Renault Megane Sports - lap times
Discussion
I just got a 250 recently, cup pack with leather Recaros, just under 12000 miles on it. Build quality is actually pretty good, certainly on a par with the MINI JCW I had previously and the ride even with the cup pack is better than the MINI. I am really impressed with it. Just need to try it on track to see how good it really is.
To be honest, most of the Renaultsport stuff is fantastic to drive. I've driven most of the cars mentioned, and there's none where I've thought I'd have the German equivalent on the 'driving' perspective.
Ok some of the older Clios and Meganes aren't the greatest for perceived build quality, but they're usually better than the boggo Renault stuff as they're built at different factories (certainly the Clio is still built at the Alpine Dieppe factory).
People who won't even test drive them because they're French don't know what they're missing. Their loss to be honest.
My favourites are the R26.r, Clio Trophy, and the V6 Clio (for sheer madness of it). 250/265 is great, but lacks a bit of feel for me, I'm in the Clio 200 at the minute which I think is the best current car
Ok some of the older Clios and Meganes aren't the greatest for perceived build quality, but they're usually better than the boggo Renault stuff as they're built at different factories (certainly the Clio is still built at the Alpine Dieppe factory).
People who won't even test drive them because they're French don't know what they're missing. Their loss to be honest.
My favourites are the R26.r, Clio Trophy, and the V6 Clio (for sheer madness of it). 250/265 is great, but lacks a bit of feel for me, I'm in the Clio 200 at the minute which I think is the best current car
Edited by roystinho on Sunday 15th April 22:44
Noger said:
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.
Yeap see that often. Sexy 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.
The record holder which is the current 265 Trophy runs on perfectly sensible Bridgestone RE050s. Sticky but hardly semi-slicks.
Mine look like they'll make 10-12k out of the fronts based on wear so far.
I think the grip they generate together with the highly effective use of the LSD are what makes them so fast. Across Wales recently I found the Trophy to be as fast as anything else I,ve had. Your high up (By comparison) , its firm and slightly bouncy ride is actually perfectly judged for B Roads and it plenty powerful enough to go as fast as you need . Oh and its got great brakes too.
Mine look like they'll make 10-12k out of the fronts based on wear so far.
I think the grip they generate together with the highly effective use of the LSD are what makes them so fast. Across Wales recently I found the Trophy to be as fast as anything else I,ve had. Your high up (By comparison) , its firm and slightly bouncy ride is actually perfectly judged for B Roads and it plenty powerful enough to go as fast as you need . Oh and its got great brakes too.
Little Dave said:
LOL. Thats what a lot of people said. I had had 911's for about 8 years and wanted something different. I have no interest in badge snobbery and wanted something that Really put a smile on my face. It is also good to know that I won't be facing regular 4 figure service and tyre bills.
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.
Hehehe fair play mate if you're happy, it just seems a bit odd. The megane, to me doesn't do anything better. It's a hot hatch at the end of the day, ok it's very quick round a track and will post some impressive times, but are you honestly saying it's more fun to drive than a 911 turbo? I don't believe you if thats the case lol. It also looks worse, sounds no where near as good and the interior isn't a patch on the porker.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.
Vladimir said:
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!
Not wanting to take anything away from it, as I have a soft spot for the r26.r, but look at the cars you've listed.Big saloons, even bigger saloons, big GT touring cars and some small sports cars designed for fun rather than out and out pace.
Also the r26.r uses semi slicks iirc, so I'm not surprised it can put in good lap times.
I've currently got an 08 RS Megane, diesel version though unfortunately so very un'PH to say the least. However the handling is unbelieveable for a FWD diesel hatch, I did quite a few years racing FWD cars and I've driven quite a few hot hatches, some on track but nothing compares to the Megane. I'd love a go of an R26, I can't imagine how good they as well as the RS250 if mine is anything to go by.
On the flip side though my 14 month old son could have screwed it together better than Renault did. Honestly the build quality is beyond shocking, to drive it round day to day is just a test in how long your patience will last before you start prodding and pushing at interior trim to "see if that's where the noise is coming from". For that reason alone I hate the thing, but show it a decent road and I absolutely love it!
