Renault Clio 172 Cup/Megane R26: PH Fleet
Belts sorted and exhaust upgraded, Ben's enjoying life with his newest Renault hot hatch
I'll start off with the Megane, as that has been the most demanding of my time and money. Firstly, thanks to PHer 'HJMS123' for recommending Mark Black at Midlands Renault Specialists, as a trip to him saved me a small fortune. I had the common swivel bearing seizure, which I was anticipating at some point, so I booked myself in for a 360-mile round trip to get the bearings done; I had the belts replaced at the same time, in total saving me more than £500 compared to using local specialists in Kent.
That healthy saving paid for a shiny new Milltek exhaust system, which has made a nice addition both aesthetically and aurally. Despite being a non-resonated system, it's not much louder than standard (inside at least) when idling but picks up nicely and whooshes through the rev range. More importantly it doesn't boom or resonate on the motorway, which I wish I could say about the Clio. I'd been tempted to name the Megane Mickey Mouse with the amount of squeaks it had, but a can of lithium grease spray managed to rectify the noisy dash.
If I had to pick one thing that has impressed me most on the Megane, it would be the mechanical limited-slip differential. I've experienced the VW 'VAQ' system and most recently the brake nibbling traction control in my Mini GP, but it's the mechanical unit in the Megane that has impressed me most. So much so, in fact, that you have to allow extra room on the inside of a corner when turning in; the harder you accelerate into the corner, the harder the differential works to pull you into it and out the other side. It really is an incredible experience and one I won't be tiring of anytime soon!
Moving onto the little Clio, I must confess that I've barely driven it recently due to having a comfier car now to use on the road. I've picked up a cheap NB Mazda MX-5 1.8 for some summer motoring, so that's become my revvy fun car on the local country roads. I'm happy to say though that the Clio currently stands in third place in my class of the Javelin Trackdays Sprint Series, after the first two events at Snetterton and Blyton Park.
Following a damp outing at our Silverstone Sunday Service in March, I wasn't feeling comfortable with the Avon ZZS rubber I was running for my wet tyre, so I changed to a set of Uniroyal Rainsport 3s that a lot of track drivers rave about. Truth be told, I've had fun in the wet on track but I'm not particularly fast, which was apparent during a damp sprint at Blyton Park. With only one dry session in the morning, all of the pressure was on that run; the rain was coming in, so there was no chance of going faster. After I set my fastest time in the dry I just used the rest of my runs to get a feel for the tyres in the wet, which stood up well in the conditions.
Time will tell how well I can perform at a wet event, but driving in the rain in a competitive environment naturally adds more pressure than just being on a track day; it's a frustrating experience compared to being out in the dry, where I'm more confident to push harder. Otherwise I'm looking forward to trying out some new tracks this year; notably Cadwell Park in my sprint series, and Rockingham with Renaultsport.
Given how quickly I usually move on from one car to another, I'm quite impressed that I've been in Clios for two years now without a desire to change it for anything else. Saying that, I'm planning on parting ways with it later this year and combining funds with the yellow Renaultsport to get myself into the outgoing Megane in 250, 265 or 275 form. My ardent Renaultsport enthusiasm shows no signs of abating!
FACT SHEET
Car: 2002 Renault Clio 172 Cup
Run by: Ben Lowden
On fleet since: May 2016
Mileage: 35,238
Purchase price: £3,300
Last month at a glance: Not much doing with an MX-5 having arrived...
Previous reports:
Trophy out and Cup in as Ben changes Clios
Super Spa in Clio Cup!
Car: 2007 Renault Megane 230 F1 Edition
Run by: Ben Lowden
On fleet since: December 2016
Mileage: 76,351
Purchase price: £5,000
Last month at a glance: Megane man maths means more miles!
Previous reports:
Top banana! Ben adds another Renaultsport hot hatch to his fleet
[Lead photo: Michael Topham]
Sad to hear that the 172 isn't being used much. But, then again, that's the issue with the Cup versions; they are fairly hardcore! I'd love something more raw and basic as a daily, but i think a normal one would be more on the cards. The loss of the creature comforts would also annoy me, i reckon.
