RE: Renaultsport Megane 250 - The PHers verdict

[rusty1980]

Zippee said:

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.

Yeah, it’s not a bad sound but the five-pot in the Focus gave the old Volvo 850 (and I'm not talking T5) a character - maybe even coolness, that it'd never of had with the obvious four/six-cylinder choices.

And as for the looks, yeah it’s as subtle as a punch in the face - better that than a flogging from a male ballerina.

Edited by rusty1980 on Thursday 18th March 14:34

[hotmelt]

Megane 250 is very good car, but something is missing probably, that is why.

[Garlick]

hotmelt said:

Megane 250 is very good car, but something is missing probably, that is why.

So, what's missing then? I'm curious now....

[hotmelt]

I would suggest to read Evo comparison test. Megane got 4,5 stars, Focus 5 stars.

[Garlick]

I've driven both when we've had them in on PH. I love the Focus but it's close.

That .5 star confirms it, I wouldn't take that to mean they are vastly different.

Tough choice between the two though.

[Rocky Balboa]

Both are rediculously overweight.

[hotmelt]

Also I suppose not throttle steerable like french hot hatches of old, too benign handling.

[Mr Will]

hotmelt said:

Also I suppose not throttle steerable like french hot hatches of old, too benign handling.

You need the Clio/Twingo for that, the Megane is a size bigger, with everything which goes along with it (greater performance, comfort, practicality. Less agile and raw)

[V8mate]

Has anyone driven the new 250 and the old model 230 F1?

Would be interested in hearing how they differ.

[Garlick]

Hmmm, interesting idea G

[V8mate]

Garlick said:

Hmmm, interesting idea G

It's just that a basic Cup is a little over £23k.

And a barely run-in 230 F1 is less than half that...

[mattbvw]

V8mate said:

Has anyone driven the new 250 and the old model 230 F1?

Would be interested in hearing how they differ.

Ollie Marriage's EVO blog on exactly this topic...
http://community.evo.co.uk/users/Ollie-Marriage/bl...

I have driven most recent Megane Renaultsports - the 250 is a far, far better quality proposition than the 230 R26 F1 Team. It is the difference between night and day. It is a more accurate tool, the brakes are sensational, it always feels composed. I'd liken it to the difference between a Clio 182 and a Clio 197 - less "raw" but, ultimately, far more confidence inspiring, faster and if you have the ability, more rewarding.

[CarlT]

havoc said:

I'd also suggest Ford's marketing dep't in the UK are rather more active...

Maybe Ford like to hype things up and Renault just get on with it. I am not aware that Ford UK have a RS devoted website - run and managed by Ford UK employees, organise Ford official trackdays, nor arrange for visits to the Ford RS factory. Renault UK do all the above...

Also, World Series by Renault.........

[CarlT]

curveking said:

The French have made some of the best Hot Hatch's this is not one of them.

What Car? must have got it wrong when awarding it Hot Hatch of the Year then

[V8mate]

mattbvw said:

V8mate said:

Has anyone driven the new 250 and the old model 230 F1?

Would be interested in hearing how they differ.

Ollie Marriage's EVO blog on exactly this topic...
http://community.evo.co.uk/users/Ollie-Marriage/bl...

I have driven most recent Megane Renaultsports - the 250 is a far, far better quality proposition than the 230 R26 F1 Team. It is the difference between night and day. It is a more accurate tool, the brakes are sensational, it always feels composed. I'd liken it to the difference between a Clio 182 and a Clio 197 - less "raw" but, ultimately, far more confidence inspiring, faster and if you have the ability, more rewarding.

Thanks. That's interesting.
Also interesting that there's little concensus: you're at one end of the spectrum, 'Ollie' seems to be in the middle, and the otherjourno who replied to his blog still madly in love with the older car.

And I am in no doubt tha you're all right!

But that summary does make the older car phenomenal value!

[pbirkett]

Mr Will said:

hotmelt said:

Also I suppose not throttle steerable like french hot hatches of old, too benign handling.

You need the Clio/Twingo for that, the Megane is a size bigger, with everything which goes along with it (greater performance, comfort, practicality. Less agile and raw)

TBH I didnt really think my old 182 was particularly steerable on the throttle so I doubt these newer models will be. This was because it was somewhat over-tyred and had a slightly laggy DBW throttle. Most modern stuff these days tend to be about safe, grippy handling rather than "fun", slightly "edgy" handling.

