Tuesday 16th April 2013

Renault Megane 265 Cup: PH Fleet

Scrof finds out that it's on track that the Megane feels most at home

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It’d be fair to say the Megane and I have had a love-hate relationship since we first met. There have been moments when I’ve made decidedly inappropriate noises about it at people when trying to describe what it’s like on a fast B-road blast. And then there have been moments when I’ve sworn at it repeatedly – for example, when its auto stop-start system has failed to fulfil the the latter half of the promise at a green traffic light.

Megane finds itself among friends at Brands

But everyone I’ve spoken to has told me that I have to experience it on track to fully appreciate its talents. So when I was offered the chance to pop along to one of Renaultsport’s track days at Brands Hatch, I didn't need to be asked twice.

So it was that I found myself in the pit lane, briefed, sound checked, and... well, a little nervous, actually. Last time I was here I managed to fall off at Paddock. Backwards. And then, as now, it was damp, greasy, and a little chilly to boot. Which is why, when the decision on whether to ESC or not to ESC came, I decided to wuss out and leave it in ESC Sport. Doing so still gave me access to the Renaultsport Monitor and the various throttle mapping permutations that offered; I picked Extreme, the most... erm... extreme one, and then switched the screen over to the G-meter. I’m not entirely sure why; perhaps I was imagining casting an eye in its direction halfway through Druids, stroking my chin thoughtfully while cocking an eyebrow, impressed at its readings.

Perhaps not the ideal map setting for the M25

I didn’t do that. In fact, the next time I looked at the G-meter was after I came back into the pits, at which point the tracks it had recorded merged into a large white mess in the centre of the display. Largely because in the intervening period I’d been busy having an absolute hoot. The Megane is just superb on track. The engine is free and gutsy, the chassis is mobile and constantly adjustable, and the diff tugs you gamely around each corner. You can almost feel it fizzing with enjoyment beneath you. So confident does it make you feel, in fact, that it’s easy to become complacent – but even then, if you find yourself going into a corner a bit quickly, a lift results in just enough oversteer to excite before the ESC helps you gather it up. At all other times, the ESC is notably unintrusive – in fact, I reckon this is the mode of choice to have it in for any sort of hard driving, as you seem to get all of its benefits with none of its drawbacks.

Megane is sharper than VXR but flawed too

And it’ll keep at it, too; I stopped every 10 laps or so for a break, but the Megane was just as up for it each time I headed back out. Brake fade did start to become an issue after a while, but that's to be expected of a hot hatch on standard brakes. But with that exception, the car was happy to pound round for lap after lap, each as consistent as before, allowing me to push it to its limits – and indeed, sometimes to exceed them without making a wally of myself.

So here’s how I feel about the Megane now: it’s a flawed diamond. The AstraVXR and Focus ST are, in my opinion, better all-rounders, and it’s these that I’d recommend if you want something that’s great day-to-day and fun on the odd occasion that you fancy it. If, however, you want to get out on as many track days as you can, but you need five seats, a roof and a boot in the same car, it has to be the Megane. It still frustrates me to the point of swearing at least once a week. But after my day at Brands, the inappropriate noises when discussing the driving experience have only grown more vociferous.

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FACT SHEET
Car: Renaultsport Megane 265 Cup
Run by: Alex (and Dan when circumstances allow)
On fleet since: December 2012
Mileage: 7,415
List price new: £28,115 (Basic list of £24,840 plus £350 for Renaultsport Monitor, £1,300 for Recaro seat upgrade, £750 for bi-xenon lights, £250 for hands free card with push-button start, £75 for spare wheel, £250 for tyre pressure monitor, £300 for Arkamys Bluetooth/USB ICE system)
Last month at a glance: A track day at Brands Hatch has Scrof making... erm... inappropriate noises

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Previous reports:
A few out-of-town excursions mean Scrof's warmed to the Meganesomewhat
Scrof finds living with the Megane day-to-day isn't as enjoyable as drivingit fast
The Megane impresses, even from the passenger seat
New arrival! Megane 265 Cup joins the fleet...

Track photography: zzzone

[Ex Boy Racer]

I find it hard to imagine the situation where someone predominantly needs a track tool but wants it to have 4 seats and a roof. This car seems to answer a question that nobody asked.

[The Boosh]

Ex Boy Racer said:

I find it hard to imagine the situation where someone predominantly needs a track tool but wants it to have 4 seats and a roof. This car seems to answer a question that nobody asked.

Must have won WC? best hot hatch 4 years in a row by accident then.

[nickfrog]

It would be good to see how much lateral Gs were extracted though ? Around 1G I guess ?

[Ex Boy Racer]

The Boosh said:

Ex Boy Racer said:

I find it hard to imagine the situation where someone predominantly needs a track tool but wants it to have 4 seats and a roof. This car seems to answer a question that nobody asked.

