RE: Renault Megane 300 Trophy vs. VW Golf GTI TCR

[CraigV6]

Similar result in Evo.
Does sound like Renault have got the drive on the right side of exciting.

[ialiancarfan]

Hi, great comments TD4, as a long standing Italian car fan and still driving one (Alfa 156 20v diesel) I was really intrigued by your comments with respect to the Peugeot 308 270, previous Megane 250 and of course the Alfa Quad!.

I've recently got rid of a Mk7 Golf R manual which accompanied me on some of the best road trips of my life including autobahn, Swiss Alps, Stelvio, Nurburgring etc so I'm fairly comfortable with what these hot hatches are capable of.

My dream car is probably the Alfa Guilia Quad as you've stated you are now driving although it's a little out of my price range at the moment, but funnily enough I've also been considering the Peugeot 308 270. I'm also a real Renault fan having had a brand new 182 for a short while before it was stolen!!

I'm interested in how you feel the Alfa compares to the Megane, 308 etc, is it twice the car and worth the expense etc, do you have to drive it hard before it comes alive?

[ZX10R NIN]

Are the two cars tested better steers than the previous generation:

Clubsport Edition 40

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

275 Trophy Megane

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Obviously the two new offerings won't be on a par with the Trophy R or Clubsport S but as to whether these two new cars are better than the offerings above would make a very interesting road test.

[CraigV6]

ZX10R NIN said:

Are the two cars tested better steers than the previous generation:

Clubsport Edition 40

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

275 Trophy Megane

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Obviously the two new offerings won't be on a par with the Trophy R or Clubsport S but as to whether these two new cars are better than the offerings above would make a very interesting road test.

I can tell you about the old v new Renault comparison in a few months time.
My Cup-S (not a Trophy in name, but has Trophy spec) is going and will be replaced by the new Trophy in the next few weeks.

[ZX10R NIN]

CraigV6 said:

I can tell you about the old v new Renault comparison in a few months time.
My Cup-S (not a Trophy in name, but has Trophy spec) is going and will be replaced by the new Trophy in the next few weeks.

Now that's a review I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

[Onehp]

macky17 said:

But the problem with the Renault isn’t the clutch, it’s the gearbox itself. My golf R is a manual running 390 ft/lb on an uprated clutch. How do you uprate your gearbox though?

Not familiar with the actual Renault hardware. Are the boxes known to be weak? Or is the source of the 'limiting gearbox' a magazine article? Without knowing myself, logic and cost would have me assume that the new RS should use the same gearbox as the previous manual only RS. If so, it seems those coped quite well, with track rats doing tens of thousands of track miles on a tuned engine.
Most of the time, the rated torque of a manual gearbox is quite well matched to engine output, and most of the time they cope with more torque quite well... Those with experience with Renault, you?, can shed light on this. In any case, risk goes up, and warranty is gone. Just by how much...

[Zarco]

I've just had a new gearbox fitted to a 2016 275 Cup-S on 14k. Output bearing failed. No mods. No track days in the time I've had it (since 6k).

[Zarco]

ZX10R NIN said:

CraigV6 said:

I can tell you about the old v new Renault comparison in a few months time.
My Cup-S (not a Trophy in name, but has Trophy spec) is going and will be replaced by the new Trophy in the next few weeks.

Now that's a review I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Same as. I'm warming to the new Megane these days (partly as I've just started a new job that stipulates 4-doors and less than 6yrs old on car allowance )

Still not sure about the shape of head lights /DRLs though.

[GibsonSG]

Zarco said:

I've just had a new gearbox fitted to a 2016 275 Cup-S on 14k. Output bearing failed. No mods. No track days in the time I've had it (since 6k).

I've got a 65 plate Cup S and just had the box replaced under warranty with the same issue. 55k, largely motorway cruising. No mods or track work. If you go on the various Megane forums/FB groups you'll see a number of 275's that have had this issue. I hope the warranty work is a long term solution.

[GTEYE]

GibsonSG said:

Zarco said:

I've just had a new gearbox fitted to a 2016 275 Cup-S on 14k. Output bearing failed. No mods. No track days in the time I've had it (since 6k).

I've got a 65 plate Cup S and just had the box replaced under warranty with the same issue. 55k, largely motorway cruising. No mods or track work. If you go on the various Megane forums/FB groups you'll see a number of 275's that have had this issue. I hope the warranty work is a long term solution.

Fella I know has had 3 RS Clios (182, 200 and latest Trophy). Gearboxes failed on both the 200 and Trophy (under warranty on both).

Personally I wouldn’t go near a Renault, but if you are prepared for a bit of risk, they are good when healthy.

[Zarco]

GTEYE said:

GibsonSG said:

Zarco said:

I've just had a new gearbox fitted to a 2016 275 Cup-S on 14k. Output bearing failed. No mods. No track days in the time I've had it (since 6k).