I hear the newer RS250 are much better build quality wise, I'd be tempted to give it a go but they don't offer a diesel version anymore and my annual mileage just can't justify a petrol.
On the flip side though my 14 month old son could have screwed it together better than Renault did. Honestly the build quality is beyond shocking, to drive it round day to day is just a test in how long your patience will last before you start prodding and pushing at interior trim to "see if that's where the noise is coming from". For that reason alone I hate the thing, but show it a decent road and I absolutely love it!
I hear the newer RS250 are much better build quality wise, I'd be tempted to give it a go but they don't offer a diesel version anymore and my annual mileage just can't justify a petrol.
Grovsie26 said:
Little Dave said:
LOL. Thats what a lot of people said. I had had 911's for about 8 years and wanted something different. I have no interest in badge snobbery and wanted something that Really put a smile on my face. It is also good to know that I won't be facing regular 4 figure service and tyre bills.
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.
Hehehe fair play mate if you're happy, it just seems a bit odd. The megane, to me doesn't do anything better. It's a hot hatch at the end of the day, ok it's very quick round a track and will post some impressive times, but are you honestly saying it's more fun to drive than a 911 turbo? I don't believe you if thats the case lol. It also looks worse, sounds no where near as good and the interior isn't a patch on the porker.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.
But its cheap thrills too with little in the way of scary bills and lots of independents around. I seriously considered replacing a GT3 with an R26R a few years ago.
Diamond blue said:
Grovsie26 said:
Little Dave said:
LOL. Thats what a lot of people said. I had had 911's for about 8 years and wanted something different. I have no interest in badge snobbery and wanted something that Really put a smile on my face. It is also good to know that I won't be facing regular 4 figure service and tyre bills.
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.
Hehehe fair play mate if you're happy, it just seems a bit odd. The megane, to me doesn't do anything better. It's a hot hatch at the end of the day, ok it's very quick round a track and will post some impressive times, but are you honestly saying it's more fun to drive than a 911 turbo? I don't believe you if thats the case lol. It also looks worse, sounds no where near as good and the interior isn't a patch on the porker.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.
But its cheap thrills too with little in the way of scary bills and lots of independents around. I seriously considered replacing a GT3 with an R26R a few years ago.
Curious, in terms of driving dynamics, how does something like the R26.r compare to a DC2 ITR?
300bhp/ton said:
Vladimir said:
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!
Not wanting to take anything away from it, as I have a soft spot for the r26.r, but look at the cars you've listed.Big saloons, even bigger saloons, big GT touring cars and some small sports cars designed for fun rather than out and out pace.
Also the r26.r uses semi slicks iirc, so I'm not surprised it can put in good lap times.
Which small sports cars would it be that are designed for out and out pace rather than fun?
veevee said:
List it against some other hot hatches if you think that's more fair?
Which small sports cars would it be that are designed for out and out pace rather than fun?
Very few road cars are built as track tools. At least not by mainstream mass production car makers for this price point. So the r26.r enjoys a degree of exclusivity. I didn't get it at first but I think I do now. It's not really a hot hatch, it's a performance coupe that just happens to wear hot hatch clothes. I guess on some level an Elise or Exige is the same type of focus albeit different in end product. But it's cars like those that I'd personally consider as alternatives to the r26.rWhich small sports cars would it be that are designed for out and out pace rather than fun?
300bhp/ton said:
veevee said:
List it against some other hot hatches if you think that's more fair?
Which small sports cars would it be that are designed for out and out pace rather than fun?
Very few road cars are built as track tools. At least not by mainstream mass production car makers for this price point. So the r26.r enjoys a degree of exclusivity. I didn't get it at first but I think I do now. It's not really a hot hatch, it's a performance coupe that just happens to wear hot hatch clothes. I guess on some level an Elise or Exige is the same type of focus albeit different in end product. But it's cars like those that I'd personally consider as alternatives to the r26.rWhich small sports cars would it be that are designed for out and out pace rather than fun?
+ it matches the SC Elise time.
veevee said:
But the Elise/Exige are built from the ground up as track cars, wheras this is a very focused hatch - maybe a better comparison would be the Focus RS?
+ it matches the SC Elise time.
I don't see the RS as an alternative at all. Totally different ethos and design principle behind it IMO. + it matches the SC Elise time.
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