PH G2L deal Meg 280 owners ?
Discussion
Luke. said:
So you chaps still loving the car? Any annoyances? Is the rear wheel steering a bit odd?
Loving it - now it's almost rather free (even the B-pillar once has quietened a little.)The 4-wheel steering is now a non-event. Cannot feel it at all anymore. It really is a very nimble car.
1 odd quirk... in 1st, foot fully on the clutch, it'll not happily release 1st each time. Heard it grind gears a few times trying to come out of 1st, like it doesn't want to let go.
LegendaryGiT said:
Loving it - now it's almost rather free (even the B-pillar once has quietened a little.)
The 4-wheel steering is now a non-event. Cannot feel it at all anymore. It really is a very nimble car.
1 odd quirk... in 1st, foot fully on the clutch, it'll not happily release 1st each time. Heard it grind gears a few times trying to come out of 1st, like it doesn't want to let go.
Interesting about the 4-wheel steering. Just out of interest, can it be turned off? I think I read somewhere it could. Gears? That when the gearbox is cold or all the time.The 4-wheel steering is now a non-event. Cannot feel it at all anymore. It really is a very nimble car.
1 odd quirk... in 1st, foot fully on the clutch, it'll not happily release 1st each time. Heard it grind gears a few times trying to come out of 1st, like it doesn't want to let go.
Luke. said:
Interesting about the 4-wheel steering. Just out of interest, can it be turned off? I think I read somewhere it could. Gears? That when the gearbox is cold or all the time.
Steering - if it can be disabled, I'm not sure I'd be bothered to do so - it'll be a diagnostic function to do it.Gears - more when cold, which is more of a worry.
Mine arrived no a transporter this morning. Good condition apart from the rust on the exhaust, as others have noted. Looks really good in grey and I was pleased to see it came on 18" wheels and with the Continental tyres, which I believe are an improvement over the Bridgestones (It has been a while since I have run Bridgestones but I do recall them not being the greatest).
Interior is nice; steering wheel is a little on the plump side but has good adjustability. Seats are very comfortable; initially found myself looking for a way to tilt the base up and back a bit as it feels like you are a little bit perched forward, but on the move, actually feels perfectly fine and comfortable.
The engine is superb; pulls really well even though my car has less than 50 miles on it. Some turbo lag but nothing to be concerned about.
The only downside for me is the ride. It is, without any shadow of doubt, firm. It isn't crashy and it has a good level of composure to it, calming down at speed, but it is in my personal opinion, perhaps a little too firm. I can see why the reviews suggest the non-cup model is better in this respect. Of course, I understand that the ride is supposed to be like it is but if anyone does have reservations about it, I'd strongly suggest a test drive first to make up your own mind. I am going to have a look at the tyre pressures to see whether they're slightly high; nudging them down a little may help.
Rear passenger room is good; room out back for the Isofix. Boot isn't very large though and has a relatively high floor that can't be adjusted lower.
Interior is nice; steering wheel is a little on the plump side but has good adjustability. Seats are very comfortable; initially found myself looking for a way to tilt the base up and back a bit as it feels like you are a little bit perched forward, but on the move, actually feels perfectly fine and comfortable.
The engine is superb; pulls really well even though my car has less than 50 miles on it. Some turbo lag but nothing to be concerned about.
The only downside for me is the ride. It is, without any shadow of doubt, firm. It isn't crashy and it has a good level of composure to it, calming down at speed, but it is in my personal opinion, perhaps a little too firm. I can see why the reviews suggest the non-cup model is better in this respect. Of course, I understand that the ride is supposed to be like it is but if anyone does have reservations about it, I'd strongly suggest a test drive first to make up your own mind. I am going to have a look at the tyre pressures to see whether they're slightly high; nudging them down a little may help.
Rear passenger room is good; room out back for the Isofix. Boot isn't very large though and has a relatively high floor that can't be adjusted lower.
Luke. said:
The ride can't be worse than an original Mini, can it?
It's been a couple of years since I've had a hot hatch (M135i) and even longer since a Mini, but I would say its firmer than either car on runflats was. I'm not saying it is a negative, just something to bear in mind.
Done about 70 miles in it today. Bit of a mixture but mostly motorway.
I think its bloody fantastic.
The engine is fantastic but it's the chassis polish that stands out. It's so utterly composed and although it is firm, the damping is amazing. The last car I drove that felt as tight, direct and composed as this was a Lotus Exige.
It feels like it has a depth of character that will last a while. All for £240.
I think its bloody fantastic.
The engine is fantastic but it's the chassis polish that stands out. It's so utterly composed and although it is firm, the damping is amazing. The last car I drove that felt as tight, direct and composed as this was a Lotus Exige.
It feels like it has a depth of character that will last a while. All for £240.
Few days in thoughts -
Interior -
Great seats. Like the steering wheel. Everything feels ok..
The sat nav/infotainment/settings screens feels from 2010 instead of 2020.
Exterior -
Never even passed a second look at a mk4 Megane before apart from the light strip at the back. I think the RS version looks absolutely fantastic. I’ve had the golf r, golf gti, all the hot hatches over the years and in real life this has real stance.
I actually prefer the 18” gunmetal alloys over the 19”, especially with the cup chassis. Matched with the titanium grey paint the car looks mean.
Driving -
Wow. It is stiff. I think I’ve come from an extreme, a Volvo V90, but every single bump in the road is felt. I had been prewarned, but still this was a shock!
4 Wheel Steering - almost caught me out a few times, feels like the back end is slipping out, which for an average driver like me is scary. Will explore this further.
Handling - unbelievable. Just corners so well. I’m not the worlds greatest driver but it just feels so right!
Sound - love it. Pops, bangs, crackles without even trying. Feels like I’ve gone back 20 years to the boy racer days just driving it. Even if it’s just the kids laughing at the “farts” coming from the exhaust!
Overall -
It’s not perfect. But it was never meant to be. From owning the VW hot hatch variants before, this is completely different. It feels fun to drive, it sounds great and most importantly - it was a bargain. I remember loving the Megane 225 back in 2004 and pretty much haven’t given the series a second thought, but wow I can’t believe the way this car has beeN overlooked vs the rivals!
Interior -
Great seats. Like the steering wheel. Everything feels ok..
The sat nav/infotainment/settings screens feels from 2010 instead of 2020.
Exterior -
Never even passed a second look at a mk4 Megane before apart from the light strip at the back. I think the RS version looks absolutely fantastic. I’ve had the golf r, golf gti, all the hot hatches over the years and in real life this has real stance.
I actually prefer the 18” gunmetal alloys over the 19”, especially with the cup chassis. Matched with the titanium grey paint the car looks mean.
Driving -
Wow. It is stiff. I think I’ve come from an extreme, a Volvo V90, but every single bump in the road is felt. I had been prewarned, but still this was a shock!
4 Wheel Steering - almost caught me out a few times, feels like the back end is slipping out, which for an average driver like me is scary. Will explore this further.
Handling - unbelievable. Just corners so well. I’m not the worlds greatest driver but it just feels so right!
Sound - love it. Pops, bangs, crackles without even trying. Feels like I’ve gone back 20 years to the boy racer days just driving it. Even if it’s just the kids laughing at the “farts” coming from the exhaust!
Overall -
It’s not perfect. But it was never meant to be. From owning the VW hot hatch variants before, this is completely different. It feels fun to drive, it sounds great and most importantly - it was a bargain. I remember loving the Megane 225 back in 2004 and pretty much haven’t given the series a second thought, but wow I can’t believe the way this car has beeN overlooked vs the rivals!
Edited by Unlight on Saturday 29th February 21:26
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