Is an RS Megane 280/300 the answer?

[Burny16v]

Hi all,

For a few years now I've done a lot less driving, but when I do it tends to be longer journeys (around 100 mile round trip once or twice a week on average). I have a 2020 Polo GTI that copes with the job, but you can tell it's a small sporty car and it's also not special enough to make the compromises worth it, so I'm looking at something both bigger and a bit more powerful/special. As a serial Renault owner, Megane was my first thought and I test drove a 2021 300, I liked it, and then whilst I was thinking about it overnight, it sold! I then realised they're pretty tough to find in a good colour/spec so turned my attention to the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Golfs etc. but realised they aren't any more interesting than the Polo, just a bit more powerful and plusher inside. Also, my research turned up the rate most of these premium German hatches get nicked at.

I'm now resigned to waiting for the right one and/or trekking across the country, but in the meantime I wanted to ask if I might be missing an option, even if it's a bit different or if the Megane is really the one? I've read many of the threads on here about people wanting hot hatches and feel like I'm familiar all the options, and I am considering an i30N as they seem the closest to what Renaultsport used to do so well, but I've heard a few reports of these getting stolen too - I guess if you look hard enough most stuff get's taken no matter what it is. Still, I'd like to keep the threat relatively low as I've never worried about the Polo beyond putting the keys in a faraday box.

Ideally, it would be good if it could be newer and found at a dealer with a warranty or the balance of a manufacturers one left (I know both Hyundai and Renault offer/offered 5 year ones from new), purely because my journeys are longer and I can't deal with getting stranded or having a problem miles from home and then having a big bill on top. Having said that, if anyone has a good suggestion for an equally good alternative I can get for sub 10 grand and have a bit of a self-warranty fund, I'm open to it! (I imagine a mk3 RS Megane may get suggested ).

[Burny16v]

CG2020UK said:

The latest RS Megane is seriously underrated!

I test drove one along with all the other hot hatches 2 years ago.

Biggest issue is that M2 prices have dropped down to the £25k mark as well so I’d suggest having a look at the N55 M2 they are seriously reliable cars (especially compared to RS Megane) and apart from insurance won’t cost you much more than an RS Megane to run. Can get extended warranty if you feel you need it but 90% of owners don’t bother with the N55 M2, S55 M2 Comp definitely get a warranty!

Also the M2 isn’t on a thieves radar as it draws to much attention, requires a high skill level to drive fast and being a coupe with electric seats means it’s useless for any illegal activities!

If staying with hot hatches I’d go the RS Megane in Flame Red.

Peugeot 308 GTI is quicker on track and better to daily than the RS Megane so another option. Don’t think it’s anywhere as near good looking but.

Thanks all.

The original M2 is certainly a realistic "dream car" of mine, but I wasn't sure just how suitable it was as a daily - I'll certainly run it through some man maths and see how it stacks up, could be a good time to get into one. They're certainly easier to find than a Megane!

I'd agree about the Megane being underrated, I'm a big fan of most fast Renault's and certainly found the criticism of it to be not entirely accurate after my test drive. Also agreed on the 308, I probably would consider one if I could find a later model facelift that came with things like CarPlay, but they're even tougher than a Megane to find!

As for comment about Trophy's, I had heard the lighter weight DESS battery can be a problem. There are periods where I might not use it for a couple of weeks and it's not practical to hook it up to the charger/maintainer. Either way, that's pretty much the dream spec you had there chucky egg, although the volcanic orange is really nice too.

[Burny16v]

Thanks all for the info and views, and also for the continuing photos of brightly coloured Megane's! That's a lovely looking car Justin, pretty much exactly the same as I recently missed out on. If it's ex-management there's every chance it was one of my old boss's cars - I worked for Renault and he always had an RS as his car.

Also thanks classicfred and Ben for the gearbox info, despite being a bit of a Renaultsport nerd I wasn't aware of Megane gearbox problems, but then I've only ever really focused on Clio's - based on those, though, I shouldn't be too shocked I suppose if I were to get a mk4 I'd prefer the auto but if I go older I'll focus on 265's, thanks for the heads up. Also appreciate the link to that article Ben, look forward to finding out your thoughts!