BMW M2 to Megane R26.r
Discussion
Has anyone got any experience of the Megane R26.r and also something like the M2? I'm thinking of trying one. I've been in rear wheel drive cars for nearly 20 years so hesitant about FWD. Any experiences would be interesting to hear, all the reviews say they are fantastic cars. I've also got back into some track driving after a while away and so something like the Megane would suit that well. I'm also looking at CSLs too so any experience there welcome.
Cheers
Kris
Cheers
Kris
KristianS said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
I went from M3csl to R26.R in 2009.
And what did you think?Cheers
With regards to my CSL and move to R26.R, this was my first front wheel drive car or hot hatch since my late 90s heyday. I'd gone through mid engined, rear wheel drive, all tracked, essentially "proper" sports cars. The CSL was a great example of the car, on circa 33k miles when I "sold" it for around £20k (wasn't 2009 fun?) although heavily tracked and very scruffy around the edges. It was an out and out track car, in fact I drove it to be part exchanged from a 2 day track day at Le Mans!
Everyone thought I was mental to move into the Renault. But, the feeling of a genuine GT3RS type car for £25k was too much for me-I really fell in love with it when it was first announced. I knew it was the car for me as soon as I opened Evo up to read about it and when they showed a render of it in French Racing Blue with Red option wheels I was totally smitten-that car would be mine.
By the time it had arrived I had basically learned the 'ring but this would be my time of total dedication for it, still to this day my social media "memories" are more likely to be of a weekend at the 'ring than my children-sad but true! My soon to be best mate had sold his business and bought one of the first 12 GTRs in the UK and we hit Germany hard.
It got to the point, and the R26.R is good enough to allow you to do this, that I was tweaking tyre pressures from side to side and front and back to balance the car out-it was just sublime the way you could drive it.
I'd grown up around the Scottish Borders in things like Nova SRs, XR2s, RS Turbos and suchlike so I knew how to drive a FWD Hatch and lift off oversteer but the little Meg could be made to dance whenever you wanted. They are that good make no mistake. Then there was the time at Spa when the track day was red flagged as it was so wet-I was overtaking some full on race cars you could use it so easily.
In fact, my best mate still has one and although we rarely use it (due to a GT3RS being in the same garage) it still can totally blow your socks off and give you as much fun as any other supercar out there. As long as you don't get too snobby about the badge!
And you don't really, not when people approach you for tips as you passed in your little french hatchback-great fun!
What I would say now is that you will need to buy carefully. They are in essence a ten year old french hatchback, many of which have led extremely hard lives. Gearboxes and clutches are week points but I suspect that a lot will need a huge amount of refreshing just so you don't waste expensive track time due to some routine part failing. I'd probably recommend following a life program of replacing parts.
That's not to say they're unreliable, mine did 16k very hard miles and never missed a beat and my mate's has been very reliable over the time he's had it.
I didn't miss the RWD of the CSL at all, still don't. In fact I wouldn't put RWD above anything in something I looked for in a car-I'd much rather have a mid engined layout than a front engined rear driver for instance.
It will probably feel like a backwards step in some ways but if it does I implore you to get some instruction from someone who knows how to drive a FWD properly-it'll blow you away.
Thanks for the reply, really helpful! Good sharing it via the forum too.
Sounds like you really liked it! and preferred to the CSL?
The one I've seen has done about 20k and looks in relatively good condition. It has slight mods which I'd prefer not to be there but I can soon change those - it has a dump valve and a cone air filter, otherwise, I think it is std and is a good spec. Do you think clutch or gearbox could be an issue after that sort of mileage? I've also heard things about the swivel hubs? Anything else I should look out for?
I'm going to see it tomorrow night so we'll see how it drives.
Cheers
Kris
Sounds like you really liked it! and preferred to the CSL?
The one I've seen has done about 20k and looks in relatively good condition. It has slight mods which I'd prefer not to be there but I can soon change those - it has a dump valve and a cone air filter, otherwise, I think it is std and is a good spec. Do you think clutch or gearbox could be an issue after that sort of mileage? I've also heard things about the swivel hubs? Anything else I should look out for?
I'm going to see it tomorrow night so we'll see how it drives.
Cheers
Kris
KristianS said:
Thanks for the reply, really helpful! Good sharing it via the forum too.
Sounds like you really liked it! and preferred to the CSL?
The one I've seen has done about 20k and looks in relatively good condition. It has slight mods which I'd prefer not to be there but I can soon change those - it has a dump valve and a cone air filter, otherwise, I think it is std and is a good spec. Do you think clutch or gearbox could be an issue after that sort of mileage? I've also heard things about the swivel hubs? Anything else I should look out for?
