Time to part with the r26?? Naturally Aspirated Engine?
Discussion
I have come to absolutely love the little Megane F1 r26.
It far outpunches its market position as a drivers car. Given prices are still under £10k for one ( i can see them rising above that as Renault starts to remove parts for them/stop making bits) that prices will strengthen maybe even more than they have (though that perhaps is a different conversation altogether).
I've been wondering of late if its time to move on to something different.
Having recently had a clio 182 for a couple of months while the f1 was getting a refresh. I fell in love with the naturally aspirated engine aspect again, it just felt more engaging to drive than the turbo in my r26 (not that my turbo is an issue - the car is very healthy) but something about the natural aspiration and how it loved to rev - it reminded me how much more connected i felt to the car. The megane is effortless in its acceleration and i normally have to keep it below 4.5k rpm to remain within legal limits. Alas a clio isn't on the cards - its just too small for me for everyday use.
The car that keeps coming to mind however, is to give the e92 m3 a go. I've not owned one but was unimpressed on one at the ring a few years ago and i've testified to that in previous posts. But with an ok example starting at £15-20k. I could pick up a Monte Carlo edition with reasonable mileage, DCT for roughly 17K. And i think prices are fairly good at the moment so it would be a good time to buy.
I have started doing my research and i'm surprised to say that alot of posts on other forums have stated that an RS Megane 3 (trophy/cup-s) would be a better upgrade than the m3 as a drivers car? Can that really be the case?
Am i crazy to move towards a naturally aspirated engine? If i did, what cars are available that can fit 4 on the occasion that i need to. Cost between 10 and 20k and are very engaging drivers cars for B-Roads and cross continent track trips (Spa/Ring).
Or should i stick with the r26??
It far outpunches its market position as a drivers car. Given prices are still under £10k for one ( i can see them rising above that as Renault starts to remove parts for them/stop making bits) that prices will strengthen maybe even more than they have (though that perhaps is a different conversation altogether).
I've been wondering of late if its time to move on to something different.
Having recently had a clio 182 for a couple of months while the f1 was getting a refresh. I fell in love with the naturally aspirated engine aspect again, it just felt more engaging to drive than the turbo in my r26 (not that my turbo is an issue - the car is very healthy) but something about the natural aspiration and how it loved to rev - it reminded me how much more connected i felt to the car. The megane is effortless in its acceleration and i normally have to keep it below 4.5k rpm to remain within legal limits. Alas a clio isn't on the cards - its just too small for me for everyday use.
The car that keeps coming to mind however, is to give the e92 m3 a go. I've not owned one but was unimpressed on one at the ring a few years ago and i've testified to that in previous posts. But with an ok example starting at £15-20k. I could pick up a Monte Carlo edition with reasonable mileage, DCT for roughly 17K. And i think prices are fairly good at the moment so it would be a good time to buy.
I have started doing my research and i'm surprised to say that alot of posts on other forums have stated that an RS Megane 3 (trophy/cup-s) would be a better upgrade than the m3 as a drivers car? Can that really be the case?
Am i crazy to move towards a naturally aspirated engine? If i did, what cars are available that can fit 4 on the occasion that i need to. Cost between 10 and 20k and are very engaging drivers cars for B-Roads and cross continent track trips (Spa/Ring).
Or should i stick with the r26??
As a former 182 and R26 owner, I can understand your thinking. The R26 was the better all round car but the 182 was more fun and part of that was because of the eager little NA engine.
Love the E92 M3 albeit would be more tempted to try and find a saloon version myself as rarer and more practical. However, the other car which has always stood out for me is the Lexus ISF. An example like the below seems to fit your criteria.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Lexus-IS-F-5-0-V8-...
They probably aren't as sharp as the M3 but they got good reviews when compared with the M3 and sound just as good with a little exhaust work (https://youtu.be/PQxsfY54hlY). They are also a lot less likely to empty your wallet like the E92 M3. I have been wanting an ISF for years but they are just a little too small for family duties unfortunately. Might work for you though and could be worth a look perhaps.