[mattthemong]

mattbvw said:

I have driven most recent Megane Renaultsports - the 250 is a far, far better quality proposition than the 230 R26 F1 Team. It is the difference between night and day. It is a more accurate tool, the brakes are sensational, it always feels composed. I'd liken it to the difference between a Clio 182 and a Clio 197 - less "raw" but, ultimately, far more confidence inspiring, faster and if you have the ability, more rewarding.

I drove the 250 cup back to back with my R26R at Oulton Park in November. Yes the build quality of the RS250 is noticeably improved and the "plastics" are better. But if these issues were important to me I'd buy a BMW. What I want is a car that's awesome to drive and that's the r26r, not the 250.

The RS250 cup just isolates you from what the car is doing, for me it feels far too docile and normal. If it were me I'd buy a 2nd hand r26r over the RS250 any day. To me the 250 as a car makes no sense when there are better options as a "drivers car" on the market. If I were a sales rep that wanted a car with a bit of fun that I could shove the kids in the back then I might consider it. For a car to take to the track and space for the kids I'd take the Clio 200.

I think the RS250 is not really a Renault Sport but a sporty Renault, not a bad car but too normal for me.

Matt

[havoc]

CarlT said:

Also, World Series by Renault.........

I agree with your sentiments, but how many RenaultSport cars does that sell??? WSbR just seems to me to be a 'family day out' type of event...which will probably sell more Scenics than anything else!

[ArtVandelay]

mattthemong said:

mattbvw said:

I have driven most recent Megane Renaultsports - the 250 is a far, far better quality proposition than the 230 R26 F1 Team. It is the difference between night and day. It is a more accurate tool, the brakes are sensational, it always feels composed. I'd liken it to the difference between a Clio 182 and a Clio 197 - less "raw" but, ultimately, far more confidence inspiring, faster and if you have the ability, more rewarding.

I drove the 250 cup back to back with my R26R at Oulton Park in November. Yes the build quality of the RS250 is noticeably improved and the "plastics" are better. But if these issues were important to me I'd buy a BMW. What I want is a car that's awesome to drive and that's the r26r, not the 250.

The RS250 cup just isolates you from what the car is doing, for me it feels far too docile and normal. If it were me I'd buy a 2nd hand r26r over the RS250 any day. To me the 250 as a car makes no sense when there are better options as a "drivers car" on the market. If I were a sales rep that wanted a car with a bit of fun that I could shove the kids in the back then I might consider it. For a car to take to the track and space for the kids I'd take the Clio 200.

I think the RS250 is not really a Renault Sport but a sporty Renault, not a bad car but too normal for me.

Matt

I don't think the RS250 was ever meant to succeed the R26.R which is a stripped out track toy rather than an every day car with some thrills attached. The RS250 is a successor to the R26 as much as anything and if you recall, the original Renaultsport Megane 225 was not a well sorted car when it was first released. When the Trophy arrived, the 225 was transformed and those updates went into the facelifted car from 2006 onwards. Then the 230 and the R26 were released, again further improving the car with minor evolutions.

I think if the starting point of the R250 is a good car, then future versions can only get better, something which I will be looking forward to, especially if they depreciate as much as the older cars

[mattthemong]

ArtVandelay said:

I don't think the RS250 was ever meant to succeed the R26.R which is a stripped out track toy rather than an every day car with some thrills attached. The RS250 is a successor to the R26 as much as anything and if you recall, the original Renaultsport Megane 225 was not a well sorted car when it was first released. When the Trophy arrived, the 225 was transformed and those updates went into the facelifted car from 2006 onwards. Then the 230 and the R26 were released, again further improving the car with minor evolutions.

I think if the starting point of the R250 is a good car, then future versions can only get better, something which I will be looking forward to, especially if they depreciate as much as the older cars

I never understand why people think some cars can't be used every day ? I've drive the r26r almost everyday for the past 10 months and have clocked just over 10,000 miles. Apart from the lack of rear seats it's just as easy to live with day-to-day as my old bmw was. I actually find the bucket seats more comfortable on a long trip compared to standard seats. And as for the harness, I just use one should strap and the lap buckle, takes 30 seconds to put on.

I agree on the improving model range over time and if an RS300.R is ever released I'll be first in line.

Matt