Renaultsport Megane Cup S 275

[MikeGoodwin]

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.

Ive a couple of mates with Golf Rs and honestly I am not atall impressed with them. I get why people like them but they are dull really. But then people who would buy a Golf R probably wouldnt be interested in a Megane RS for the reasons youve stated above. Had to laugh at the diff thing. I pulled out my drive this morning in the wet and the diff was being its miserable cold self and the wife was asking what on earth the noise was.

I still want an E92 M3, but I just cant bring myself to part with the Renault. I also have a love/hate relationship with it.

[GrumpyTwig]

MikeGoodwin said:

Ive a couple of mates with Golf Rs and honestly I am not atall impressed with them. I get why people like them but they are dull really. But then people who would buy a Golf R probably wouldnt be interested in a Megane RS for the reasons youve stated above. Had to laugh at the diff thing. I pulled out my drive this morning in the wet and the diff was being its miserable cold self and the wife was asking what on earth the noise was.

I still want an E92 M3, but I just cant bring myself to part with the Renault. I also have a love/hate relationship with it.

Love/hate summed up Renault ownership for me. Great focused cars but still even these days seem massively flawed as well. I didn't have many problems with the 2 or 3 I owned but the problems I did have were either big (gearbox in clio though covered under warranty) or expensive and out of warranty (nearly 3k when the clutch master went).
Honestly I'd be surprised if an E92 was more fun, a friend swapped to one and quickly got rid as it just didn't live up to expectations. ended up back in a Megane.
I've ended up in a DSG Skoda of all things, tbh.... I don't really miss it that much after owning one for ~5 years, it'd had its time.

[MikeGoodwin]

GrumpyTwig said:

Love/hate summed up Renault ownership for me. Great focused cars but still even these days seem massively flawed as well. I didn't have many problems with the 2 or 3 I owned but the problems I did have were either big (gearbox in clio though covered under warranty) or expensive and out of warranty (nearly 3k when the clutch master went).
Honestly I'd be surprised if an E92 was more fun, a friend swapped to one and quickly got rid as it just didn't live up to expectations. ended up back in a Megane.
I've ended up in a DSG Skoda of all things, tbh.... I don't really miss it that much after owning one for ~5 years, it'd had its time.

All part of the Renault ownership experience

Good to know about the M3. I heard similar from a friend, knew someone that sold a megane, got an e92 m3 and ended up selling for a lotus.

[MikeGoodwin]

Anyone replaced their brakes yet? DS2500s and Standard Grooved Discs all round are nearly £730 for parts from ktek. Ive done 22k miles on mine and they are ready to be swapped.

Better to search ebay? or elsewhere

[GrumpyTwig]

You're better off committing to some aggressive pads or sticking to OEM ones ime, the ds2500 aren't really that great so go DS1.11/RC3 or just stick to OEM that are more than capable.

Not sure on the discs though, unless it's changed OEM was the only way last I changed mine. So prices don't vary much.

[Blanchimont]

MikeGoodwin said:

Anyone replaced their brakes yet? DS2500s and Standard Grooved Discs all round are nearly £730 for parts from ktek. Ive done 22k miles on mine and they are ready to be swapped.

Better to search ebay? or elsewhere

I use OE discs all round and will be using PF Z rated pads up front, and OE pads rear. I do track mine fairly regularly

Try Kam Racing, I've ordered quite a few bits from him, standard and performance parts - works out at £611. Ktec are pretty pricey.

[MikeGoodwin]

Thanks all, I think ill try Kam Racing actually and stick with OEM. They are pretty good brakes for road use really.

[GrumpyTwig]

MikeGoodwin said:

Thanks all, I think ill try Kam Racing actually and stick with OEM. They are pretty good brakes for road use really.

It could be just me but the one time I used Kam the order took ages and the customer service was a bit dismissive.

[Blanchimont]

GrumpyTwig said:

MikeGoodwin said:

Thanks all, I think ill try Kam Racing actually and stick with OEM. They are pretty good brakes for road use really.

It could be just me but the one time I used Kam the order took ages and the customer service was a bit dismissive.

