RE: Renaultsport Megane 250 - The PHers verdict
Discussion
Garlick said:
This time we acted on that and invited neutrals, and still we get it wrong 
Of course...this is PH! 
More than that, it was a rather cool freebie that most people weren't picked for...so our usual majority-verdict (=mob-rule) would suggest you were always going to get it wrong!
Personally I'm just miffed that I didn't get to play, but that's my problem not PH's.Some good and some not-so-good write-ups, but interesting overall...and I like the way it's been presented. Oh...and googling Rupert Massey comes up with some interesting results, although sadly none that look related to our new compadre...
Dooshbag said:
stuartrav said:
I am intrigued, who is Rupert Massey?
http://www.pistonheads.com/subsite/megane/tests.as...... but then again??
Well, this is the moment some of you have clearly been waiting for! and most of you will be bitterly disappointed about. Yes, this is the real Rupert Massey, the one in the video I promise. Not one of those from a Google search either!
I am indeed NOT an employee of Renault and have no link to the company whatsoever. To be able to take part in the super day that Renault and PH made available, all I did was to do what all the other contestants did and I got really lucky.
Now for the bit where you can slate me. I'm a Police Officer based in London, and not a traffic one, but one that comes and sorts all your problems out so please keep the screams of abuse down to a low roar.
Anyway now you are all clued up and no doubt bored to tears I will leave you to whatever you get up to. Finally, I must just say a final thanks to all those that attended:- Chris, Neil, Richard, Tony, AJ and most of all Paul and all the clan at PH for the great experience.
I am indeed NOT an employee of Renault and have no link to the company whatsoever. To be able to take part in the super day that Renault and PH made available, all I did was to do what all the other contestants did and I got really lucky.
Now for the bit where you can slate me. I'm a Police Officer based in London, and not a traffic one, but one that comes and sorts all your problems out so please keep the screams of abuse down to a low roar.
Anyway now you are all clued up and no doubt bored to tears I will leave you to whatever you get up to. Finally, I must just say a final thanks to all those that attended:- Chris, Neil, Richard, Tony, AJ and most of all Paul and all the clan at PH for the great experience.
Hello Rupert, and welcome (you jammy b****r!
)!One word of advice...don't go in the SP&L forum without some sort of backup (or at least a stiff drink!)...there can be a certain dissatisfaction shown with "The Police" from time-to-time (usually about twice a day), although oddly most individual coppers seem to be deemed as "OK"!
Anyway, what I'm saying is if you do wander in there don't take some of the sh't personally...
After having driven the new RS and an R26R recently I would say this has some pretty big shoes to fill fun wise. I was never a great fan of the previous shape megane, mainly because it wasn't all that eye pleasing, but when I got behind the wheel of the stripped out 'on speed' version I quickly forgot all that, I wonder if this could ever live up to that on track...
And then I drove the RS, and for me that is the benchmark now for hot hatches, I felt it could do it all, and was fairly pleasing to look at all the while, still hats off to Renault for churning out these hardcore hatches, more than can be said for pug.
I must get out there and drive one of these
And then I drove the RS, and for me that is the benchmark now for hot hatches, I felt it could do it all, and was fairly pleasing to look at all the while, still hats off to Renault for churning out these hardcore hatches, more than can be said for pug.
I must get out there and drive one of these
Edited by okgo on Wednesday 17th March 16:00
Garlick said:
It does sound good in 'real life' though, especially under load.
I wonder why this car doesn't get as much public/ PH excitement as the Focus RS? It's easily as good and just as affordable. Very odd.
Ford have always been the "working man's" brand, particularly in the SE. They're also perceived as 'British', which makes a difference. Renault by contrast have the multiple handicaps of:-I wonder why this car doesn't get as much public/ PH excitement as the Focus RS? It's easily as good and just as affordable. Very odd.
- being French (the old enemy)
- being of 'challenging' looks (at least until now...Clio Williams was probably the last 'looker' in their hot-hatch lineup)
- having a reputation for shoddy build (for some reason people will overlook that in Fords)
- having even more disinterested sales-people than Ford!
havoc said:
Ford have always been the "working man's" brand, particularly in the SE. They're also perceived as 'British', which makes a difference. Renault by contrast have the multiple handicaps of:-
- being French (the old enemy)
- being of 'challenging' looks (at least until now...Clio Williams was probably the last 'looker' in their hot-hatch lineup)
- having a reputation for shoddy build (for some reason people will overlook that in Fords)
- having even more disinterested sales-people than Ford!
