Megane RS250. Attempt 3. I am not smart.
Discussion
Gilhooligan said:
Looks properly epic that. I really need to lower mine now. Also doing my first track day in a couple of weeks. Although only prep I’ve done is oil change and gettinf the alignment done. So will no doubt be taking it easy on track. Could be the start of an expensive hobby!
Cheers! All I did with mine prep wise, was take the backseats and boot stuff out, and wash it. It performed perfectly all day.
Not much has really happened with the car in the last few months - It's stayed more or less the same. I did some basic maintenance on the car, an oil change and all was fine.
After a couple of months though it would have an issue where if I clipped the limiter when warm, after changing gear and getting back onto the throttle the whole car would bog right down, and run really rough for a couple of seconds, and then it cleared itself up. It started off intermittent, until it was getting more and more regular.
I plugged into the car to see if there were any codes displayed, which there wasn't. However the tool I had showed ignition advance and I could see the values were being thrown way off normal, when the car was running rough. Some checks through the service history showed that it hadn't ever had a fuel filter change (more on that later) and spark plugs hadn't been done for at least 2 years.
Biting the bullet I ordered an OEM fuel filter, and new OEM spark plugs to see whether these together would resolve the issue.
Pulling the plugs shown
Thankfully it did.
I went to Forge Action Day with a couple of mates and managed to do 2 track sessions. I managed to get a couple of pictures during the track sessions.
A couple of weeks later I did a Sprint event at Curburough Sprint course, and as it was damp, I got some awesome photos of the car.
As it was wet I figured after 1 or 2 laps it wasn't going to dry out for a while, so decided to start pissing around, making the car slide. Amazingly, the photographer was able to catch a couple of slides on the track.
During the wet I managed a 1:32, which is 2 seconds off my dry record of 1:30, in an old megane, with worse tyres, brakes, and no coilovers. There was at least 5 seconds difference between wet and dry. It did dry out during the day, but as I was coming down with a cold as fast as it was drying out I bailed and made the 3 hour journey home so couldn't get in a properly fast lap.
However, during the day I managed to confirm which seats I wanted to fit, and that I physically fit in them. Being, errr, of larger persuasion I wanted to check before ordering. I've settled on Recaro Pole Position ABE's, which balance support and comfort well enough for me.
Next up is seats and powwwwaaahhhhh.
After a couple of months though it would have an issue where if I clipped the limiter when warm, after changing gear and getting back onto the throttle the whole car would bog right down, and run really rough for a couple of seconds, and then it cleared itself up. It started off intermittent, until it was getting more and more regular.
I plugged into the car to see if there were any codes displayed, which there wasn't. However the tool I had showed ignition advance and I could see the values were being thrown way off normal, when the car was running rough. Some checks through the service history showed that it hadn't ever had a fuel filter change (more on that later) and spark plugs hadn't been done for at least 2 years.
Biting the bullet I ordered an OEM fuel filter, and new OEM spark plugs to see whether these together would resolve the issue.
Pulling the plugs shown
Thankfully it did.
I went to Forge Action Day with a couple of mates and managed to do 2 track sessions. I managed to get a couple of pictures during the track sessions.
A couple of weeks later I did a Sprint event at Curburough Sprint course, and as it was damp, I got some awesome photos of the car.
As it was wet I figured after 1 or 2 laps it wasn't going to dry out for a while, so decided to start pissing around, making the car slide. Amazingly, the photographer was able to catch a couple of slides on the track.
During the wet I managed a 1:32, which is 2 seconds off my dry record of 1:30, in an old megane, with worse tyres, brakes, and no coilovers. There was at least 5 seconds difference between wet and dry. It did dry out during the day, but as I was coming down with a cold as fast as it was drying out I bailed and made the 3 hour journey home so couldn't get in a properly fast lap.
However, during the day I managed to confirm which seats I wanted to fit, and that I physically fit in them. Being, errr, of larger persuasion I wanted to check before ordering. I've settled on Recaro Pole Position ABE's, which balance support and comfort well enough for me.
Next up is seats and powwwwaaahhhhh.
The final trackday of the year. Castle Combe - Nov 1st.
The day started wet. Which with me on Cup 2's was not a good start! The morning sessions were slippery. this made it a proper mission to get any heat into the rear tyres, which meant any attempts at taking a corner slightly quickly meant oversteer, and quite a few times there were some massive slides. Most of them I managed to recover apart from one heading into the first chicane, I had to bail and slam on the brakes. I ended up sliding gracefully onto the grass at about 5mph without any damage other than a bit of grass on the splitter.
I went with a couple of mates, who also had Megane RS', but there was a real mix of cars from Abarth 500's, to GT4 spec M3's.
After lunch, the group running the group (RSUK on facebook) let some cars on track to take photos, which I was included in. Some photos below, including some of the day.
After lunch the open pit sessions began, which, along with the dry weather was when I began to lean on the car. it was immense fun, however not without issue.