Must have won WC? best hot hatch 4 years in a row by accident then.

Just commenting on what the article said - ie the best choice only if you mainly need a track car.

[Glade]

I don't understand why you keep banging on about how compromised this is on the road... It's really not that bad... maybe you need to MTFU

But even if you're an odd shape, and don't fit with he car, or you commute on a few b-roads and the suspension's too harsh, do you really need to make it the main point of every article written about this car??

Catchpole ran a Caterham long termer and we didn't have to suffer relentless moaning about the fact that it was a bit chilly in winter, or the roof leaked - BECAUSE THAT ISN'T NEWS TO ANYONE!

[sandys]

Ex Boy Racer said:

I find it hard to imagine the situation where someone predominantly needs a track tool but wants it to have 4 seats and a roof. This car seems to answer a question that nobody asked.

Seems reasonable to me, not everyone can store/maintain multiple cars, when I bought my current motor I wanted something that could cope with my 100mile a day commute, fit the family in but could still have a bit of fun at track days and use in Club motorsport, I tried the hot diesel, it wasn't bad but the Megane would fit the bill well, I probably should of bought that rather than my Abarth, hey ho, the Abarth is doing a fine job all the same.

Likely to try a Renaultsport next, reasonably priced all rounder and decent ability, what's not to like.

[Tickle]

A lot of people have a small commute to work/train station so comfort can be sacrificed over a short distance. The same way if someone has a long commute handling/stiffer set up will be sacrificed for something with a more forgiving set up. I have a 200 Cup Clio at the moment but if my work circumstances changed to a longer commute I would certainly change it to something that suited my needs (very begrudgingly!). If a trackday or Sunday morning blast is at the top of your list of ‘things my car should be good at’ but a boot, 4 seats and your daily commute is lower in that list I think the Meg 265 is a perfect option.

[TheRoadWarrior]

Glade said:

I don't understand why you keep banging on about how compromised this is on the road... It's really not that bad... maybe you need to MTFU

But even if you're an odd shape, and don't fit with he car, or you commute on a few b-roads and the suspension's too harsh, do you really need to make it the main point of every article written about this car??

Catchpole ran a Caterham long termer and we didn't have to suffer relentless moaning about the fact that it was a bit chilly in winter, or the roof leaked - BECAUSE THAT ISN'T NEWS TO ANYONE!

This.

I normally frown upon the MU approach.. but I've got to say in this instance I fully agree.

This is supposed to be a site about performance cars.. If you think a hard top, 4 seater hatchback is overly compromised tbh you're in the wrong place.

It's like all the articles about the new clio200 turbo saying "Yes it's less focussed than the predecessor, but at least you can use it everyday".. sorry, what?

[TREMAiNE]

Ex Boy Racer said:

I find it hard to imagine the situation where someone predominantly needs a track tool but wants it to have 4 seats and a roof. This car seems to answer a question that nobody asked.

How many people can afford a 535 and a BAC Mono!?

[Hoygo]

Ex Boy Racer said:

I find it hard to imagine the situation where someone predominantly needs a track tool but wants it to have 4 seats and a roof. This car seems to answer a question that nobody asked.

The car is not a track tool,but is better on track than the other hot hatches,the guy who wrote this thinks that it too compromised etc as he is clearly an Audi S3 type of guy (id die of boredom in one),you'll find the answer if you drive one yourself.

Edited by Hoygo on Tuesday 16th April 13:42

[framerateuk]

Ex Boy Racer said:

I find it hard to imagine the situation where someone predominantly needs a track tool but wants it to have 4 seats and a roof. This car seems to answer a question that nobody asked.

I asked. And when I bought the car that was precisely my situation.

I only had room for one car. I was commuting a short distance, yet I wanted something that could get me about the place comfortably and reliably, but would also let me get the most out of the trackdays I did.

The Megane was perfect for this.

It's also very easy to drive and flatters your ability on track.

Edited by framerateuk on Tuesday 16th April 13:39

[Roma101]

TheRoadWarrior said:

Glade said:

I don't understand why you keep banging on about how compromised this is on the road... It's really not that bad... maybe you need to MTFU

But even if you're an odd shape, and don't fit with he car, or you commute on a few b-roads and the suspension's too harsh, do you really need to make it the main point of every article written about this car??

Catchpole ran a Caterham long termer and we didn't have to suffer relentless moaning about the fact that it was a bit chilly in winter, or the roof leaked - BECAUSE THAT ISN'T NEWS TO ANYONE!

This.

I normally frown upon the MU approach.. but I've got to say in this instance I fully agree.

This is supposed to be a site about performance cars.. If you think a hard top, 4 seater hatchback is overly compromised tbh you're in the wrong place.

