Owning a Renault Megane 230 F1 Cup?

[Big Tav]

Hi guys, I'm seriously considering buying a good R26 F1 Cup when I come over there. I know early Renault had issues but have most of these been fixed by now?
Is there any difference between the 07/08/09 models? or just by the best condition one I can?
Do they cost a lot to maintain/fix?
Is insurance ok?
Also what is the resale like? I might keep it for a year or 2 before going to something more expensive.

Cheers!

[Original Poster]

Good cars from what I know.

[ferrisbueller]

Big Tav said:

Is insurance ok?

This could be a problem. Check confused.com or similar for a ballpark figure.

[The Nur]

http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/

Ask these guys, they know their stuff

[matt frost]

The problem is, you have got mixed up between 2 different cars there. There is the R26 Megane or the R27 Clio (neither is a Cup but there is a 197 Cup also). The R27's didn't run upto 2009 so I am guessing that you are talking about the Megane.

Don't believe the rumours of French unreliability, if you get a relatively new one it will be very reliable, the RenaultSport's almost always are. The R26's are a great drive, fast, practical and basically just a more grown up Clio.

Insurance is obviously for you to check but it shouldn't be too bad for what it is and they are going for very reasonable prices now.

[5678]

I had a Megane R26 230 F1 for just over a year and 15k miles.... Loved every minute of it. Hugely competent car that will surprise a lot of people. Well built, class leading handling and not especially "rattley" even by French car standards!

If I hadn't wanted something a bit more luxurious then I would still have it. Would happily buy another one too.

[Arun_D]

Yep, great car, a supreme all-rounder. Really miss my R26 and '.R

[DR10]

From a friend's experience that had two in a row in the same colour (yes I know I did tell him...), pretty unreliable (at Renault for a few weeks with engine problems now and both went back for a few differing problems) and a naff feel soft feel to the gearbox. Still wouldn't say no though, just painting the broader picture.

[_Batty_]

copied from a few months ago:

i have an '04 plate 225 Lux.

good points:
silly quick on boost
tons of room for people and luggage
decent MPG (mid 30's)
well spec'd (keyless entry and go, climate, heated leather etc)
decent ride
decent brakes
looks

bad points
souless engine (no noise either)
Renualt dealers
pricey to service (basic oil and filter = £300)
poor feedback
utterly, utterly ste gearchange
looks.

I picked mine up sub £4k from a family member, but would only buy one once i'd test driven it.
a 225 with the non 'Cup' spec chassis is a bit of a something of nothing car, and certainly not a 'drivers' car. But as a quick commuting family car, its perfect.

things to look for:
Coil packs:-misfire
top engine mount:-vibrations through the cabin and pedals
clutch/dual mass flywheel:slipping clutch
window regulators:-windows drop/won't go up/down
front bumper fitment:-cr@p mounts means they drop

HTH

Matt

[Big Tav]

I'm not mixed up. I definitely am after the Megane R26 F1 Team (the top spec one other than the R). I have seen some have a LUX pack too. Not sure what that is though.

In Australia we call it the RenaultSport Megane R26 Team Cup F1.

Seem to be really good value for such such a performance car compared to buying a Focus ST or an Evo/WRX

[Alfa numeric]

I love mine- it's quiet when I want it to be, fast, handles great with the LSD and is big enough to take anything I throw at it. It's also been 100% reliable over almost 30k miles and as many months. An ex-work colleague had an ST and loved that too, but always moaned about the fuel consumption- where I'd be getting 28-30mpg he'd often struggle to better 25.

I'd keep it forever if it wasn't for the fact that my GF can't drive a manual....

[5678]

Big Tav said:

I'm not mixed up. I definitely am after the Megane R26 F1 Team (the top spec one other than the R). I have seen some have a LUX pack too. Not sure what that is though.

In Australia we call it the RenaultSport Megane R26 Team Cup F1.

Seem to be really good value for such such a performance car compared to buying a Focus ST or an Evo/WRX

Lux pack is full leather recaros and rear bench and auto dimming interior mirror. Make it a much nicer place to be.

[UncappedTag]

_Batty_ said:

silly quick on boost

HTH

Matt

never heard a 2.0T described in this way unless it was a Cossie tuned to within an inch of its life.

[Big Tav]

Can you get the BiXenons on these?

[ortontom]

I have one - had it for 3 months now and 7k miles in - very good..bit classic french and the clutch pedal broke after 4 days. But so far very nippy and it will churn miles and put a smile on your face.. Not sure what one is better, i just picked the cheapest with the lowest mileage... handles well on a track day too.....good value at the moment too.

[mitch78]

Big Tav said:

Can you get the BiXenons on these?

Yes you can.

My brother's had two of them and has had no trouble at all with either. They're great fun to drive and the LSD makes a huge difference to the turn-in.

[Big Tav]

Cool. One of these are definitely on my shopping list of potential cars.

[morgrp]

Ran an 07plate R26 F1 on and off for about a year - Performance is excellent but engine is completely void of character, They eat front tyres and do torque steer a bit esp as the tyre's get older. That said, the actual handling is great and the Brembo brakes superb, but then high powered FWD motors amuse me for some reason.
I find the F1 recaro seats are worse than the Renault sport items in the 225 and are sat too low in the car and lack side support. The interior is nothing special nor is the spec and although it has been mentioned already in the thread, the gear change is ste - the stick is about a foot long and the change is sloppy and poorly defined. Never had any problems as such but then it was a very new car when I used it. head lights are ste unless you have the bi-xenon option. Ride is harsh but nothing out of the ordinary for a hot hatch.

Not bad and look really quite striking in liquid yellow - mine was blue but always looked grubby for some reason... ah yeah thats right. its because it never got washed.

[Burrito]

I know it shouldn't really be a concern for a pertrolhead, but consider resale value and ease. I had a great deal of trouble selling my 225 this year. Zero interest. Ended up trading it in, so having to buy the replacement from a dealer, which I would have preferred not to do.

And before you say it, the car was priced at the bottom end of the spectrum for the age/mileage. Only cheaper cars were older/cat d/stellar miles.

I think this is because they're just not well known. Compared to an ST or Golf GTI, the man in the street wouldn't know it.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the ownership.

[sn00per]

Burrito said:

I think this is because they're just not well known. Compared to an ST or Golf GTI, the man in the street wouldn't know it.

It's because it's a Renault people avoid it.... shirley

Overpowered FWD is fun up to a point, until you realise there are better ways...