The brakes were starting to get a bit long after about 12 hard, back to back laps, and even after a cool down lap the brakes were still smoking when I came into the pits. It confirmed the need for some stronger pads (only got PF Z rated at the moment) and some brake cooling, which I will be looking into over the winter. Whilst on track the oil temp reached 105 degrees which didn't worry me too much, but the intake temps were reaching high 30's, so I'm going to be looking into opening up some direct air flow to the filter to help bring those down.
During the open pit in the afternoon I managed a best time of 1:21.3, some 1.5 seconds quicker than the previous time I was there.
However, following on the from the best lap, coming into Camp I braked a little too late, and ended up having an off. Amazingly the car behind me caught me going off.
Luckily I didn't bury it in the tyre wall, but I come close, and managed to catch air a couple of times, and even sit on my own balls!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciTzPz-M_C8
After a cooldown lap I came into the pits to see if there was any damage, and the underside and the splitter hadn't fared well.
Not pictured here is the 2 massive holes in the undertray, along with enormous amounts of scraping damage, and enough grass to keep about 10 cows fed for a month. Luckily, the suspension, brakes, wheels and all the running gear are okay so it's just cosmetic, and a new pair of undercrackers. My b
k was also safely recovered from the ribs back to the correct position too.
From January the car will be going onto daily duties for a bit, so the front will be raised (despite it looking great) and the dampers fully slackened off.
The day started wet. Which with me on Cup 2's was not a good start! The morning sessions were slippery. this made it a proper mission to get any heat into the rear tyres, which meant any attempts at taking a corner slightly quickly meant oversteer, and quite a few times there were some massive slides. Most of them I managed to recover apart from one heading into the first chicane, I had to bail and slam on the brakes. I ended up sliding gracefully onto the grass at about 5mph without any damage other than a bit of grass on the splitter.
I went with a couple of mates, who also had Megane RS', but there was a real mix of cars from Abarth 500's, to GT4 spec M3's.
After lunch, the group running the group (RSUK on facebook) let some cars on track to take photos, which I was included in. Some photos below, including some of the day.
After lunch the open pit sessions began, which, along with the dry weather was when I began to lean on the car. it was immense fun, however not without issue.
The brakes were starting to get a bit long after about 12 hard, back to back laps, and even after a cool down lap the brakes were still smoking when I came into the pits. It confirmed the need for some stronger pads (only got PF Z rated at the moment) and some brake cooling, which I will be looking into over the winter. Whilst on track the oil temp reached 105 degrees which didn't worry me too much, but the intake temps were reaching high 30's, so I'm going to be looking into opening up some direct air flow to the filter to help bring those down.
During the open pit in the afternoon I managed a best time of 1:21.3, some 1.5 seconds quicker than the previous time I was there.
However, following on the from the best lap, coming into Camp I braked a little too late, and ended up having an off. Amazingly the car behind me caught me going off.
Luckily I didn't bury it in the tyre wall, but I come close, and managed to catch air a couple of times, and even sit on my own balls!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciTzPz-M_C8
After a cooldown lap I came into the pits to see if there was any damage, and the underside and the splitter hadn't fared well.
Not pictured here is the 2 massive holes in the undertray, along with enormous amounts of scraping damage, and enough grass to keep about 10 cows fed for a month. Luckily, the suspension, brakes, wheels and all the running gear are okay so it's just cosmetic, and a new pair of undercrackers. My b
k was also safely recovered from the ribs back to the correct position too. From January the car will be going onto daily duties for a bit, so the front will be raised (despite it looking great) and the dampers fully slackened off.
It doesn't look too serious of an 'off' - it looks like you followed the line of the car in front and I have to admit I have done this before too and had a similar result!
How did the car fare in comparison to the M3s? I've previously had a Clio 197 with megane 225 Conversion at 270bhp but now own a BMW M4 which is also my daily though - curious to see how they compared!
How did the car fare in comparison to the M3s? I've previously had a Clio 197 with megane 225 Conversion at 270bhp but now own a BMW M4 which is also my daily though - curious to see how they compared!
Vladikar said:
It doesn't look too serious of an 'off' - it looks like you followed the line of the car in front and I have to admit I have done this before too and had a similar result!
How did the car fare in comparison to the M3s? I've previously had a Clio 197 with megane 225 Conversion at 270bhp but now own a BMW M4 which is also my daily though - curious to see how they compared!
I was the car in front haha. You see me overtake, and the car behind follow me off. How did the car fare in comparison to the M3s? I've previously had a Clio 197 with megane 225 Conversion at 270bhp but now own a BMW M4 which is also my daily though - curious to see how they compared!
In the bends it was v close (the M3 slightly quicker due to have 275 fronts, I had 245's, but I have more front camber) but in straight it had the legs. I think it was boosted, running around 550hp iirc, so it was clocking 160 at the end of the start/finish straight, I was 135ish.
Good job keeping the car out of the tyre wall at those speeds on grass! Can be like ice at those speeds.
Are you running the standard intercooler? I know it and the standard rad aren't the best, but those intake temps seem quite high considering air temps would have been bloody cold. Oil temps seem ok though.
On another note, not sure what to think of the exhaust on that grey/blue Megane.