Ford are perceived as British? News to me.- being French (the old enemy)
- being of 'challenging' looks (at least until now...Clio Williams was probably the last 'looker' in their hot-hatch lineup)
- having a reputation for shoddy build (for some reason people will overlook that in Fords)
- having even more disinterested sales-people than Ford!
As for Renault, I'm not sure I'd agree on them not being lookers. Now, granted, the Clio 200 to a slightly lesser to degree, the Twingo 133 are both pretty damn ugly, but IMO the Clio 182 was as good or better looking than its rivals of the time, the old Megane wasn't exactly ugly, and this new 250 looks better in the flesh than in pictures, and is possibly one of their best yet, looks very squat in real life.
Build quality wise, Renault have improved in recent times. My 182 had a fair few niggles, but the later cars are much better built. Same could be said of Ford mind, but as you say, I think both leave a little to be desired in that area.
As for the dealers, can't say I've got much experience there, so I'll take your word for it
havoc said:
Garlick said:
It does sound good in 'real life' though, especially under load.
I wonder why this car doesn't get as much public/ PH excitement as the Focus RS? It's easily as good and just as affordable. Very odd.
Ford have always been the "working man's" brand, particularly in the SE. They're also perceived as 'British', which makes a difference. Renault by contrast have the multiple handicaps of:-I wonder why this car doesn't get as much public/ PH excitement as the Focus RS? It's easily as good and just as affordable. Very odd.
- being French (the old enemy)
- being of 'challenging' looks (at least until now...Clio Williams was probably the last 'looker' in their hot-hatch lineup)
- having a reputation for shoddy build (for some reason people will overlook that in Fords)
- having even more disinterested sales-people than Ford!
Perhaps it is simply down to manufacturer perception?
Garlick said:
Perhaps it is simply down to manufacturer perception?
I reckon that's a big part of it.
I'd also suggest Ford's marketing dep't in the UK are rather more active...
Equally...has the Golf-R received substantially any different amount of press to the Megane-250? Same ball-park, surely (even if more £££).
I think the Ford got a lot of press because of the 300bhp hype that surrounded it and the comparisons to the old Escort Cosworth. It's similar to how the Ford Revo-Knuckle is well known for allowing high power FWD cars, what is lesser known (except on here) is that it was a Renault design.
Ford are often perceived as British and I guess to an extent they partly are. Wasn't the Focus developed in Britain, at least I'm pretty certain the MK1 was, unsure about the MK2. I think a lot of design and development is done here for the European spec cars. Ofcourse it is an American company, but the European side of things is something we're heavily involved in*
Ford are often perceived as British and I guess to an extent they partly are. Wasn't the Focus developed in Britain, at least I'm pretty certain the MK1 was, unsure about the MK2. I think a lot of design and development is done here for the European spec cars. Ofcourse it is an American company, but the European side of things is something we're heavily involved in*
- NOTE: Possible bulls
t on my part, vague memories of articles read long ago. Apologies if incorrect, I know little about Ford and their workings.
Garlick said:
It does sound good in 'real life' though, especially under load.
I wonder why this car doesn't get as much public/ PH excitement as the Focus RS? It's easily as good and just as affordable. Very odd.
In terms of the general public I think it's fair to say:I wonder why this car doesn't get as much public/ PH excitement as the Focus RS? It's easily as good and just as affordable. Very odd.
1. Less BHP
2. Less in your face
3. Received less media attention and so more of an unknown
Iv'e never heard one in the flesh but I doubt it's anywhere near as good as an RS, or possibly even the ST.
Edited by Buzzkill on Thursday 18th March 00:41
Garlick said:
Doesn't sound as good no, but it looks just as good in my opinion and puts it's power down better too.
I agree, though it's not a bad sound.Looks IMHO a lot better than the RS which is just too in your face and boy racer for my liking and the main reason I could never bring myself to buy one. I've not driven an RS to compare but the Megane is certainly no slouch.
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