Renaultsport Megane 225
Discussion
A couple of years ago I was working in a pub locally, so wasn't earning a great deal - hoping that when I get promoted to bar manager I could buy something more interesting.
I had an R50 MINI Cooper, which was great fun! From the roundabout up to my village my friend couldn't keep up in his CSL because the road was tiny and gritty, always made me laugh, and really annoyed him! The bar manager job didn't happen, so I trained for my heavy plant ticket again.
45 miles each way for the new job in a 125hp car was becoming a bit annoying - the MINI not really happy with overtaking things, especially when there is 5 cars following a tractor down a country road. Not safe. So the search for a new quicker car was at it's beginning.
What to aim for I wondered. Earning good money, but stingy so don't want to spend it. Two faster larger than MINI hatches stood out. Focus ST2/3, or Megane RS 225/230/R26. Thought about it one afternoon at work and remembered how much I really disliked my mate's Focus Mk1 RS, because they were crap, so the Focus was out. Which Megane then?
It's supposed to be just a daily so try not to spend too much I decided. So I went on the usual sites and looked for something to fit the bill. MANY heaps on there, it would seem. Scope creep comes in and I'm eyeing up an R26.R until I get my head back in order. Actually found a nice late 225. Go and look at that for sure!
Got my mate to drive me over, we had a look at it, I instantly liked it, so after a drive to check it was all good, got it bought. Drove home, very fun drive!
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/KLw4PapW[/url]
And this is the end result.
It's a later one, so has the Cup and Lux things as standard, they were options on earlier cars.
I am really happy with it.
It wasn't without it's faults at the time of purchase though...
One of the biggest faults was that it came with some Shon-Ki HedgeFriend tyres on the front that were OK in the dry, but downright frightening in the wet. Driving in the wet to work was a hair raising experience, so I quickly changed the tyres to Michelin PS4s, which have transformed it into something stunning around corners. Well worth. It'll now power oversteer... Glad I didn't spend the extra on the R26 with the LSD, because it really isn't needed on the road. It pulls you round corners anyway. If you slip you are going WAAAAY too fast for the road in one of these.
Great car. Did I mention I love it?
There shall be more to this story, I have plans...
I hope you have enjoyed reading thus far.
CM
I had an R50 MINI Cooper, which was great fun! From the roundabout up to my village my friend couldn't keep up in his CSL because the road was tiny and gritty, always made me laugh, and really annoyed him! The bar manager job didn't happen, so I trained for my heavy plant ticket again.
45 miles each way for the new job in a 125hp car was becoming a bit annoying - the MINI not really happy with overtaking things, especially when there is 5 cars following a tractor down a country road. Not safe. So the search for a new quicker car was at it's beginning.
What to aim for I wondered. Earning good money, but stingy so don't want to spend it. Two faster larger than MINI hatches stood out. Focus ST2/3, or Megane RS 225/230/R26. Thought about it one afternoon at work and remembered how much I really disliked my mate's Focus Mk1 RS, because they were crap, so the Focus was out. Which Megane then?
It's supposed to be just a daily so try not to spend too much I decided. So I went on the usual sites and looked for something to fit the bill. MANY heaps on there, it would seem. Scope creep comes in and I'm eyeing up an R26.R until I get my head back in order. Actually found a nice late 225. Go and look at that for sure!
Got my mate to drive me over, we had a look at it, I instantly liked it, so after a drive to check it was all good, got it bought. Drove home, very fun drive!
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/KLw4PapW[/url]And this is the end result.
It's a later one, so has the Cup and Lux things as standard, they were options on earlier cars.
I am really happy with it.
It wasn't without it's faults at the time of purchase though...
One of the biggest faults was that it came with some Shon-Ki HedgeFriend tyres on the front that were OK in the dry, but downright frightening in the wet. Driving in the wet to work was a hair raising experience, so I quickly changed the tyres to Michelin PS4s, which have transformed it into something stunning around corners. Well worth. It'll now power oversteer... Glad I didn't spend the extra on the R26 with the LSD, because it really isn't needed on the road. It pulls you round corners anyway. If you slip you are going WAAAAY too fast for the road in one of these.
Great car. Did I mention I love it?
There shall be more to this story, I have plans...
I hope you have enjoyed reading thus far.
CM
Edited by Checkmate on Tuesday 2nd June 00:28
Superb choice! I bought my misses a Cooper about 4 years ago and it’s a cracking car, driven it the length of the country a few times with no complaints, although it’s a very different species to your Megane here.
I’ve been tempted by the F1 edition a few times, I even nearly convinced myself to buy a 175 DCI As a commuter I’ve wanted one that much but have never been able to pull the trigger on one for a few concerns.
Enjoy and I will follow with interest.
I’ve been tempted by the F1 edition a few times, I even nearly convinced myself to buy a 175 DCI As a commuter I’ve wanted one that much but have never been able to pull the trigger on one for a few concerns.
Enjoy and I will follow with interest.
Great cars, love them, had a couple of trophy's in the past. Only thing I dont like is the flimsy interior.
Make sure the swivel bearings are in good nick and it will last you. Bookmark Renault parts Direct for bits as they're genuine parts from a dealer, but generally much cheaper. Cheap and decent upgrade is the R26R shocks, about 250 all in.
Make sure the swivel bearings are in good nick and it will last you. Bookmark Renault parts Direct for bits as they're genuine parts from a dealer, but generally much cheaper. Cheap and decent upgrade is the R26R shocks, about 250 all in.
Nice car, I've got an 07 R26 in the same colour. Awesome car, when it feels like working. Had a few issues with mine and it's been off the road for the last year with a significant coolant leak from the turbo/turbo area. Its waiting for me and a mate to grow a set and probably pull the engine as it's due belts and may aswell do clutch aswell.
Mines had a few tweaks, ktec exhaust, quite a bit of suspension refreshed, stripped some weight, intake kit, and has been breathed on by ray west to get it to mid 270's and a chunk of extra torque. Should be getting it road worthy again soon and I'm looking forward to it. Renaultsports seem to get under your skin, while the megane has been off the road I had a phase 2 172 flamer that was extensively modified. Sadly it was hilariously unreliable/unpredictable and had to go. I'd suggest you get hold of some spare window regulators as in my experience and knowing a fair few owners it's not if they break, it's when they break. Have fun with it.
It's true that you can do without the LSD but once you've had it you would miss it. Really makes it a seriously impressive car.
Mines had a few tweaks, ktec exhaust, quite a bit of suspension refreshed, stripped some weight, intake kit, and has been breathed on by ray west to get it to mid 270's and a chunk of extra torque. Should be getting it road worthy again soon and I'm looking forward to it. Renaultsports seem to get under your skin, while the megane has been off the road I had a phase 2 172 flamer that was extensively modified. Sadly it was hilariously unreliable/unpredictable and had to go. I'd suggest you get hold of some spare window regulators as in my experience and knowing a fair few owners it's not if they break, it's when they break. Have fun with it.
It's true that you can do without the LSD but once you've had it you would miss it. Really makes it a seriously impressive car.
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