I dealt with Kevin, and when I ordered fluid 1 bottle was missed. Spoke to him and it was sent next day. Good and bed with every company though. Horses for courses though.

The discs are great even for track use too, and can cope with a decent amount of abuse.

[MikeGoodwin]

Replaced my headlight bulbs this week. My god, why is is so difficult to remove the cluster?!

[GrumpyTwig]

MikeGoodwin said:

Replaced my headlight bulbs this week. My god, why is is so difficult to remove the cluster?!

haha you never owned a mk3 Clio or a mk2 megane? The mk3 is a doddle in comparison.

[MikeGoodwin]

Replaced my headlight bulbs this week. My god, why is is so difficult to remove the cluster?!

[DoubleD]

You can say that again

[Zarco]

MikeGoodwin said:

Replaced my headlight bulbs this week. My god, why is is so difficult to remove the cluster?!

What two nuts and slide it? Piece of cake I thought.

Not dropping your brand new bulb on the floor whilst putting it in; that's a different matter!

I upgraded my dipped bulbs to Philips Racing Vision or some such. Can't say I've noticed a massive difference from the original absolutely cack headlights I had unfortunately. You can really see where Renault cut costs on the face lift. Irony is I don't remember the halogen headlights on my 172 Cup being this bad.

[MikeGoodwin]

No idea why same post comes up a couple of hrs apart.

I had a MK3 clio, gearbox replaced but nothing else ever went wrong with it.

It was remove two bolts then wonder why my cluster just didnt pop out easily like in the videos.

Love this car

[nickfrog]

Blanchimont said:

I use OE discs all round and will be using PF Z rated pads up front, and OE pads rear. I do track mine fairly regularly

This is my set up for road and track and it works well (with RBF600) - I do 5 track days and 5k road miles with a set of fronts although the wear rate is almost the same at the rear despite everything being off on track. The contact area at the rear is actually quite small which may explain the wear.

The only thing with the PFCs is that the wear rate increased dramatically on track past a certain temperature, but that's to be expected. Typically they are good for 8 hot(ish) laps but after that you'll hurt them disproportionately if you don't stop for a cool down.

[nickfrog]

MikeGoodwin said:

I would really push to find an ohlins shod car.

I wouldn't - I would take it for a couple of hundred pounds difference of course but the std Cup set up is so incredibly right for a OE set up, the Ohlins IME are just the cherry on the cake. The problem with being specific about them is that you're ruling out 95% of the cars.

MikeGoodwin said:

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.

I find them supremely comfy and couldn't live without them either for road or track, particularly as they make fitting a harness easy and cheap.

[MikeGoodwin]

MikeGoodwin said:

GrumpyTwig said:

Love/hate summed up Renault ownership for me. Great focused cars but still even these days seem massively flawed as well. I didn't have many problems with the 2 or 3 I owned but the problems I did have were either big (gearbox in clio though covered under warranty) or expensive and out of warranty (nearly 3k when the clutch master went).
Honestly I'd be surprised if an E92 was more fun, a friend swapped to one and quickly got rid as it just didn't live up to expectations. ended up back in a Megane.
I've ended up in a DSG Skoda of all things, tbh.... I don't really miss it that much after owning one for ~5 years, it'd had its time.

All part of the Renault ownership experience

Good to know about the M3. I heard similar from a friend, knew someone that sold a megane, got an e92 m3 and ended up selling for a lotus.

Sold LL65 VWV for an E92 M3 recently. Not sure its more fun yet, the Megane was fun in a lot less space than needed in the M3, also the Megane had far better brakes and steering than the M3 does and I think it was more fun at lower speeds than the M3. Itll take me a while to learn what the M3 does. Engine is epic but I am still exploring the chassis.

Megane will be sorely missed and leaving the car I felt like having a pet dog put to sleep. Best car ive owned by far and if the M3 doesnt work out ill be back in the 275 for sure. Or a Lotus.

[T0M]

My experience is almost identical Mike having gone to an E46 M3. It is growing on me though, definitely takes time to bond and learn how to drive it - a very different experience to a hot hatch. Will always have a soft spot for a 275 and no-doubt will be back in one at some point

[Zarco]

M Power.

Pah!!!!!