RE: Renaultsport Megane R26.R: PH Carpool

[pmr01]

amazing...an r26r on pistonheads and only 20 replies.

[Macboy]

I so wanted an R26R and, having sold my Clio V6 had the money for a new one when they were at the end of production and sticking to dealer forecourts like they'd be positioned using No-nails. Despite the write-ups they were almost at the "make us an offer and whatever it is we'll take it" levels of discount - hard to imagine - but my local dealer had three and they were all well specced and all massively discounted (I think, from memory, one was new and the other two delivery mileage pre-reg).

I rocked up convinced it was the car for me without a drive. How good this was going to be after my slight disappointment with the Clio (driving position, interior, general sense of occasion when not driving flat out). I didn't fit. Having had a number of sports cars (911, Elise, VX220) the sports seats were the tightest I had ever tried to get in. No amount of pushing and shoving was getting me in so I never even test drove. I've never seen mention of the issue - before or since - but the racing seat and harness was not built for anyone of any size and my money sadly remained firmly in my bank account. Still love the idea of the car but it's one of the few that has denied me...

[clarki]

I enjoyed mine. Was living and working in London at the time and it did get a lot of nice attention when I took it out for a drive around the capital.
It was used primarily for trackdays though and at those it did fly round. I added some bigger 2 piece brake discs, better intercooler and stickier tyres. Apart from this it ran faultlessly for 5 years and 17k (fairly hard) miles. Think I sold it for £5 less than I bought it for or something crazy like that.

Best bit of the car...looking in the rear view mirror and seeing a roll cage!!

[cerb4.5lee]

I've always admired these a lot. I wouldn't mind a R26 either.

[culpz]

menoy said:

AmosMoses said:

A dream car for me, the zenith of the hardcore hot hatch.

I keep look at R26s but I think the step up to the rs250 cup seems to be better vfm.

It probably is for now - mid range R250s over here aren't a very big stretch from a well cared for R26. On the other hand I've noticed R26s really hold their value (especially in Liquid Yellow) and I think they're just riding in the wake of the R26.R. I don't think the Meg 3 Trophy-R had as much hype as the R26.R for the 250s to follow suit, so wouldn't expect values to hold as well. So a 250 might be better VFM right now, but you might get more money out of the R26 in the longer run.


PS Yes, I own a LY R26

The flip-side of that is that the R26 will probably cost more to run than a 250. The MK3's just appear to be that bit more solid. So, yes, you're probably right, but you're talking about the end of the ownership and not all the stuff in between.. It could be a bit difficult if the maintenance costs start adding up to more than you budgeted for.

Both are great cars though.

[Frimley111R]

culpz said:

menoy said:

AmosMoses said:

A dream car for me, the zenith of the hardcore hot hatch.

I keep look at R26s but I think the step up to the rs250 cup seems to be better vfm.

It probably is for now - mid range R250s over here aren't a very big stretch from a well cared for R26. On the other hand I've noticed R26s really hold their value (especially in Liquid Yellow) and I think they're just riding in the wake of the R26.R. I don't think the Meg 3 Trophy-R had as much hype as the R26.R for the 250s to follow suit, so wouldn't expect values to hold as well. So a 250 might be better VFM right now, but you might get more money out of the R26 in the longer run.


PS Yes, I own a LY R26

The flip-side of that is that the R26 will probably cost more to run than a 250. The MK3's just appear to be that bit more solid. So, yes, you're probably right, but you're talking about the end of the ownership and not all the stuff in between.. It could be a bit difficult if the maintenance costs start adding up to more than you budgeted for.

Both are great cars though.

I went from an RS265 to a high mileage R26. They are very different. I find the R26 far more fun to drive, it fits our roads better and the big windows make it easy to place on the road. Plus parts are stupidly cheap too. Despite the name they are very different cars. And as for VFM, i don't think there anything better available anywhere for the same money.

[Frenchlaundry]

I have one of these too. If you have the space and means to have a "collection" then this for me is a keeper. It's an amazing drive every time and when my 2 girls are old enough will be perfect to learn track craft.....If I get chance in the coming days maybe I'll share some picks if others are interested

[artdealer]

It's a bit of a mystery exactly how many R26.R were ever registered in the UK and how many remain. Going by howmanyleft.co.uk there are currently a total of 76 registered and SORN. Mine has 10000 miles and the upgrade roll cage and titanium exhaust. The lack of soundproofing, plastic rear windows and resonation from the exhaust does create a unique sound touched upon in the article. There aren't many hatchbacks that employ the 'add lightness' philosophy that augments the nimble handling these have.