Focus ST or Megane R26?!
Discussion
Mrs B has finally come down to a choice of 2 cars to replace her long standing 106 GTi. She's leaning towards the Renault but really can't make her mind up.
Has anyone got any useful perspective on either? Hideously expensive faults, or other quality quirks etc? What's the general ownership experience like?
From the car magazines I've (half) read over the years I have the Renault down as the better handling (helped by the LSD on the R26) and outright quicker with a little more power. The Ford on the other hand a little more relaxed in power delivery and handling with a better sound track.This time around she isn't really interested in modifications buy may consider a remap. Is this a game changer for either?
Sorry for the 'what car?' post!
Has anyone got any useful perspective on either? Hideously expensive faults, or other quality quirks etc? What's the general ownership experience like?
From the car magazines I've (half) read over the years I have the Renault down as the better handling (helped by the LSD on the R26) and outright quicker with a little more power. The Ford on the other hand a little more relaxed in power delivery and handling with a better sound track.This time around she isn't really interested in modifications buy may consider a remap. Is this a game changer for either?
Sorry for the 'what car?' post!
They may have the same body-style, but they're totally different cars. The ST is big, heavy and lazy, the power delivery is much less peaky and it feels much more like a "big car". The Megane is probably faster in the real world, it certainly feels faster, but it's not as refined, as comfortable or as quiet. It depends what she wants, really. I've driven both, and I prefer the Megane, but I do see where fans of the ST come from, even though it's nowhere near as sharp.
Frog Dog said:
R26 every time. Just make sure it all works, electrical bits mostly. Window regulators are the main thing.
They're a much more rewarding drive, the LSD is fantastic and with a small remap they are devastating (if you want that)
My heart agrees, but my head says it's French, and even worse, a Renault Megane. Cars to own with a warranty IMO.They're a much more rewarding drive, the LSD is fantastic and with a small remap they are devastating (if you want that)
rossw46 said:
I'd have the R26.
Saying that,was in not these Meganes that cost an arm and a leg to replace a blown head lamp bulb?I don't think this would put me off the car,just worth bearing in mind.
If you're dextrous, you can easily fit one. I have a friend with skinny arms for this purpose (my mum has a Megane)Saying that,was in not these Meganes that cost an arm and a leg to replace a blown head lamp bulb?I don't think this would put me off the car,just worth bearing in mind.
As long as the electrical bits work, the service history is top notch (should be on an R26) then you've not got a lot to worry about.
Find one with the lux pack. Interior is lovely and they are cracking cars for the money.
T assume you're talking used here - in which case, make sure the Renault has some warranty because there are a stack of trivial things which can cost real money to fix (and are often the reason the cars get traded).
You probably don't want extra suggestions, but whilst I love how both of these drive I'd personally drop the cash on an Astra VXR every time. The drive isn't quite as sharp but they have a real 'hoonigan' quality to them, you will almost kill yourself at some point and then have a great time learning how not to do it again
Interior and build quality is way above the Renault too - roomier for us lanky types etc. etc.
You probably don't want extra suggestions, but whilst I love how both of these drive I'd personally drop the cash on an Astra VXR every time. The drive isn't quite as sharp but they have a real 'hoonigan' quality to them, you will almost kill yourself at some point and then have a great time learning how not to do it again
Interior and build quality is way above the Renault too - roomier for us lanky types etc. etc.
Test both and you'll find the r26 is in a different league as a drivers car, the handling and traction out of corners sent the benchmark a few years back before the far more extreme .R version came out. It feels special, drives special and is more capable than the ST, the grip in the wet for a powerfull fwd car still amazes me too.
If driving is more important then she'll want the megane.
Re mods, st mountunes are as quick as focus rs on the straights, but a simple £400 rstuning stage 1 remap on the r26 will give 30bhp and as much as 60lbft torque, so near 260/290 and just as fast but with a chassis that'll cope too. I wouldnt do anymore than that if u want it to last, there are a few stage 2's (280/330+) that have gone pop.
If driving is more important then she'll want the megane.
Re mods, st mountunes are as quick as focus rs on the straights, but a simple £400 rstuning stage 1 remap on the r26 will give 30bhp and as much as 60lbft torque, so near 260/290 and just as fast but with a chassis that'll cope too. I wouldnt do anymore than that if u want it to last, there are a few stage 2's (280/330+) that have gone pop.
s off my mates remakes Audi TT 225 too! That's c260bhp too. The R26 seems a much better package overall so worth the stretch over the normal Megane RS225Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff