A few false starts, and the end ReSult.
Discussion
After spending weeks trying to decide what to get to replace my old Punto, all I successfully did was piss myself off as I couldn't even work out a budget, let alone what to get.
It went from, 3 to 5, finally settling on 10k.
So off to classifieds it was looking at 10k cars, which included everything from 550i Tourings, to a Astra VXR, and then man maths came into it.
With a large containment of Man Maths, I ended up looking at a nearly new Focus ST, and nearly pulled the trigger, but it sold before I decided. Astra VXR was a no go. Then I stumbled across the facelift Megane RS. The Pre Fl's looked okay, but didn't set my world alight, but the FL looked great. The classified hunt was on, and after testing a trophy, and nearly buying that (figures were a no go, plus it was 13k more than the 10k budget)
. I found the perfect spec.
The musts:
Bluetooth.
Recaros.
Cup Pack.
18" wheels, not the 19's.
Everything else was a bonus.
After about 3/4 weeks of daily searching on AT, Renault Approved Used and even pondering new the perfect spec fell into my lap.
Megane RS 265, with the Cup Chassis, Leather Recaros, Climate pack (which also included auto lights & Wipers), an actual spare wheel, not gloopy crap, privacy glass, the 18 inch, Tibor alloys, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, cruise and sat nav.
Although, as per all of the others, there were immediate issues, firstly, the car was the other side of the country, London (I was in Bristol). By pure luck, I had a trip planned there for the following week, so collection could work out. Then it fell to insurance. How many 21 year old kids phone up wanting to go from a Punto worth about 3k on a good day, to a 20k+ Megane RS with a 40%+ larger engine, with 145hp more than the old Punto? Most insurers would laugh. Imagine my surprise when they said it'll be a mere £35 to swap. To say it was a shock, was an understatement.
That was it settled then, a deal was done on the car, insurance was sorted a day for collection was sorted.
A picture of when I first seen her! A deal was done on the spot, and a couple of hours later I was driving back home in the Meg, rather than the Punto.
I suspect some flaming will occur now, but this isn't bad for 2.0, turbocharged car and is actually better than the 1.4 Turbo Punto I traded it in for.
Impressions after the first month of so?
It's fast! It's worrying how accelerative it is.
It's remarkably comfy, considering the cup suspension, the Recaros are great, supportive, and they look cool!
Then..
Cock.
Few shots of the car.
Finally, added the most important thing. It has to add 30hp right?
I will try to keep it updated, but it's so much fun to drive!
It went from, 3 to 5, finally settling on 10k.
So off to classifieds it was looking at 10k cars, which included everything from 550i Tourings, to a Astra VXR, and then man maths came into it.
With a large containment of Man Maths, I ended up looking at a nearly new Focus ST, and nearly pulled the trigger, but it sold before I decided. Astra VXR was a no go. Then I stumbled across the facelift Megane RS. The Pre Fl's looked okay, but didn't set my world alight, but the FL looked great. The classified hunt was on, and after testing a trophy, and nearly buying that (figures were a no go, plus it was 13k more than the 10k budget)
. I found the perfect spec.The musts:
Bluetooth.
Recaros.
Cup Pack.
18" wheels, not the 19's.
Everything else was a bonus.
After about 3/4 weeks of daily searching on AT, Renault Approved Used and even pondering new the perfect spec fell into my lap.
Megane RS 265, with the Cup Chassis, Leather Recaros, Climate pack (which also included auto lights & Wipers), an actual spare wheel, not gloopy crap, privacy glass, the 18 inch, Tibor alloys, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, cruise and sat nav.
Although, as per all of the others, there were immediate issues, firstly, the car was the other side of the country, London (I was in Bristol). By pure luck, I had a trip planned there for the following week, so collection could work out. Then it fell to insurance. How many 21 year old kids phone up wanting to go from a Punto worth about 3k on a good day, to a 20k+ Megane RS with a 40%+ larger engine, with 145hp more than the old Punto? Most insurers would laugh. Imagine my surprise when they said it'll be a mere £35 to swap. To say it was a shock, was an understatement.
That was it settled then, a deal was done on the car, insurance was sorted a day for collection was sorted.
A picture of when I first seen her! A deal was done on the spot, and a couple of hours later I was driving back home in the Meg, rather than the Punto.
I suspect some flaming will occur now, but this isn't bad for 2.0, turbocharged car and is actually better than the 1.4 Turbo Punto I traded it in for.
Impressions after the first month of so?
It's fast! It's worrying how accelerative it is.
It's remarkably comfy, considering the cup suspension, the Recaros are great, supportive, and they look cool!
Then..
Cock.
Few shots of the car.
Finally, added the most important thing. It has to add 30hp right?
I will try to keep it updated, but it's so much fun to drive!
They're great cars. They offer a 4yr warranty, so they at least have some faith in their product.
It's the biggest Jekyll and Hyde car I've ever driven. It's quiet and comfy when you want it, but when the mood takes you it becomes tactile, responsive, intuitive and fun! and the intake noise is great!
It's the biggest Jekyll and Hyde car I've ever driven. It's quiet and comfy when you want it, but when the mood takes you it becomes tactile, responsive, intuitive and fun! and the intake noise is great!
Martin_Hx said:
Not sure if i like it all black... saves on washing the wheels 
Cracking car though... Enjoy!
The wheels are almost a matte metallic, so they're not glossy, but they have a little shine. It's the first I've seen it, but I really like it. I may get them changed to a anthracite, but I'm not sure yet.Cracking car though... Enjoy!
Blanchimont said:
Martin_Hx said:
Not sure if i like it all black... saves on washing the wheels
Cracking car though... Enjoy!
The wheels are almost a matte metallic, so they're not glossy, but they have a little shine. It's the first I've seen it, but I really like it. I may get them changed to a anthracite, but I'm not sure yet.Cracking car though... Enjoy!
What happened with the windscreen? Pothole?
Martin_Hx said:
Blanchimont said:
Martin_Hx said:
Not sure if i like it all black... saves on washing the wheels
Cracking car though... Enjoy!
The wheels are almost a matte metallic, so they're not glossy, but they have a little shine. It's the first I've seen it, but I really like it. I may get them changed to a anthracite, but I'm not sure yet.Cracking car though... Enjoy!
What happened with the windscreen? Pothole?
Blanchimont said:
Stone from the car infront, flicked up, and cracked, instantly. Arse.
Could be worse, I was changing the wiper blade on my Jaguar XJ when I let go of the arm. It snapped back down and cracked the screen. I hadn't locked it in place! Cost me bloody £50 excess to get repaired too.Agree regarding the rusty bolts, I would have asked a dealer to replace those and I'm sure they would have without issue. Otherwise though, that's an amazing car. It'll probably be remembered as the best hot hatch of it's era.
Baryonyx said:
Blanchimont said:
Stone from the car infront, flicked up, and cracked, instantly. Arse.
Could be worse, I was changing the wiper blade on my Jaguar XJ when I let go of the arm. It snapped back down and cracked the screen. I hadn't locked it in place! Cost me bloody £50 excess to get repaired too.
Martin_Hx said:
Baryonyx said:
Blanchimont said:
Stone from the car infront, flicked up, and cracked, instantly. Arse.
Could be worse, I was changing the wiper blade on my Jaguar XJ when I let go of the arm. It snapped back down and cracked the screen. I hadn't locked it in place! Cost me bloody £50 excess to get repaired too.Just found a nail in the rear tyre too. f
king wking fk!Andy665 said:
Lovely. Came on to my radar recently so just ordered a new 275 Cup S, gone for standard spec apart from R Link multimedia and the Renaultsport Monitor - not really interest in auto this and auto that - dynamics is where these are at and thats what drew me in
The dynamics were a key part of the car for me, but I also something that could be comfy on the daily grind, so wanted something well specced, but not OTT.Blanchimont said:
The wheels are almost a matte metallic, so they're not glossy, but they have a little shine. It's the first I've seen it, but I really like it. I may get them changed to a anthracite, but I'm not sure yet.
I remember Dickie Meaden of Evo fame was genuinely pleased with the change from 19' to 18' on his fast fleet RS.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff