RE: Renaultsport Megane 250: PH Fleet
Discussion
You're moving too fast for me Ben! I can't keep up! I've been thinking about about swapping my 182 for an R26 in my 197/182/MX5 garage and was very envious when I saw your LY example. Now I'm even more envious as a 250 is my dream RS!! Looks epic and look forward to seeing what you do with it.
macky17 said:
Great choice and a nice, subtle colour. Finally bought myself one of these this week after years wanting one but somehow never pulling the trigger. Mines a 275 Cup-S with the ohlins, akrapovic and recaros in flame red. They are sensational cars - I would argue the best fwd cars ever made (although I'd like to try an fk8 CTR). Interiors and build quality are a generation behind the latest hatches but who cares? In its own way it's as entertaining down a B road as any other car you could buy at any price.
That is lovely! Edited by macky17 on Friday 4th August 21:33
magic354 said:
You're moving too fast for me Ben! I can't keep up! I've been thinking about about swapping my 182 for an R26 in my 197/182/MX5 garage and was very envious when I saw your LY example. Now I'm even more envious as a 250 is my dream RS!! Looks epic and look forward to seeing what you do with it.
That's a cracking garage! What I would say is get a decent test drive in an R26 if you are going to make the switch. I've read of so many people that have bought a Clio 197/200 or even a Megane and then gone back to a 172/182 as you lose the raw driving experience they provide.No doubt I'll miss that when I've sold my 172 and MX-5, so I won't rule out having either again in the future, but my focus for the foreseeable is the Megane
Then if funds/space allow, I'd love a RB 182 Cup at some point too. Keep me posted on your progress!
PaulJC84 said:
Did you do any track days in the R26. I am tempted to get one as they look fantastic value.
I didn't I'm afraid but I've no doubt they'd be fantastic on track. The benefit of the Clio's is that they're very light on consumables and parts are cheap, whereas I'm anticipating the Megane to be heavier on tyres/brakes and parts are generally more expensive. As a first track car a Clio is perfect, but I'm ready to progress to the next level now.Interesting read and its struck me that a 250 Cup costs about the same as a good condition DC2 Integra type R now. (as featured in Autocar only this week)....I really feel you get great value from these Renaultsports when they're a few years old. sure an ITR has the nicer engine, but the Megane is in a different league in terms of outright pace and no doubt cornering ability....things really have moved on a lot since the 90s!!
Stock265cup said:
Thought I recognised the number plate. I was the other grey Megane in front of you in the garage at Rockingham. Didn't realise you wrote on PH's though.
Was great chatting to you there, always good to meet other owners and enthusiasts! Thanks for letting me share your garage and I'm sure I'll see you at another one soon 
greenarrow said:
Interesting read and its struck me that a 250 Cup costs about the same as a good condition DC2 Integra type R now. (as featured in Autocar only this week)....I really feel you get great value from these Renaultsports when they're a few years old. sure an ITR has the nicer engine, but the Megane is in a different league in terms of outright pace and no doubt cornering ability....things really have moved on a lot since the 90s!!
The ITR would probably be the better car to buy for retaining its value, but as you've said, the Megane is likely to be the more capable car. I don't think you'd be disappointed with either to be honest, both fantastic cars in their own right.culpz said:
Well Ben, you did it! I didn't realise that acquiring a 250 would come around so quick. Looks like a properly nice example that you have there. Oyster Grey really is something on these 
Does this mean that the 172 Cup will be shortly up for sale?
Thank you and neither did I! It had to be Oyster Grey for me, best colour for the 250 in my opinion. And yes, the 172 Cup is now back to standard and up for sale too. Another French hot hatch might be joining the fleet shortly...Does this mean that the 172 Cup will be shortly up for sale?
BenLowden said:
Thank you and neither did I! It had to be Oyster Grey for me, best colour for the 250 in my opinion. And yes, the 172 Cup is now back to standard and up for sale too. Another French hot hatch might be joining the fleet shortly...
They seem quite rare aswell. I'm liking the black and grey theme with it too, with the black badges and wheels. Looks ace I'd be all over that if i had the cash! My budget will be around 2k max so hoping for a decent 172 or 182. I have seen a few cheap 172 Cups and even the odd Phase 1 but they seem a bit ropey for the money.
As always, looking forward to future updates with this and the mysterious new Frenchie!
culpz said:
They seem quite rare aswell. I'm liking the black and grey theme with it too, with the black badges and wheels. Looks ace
I'd be all over that if i had the cash! My budget will be around 2k max so hoping for a decent 172 or 182. I have seen a few cheap 172 Cups and even the odd Phase 1 but they seem a bit ropey for the money.
As always, looking forward to future updates with this and the mysterious new Frenchie!
Cheers! You'll definitely get one with that budget, perhaps something on the higher mileage side but they seem to hold up well as long as they've been looked after. You'll want to make sure it has had the cambelt and dephaser changed by a reputable specialist, as that'll cost you another £500+ if it needs doing (every five years/70K miles from memory).I'd be all over that if i had the cash! My budget will be around 2k max so hoping for a decent 172 or 182. I have seen a few cheap 172 Cups and even the odd Phase 1 but they seem a bit ropey for the money.
As always, looking forward to future updates with this and the mysterious new Frenchie!
roadie said:
Quite timely this, I picked up a 265 Cup over the weekend. It's mega!
Excellent, you'll have to bring it along to a Sunday Service soon! The best simple mod I'd recommend to any new owner is to get the centre silencer chopped out of the exhaust system. Should cost <£100 and gives you extra pops/crackles in sport mode, without being loud or droning under normal driving conditions.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff