significantly lower than the ST which, sadly, ruled it out at that time.
However, if it's anywhere near as good as my old R26 was (and I know it's supposed to be even better) then I'm sure it would be great fun.
However, if it's anywhere near as good as my old R26 was (and I know it's supposed to be even better) then I'm sure it would be great fun.
BaronVonVaderham said:
"Renaultsport aims to broaden the appeal of the future generations"
This is a tragedy. They should stick to what they know and keep building drivers cars as opposed to trying to compete with VAG lifestyle products.
I read the 200EDC has outsold the Clio 200, yet Ive seen three on the road in the last 3 years where as I see 197/200s frequently. This is a tragedy. They should stick to what they know and keep building drivers cars as opposed to trying to compete with VAG lifestyle products.
MikeGoodwin said:
I read the 200EDC has outsold the Clio 200,
As have I, so it seems that they were successful in making a car with broader appeal, even though sadly it's not a patch on the 197/200 in terms of being special or a drivers car or suitably different from the cooking versions.They'll probably make a Renaultsport diesel crossover/suv next
I absolutely love mine. Had it for 6 months now and has been perfect.
Coming from a clio 200 to the megane was a nice move, it's fun like the clio and also a bit more composed over bumpy roads with loads of extra power. The occasional pops and bangs from the exhaust are good fun too!
I can see me enjoying it for many more years!
Coming from a clio 200 to the megane was a nice move, it's fun like the clio and also a bit more composed over bumpy roads with loads of extra power. The occasional pops and bangs from the exhaust are good fun too!
I can see me enjoying it for many more years!
BaronVonVaderham said:
"Renaultsport aims to broaden the appeal of the future generations"
This is a tragedy. They should stick to what they know and keep building drivers cars as opposed to trying to compete with VAG lifestyle products.
Agreed. And I'm genuinely afraid they'll ruin the next Mégane RS.This is a tragedy. They should stick to what they know and keep building drivers cars as opposed to trying to compete with VAG lifestyle products.
MikeGoodwin said:
BaronVonVaderham said:
"Renaultsport aims to broaden the appeal of the future generations"
This is a tragedy. They should stick to what they know and keep building drivers cars as opposed to trying to compete with VAG lifestyle products.
I read the 200EDC has outsold the Clio 200, yet Ive seen three on the road in the last 3 years where as I see 197/200s frequently. This is a tragedy. They should stick to what they know and keep building drivers cars as opposed to trying to compete with VAG lifestyle products.
Is the Megane RS250 the best driver's car out there for £10k? I can't think of much that'll top it - Boxster S, Clio 182 Trophy, DC2 Integra Type-R
It's a perfectly usable car to daily. Of course it's no Lexus LS, but it's still a comfy enough car to daily drive. It's one of very few cars that feel turbocharged, but pull like a b
d right until the limiter cuts in, there's no boost drop off, and in the higher rev range, it sounds absolutely fantastic!
The later 265/275's have an RS button on the dash that upped the output from 250ps in normal mode, to 265/275ps in sport mode.
Have a picture of my RS265 Cup.
d right until the limiter cuts in, there's no boost drop off, and in the higher rev range, it sounds absolutely fantastic! The later 265/275's have an RS button on the dash that upped the output from 250ps in normal mode, to 265/275ps in sport mode.
Have a picture of my RS265 Cup.
Brilliant drivers car and definitely great value for money. Loved mine and enjoyed one of the best driving holidays I have had around the highlands and islands. Sadly some tealeaf also loved it :-(
Just an observation on the ride. I had the 19" wheels with the cup chassis, it was a harsh ride on poorer surfaces and I did consciously avoid potholes when driving it. However my son's 275 had 18" wheels on a cup chassis, that was a much better ride and the handling was better to IMO
Just an observation on the ride. I had the 19" wheels with the cup chassis, it was a harsh ride on poorer surfaces and I did consciously avoid potholes when driving it. However my son's 275 had 18" wheels on a cup chassis, that was a much better ride and the handling was better to IMO
Blanchimont said:
It's a perfectly usable car to daily. Of course it's no Lexus LS, but it's still a comfy enough car to daily drive. It's one of very few cars that feel turbocharged, but pull like a bd right until the limiter cuts in, there's no boost drop off, and in the higher rev range, it sounds absolutely fantastic!
The later 265/275's have an RS button on the dash that upped the output from 250ps in normal mode, to 265/275ps in sport mode.
Have a picture of my RS265 Cup.
The 250 had the button too. While power was unchanged, it sharpened up the throttle and engine response in the same way it does in the newer cars. I could only ever get my car to pop in Sport mode. It felt much stronger and would only pop and bang when sport was engaged.d right until the limiter cuts in, there's no boost drop off, and in the higher rev range, it sounds absolutely fantastic! The later 265/275's have an RS button on the dash that upped the output from 250ps in normal mode, to 265/275ps in sport mode.
Have a picture of my RS265 Cup.
framerateuk said:
The 250 had the button too. While power was unchanged, it sharpened up the throttle and engine response in the same way it does in the newer cars. I could only ever get my car to pop in Sport mode. It felt much stronger and would only pop and bang when sport was engaged.
Same as mine, it'll only pop and bang on the overrun in sport mode, I think it retards the timing. I do keep looking at fruity exhausts.
MikeGoodwin said:
Can you not turn that silly beeping off when its time to upshift?
Nope. You don't really notice it on the road (and don't you kinda want to know when you're about to hit the limiter?).If you've got the RS Monitor option (a MUST with this car), then you can set how many RPM before the limiter it beeps at. I always found the beep really useful on trackdays.
framerateuk said:
Nope. You don't really notice it on the road (and don't you kinda want to know when you're about to hit the limiter?).
If you've got the RS Monitor option and Recaros (a MUST with this car), then you can set how many RPM before the limiter it beeps at. I always found the beep really useful on trackdays.
EFA If you've got the RS Monitor option and Recaros (a MUST with this car), then you can set how many RPM before the limiter it beeps at. I always found the beep really useful on trackdays.
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