Love the E92 M3 albeit would be more tempted to try and find a saloon version myself as rarer and more practical. However, the other car which has always stood out for me is the Lexus ISF. An example like the below seems to fit your criteria.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Lexus-IS-F-5-0-V8-...
They probably aren't as sharp as the M3 but they got good reviews when compared with the M3 and sound just as good with a little exhaust work (https://youtu.be/PQxsfY54hlY). They are also a lot less likely to empty your wallet like the E92 M3. I have been wanting an ISF for years but they are just a little too small for family duties unfortunately. Might work for you though and could be worth a look perhaps.
Edited by madmatteo on Monday 29th March 15:57
I remember a slightly tweaked megane keeping up with me in my E92 M3 so don't expect it to feel all that quick(they do get a shift on at 100mph plus though). However the V8 engine is a lovely thing to extend and the revs seem to go on forever. Plus a N/A engine is a dying breed so you could argue that it is worth getting one while you still can.
Have you thought about the Mercedes C63 with the 6.2 V8? It will feel loads more punchy than the M3 and it is also a N/A engine.
Have you thought about the Mercedes C63 with the 6.2 V8? It will feel loads more punchy than the M3 and it is also a N/A engine.
I may be able to help on this one & I'll probably ramble a bit but I hope this helps.
The E90/92 M3 is a proper drivers car that when you're on it will be like nothing you've ever owned BUT they lose a bit of specialness at low speed, now you can add to this by putting an exhaust on one & it definitely adds to the theatre of the car.
My brother has had his for years & it's a keeper but even he as a fanboy admits that my 63 is a better overall package especially when you include maintenance
People will say they lack torque, they don't but you have to use the gearbox to get to the torque/power (in an age of torque rich turbo engines this can be something you just have to get used to) which is all part of the theatre & adds to that feeling of specialness.
M3 Saloon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202001296...
Manual Coupe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202002147...
Coupe with a lot of the work done:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103280...
Maintenance isn't cheap my brothers car is well fettled but he has spent considerably more on his M3 in comparison to my CLK63, the issues are well documented & he's had all of them as well as being on his second set of throttle bodies.
So get any potential purchase inspected & then still leave some money to the side.
These are a different drive to your R26 but trust me you can throw these cars down an A/B road but you'll use a different technique to do so, an RS275 Cup S is a weapon & would just start to gap an M3 down an A/B road (same driver etc) but both drivers would be enjoying the experience & like the M3 the Cup S isn't as good a daily but out of the two the M3 would be the pick.
I really think you should look at the VXR8 this is a proper drivers car with a V8 that is third only to the 5.2 Voodoo & 6.2 AMG IMO of great V8's you can also get a manual too, they've been pretty rock solid when it comes to depreciation.
6.2 Auto
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...
Low Mileage 6.2 Auto
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101288...
Sorted 6.0 Manual with the upgrades you'd want
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103069...
The only thing that I'd update is the infotainment which is a pretty easy fix just add a Pioneer SPH250 DA250 DAB & you're sorted.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-SPH-DA250DAB-Mech...
They're also a rare sight which is another bonus, talking of rare sights the IS-F is a cracking car that gets under your skin with a V8 that loves to scream, like the M3 these really need an exhaust.
Maintenace wise these are very sensible to run main dealer servicing costs are along a similar cost to a 340i/S4 so pretty reasonable for a rare car.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Lexus-IS-F-5-0-V8-...
Again the only downside is connectivity but again an audio specialist will be able to retro fit an android auto/apple car play unit:
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...
Now in my very bias opinion I would be taking the C/CLK63 over the above BUT they're not as sweet a steer as the M3 when fully on it but for the other 350 days of the year it has the M3 licked with it's torque rich n/a V8 that's just weapons grade along with a nice top end.
A diff transforms these cars so budget for a quaife if you get one without an LSD, people will talk about a headbolt issue but it affected a very small number of cars, the gearchange is slower than the DCT but it's not an issue as you'll always be in the power.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
CLK63
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Mercedes-Benz-CLK-...
Now here's my leftfield option & it's a Cat D VXR8 an inspection & some hard haggling could land this with a price starting with 10.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103280...