Surprised at the potential change into a 250/265/275, given it would mean the loss of both cars to fund it, but they are fantastic motors. Still very fun and involving but a fair bit more grunt while being slightly more grown up. I'd be more than happy to have one as my only car!
Sad to hear that the 172 isn't being used much. But, then again, that's the issue with the Cup versions; they are fairly hardcore! I'd love something more raw and basic as a daily, but i think a normal one would be more on the cards. The loss of the creature comforts would also annoy me, i reckon.
Surprised at the potential change into a 250/265/275, given it would mean the loss of both cars to fund it, but they are fantastic motors. Still very fun and involving but a fair bit more grunt while being slightly more grown up. I'd be more than happy to have one as my only car!
I see what you mean about combining the two, but I'm now running three cars with the MX-5 so getting back down to two will be a bit kinder on the wallet! And the R26 was always going to be a stepping stone up to a newer Megane, so it has always been part of the plan
I see what you mean about combining the two, but I'm now running three cars with the MX-5 so getting back down to two will be a bit kinder on the wallet! And the R26 was always going to be a stepping stone up to a newer Megane, so it has always been part of the plan
Sorry, completely forgot about the MX as the new edition! I've toyed with getting one myself but i've always been drawn to the Clio's alot more. It's natural progression i suppose, just like you said. They seem to be much more reliable, which is always a bonus in French ownership. I've always been put off the 225's for that reason and can't stretch the funds to an R26.
Lastly I bought a 6K Xenon HID kit for about £35, and it has transformed the woeful standard halogen bulbs. I think they're the worst headlights on any car I've ever owned! New fresher looking light from the OEM projector units below, much better than the dull yellow and thoroughly recommend this to anyone.
Before (halogen bulbs):
After (6K HID Xenon bulbs):
Also, my rattly dashboard is driving me insane! What exactly did you use and how to remedy it? I haven't really done any mods to mine yet apart from the obligatory seat runner decals and custom embroidered seat belt pads. Main money went on cambelt and water pump jobbie, shout out to Ren7oaks for a good and reasonably priced job.
I have in mind for the future a Kenwood double din screen with android auto for a bit of modernisation, a Ktec short shift and maybe an exhaust.
Loving the pics of the liquid yellow, I'm really starting to want that colour now - it was my first choice but I'm not sure I could live with it every day. Maybe we could swap - you go discreet and I'll go yellow!
Yeah, i'm aware that it's probably the biggest bill, especially all in one hit. I've been lurking that long now that i reckon i know most of the common problems anyway. It definitely pays to do your homework!
My wee beast always puts a smile on my face especially with more power than 1*2 !
Keep us updated with all you Renault Sport Antic's.
Also, my rattly dashboard is driving me insane! What exactly did you use and how to remedy it? I haven't really done any mods to mine yet apart from the obligatory seat runner decals and custom embroidered seat belt pads. Main money went on cambelt and water pump jobbie, shout out to Ren7oaks for a good and reasonably priced job.
If you've never had a Renaultsport car before, a cheap old Clio is a brilliant place to start, as parts are cheap and they're light on consumables for track days too. Running costs are more expensive on Meganes and they're heavier on tyres/brake pads, but I'm at the stage now where I've been in Clios for over two years and I'm ready to take the next step up. Time will tell if I miss the Clio or not when it goes!
I've sort of gone up and down in terms of stepping up - I went from a Mégane 250 to a Clio 182, then to a Clio 200, next came a Mégane 265 facelift, now currently a Mégane R26. The biggest difference between the R26 and 265 is without doubt the interior quality, dashboard and plastics. Not to mention lack of rattles. I'm finding the R26 more fun to drive from a pure driving perspective and there isn't much in it speed and handling wise as mine has been remapped to 250bhp but is a bit lighter than the 265's.
I think whichever Renaultsport car you buy it will leave a big smile on your face.
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