I'm going to see it tomorrow night so we'll see how it drives.
Cheers
Kris
Kris, the R26R is a lightened and tweaked R26 so many issues you'll find apply to both:Sounds like you really liked it! and preferred to the CSL?
The one I've seen has done about 20k and looks in relatively good condition. It has slight mods which I'd prefer not to be there but I can soon change those - it has a dump valve and a cone air filter, otherwise, I think it is std and is a good spec. Do you think clutch or gearbox could be an issue after that sort of mileage? I've also heard things about the swivel hubs? Anything else I should look out for?
I'm going to see it tomorrow night so we'll see how it drives.
Cheers
Kris
Gearboxes are fine but any gearbox can fail if its abused but there is no issue with them particularly
Same with the suspension, swivel bearings etc simply wear out if the car is driven hard all the time, same as with any suspension parts
Window regulators can fail and this is common so check the windows go up and down properly
Apart from that its a tough car but as said above, its not a new car. My R26 has 120k on it, hasn't had any advisories in the last 3 MoTs and feels as solid, fast and fun as if it had done 20,000m. As with any car, its more about who looked after it and how well.
There are one or two very lovely modified R26s out there too (£14k ish I've seen) so don't discount these. Or try a std R26, it's not hugely different.
I did try an M2C and while it's lovey it weighs 1600kg. It's like having the R262R and 4-5 mates sitting in it! It didn't feel like a fun car to drive unless you were really on it.
Thanks for the replies. Just re-read my original post and not sure I was clear in that I have an M2, have had it for 1.5 years. It's a great car but something seems slightly lost in modern cars compared to older cars. I agree Frimley111r, you have to be driving the M2 very hard to get the most out of it. I had an E39 M5 before that for 10 years and the engines are miles apart, the drama and build in revs etc in the M5 was miles ahead of the M2.
I think the R26.r would make a good track car and I may well keep the M2. I will be test driving the Megane tomorrow so let's see.
Thanks,
Kris
I think the R26.r would make a good track car and I may well keep the M2. I will be test driving the Megane tomorrow so let's see.
Thanks,
Kris
So i tested the car tonight and two things struck me:
1) the gear change to third was odd, like the lever isn't spring loaded, so going from 2nd to third you had to really guide it and feel for it. Is that normal?
2) It seemed to torque steer like crazy in second, is that normal?
any help much appreciated.
Thanks,
Kris
1) the gear change to third was odd, like the lever isn't spring loaded, so going from 2nd to third you had to really guide it and feel for it. Is that normal?
2) It seemed to torque steer like crazy in second, is that normal?
any help much appreciated.
Thanks,
Kris
The torque steer felt quite pronounced to me. It's on Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, the fronts are nearly on the wear indicators, could that cause it? No article/ review I have read mentions tourque steer - we were on quite rutted country lanes - would that usually affect these?
Also, it did seem pretty quick, my M2 didn't feel dramatically quicker, in fact it felt a bit lazy when I got back into it but that could be all the crazy noises it was making, lack of sound proofing etc. How could I tell if it's modified? It has an air filter and a Forge dump valve (I'd rather get rid of this and get back to normal if I bought the car but it wasn't too intrusive) but no other signs.
I drove my mates Clio 200 cup afterwards and it felt much slower, much slower than 30bhp anyway but could be down to the turbo 'rush' I guess. What was clear from that was that the gear change in the Clio self centred as it should and I had zero problems. I have read that R26 bushes in the linkage can swell over time or something - probably not a difficult fix.
Thanks for your replies. With these cars at this money feels like I need to get this right. Does anyone know any specialists in the North West that could look over the car? Fancy a trip to Cheshire Laurasother half?!!
What was interesting was that the steering feels a bit slower than modern cars and I thought that was a bit off putting when I drove it but when I got back into the M2 it did feel a bit aloof and I thought the M2 was quite focused.
Do people think these will continue to hold good money - I wouldn't want to buy one and then have a fall to £10-15k.
Thanks for all your help chaps!
Also, it did seem pretty quick, my M2 didn't feel dramatically quicker, in fact it felt a bit lazy when I got back into it but that could be all the crazy noises it was making, lack of sound proofing etc. How could I tell if it's modified? It has an air filter and a Forge dump valve (I'd rather get rid of this and get back to normal if I bought the car but it wasn't too intrusive) but no other signs.
I drove my mates Clio 200 cup afterwards and it felt much slower, much slower than 30bhp anyway but could be down to the turbo 'rush' I guess. What was clear from that was that the gear change in the Clio self centred as it should and I had zero problems. I have read that R26 bushes in the linkage can swell over time or something - probably not a difficult fix.
Thanks for your replies. With these cars at this money feels like I need to get this right. Does anyone know any specialists in the North West that could look over the car? Fancy a trip to Cheshire Laurasother half?!!
What was interesting was that the steering feels a bit slower than modern cars and I thought that was a bit off putting when I drove it but when I got back into the M2 it did feel a bit aloof and I thought the M2 was quite focused.
Do people think these will continue to hold good money - I wouldn't want to buy one and then have a fall to £10-15k.
Thanks for all your help chaps!
OK folks. Put a deposit down on the car. Torque steer much reduced today and fine on smooth roads.
They are going to sort the gear stick not self centring. Also, notice one of the front discs has a crack in it - I guess this should be replaced? I've told them I want it replacing.
Also, just found this spec on the web from a previous owner, I really wanted a bog standard car but most of the below I hadn't noticed when viewing. Is there anything I should be wary of? Would I be better off without the dump valve (think I can remove this myself, rebuilt engines before so should be simple)? I was slightly unsure about the cage not being factory fitted, would that make a big difference to value? The car doesn't seem to have any carbon spoiler on it now, looks std to me. What's the 'recic blank plate'?
White
Strut brace (red) from the factory plus/or a ktech cage (black).
Titanium pipe
Cruise
Climate
Uprated pads all round
Braided hoses
Remapped ECU
Carbon spoiler
De cat
Uprated intercooler
Samco Dump Valve
Recic Blank Plate
Two sets of wheels PS3's and slicks.
Low owners and very low miles.
They are going to sort the gear stick not self centring. Also, notice one of the front discs has a crack in it - I guess this should be replaced? I've told them I want it replacing.
Also, just found this spec on the web from a previous owner, I really wanted a bog standard car but most of the below I hadn't noticed when viewing. Is there anything I should be wary of? Would I be better off without the dump valve (think I can remove this myself, rebuilt engines before so should be simple)? I was slightly unsure about the cage not being factory fitted, would that make a big difference to value? The car doesn't seem to have any carbon spoiler on it now, looks std to me. What's the 'recic blank plate'?
White
Strut brace (red) from the factory plus/or a ktech cage (black).
Titanium pipe
Cruise
Climate
Uprated pads all round
Braided hoses
Remapped ECU
Carbon spoiler
De cat
Uprated intercooler
Samco Dump Valve
Recic Blank Plate
Two sets of wheels PS3's and slicks.
Low owners and very low miles.
No problem, thanks for the replies.
Sorry, that spec was what I found on the web on a forum. It doesn't come with slicks but I guess they will may have been used briefly at some point.
Condition is pretty good all round. Slight mark on the front bumper where an object, stone or bird, has hit it so there are a couple of crazes but otherwise it looks in very good condition.
I guess my main worries are:
1) Does the lack of the factory cage cause any issues in terms of selling it on? The cage that's in it is almost identicial to the Renault one but is grey/ black.
2) Do the mods affect value, should I worry about them? Sounds like it's been lightly modded being 30bhp up on standard. Could the remap but put back to std - I guess the other mods might affect that and sounds like it's stuck with an uprated intercooler. Are these engines strong?
3) Does £22k sound fair or could the market nose dive? Buying an occasional/ track toy I don't fancy losing a large amount of cash. Seems like there are not many around and all the reviews rave about them and therefore it should remain a special, sort after car but the others for sale aren't moving quickly.
4) The discs need sorting.
This is the car: https://www.christopherjacksonltd.com/vehicle/rena...
Cheers
Sorry, that spec was what I found on the web on a forum. It doesn't come with slicks but I guess they will may have been used briefly at some point.
Condition is pretty good all round. Slight mark on the front bumper where an object, stone or bird, has hit it so there are a couple of crazes but otherwise it looks in very good condition.
I guess my main worries are:
1) Does the lack of the factory cage cause any issues in terms of selling it on? The cage that's in it is almost identicial to the Renault one but is grey/ black.
2) Do the mods affect value, should I worry about them? Sounds like it's been lightly modded being 30bhp up on standard. Could the remap but put back to std - I guess the other mods might affect that and sounds like it's stuck with an uprated intercooler. Are these engines strong?
3) Does £22k sound fair or could the market nose dive? Buying an occasional/ track toy I don't fancy losing a large amount of cash. Seems like there are not many around and all the reviews rave about them and therefore it should remain a special, sort after car but the others for sale aren't moving quickly.
4) The discs need sorting.
This is the car: https://www.christopherjacksonltd.com/vehicle/rena...
Cheers
Edited by KristianS on Sunday 1st September 07:48
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