Renaultsport Megane Cup S 275
Discussion
Gents, my 16 plate cup-s, which has only done 3600 miles, is developing suspension rattles and door rattles.I get rattling from the back, and then if I'm manoeuvring, grumbles and knocks that I cant say where from. The only way I can describe it is it sounds like when two pieces of metal are stressed and then ping apart, sounding through the body. I'm not talking about being on full lock with the steering either, just backing out of a space for example.It even happens simply moving slowly on slightly uneven surfaces. I dont think its anything to do with the diff, which is stiff for a few hundred yards and noticeable on a damp road - I'm fine with that and I know what to expect, its not that. Door rattles that have just started in the drivers door are really irritating. The moment you move even at 1-2 mph there's noise, as if its the movemnet of the monocoque rather than something in the door itself. None of this was present when I bought it, albeit I got it at 15 mnths and it had only done 1500 miles. Underneath it didnt look like it had seen a wet day. My questions are: has anyone else experienced these things and what are the dealers like? Any good ones or would I be better heading for K-tec who might know the cars better?
If it's in warranty, forget Ktec.
Comment on a couple of megane groups on facebook, and the actual pages to see if there are any recommended dealers nearby.
The local dealer to me in Bristol have been pretty good at diagnosing. They're mighty expensive, but they're work is pretty good, and they're always happy to talk over what they've found and show me the issues. Warranty work in the past they've dealt with quickly, and without issue too. Can't complain about them really. They moan about fitting aftermarket parts though, which is kind of expected.
RE: the suspension work, I would say it's the lower swivel hub bearings. Common failure, and sounds like 2 metal pieces rubbing together. Mine went, sounded like I was sheering metal each time I turned, but the bearings themselves were ok. Some sound silent but are terrible. The car also started picking up cambers badly too.
RE the door noise, whilst driving along gently try pressing into the door card to see if it clears, it could be a loose speaker or trim inside. I've got an annoying rattle in the window channel on the drivers side when driving along. Only intermittent, but it sounds like the window is loose, but it's still sealed. I think there's some seal feed type stuff you can get, but so far cba tracking it down. It stops the second I drop the window, even an inch.
Whilst driving along try pressing against things gently, the speaker, door pull trim, window (at the top when closed) near the back of the door. Also try just behind the front seats and see if there's anything in the little cubby holes behind them. Worth a look.
Comment on a couple of megane groups on facebook, and the actual pages to see if there are any recommended dealers nearby.
The local dealer to me in Bristol have been pretty good at diagnosing. They're mighty expensive, but they're work is pretty good, and they're always happy to talk over what they've found and show me the issues. Warranty work in the past they've dealt with quickly, and without issue too. Can't complain about them really. They moan about fitting aftermarket parts though, which is kind of expected.
RE: the suspension work, I would say it's the lower swivel hub bearings. Common failure, and sounds like 2 metal pieces rubbing together. Mine went, sounded like I was sheering metal each time I turned, but the bearings themselves were ok. Some sound silent but are terrible. The car also started picking up cambers badly too.
RE the door noise, whilst driving along gently try pressing into the door card to see if it clears, it could be a loose speaker or trim inside. I've got an annoying rattle in the window channel on the drivers side when driving along. Only intermittent, but it sounds like the window is loose, but it's still sealed. I think there's some seal feed type stuff you can get, but so far cba tracking it down. It stops the second I drop the window, even an inch.
Whilst driving along try pressing against things gently, the speaker, door pull trim, window (at the top when closed) near the back of the door. Also try just behind the front seats and see if there's anything in the little cubby holes behind them. Worth a look.
Mine's a lot more than a screw rattling!
Yes I've tried psuhing the door card and all that. Strangely enough it's gone away this morning....damn thing. However, none of this
affects the way it drives, bloody superb on my local B roads.
The reason I mentioned K-tec is that they can get warranty claims authorised for work they do, according to them. They're just a bit far away from me, I'll try dealers first.