I hope this has helped.
The E90/92 M3 is a proper drivers car that when you're on it will be like nothing you've ever owned BUT they lose a bit of specialness at low speed, now you can add to this by putting an exhaust on one & it definitely adds to the theatre of the car.
My brother has had his for years & it's a keeper but even he as a fanboy admits that my 63 is a better overall package especially when you include maintenance
People will say they lack torque, they don't but you have to use the gearbox to get to the torque/power (in an age of torque rich turbo engines this can be something you just have to get used to) which is all part of the theatre & adds to that feeling of specialness.
M3 Saloon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202001296...
Manual Coupe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202002147...
Coupe with a lot of the work done:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103280...
Maintenance isn't cheap my brothers car is well fettled but he has spent considerably more on his M3 in comparison to my CLK63, the issues are well documented & he's had all of them as well as being on his second set of throttle bodies.
So get any potential purchase inspected & then still leave some money to the side.
These are a different drive to your R26 but trust me you can throw these cars down an A/B road but you'll use a different technique to do so, an RS275 Cup S is a weapon & would just start to gap an M3 down an A/B road (same driver etc) but both drivers would be enjoying the experience & like the M3 the Cup S isn't as good a daily but out of the two the M3 would be the pick.
I really think you should look at the VXR8 this is a proper drivers car with a V8 that is third only to the 5.2 Voodoo & 6.2 AMG IMO of great V8's you can also get a manual too, they've been pretty rock solid when it comes to depreciation.
6.2 Auto
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009113...
Low Mileage 6.2 Auto
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101288...
Sorted 6.0 Manual with the upgrades you'd want
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103069...
The only thing that I'd update is the infotainment which is a pretty easy fix just add a Pioneer SPH250 DA250 DAB & you're sorted.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-SPH-DA250DAB-Mech...
They're also a rare sight which is another bonus, talking of rare sights the IS-F is a cracking car that gets under your skin with a V8 that loves to scream, like the M3 these really need an exhaust.
Maintenace wise these are very sensible to run main dealer servicing costs are along a similar cost to a 340i/S4 so pretty reasonable for a rare car.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Lexus-IS-F-5-0-V8-...
Again the only downside is connectivity but again an audio specialist will be able to retro fit an android auto/apple car play unit:
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...
Now in my very bias opinion I would be taking the C/CLK63 over the above BUT they're not as sweet a steer as the M3 when fully on it but for the other 350 days of the year it has the M3 licked with it's torque rich n/a V8 that's just weapons grade along with a nice top end.
A diff transforms these cars so budget for a quaife if you get one without an LSD, people will talk about a headbolt issue but it affected a very small number of cars, the gearchange is slower than the DCT but it's not an issue as you'll always be in the power.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103160...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190...
CLK63
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Mercedes-Benz-CLK-...
Now here's my leftfield option & it's a Cat D VXR8 an inspection & some hard haggling could land this with a price starting with 10.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103280...
I hope this has helped.
stevekoz said:
Am i crazy to move towards a naturally aspirated engine? If i did, what cars are available that can fit 4 on the occasion that i need to. Cost between 10 and 20k and are very engaging drivers cars for B-Roads and cross continent track trips (Spa/Ring).
I wonder to what extent the Clio is engaging because it's naturally aspirated, and how much is because of how small and light it is? And perhaps to some extent being an older car?Basically I'm not convinced that a newer, bigger, heavier car with DCT/Automatic transmission is going to feel more engaging than your R26 - it seems like it would be fun, but a somewhat different kind of fun.
In addition to the above well-sourced info, I'd consider some lighter weight possibilities
A naturally aspirated family-size FF
Honda Civic Type R FD2 (four door)
Peugeot 306 GTi-6
Honda Integra Type R DC5 (or possibly DC2)
An actual sports car
Porsche 996
An affordable roadster in addition to your Megane rather than to replace it
Toyota MR2 mk3
Mazda MX-5
Porsche Boxster 986
I reckon the Civic FD2 could be the closest thing to a naturally aspirated counterpart to your Renault.
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