Renault Megane Sports - lap times
Discussion
Anyone noticed how astonishingly quick Renaults Megane Sports (particularly the R26 and the latest 265) hatches are around tracks? Absolute giant killers, battering almost anything this side of a GT3/Caterham. Even some near supercars get beaten by them.
I must try one at some stage but the quality and customer service (lack of) are seriously off putting.
Anyone run one? Doesn't seem to be a very PH friendly choice for some reason.
I must try one at some stage but the quality and customer service (lack of) are seriously off putting.
Anyone run one? Doesn't seem to be a very PH friendly choice for some reason.
There is one parked in Reigate High Street most days (I really hope it doesn't belong to an estate agent, that would be depressing). Looks absolutely awesome.
Not sure about "giant killing" lap times, but one variant has the FWD Evo lap record at Bedford I think. Certainly up there with the sort of machinery you think *should* be faster.
Not sure about "giant killing" lap times, but one variant has the FWD Evo lap record at Bedford I think. Certainly up there with the sort of machinery you think *should* be faster.
Renaultsport have always been up there, the meganes, epsecially the r26, r26.r, and now the 250 cup and 265 trophy seem to get the most out of the lsd and chassis to cover ground quickly, track or road.
What made me wake up to the r26 was the autocar article timing a to b pace using the millbrook alpine hill route. The r26 with only 227bhp covered it in 1:53.8secs, over 2secs quicker than the sti hatch, same as the elise 'sc' and only a second off the fq300, rs6, and m3 e90, all cars with far more power and traction.
They brought the megane rs250 a few years later and it was even quicker again.
Check the times out on fastestlaps.com
Build quality has got better but are still way behind german rivals, but they are all about the driving.
What made me wake up to the r26 was the autocar article timing a to b pace using the millbrook alpine hill route. The r26 with only 227bhp covered it in 1:53.8secs, over 2secs quicker than the sti hatch, same as the elise 'sc' and only a second off the fq300, rs6, and m3 e90, all cars with far more power and traction.
They brought the megane rs250 a few years later and it was even quicker again.
Check the times out on fastestlaps.com
Build quality has got better but are still way behind german rivals, but they are all about the driving.
Edited by NISR227 on Sunday 15th April 19:41
It was the Evo lap times that prompted me to post - R26.R is VERY quick (beats the STI, ISF, RS6, , Boxster S) ,but the 265 Trophy is really quite astonishing - only a fraction behind the Evo X RS360, it beats the TTRS, DBS, Panamera Turbo, Evora and many others. Seriously nippy hatch!
The R26's are awesome, really good front drive chassis, worked for Renault for a few years and drove plenty of them. The Clio's are good as well just don't have the low and mid range flexibility, the Megane's get out of corners better with that and the LSD.
Strangely though I ended up buying a Focus ST when I was looking to buy one 2 years back. The Focus was a little more refined and characterful with the 2.5, 5 cylinder engine. I figured it would be more reliable as well but it has proved me wrong and gone through the vast majority of my wallet. No regrets though, still a fun car.
Strangely though I ended up buying a Focus ST when I was looking to buy one 2 years back. The Focus was a little more refined and characterful with the 2.5, 5 cylinder engine. I figured it would be more reliable as well but it has proved me wrong and gone through the vast majority of my wallet. No regrets though, still a fun car.
Must admit the 250/265 meg sports seem to deliver in terms of performance, grip and handling. I read in one of the car mags that they often push out more than the quoted bhp. The two things i dislike are the interior and the worries over reliability/quality. If you got a good one i imagine they are great all rounders.
I was at the Ring last year in my 996 turbo and had a couple of passenger laps in a friends RS250. I was so impressed by it when I came home I sold the Porsche and bought an Rs250.
I have had it lightly modded,map exhaust etc, to around 310 bhp. In October I was on the Silverstone GP circuit and it was probably the most fun I have had on a trackday. It certainly is more than a match for Boxsters and I did manage to keep an R8 honest for 5 laps.
The build quality is ok but nothing special but the handling is epic. I know I was mad to buy a new one and will suffer a big depreciation hit but I dont regret it one bit.
I have had it lightly modded,map exhaust etc, to around 310 bhp. In October I was on the Silverstone GP circuit and it was probably the most fun I have had on a trackday. It certainly is more than a match for Boxsters and I did manage to keep an R8 honest for 5 laps.
The build quality is ok but nothing special but the handling is epic. I know I was mad to buy a new one and will suffer a big depreciation hit but I dont regret it one bit.
Grovsie26 said:
Little Dave said:
I was at the Ring last year in my 996 turbo and had a couple of passenger laps in a friends RS250. I was so impressed by it when I came home I sold the Porsche and bought an Rs250.
LOL. Don't know if serious.I will get rid of the Megane early next year. I have no idea what will be next but no doubt will surprise some people.
Little Dave said:
I will get rid of the Megane early next year. I have no idea what will be next but no doubt will surprise some people.
I think you have the right mindset. It's about how you drive it, and how much of a smile it brings to your face....I've driven a lot of nice machinery (911, Esprits, AM V8s, etc), but the biggest day to day fun I have had is in a basic Catherham and my wifes MX5 2.0... fun and avoid licence losing speeds to get towards the limit
Oh and extrapolating your previous downsize, I think you will be in a Twingo Cup.
. Somehow I can!t see myself in a Twingo. I have a feeling it won't be European or Japanese but maybe something with a V8Back to the Megane - i have two sets of wheels for it. The 19" Speedlines for everyday use and a set of 18" lightweights fitted with R888's for track use. I can put the track whelels in the back of the Meg drive to a circuit change the wheels and play without worrying what state the tyres will be in for the drive home. As someone else mentioned, it is much more fun driving a good car to it's limits rather than driving a great car to your limits.
Edited by Little Dave on Sunday 15th April 21:05
Amazing car,one of the best Fwd cars ever,not only in British tracks they are faster than the fwd lot but even in Japan,italy,Germany,France etc,in all europe.
Started with the R26.r which was a giant killer in the ring but surprisingly and in shorter/medium tracks. (the R26 was impressive too)
The R.S 250 and R.S 265 are continuing the trend,amazingly faster (stock vs stock ofc) in track against its fwd rivals and even more powerful machinery and not only driven by professionals.
Started with the R26.r which was a giant killer in the ring but surprisingly and in shorter/medium tracks. (the R26 was impressive too)
The R.S 250 and R.S 265 are continuing the trend,amazingly faster (stock vs stock ofc) in track against its fwd rivals and even more powerful machinery and not only driven by professionals.
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