Yes I've tried psuhing the door card and all that. Strangely enough it's gone away this morning....damn thing. However, none of this
affects the way it drives, bloody superb on my local B roads.
The reason I mentioned K-tec is that they can get warranty claims authorised for work they do, according to them. They're just a bit far away from me, I'll try dealers first.
The rubbing metal thing you hear when turning is the diff. Have you ever driven a 4x4 with a locking diff??
I have a rattle in the door panel somewhere on my drivers door I suspect it's a loose cable. Got used to it.
I get knocking coming from the rear that sounds like a knackered suspension strut. Hydraulic knocking type sound. It's my boot and I don't really know how to fix it to be honest I've got used to it.
Don't forget it is a Renault so it is built badly. My clutch also judders when cold. The gearbox sounds truly awful like a train junction signal box.
I have a rattle in the door panel somewhere on my drivers door I suspect it's a loose cable. Got used to it.
I get knocking coming from the rear that sounds like a knackered suspension strut. Hydraulic knocking type sound. It's my boot and I don't really know how to fix it to be honest I've got used to it.
Don't forget it is a Renault so it is built badly. My clutch also judders when cold. The gearbox sounds truly awful like a train junction signal box.
MikeGoodwin said:
The rubbing metal thing you hear when turning is the diff. Have you ever driven a 4x4 with a locking diff??
I have a rattle in the door panel somewhere on my drivers door I suspect it's a loose cable. Got used to it.
I get knocking coming from the rear that sounds like a knackered suspension strut. Hydraulic knocking type sound. It's my boot and I don't really know how to fix it to be honest I've got used to it.
Don't forget it is a Renault so it is built badly. My clutch also judders when cold. The gearbox sounds truly awful like a train junction signal box.
Mike, about the boot itself, I had it and put a little electrical tape around the latch for the boot and it was enough to stop it. I have a rattle in the door panel somewhere on my drivers door I suspect it's a loose cable. Got used to it.
I get knocking coming from the rear that sounds like a knackered suspension strut. Hydraulic knocking type sound. It's my boot and I don't really know how to fix it to be honest I've got used to it.
Don't forget it is a Renault so it is built badly. My clutch also judders when cold. The gearbox sounds truly awful like a train junction signal box.
Blanchimont said:
Mike, about the boot itself, I had it and put a little electrical tape around the latch for the boot and it was enough to stop it.
Thanks, ill give this a go, does become irritating. Drive the same roads to work daily and I know to avoid certain man hole covers to avoid it 
mikeyscott said:
Looking at these at moment and would want a loaded one, has anyone come from an E82 BMW 135i? Love the engine and luxury on my 135i, but the rest isn’t doing it for me.
Id ask you whats up with the E82 but I know from experience.Said this before, but I had an E92 320d Sport Plus which I hated. Replaced with a Focus ST3 on lease which was a step in the right direction then followed by the Megane 275 which despite wanting to replace with just about every car in the classifieds because I want to experience an s2000 at 9000rpm or an e92 m3 I just cant bring myself to get rid of simply because I enjoy abusing it and it loves every minute of it and asks for more. Its the positive turn in, the lateral grip it can achieve and the fact it shines where a Golf R, Focus ST etc let you down - at 10/10ths
In my early 20s I was fortunate enough to spend plenty of time in all sorts of BMWs, the best being 335i, 130i, E39 M5, E6* M5, F10 M5, plus just about every other model going. They were great, but at the time I had a Clio GT (128hp) on coilovers which I was always happy to be back in after spending time in the BMWs, it took 18 months of e92 ownership to know what I really wanted in a car.
Make sure you get an Ohlins shod car if youre going for a 275, keep the tyres fresh, the geometry setup every year and abuse it on some of your favorite back roads frequently and you'll love it.
MikeGoodwin said:
Id ask you whats up with the E82 but I know from experience.
Said this before, but I had an E92 320d Sport Plus which I hated. Replaced with a Focus ST3 on lease which was a step in the right direction then followed by the Megane 275 which despite wanting to replace with just about every car in the classifieds because I want to experience an s2000 at 9000rpm or an e92 m3 I just cant bring myself to get rid of simply because I enjoy abusing it and it loves every minute of it and asks for more. Its the positive turn in, the lateral grip it can achieve and the fact it shines where a Golf R, Focus ST etc let you down - at 10/10ths
In my early 20s I was fortunate enough to spend plenty of time in all sorts of BMWs, the best being 335i, 130i, E39 M5, E6* M5, F10 M5, plus just about every other model going. They were great, but at the time I had a Clio GT (128hp) on coilovers which I was always happy to be back in after spending time in the BMWs, it took 18 months of e92 ownership to know what I really wanted in a car.
Make sure you get an Ohlins shod car if youre going for a 275, keep the tyres fresh, the geometry setup every year and abuse it on some of your favorite back roads frequently and you'll love it.
I came from a mk3 Focus ST as well. I echo all of the above. I'm in the fortunate position of being free to drive any daily driver I want up £20k - seats don't matter, doors don't. Ok I don't want to average 18mpg or pay a ridiculous amount of maintenance so have to be slightly realistic but anything else goes. I still have the megane...Said this before, but I had an E92 320d Sport Plus which I hated. Replaced with a Focus ST3 on lease which was a step in the right direction then followed by the Megane 275 which despite wanting to replace with just about every car in the classifieds because I want to experience an s2000 at 9000rpm or an e92 m3 I just cant bring myself to get rid of simply because I enjoy abusing it and it loves every minute of it and asks for more. Its the positive turn in, the lateral grip it can achieve and the fact it shines where a Golf R, Focus ST etc let you down - at 10/10ths
In my early 20s I was fortunate enough to spend plenty of time in all sorts of BMWs, the best being 335i, 130i, E39 M5, E6* M5, F10 M5, plus just about every other model going. They were great, but at the time I had a Clio GT (128hp) on coilovers which I was always happy to be back in after spending time in the BMWs, it took 18 months of e92 ownership to know what I really wanted in a car.
Make sure you get an Ohlins shod car if youre going for a 275, keep the tyres fresh, the geometry setup every year and abuse it on some of your favorite back roads frequently and you'll love it.
MikeGoodwin said:
mikeyscott said:
Looking at these at moment and would want a loaded one, has anyone come from an E82 BMW 135i? Love the engine and luxury on my 135i, but the rest isn’t doing it for me.
Id ask you whats up with the E82 but I know from experience.Said this before, but I had an E92 320d Sport Plus which I hated. Replaced with a Focus ST3 on lease which was a step in the right direction then followed by the Megane 275 which despite wanting to replace with just about every car in the classifieds because I want to experience an s2000 at 9000rpm or an e92 m3 I just cant bring myself to get rid of simply because I enjoy abusing it and it loves every minute of it and asks for more. Its the positive turn in, the lateral grip it can achieve and the fact it shines where a Golf R, Focus ST etc let you down - at 10/10ths
In my early 20s I was fortunate enough to spend plenty of time in all sorts of BMWs, the best being 335i, 130i, E39 M5, E6* M5, F10 M5, plus just about every other model going. They were great, but at the time I had a Clio GT (128hp) on coilovers which I was always happy to be back in after spending time in the BMWs, it took 18 months of e92 ownership to know what I really wanted in a car.
Make sure you get an Ohlins shod car if youre going for a 275, keep the tyres fresh, the geometry setup every year and abuse it on some of your favorite back roads frequently and you'll love it.
Mike, how did you identify that rattle as being the boot? Presumably the hatch itself is it?
