BMW F10 M5 vs Renault Megane RS265
Discussion
At risk of stating the blooming obvious I though i'd a shared recent experience ....
Over the last few years my cars have become heavier / faster / more expensive and more complicated.
Recent examples include:
2007 BMW E92 M3
2016 BMW M2
2016 Mercedes C63s
2013 BMW F10 M5
2016 Audi RS3
I was becoming more and more disillusioned with driving and considering a BMW i3!!
Anyway, I chopped the M5 in two weeks ago and despite my reservations (boy racer image mainly) bought a Renault Megane RS265. What can I say... its an absolute revelation and I find myself taking the long way home again and thinking about track days.
It handles great / it sounds great and it's just great fun to drive. If you're getting disillusioned with cars as a hobby .... consider a 'backwards' step!
Previous owner's photo:
Over the last few years my cars have become heavier / faster / more expensive and more complicated.
Recent examples include:
2007 BMW E92 M3
2016 BMW M2
2016 Mercedes C63s
2013 BMW F10 M5
2016 Audi RS3
I was becoming more and more disillusioned with driving and considering a BMW i3!!
Anyway, I chopped the M5 in two weeks ago and despite my reservations (boy racer image mainly) bought a Renault Megane RS265. What can I say... its an absolute revelation and I find myself taking the long way home again and thinking about track days.
It handles great / it sounds great and it's just great fun to drive. If you're getting disillusioned with cars as a hobby .... consider a 'backwards' step!
Previous owner's photo:
There is something nice about driving around in something smaller and with less power. You can access more of it. In something with a lot of power, you can never really explore it all on a regular basis (without endangering your licence), so it can feel frustrating (something I experience with a 1000 cc motorcycle). Big power is nice on long journeys for cruising though, things are quieter and the whole journey feels less stressful. But those are journeys where getting t the destination is the key thing, not the journey itself.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Agreed that faster doesn't always mean more fun... In fact these days the two are often so far disconnected it's unreal.
You could take it a step further and go for the hot versions of the Clio or Twingo.
This will be controversial, but one of the most fun cars I ever drove was a Daewoo Matiz 3-cylinder courtesy car. It was sooooo slow and handled sooooo badly that everywhere you went you were working quite hard, and it felt you were really going some until you looked in the mirrors and realised you had a massive tailback behind you. Whereas a car that you can pootle along in at 3-figures without really getting a sensation of speed is impressive but less fun, especially at legal speeds.
You could take it a step further and go for the hot versions of the Clio or Twingo.
This will be controversial, but one of the most fun cars I ever drove was a Daewoo Matiz 3-cylinder courtesy car. It was sooooo slow and handled sooooo badly that everywhere you went you were working quite hard, and it felt you were really going some until you looked in the mirrors and realised you had a massive tailback behind you. Whereas a car that you can pootle along in at 3-figures without really getting a sensation of speed is impressive but less fun, especially at legal speeds.
Yeah, bigger and more powerful isnt always the answer to enjoying driving, you need some power but when you are getting into those bigger numbers, 500 bhp plus they all come attached to a pretty sizable car, with, in most cases an automatic gearbox, and 4wd.
Its only backward step in numbers and some kind of pecking order, being able to "burn" something else off.
An M5 is for company directors etc that have big distances to do, preferably on the motorway, or realistically the autobahn as even the lowliest diesel will knock onto 145 mph. But if you have the option, why not get the M5 ?
So you end up with a car that does what the diesel rep version does, and only really comes alive when into speeds that get you banned.
They are amazing things, but not sure I want one, the Megane is miles more appealing.
Its only backward step in numbers and some kind of pecking order, being able to "burn" something else off.
An M5 is for company directors etc that have big distances to do, preferably on the motorway, or realistically the autobahn as even the lowliest diesel will knock onto 145 mph. But if you have the option, why not get the M5 ?
So you end up with a car that does what the diesel rep version does, and only really comes alive when into speeds that get you banned.
They are amazing things, but not sure I want one, the Megane is miles more appealing.
I own a 265. They drive brilliantly, that's not in doubt. But it's a pretty hardcore daily in terms of ride quality. The interior is crap, trim feels hollow and in my case it's been pretty unreliable.
But, as a drivers car, I haven't driven anything that comes close for the money. It's a brilliant car to take the long way home in, to take to a twisty B road in the early hours of a Sunday morning.