It's like all the articles about the new clio200 turbo saying "Yes it's less focussed than the predecessor, but at least you can use it everyday".. sorry, what?

I agree. However, I think the author is not expressing things properly. In an ideal world, these articles should be saying that the author puts more (or at least as much) importance on things like [list things that aren't very important in performance cars like the size and feel of the radio controls] than things like a brilliant chassis, good traction and a well judged mobile rear end. To state (as if fact) that the former category represents deficiencies in the car and thus another car is better as a result is missing the fact that to many people, they couldn't give two hoots about the exact density of the plastic used for the door handles. The author is not wrong in expressing his preferences and criticisms, but it should be made clear that they are just his list of priorities and to others it doesn't matter.

I admit, it might make the article less punchy, but still, its as if I was reading an article in Autocar. Having said that, I am not sure even Autocar goes on about the so called "day to day" stuff in respect of the Megane as PH is at the moment.

(A caveat to the above is where a "deficiency" becomes dangerous. Like the headlights on the Clio 200. They were/are shockingly bad and did actually make driving at night in rural places...more focused...shall we say!)

Edited by Roma101 on Tuesday 16th April 14:07

[BlackCup]

I've only tracked my Megane once which was amazing but i use it in anger on an empty stretch of road whenever possible- early mornings or hoons. You don't just need to track it to exploit its talents!

[Kong]

Ex Boy Racer said:

I find it hard to imagine the situation where someone predominantly needs a track tool but wants it to have 4 seats and a roof. This car seems to answer a question that nobody asked.

Not a scientific measure by any means but I was at the Nurburgring over easter and these cars were consistantly amongst the fastest things going round. Given the fact they're clearly knowhere the fastest things on paper - this can only mean the performance is easy to exploit, which to me is important in a track car.

[SarGara]

TheRoadWarrior said:

Glade said:

I don't understand why you keep banging on about how compromised this is on the road... It's really not that bad... maybe you need to MTFU

But even if you're an odd shape, and don't fit with he car, or you commute on a few b-roads and the suspension's too harsh, do you really need to make it the main point of every article written about this car??

Catchpole ran a Caterham long termer and we didn't have to suffer relentless moaning about the fact that it was a bit chilly in winter, or the roof leaked - BECAUSE THAT ISN'T NEWS TO ANYONE!

This.

I normally frown upon the MU approach.. but I've got to say in this instance I fully agree.

This is supposed to be a site about performance cars.. If you think a hard top, 4 seater hatchback is overly compromised tbh you're in the wrong place.

It's like all the articles about the new clio200 turbo saying "Yes it's less focussed than the predecessor, but at least you can use it everyday".. sorry, what?

Nail. Head.

Can someone else at PH who's only motoring asperation isn't to own an Audi derv please be given the Megane instead? The website is "Speed Matters" afterall.

[Technomatt]

None of the immediate rivals do the track thing as well or as consistently as the 250/265. A useful trump card with the Recaros, Cup chassis, Brembo brakes and mechanical LSD.

You gotta enjoy the 265 for what it is because this Megane will be the last of the true Renaulsport hot hatch breed, the new Clio RS has already gone soft and the odds are on the next Megane RS will go down exactly the same route being a 5 door, auto, bland and just a GT version of the standard salesman’s hack.

[TimmyV6]

Presuming this was the RS track day on the 10th.

I was there and took Renaults 265 for a few laps, really enjoyable. Turn in was reminiscent of my old Clio 197 which surprised me given how big it felt. Impressive amount of power on tap as well I thought, certainly pulled out of the corners.

Disappointing engine note made me glad to get back in my Clio V6 though!

[ant leigh]

BlackCup said:

I've only tracked my Megane once which was amazing but i use it in anger on an empty stretch of road whenever possible- early mornings or hoons. You don't just need to track it to exploit its talents!

Just got back from a 1500 mile drive around the Western Highland and Islands.
Fantastic handling, especially the grip and precision on some of the narrow single track A roads.
Suspension wasn't to uncomfortable either even on the less smooth tarmac.

[Rockape762]

I spend 3 hours a day doing a 120 mile (mainly A road) commute in my Megane 250 Cup and I can honestly say that I find it a great car. The suspension is hard but it doesn't crash over bumps and I get out after each journey feeling good. The Cup is a very basic car in terms of 'whistles and bells' and maybe because of that I find it a more honest car as the money has gone into engineering (chassis, brakes and LSD). Also, after 7 months and 16000 miles I've only seen one other RS Megane - and I quite like that.

[SidewaysSi]

Agree with what's been said already. This is a car site and I like many use and have used far less new/comfortable/practical cars. MTFU indeed or pass it on to someone else;)