As for the conversation about the Megane compared to all those other cars: I havent had the privelege of driving all those (some though) and the Golf R is a car I'd like to have a go of, but I'm over 3 months with the Megane and it frustrates a bit but delights most of the time. Frustrates with it's rattles and grumbles , feels like the diff needs to warm up for a mile or so (dreadful understeer on greasy roads for the first mile) but I have the joy of living on a B road, with miles of them all around me and all is forgiven when you just get going. This weather is a proper laugh - traction off and feel your way around like we used to years ago. I've got a favourite bend and it's simply sublime rotating the back - at moderate speeds at the moment because its so slippery. I suspect the Golf would be a great and rapid all-rounder but I'm wondering if it would be as involving as the Megane. I'll have to hire one somewhere if I can and see what its like one day.
As for the conversation about the Megane compared to all those other cars: I havent had the privelege of driving all those (some though) and the Golf R is a car I'd like to have a go of, but I'm over 3 months with the Megane and it frustrates a bit but delights most of the time. Frustrates with it's rattles and grumbles , feels like the diff needs to warm up for a mile or so (dreadful understeer on greasy roads for the first mile) but I have the joy of living on a B road, with miles of them all around me and all is forgiven when you just get going. This weather is a proper laugh - traction off and feel your way around like we used to years ago. I've got a favourite bend and it's simply sublime rotating the back - at moderate speeds at the moment because its so slippery. I suspect the Golf would be a great and rapid all-rounder but I'm wondering if it would be as involving as the Megane. I'll have to hire one somewhere if I can and see what its like one day.
Woody2043 said:
Mike, how did you identify that rattle as being the boot? Presumably the hatch itself is it?
As for the conversation about the Megane compared to all those other cars: I havent had the privelege of driving all those (some though) and the Golf R is a car I'd like to have a go of, but I'm over 3 months with the Megane and it frustrates a bit but delights most of the time. Frustrates with it's rattles and grumbles , feels like the diff needs to warm up for a mile or so (dreadful understeer on greasy roads for the first mile) but I have the joy of living on a B road, with miles of them all around me and all is forgiven when you just get going. This weather is a proper laugh - traction off and feel your way around like we used to years ago. I've got a favourite bend and it's simply sublime rotating the back - at moderate speeds at the moment because its so slippery. I suspect the Golf would be a great and rapid all-rounder but I'm wondering if it would be as involving as the Megane. I'll have to hire one somewhere if I can and see what its like one day.
Not even in the same league for involvement - I'll save you some time As for the conversation about the Megane compared to all those other cars: I havent had the privelege of driving all those (some though) and the Golf R is a car I'd like to have a go of, but I'm over 3 months with the Megane and it frustrates a bit but delights most of the time. Frustrates with it's rattles and grumbles , feels like the diff needs to warm up for a mile or so (dreadful understeer on greasy roads for the first mile) but I have the joy of living on a B road, with miles of them all around me and all is forgiven when you just get going. This weather is a proper laugh - traction off and feel your way around like we used to years ago. I've got a favourite bend and it's simply sublime rotating the back - at moderate speeds at the moment because its so slippery. I suspect the Golf would be a great and rapid all-rounder but I'm wondering if it would be as involving as the Megane. I'll have to hire one somewhere if I can and see what its like one day.
mikeyscott said:
Cheers for the info i’ll Do some searching and understand differences between versions. 275 Nav top model?
I think essential options are the Cup pack (brembo front brakes and LSD), 18 inch wheels with nice fresh rubber and I would really push to find an ohlins shod car. RS monitor a nice to have to adjust throttle response as without it my 275 has 250hp normal mode with slightly sloppy throttle response or 275hp sport mode with razor edge throttle response.Recaros I am not so fussed about, Id rather have got standard seats or some Pole Positions. The Recaro Sportster CS isnt all that great and they are made from granite.
If you plan on modifying it then get a 250 or 265 with the cup chassis, dont bother with the 275. Only reason Id get a 275 is for the Ohlins.
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