Enjoy OP.
But, as a drivers car, I haven't driven anything that comes close for the money. It's a brilliant car to take the long way home in, to take to a twisty B road in the early hours of a Sunday morning.
Enjoy OP.
I can relate to this post on many levels. I look back at my car owning history of nearly 35 years and the three stand out cars that I found hugely rewarding and miss the most were my three italian front drivers, none of which could do 0-60 in under 10 secs.
Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1.3 saloon
Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
Fiat Punto Sporting Mk1 16 valve
All three (the cinquecento perhaps less so) just begged to be thrashed and all three were light, nimble but ultimately not very fast. The Italians in particular have a history of producing joyful small cars which sounded and felt much faster than they actually were.
Also honourable mentions to my two 1.6 Zetec engined Focus Mk1s and my NB MX5, all of which were a lot of fun and beautifully balanced but ultimately burned off by any decent turbo diesel, never mind a modern EV.
The most disappointing car I owned was the fastest one. Less is definitely more, a lot of the time.
Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1.3 saloon
Fiat Cinquecento Sporting
Fiat Punto Sporting Mk1 16 valve
All three (the cinquecento perhaps less so) just begged to be thrashed and all three were light, nimble but ultimately not very fast. The Italians in particular have a history of producing joyful small cars which sounded and felt much faster than they actually were.
Also honourable mentions to my two 1.6 Zetec engined Focus Mk1s and my NB MX5, all of which were a lot of fun and beautifully balanced but ultimately burned off by any decent turbo diesel, never mind a modern EV.
The most disappointing car I owned was the fastest one. Less is definitely more, a lot of the time.
Yes to going 'backwards'. Although I'd never consider anything as lardy as an F10 M5 personally. I got rid of my E39 M5 because that was already too big and bulky, yet it's positively svelte by modern standards.
I actually test drove a Megane 275 back to back with an Megane R26 and found the former big and insulated in comparison, so bought the R26 (actually an R26.R).
The R26.R has since gone, in favour of a Clio 182.
I actually test drove a Megane 275 back to back with an Megane R26 and found the former big and insulated in comparison, so bought the R26 (actually an R26.R).
The R26.R has since gone, in favour of a Clio 182.
Xenoous said:
I own a 265. They drive brilliantly, that's not in doubt. But it's a pretty hardcore daily in terms of ride quality. The interior is crap, trim feels hollow and in my case it's been pretty unreliable.
But, as a drivers car, I haven't driven anything that comes close for the money. It's a brilliant car to take the long way home in, to take to a twisty B road in the early hours of a Sunday morning.
Enjoy OP.
I take your points but on balance I can forgive it for the benefits it brings ...But, as a drivers car, I haven't driven anything that comes close for the money. It's a brilliant car to take the long way home in, to take to a twisty B road in the early hours of a Sunday morning.
Enjoy OP.
Ride is certainly firm but in my opinion perfectly acceptable as a daily (especially considering we have a family car alternative for longer journeys).
Interior is crap ..... not sure I agree. Yes it's cheap looking and plasticity but so what. Does what it needs to do. The seats are fantastic.
Reliability.... we will see. In my previous experience of Renaults they have plenty of niggles but at least they're cheap to fix.
The M5 was the most unreliable BMW I've had. Failing to proceed, replacing injectors and 9.5 litres of engine oil on a semi regular basis soon gets old. That's before you consider the cost of fuel, tyres and brakes! It cost half the value of the Megane in maintenance in the 12 months and 15,000 miles I owned it!!
Edited by John Laverick on Monday 6th February 17:33
I'm actually considering going the opposite way to you OP, after a string of N/A hot hatches and sports cars, I'm after something bigger and heavier with a V8 for some comfort and a good noise! I suppose it's just what you get used to really, you've probably done those sorts of car to death whereas they'll be something of a novelty for me. 
Nice Meg though, I think if I was to go back to another hot hatch, it would most likely be one of these.
Nice Meg though, I think if I was to go back to another hot hatch, it would most likely be one of these.
John Laverick said:
I take your points but on balance I can forgive it for the benefits it brings ...
Ride is certainly firm but in my opinion perfectly acceptable as a daily (especially considering we have a family car alternative for longer journeys).
Interior is crap ..... not sure I agree. Yes it's cheap looking and plasticity but so what. Does what it needs to do. The seats are fantastic.
