RE: Renault launches 300hp Megane R.S. Trophy

[Jon_S_Rally]

the_stoat said:

I moved from a Megane R26 to a Golf R and I am not happy! The Golf is a completely different to RS products, RS makes playful cars and the Golf R is the opposite to this, sober and controlling as opposed to engaging and cheeky. I have never once just taken the Golf for a drive whereas the Megane would encourage you to take the scenic route home. It is my own fault, I bought the Golf based on hype as opposed to test driving it.

Totally understand this. I leased a Golf R for 12 months. Test drove a lot of hatches and, at the time, the speed and ability of the Golf won it for me (coupled with the decent deal) but, after a few months, I was bored. Never really drove it vaguely fast, never bothered with the paddles or with Race mode. It was replaced with a Megane 265 which, although not as good an all-rounder, was just 100 times better as a driver's car. For a hatchback, it felt pretty special. The steering was better, the engine had more character, it sounded better (especially with a mid box delete) and it just felt like a much more focused car. I get why people go for the Golf, as it is a very good all-rounder but, as a car to enjoy, it disappointed me really. If I wanted a fast, practical daily driver, I would consider it, but only if I had a toy in the garage for when I really wanted to drive for pleasure. If I had to choose one car that could do daily duties and raise a smile, I would definitely look elsewhere.

Hopefully this new Megane will offer a good balance. Hopefully get to drive one soon.

[Butter Face]

wab172uk said:

Butter Face said:

Blanchimont said:

wab172uk said:

That's it. The nearest Renault dealer to me that's allowed to sell this car is over 40min away.

It's not a special car. My local dealer who's 5 minutes away should be allowed to sell and service them.

This is the only thing that puts me off. I don't want to waste half a day driving back and forth just to get it serviced or have them look at something.

I understood that any dealer could sell you one, but the RS specialists had more available and oculd offer better service?

You are correct, any dealer can sell and service them. The RS Specialists are much more likely to actually have one though!

That contradicts what my local dealer said to me. Not allowed to sell. Has to be sold through Renault sport only dealerships. Think I might give them another ring.

Whether they choose to or not is their decision, they likely won't have a demo and likely won't give you much of a deal.

[Onehp]

Just an observation, we're three pages in and no complaints on the article or the personality of the writer...

[E65Ross]

the_stoat said:

Speed Badger said:

If you bought a Golf R, an RS Megane, Civic Type R or Hyundai I30N for example I reckon you would be happy and smiling in all of them.

I moved from a Megane R26 to a Golf R and I am not happy! The Golf is a completely different to RS products, RS makes playful cars and the Golf R is the opposite to this, sober and controlling as opposed to engaging and cheeky. I have never once just taken the Golf for a drive whereas the Megane would encourage you to take the scenic route home. It is my own fault, I bought the Golf based on hype as opposed to test driving it.

I was just reading your post thinking "surely you'd test drive a car this expensive before buying when they're pretty readily available"....then got to the end Sorry to hear that!

[E65Ross]

Onehp said:

Just an observation, we're three pages in and no complaints on the article or the personality of the writer...

I've noticed he's DEFINITELY toned the mumbling words down quite a lot!

[Didzz]

the_stoat said:

I moved from a Megane R26 to a Golf R and I am not happy! The Golf is a completely different to RS products, RS makes playful cars and the Golf R is the opposite to this, sober and controlling as opposed to engaging and cheeky. I have never once just taken the Golf for a drive whereas the Megane would encourage you to take the scenic route home. It is my own fault, I bought the Golf based on hype as opposed to test driving it.

Why don't you just sell it back then ?

[the_stoat]

Didzz said:

Why don't you just sell it back then ?

It is going soon, it has stayed until it is convenient for me to get rid of it. It is not a bad car, it is just dull.

[CrippsCorner]

Porsche911R said:

Cannot do 5 door hot hatch's !!!

Agree however we are a dying breed!

Love this thing from the front and rear, just looks a bit bland from the side (don't think less doors would help this) maybe needs a bigger spoiler to improve the profile?

Oh and seats, steering wheel and in fact the whole interior looks pretty much spot on.

[redroadster]

Seats are v wide perfect for me really like car although not driven it read article it was too extremely set up firmly for our roads

[philmots]

framerateuk said:

In fairness to Renault here, they said the Trophy 300 was coming in Q3 when they announced the 280.

I'm waiting delivery of my 280 at the moment, should be here in a couple of weeks. Yeah it's always a bit annoying when a new version of your car comes out (especially when your own one hasn't turned up yet!), but Renault were very clear on it, and I jumped on the free Cup pack option

I'm also ok with it as it's my daily driver and I'm not going back to non-heated seats - Renault don't typically fit them to Recaros (though I do see they're an option rather than standard).

Edited by framerateuk on Thursday 19th July 10:18

No real hardware changes, the power difference will hardly be noticeable, your car will be just as good a steer.

[Dale487]

redroadster said:

Seats are v wide perfect for me really like car although not driven it read article it was too extremely set up firmly for our roads

I just glad the seats offer a lower driving position, because a duff driving position is criminal in a £20K car let a lone a £30k car (Ford Focus RS I'm looking at you).

[epom]

That does look lovely, rear three quarter pic is smashing. I'll take two.

[Itsallicanafford]

...any mention of an Ohlins option?

[Onehp]

No Öhlins I heard of, but I expect the adaptable dampers with hydraulic bumpstops (keeping the car settled on bigger bumps) to be pretty good in their own right...

[framerateuk]

Itsallicanafford said:

...any mention of an Ohlins option?

Something for a couple of years time I would think. There'll be a few versions of this car before we get the definitive one

[kultsch88]

the_stoat said:

I moved from a Megane R26 to a Golf R and I am not happy! The Golf is a completely different to RS products, RS makes playful cars and the Golf R is the opposite to this, sober and controlling as opposed to engaging and cheeky. I have never once just taken the Golf for a drive whereas the Megane would encourage you to take the scenic route home. It is my own fault, I bought the Golf based on hype as opposed to test driving it.

Wow snap. Moved from R26 to Golf R. Golf was sold within 10 months, now looking at a Hyundai i30N to restore the missing fun I can 100% confirm I never took the Golf for a drive for the sake of it, although had two really memorable drives in that time, chances are they would have been even more exceptional in something more involving such as a Renault RS or Type R etc.

I get the Golf and applaud it's all round excellence, but I'll happily sacrifice some refinement for that extra involvement.

[aelord]

Why do manual punters have to make do with less torque? Chocolate clutch?

[nickfrog]

aelord said:

Why do manual punters have to make do with less torque? Chocolate clutch?

That's quite strange indeed and does that also mean that the rev limit is higher to offset that and get the same watts ?

[Escort Si-130]

Typical Renault fanboy comment.
The current Focus RS looks tame to this. I like this car, but it does look more aggressive than the current RS which is what I like. Not a fan of performance cars looking the same as other models in the range.

Nickbrapp said:

Looks pretty epic especially the stance from the front

Not too over the top like a focus R.S. or a civic but not so understated like a golf R

Me likely

[DoubleD]

I think the looks of the current focus are very dissapointing