RE: Renaultsport Megane 250 - The PHers verdict

[ArtVandelay]

mattthemong said:

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 second in line.

Matt

It's not to say that some cars can't be used everyday, just some people find that the advantages to having a stripped out car don't outweigh the disadvantages. I could happily drive an R26.R as my daily driver, perhaps just installing a CD player. A guy with a wife and kid with just the money for one car could not, so he would have to opt for the softer, more practical version.

I also corrected you in the above quote

[hotmelt]

"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."

[Bada Bing]

I saw one of these the other day, looks a lot better than the previous models!!

[guyforks1]

oh come on, its still a renault. I didn't hear a single negative comment!

how much is that new megane on the road anyway?

[CarlT]

guyforks1 said:

how much is that new megane on the road anyway?

£23k

[BlackCup]

I love my megane 250, i previously had a 225 cup- this is light years better in quality and speed...and price ooops!, but compared to anything remotely as fast new, its waaay cheaper. I looked at a scirocco, golf gti and a focus rs but they were either way under spec'd, too slow or too expensive or all three.
And for any doubters on how quick it is or the quality, please look me up at the next Sunday service and i'll be happy to show you around the car. Better still, ask a few PHers who've been on a hoon they'll vouch for it- it can punch way above its weight.
I'm not exactly sure why its not a popular as the focus, i know thats a great car (i would have had one if it was 4/5K less) but with the price difference i'd have thought there'd be more meganes than there are. I think it must be down to the magic 300 bhp widely publisced by TG, which is infact closer to 275, and megane's 250 closer to 260 hence the closeness in lap times between the two.
Also there will be badge snobbery- would i like to have a ford over a renault? yes i suppose so.
And when it comes to comparing the r26 'barely run in' with a new 250 thats the same with just about any car and its better made, faster, newer, more desirable successor.
It all comes down to the whole package for me, i wanted something brand new, 0% finance, well kitted out, very fast, well reviewed and well made.
I know its bias but what would any of you say if it was your car reviewed on here...there is a reason why you bought it, its not a case of 'its all the garage had in my price bracket' on PistonHeads..
Proud owner here...
Matt

[MJRL]

Has the 265 Trophy version of this not recently smashed the old Front wheel production car record at the ring ?

Would have one of those in a heartbeat, I'll give it a couple of years then see which is going cheaper, that or a BRZ ...

[BlackCup]

Yep it has, by a good few seconds...