Are you running the standard intercooler? I know it and the standard rad aren't the best, but those intake temps seem quite high considering air temps would have been bloody cold. Oil temps seem ok though.
On another note, not sure what to think of the exhaust on that grey/blue Megane.
Turbojuice said:
Good job keeping the car out of the tyre wall at those speeds on grass! Can be like ice at those speeds.
Are you running the standard intercooler? I know it and the standard rad aren't the best, but those intake temps seem quite high considering air temps would have been bloody cold. Oil temps seem ok though.
On another note, not sure what to think of the exhaust on that grey/blue Megane.
It was a full code brown moment I'll be honest! I did chuckle seeing the rear of the car bounce up haha!Are you running the standard intercooler? I know it and the standard rad aren't the best, but those intake temps seem quite high considering air temps would have been bloody cold. Oil temps seem ok though.
On another note, not sure what to think of the exhaust on that grey/blue Megane.
I'm running a standard cooler, and standard power for the moment. There's not much air flow going directly onto the filter tbh so it can suffer heat-soak a little bit. With the damage, I'm going to include a few jobs at once. Most likely intercooler, new splitter, maxton splitter, 265 DRL conversion, brake ducts, and dremel out some of the lower grill to push air directly onto the filter.
As daft as it sounds, I kind of like it sporting it's wound, to me it shows it's being used (and abused) properly!
narbles said:
Great thread which I've read with interest being a fellow RS250 owner.
Do you run any sort of brake cooling? Have read that these need it and looking to track mine early next year.
Thankyou! Do you run any sort of brake cooling? Have read that these need it and looking to track mine early next year.
I don't at the moment, no. However under both front wheels there's a little flap thing directs air away from the wheels. I only found out (after destroying one at combe) removing them aids in brake cooling. Stronger pads and better fluid are the main things to really get them stopping well, lines do certainly help a lot, but it's not critical imo (worth doing if the lines are getting on a bit though)
I do plan to do it, but it'll be done as the bumpers off for a few things, like intercooler, splitter repair, 265 DRL conversion, getting some better flow to the air filter and I'll work in brake cooling then I think.
narbles said:
That's good to know thanks. Seems odd that they would design a flap to take air away from the brakes 
With the flaps in there is less drag = better fuel economy.The flaps are still in on my 275. I've got the brakes stinking a couple of times on the road, but never completely cooked them. Will remove if do a track day.
narbles said:
That's good to know thanks. Seems odd that they would design a flap to take air away from the brakes
One of your posts mentioned the fuel filter and you were going to come on to it later... what was it? Have a feeling mines never been done so will be sorting that soon!
It's fuel economy, as mentioned. Mine, weirdly had been replaced, but the plugs, and the filter did clear the issue up. The fuel filter isn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be. I would suggest getting a bowl at the ready though, and do it with a low tank. The clips are very fiddly, and can break easily. Have a couple of small jubilee clips on hand incase they brake. One of your posts mentioned the fuel filter and you were going to come on to it later... what was it? Have a feeling mines never been done so will be sorting that soon!
Bowen86 said:
I'm pretty sure I follow you on insta! Your blue one was stunning! They got under my skin, and I genuinely can't see what to replace it with.Zarco said:
With the flaps in there is less drag = better fuel economy.
The flaps are still in on my 275. I've got the brakes stinking a couple of times on the road, but never completely cooked them. Will remove if do a track day.
I only found out about the flaps after I destroyed one, and when I eventually get around to cleaning it I'll remove the drivers side one too aha! The flaps are still in on my 275. I've got the brakes stinking a couple of times on the road, but never completely cooked them. Will remove if do a track day.
I thought I should finish this off. The Megane was sold on Monday. As I start a new job with a commute requiring a car I decided as the Megane didn't lend itself synonymously with comfort for daily use along some not great roads. The natural choice was to buy a daily, and carry on with the Megane, but due to space constraints at home I didn't have space for 2 cars. I therefore decided to hunt for a car that can do the daily duties, and something not st on track.
I wanted RWD, as I'd had a lot of FWD cars now, and wanted something with a V8.
Something decent on track.
V8
RWD.
It had to be didn't it. It's a 2011 M3 DCT Comp Pack.
I don't have a huge amount planned for it at the moment. Intake, exhaust, some wheel spacers and a BBK. Maybe a few aesthetic things like a GT4 splitter, lip spoiler, and a diffuser. I'll start it's own thread though.
t on track. I wanted RWD, as I'd had a lot of FWD cars now, and wanted something with a V8.
Something decent on track.
V8
RWD.
It had to be didn't it. It's a 2011 M3 DCT Comp Pack.
I don't have a huge amount planned for it at the moment. Intake, exhaust, some wheel spacers and a BBK. Maybe a few aesthetic things like a GT4 splitter, lip spoiler, and a diffuser. I'll start it's own thread though.
Ha, looks like the opening statement in the thread was an example of Betteridge's law! I can understand the reasoning though. Will be really interested in how you compare the M3 with the Megane on track, like-for-like.
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