I've got a 65 plate Cup S and just had the box replaced under warranty with the same issue. 55k, largely motorway cruising. No mods or track work. If you go on the various Megane forums/FB groups you'll see a number of 275's that have had this issue. I hope the warranty work is a long term solution.

Fella I know has had 3 RS Clios (182, 200 and latest Trophy). Gearboxes failed on both the 200 and Trophy (under warranty on both).

Personally I wouldn’t go near a Renault, but if you are prepared for a bit of risk, they are good when healthy.

Gearbox bearing failed in a 172 Cup I had too

Still great cars though. Its not like other brands are 100% reliable either.

ETA - The Megane was repaired under warranty so not too sad

Edited by Zarco on Sunday 7th April 11:55

[Jon_S_Rally]

PorkRind said:

Mad isnt it, not as if we've gotten that much fatter, is it?!

No but we do demand much higher levels of refinement and legislators demand much high levels of crash protection.

300bhp/ton said:

Really? Personally I can't think of many cars "images" worse than a Golf. Has to be the BLAAAAAANDEST car on the road by a country mile.

Bought by accounts and dull people only.

Eh? I would say it's quite the opposite. I can't think of many cars with a better image. They may not be the most exciting car, but they work and have probably a broader appeal than any other hatchback. It's a car that can be appreciated by wealthy folk for just being good, while simultaneously being aspired too by less rich folk.

While some other cars might appeal more to hardcore enthusiasts, most "normal" people i know would buy a Golf basically anything else in that segment. If you're in the business of making cars (and money), that's probably a pretty sensible place to be.

[RemyMartin81D]

Zarco said:

GTEYE said:

GibsonSG said:

Zarco said:

I've just had a new gearbox fitted to a 2016 275 Cup-S on 14k. Output bearing failed. No mods. No track days in the time I've had it (since 6k).

I've got a 65 plate Cup S and just had the box replaced under warranty with the same issue. 55k, largely motorway cruising. No mods or track work. If you go on the various Megane forums/FB groups you'll see a number of 275's that have had this issue. I hope the warranty work is a long term solution.

Fella I know has had 3 RS Clios (182, 200 and latest Trophy). Gearboxes failed on both the 200 and Trophy (under warranty on both).

Personally I wouldn’t go near a Renault, but if you are prepared for a bit of risk, they are good when healthy.

Gearbox bearing failed in a 172 Cup I had too

Still great cars though. Its not like other brands are 100% reliable either.

ETA - The Megane was repaired under warranty so not too sad

Edited by Zarco on Sunday 7th April 11:55

Gearbox issues can happen in any car.

The mechatronic unit failed in my Audi TT 3.2. Not a cheap fix either.

182 I had , fault less, yes that's anecdotal but either way. Not sure it really makes the argument of French st German good any more binary.

[Alex_225]

Personally, this new Megane RS has been the first that's really caught my eye since the first RS (of which I still own an 06 225). I liked the styling, how it stood out and didn't look like any other hot hatches of the time. Very subjective but I liked it.

This new design RS seems to have a bit of character about it, sporty looking and stands out without having to look like the Civic Type-R. Subtle enough for someone of my age (36) to drive without feeling silly.

Anyway, in terms of driving I'm pleased to hear the Trophy is a forward step from the previous model. I haven't driven either so couldn't comment but personally I really like the Megane over the Golf.

dandare said:

I'm amazed at people criticising the look of an engine bay. Are these people really so superficial, or joking?

Well I guess with so many engine bays looking neat and tidy with covers all over the place it's not a pretty engine bay.

That said, the engine bay in the R26.R Megane was similar, no nice cover just wires and pipework on show.

[KPB1973]

GibsonSG said:

I've got a 65 plate Cup S and just had the box replaced under warranty with the same issue. 55k, largely motorway cruising. No mods or track work. If you go on the various Megane forums/FB groups you'll see a number of 275's that have had this issue. I hope the warranty work is a long term solution.

Out of interest, what were the symptoms beforehand?

Mine is making a few strange noises.

[Zarco]

KPB1973 said:

Out of interest, what were the symptoms beforehand?

Mine is making a few strange noises.

Mine sounded like this:

https://youtu.be/Dp3y0urGxzw

On the road over 30mph I could hear a whine that increased with speed.

[PorkRind]

Carl_Manchester said:

Turbojuice said:

If you want a razor sharp hatch with character, spend half the money and get the old megane, remap it and enjoy.

Edited by Turbojuice on Thursday 4th April 17:51

Sounds like the thing to do. Or get a 135i if. Considering the prices these thinga are I'd never buy new, would rather spend it on something like a Nissan gtr or a 911 turbo..?!