Reliability.... we will see. In my previous experience of Renaults they have plenty of niggles but at least they're cheap to fix.
The M5 was the most unreliable BMW I've had. Failing to proceed, replacing injectors and 9.5 litres of engine oil on a semi regular basis soon gets old. That's before you consider the cost of fuel, tyres and brakes! It cost half the value of the Megane in maintenance in the 12 months and 15,000 miles I owned it!!
The interior serves a purpose, but it's pretty flimsy and plastic. Stereo sucks but can't really get a replacement without buggering up the RS monitor. Door cards are made of single use bottles, dashboard is just plain scratchy... But that's just what it is. You're right about the seats though. Mine has recaros and they're fantastic. I love them. Ride is certainly firm but in my opinion perfectly acceptable as a daily (especially considering we have a family car alternative for longer journeys).
Interior is crap ..... not sure I agree. Yes it's cheap looking and plasticity but so what. Does what it needs to do. The seats are fantastic.
Reliability.... we will see. In my previous experience of Renaults they have plenty of niggles but at least they're cheap to fix.
The M5 was the most unreliable BMW I've had. Failing to proceed, replacing injectors and 9.5 litres of engine oil on a semi regular basis soon gets old. That's before you consider the cost of fuel, tyres and brakes! It cost half the value of the Megane in maintenance in the 12 months and 15,000 miles I owned it!!
For reference mines had the gearbox rebuilt due to failed bearings, thermostat, aircon condenser and various ball joints fail in the 2 years I've had it. It's coming up for a cambelt, and needs the oil breather gasket replacing. Maintenance wise its had clutch and DMF, 4 new tyres and discs and pads all round as well. I've wanted to get rid for so long but I've piled so much money into it I might as well keep it at this point. However I can imagine an M5 makes this all seem relatively cheap lol.
I think I'm just bitter because I got a dud of a car. Everyone else loves theirs!
We have an X3 for family duties. So this really is just my commuter/fun car.
Excellent choice OP.
I'm like a cheaper version of you, as I have a BMW M2 (weekend car) and my daily is a Renault Clio RS200 cup.
I've got some mates who just don't understand why I want to drive JUST a French hot hatch when I have an M2. Some people just don't get it, whereas I prefer my Clio. I drive the Clio how I want to and I never worry about breaking it or losing my license.
If I'm being honest, daily driving a Clio Cup is brutal at times, but I can't bring myself to sell it. I adored these cars when I was 20 and it gives me so much satisfaction.
I'm like a cheaper version of you, as I have a BMW M2 (weekend car) and my daily is a Renault Clio RS200 cup.
I've got some mates who just don't understand why I want to drive JUST a French hot hatch when I have an M2. Some people just don't get it, whereas I prefer my Clio. I drive the Clio how I want to and I never worry about breaking it or losing my license.
If I'm being honest, daily driving a Clio Cup is brutal at times, but I can't bring myself to sell it. I adored these cars when I was 20 and it gives me so much satisfaction.
plenty said:
Interesting…IMO the M2 is more suited to being the daily and the 200 the weekend car…
Yep, the M2 would be a much better daily. But my work car park has the most narrow spaces known to man, plus the roads to my office are so narrow and lined with potholes. The Clio I don't worry about when I park it and it's small enough to scoot around the potholes
The Clio can be good on fuel, on my commute it averages 27-30mpg which is exactly the same as the M2. Kinda crazy when you think about the performance difference Interesting post, I really do think that for UK roads you cant beat a proper hot hatch. I had a Clio 197 for a few years and it was so much fun due to the fact you could really drive the thing without getting into silly speeds.
I'm thinking of a 981 Cayman 2.7 for my next car and one of its huge plus points is the fact it isn't that fast, sounds weird but it means you can enjoy foot to the floor driving more of the time.
I'm thinking of a 981 Cayman 2.7 for my next car and one of its huge plus points is the fact it isn't that fast, sounds weird but it means you can enjoy foot to the floor driving more of the time.
plenty said:
Makes sense! You might enjoy a 172/182…less planted than a 200 but even rawer and smaller (and a lot better on fuel)
I would love to own a full-fat 182, but not sure I would want to daily one. The RS200 is an easier car to live with, especially when the engine is cold. But, I'll likely buy a 182 at some point, as I would love to own both cars together. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff