2007 Renault Megane R26
Discussion
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t3...So, I now have three cars...
An E46 330ci I've been using for commuting and a modified 225 Trophy for fun. The plan being the R26 replaces both duties.
It's done 110,000 and is a massive credit to the owner of the last three years. He is a master tech at a big local dealership and this really shows in the condition and the way it drives.
As bought it came with a low level of good quality modifications: TTV SMF, R26r clutch, ITG panel filter, 2.75" Scorpion turbo back, Celtic Tuning remap and Megane GT spoiler.
Over the weekend I fitted the following from my Trophy: R26 dampers, H&R springs, R26 drilled front discs and DS2500 pads (all only 1,000 miles old), swapped the exhaust for K-tec 3" turbo back system, Dirrenza intercooler, 19mm rear spacers and R26r fog blanks. I might have also stolen the wiper blades...!
Until the other two cars are sold this is as good as it gets. I do have a blanking plate to fit in place of the standard recirc dump valve to add some turbo chatter. Would like to get it on the rollers and see what power it's putting down. Then enjoy it!
An E46 330ci I've been using for commuting and a modified 225 Trophy for fun. The plan being the R26 replaces both duties.
It's done 110,000 and is a massive credit to the owner of the last three years. He is a master tech at a big local dealership and this really shows in the condition and the way it drives.
As bought it came with a low level of good quality modifications: TTV SMF, R26r clutch, ITG panel filter, 2.75" Scorpion turbo back, Celtic Tuning remap and Megane GT spoiler.
Over the weekend I fitted the following from my Trophy: R26 dampers, H&R springs, R26 drilled front discs and DS2500 pads (all only 1,000 miles old), swapped the exhaust for K-tec 3" turbo back system, Dirrenza intercooler, 19mm rear spacers and R26r fog blanks. I might have also stolen the wiper blades...!
Until the other two cars are sold this is as good as it gets. I do have a blanking plate to fit in place of the standard recirc dump valve to add some turbo chatter. Would like to get it on the rollers and see what power it's putting down. Then enjoy it!
Fantastic cars these and still look fresh, I'd have one over a 250 any day.
I sold a few back in the day but one owner stuck in my mind. I had an appointment on a Saturday afternoon and up he rocked, small unassuming man in his 50's, he had a mobility issue (which I later found out was fused vertebrae in his neck, he couldn't turn his head independently from his body), my colleagues were sniggering and giving me the look as if to say "he's got a waster on a Renaultsport", they failed to spot that he'd arrived in a brand new 911 Turbo.
Anyway he bought the showroom model we had and it was primarily going to be used by both him and his son for track days.
Upon collecting it he remarked he was off to Goodwood (I think) that weekend to track it and had already bought specific tyres and wheels, I remarked that he should take it easy for 600 miles to loosen the engine, he said that he hadn't thought about that and if he'd realised he would have asked me to brim it, charge him the fuel and would have asked that I'd used it to put miles on it in the week before he had got round to collecting it.
I would see him every so often and he'd tell me about how it would on the track, destroy far more exotic machinery, costing many times more than his Renault and a few of his friends had bought one due to seeing him tracking his.
Enjoy the car op, they are cracking.
I sold a few back in the day but one owner stuck in my mind. I had an appointment on a Saturday afternoon and up he rocked, small unassuming man in his 50's, he had a mobility issue (which I later found out was fused vertebrae in his neck, he couldn't turn his head independently from his body), my colleagues were sniggering and giving me the look as if to say "he's got a waster on a Renaultsport", they failed to spot that he'd arrived in a brand new 911 Turbo.
Anyway he bought the showroom model we had and it was primarily going to be used by both him and his son for track days.
Upon collecting it he remarked he was off to Goodwood (I think) that weekend to track it and had already bought specific tyres and wheels, I remarked that he should take it easy for 600 miles to loosen the engine, he said that he hadn't thought about that and if he'd realised he would have asked me to brim it, charge him the fuel and would have asked that I'd used it to put miles on it in the week before he had got round to collecting it.
I would see him every so often and he'd tell me about how it would on the track, destroy far more exotic machinery, costing many times more than his Renault and a few of his friends had bought one due to seeing him tracking his.
Enjoy the car op, they are cracking.
Thanks for all the positive comments guys.
I've been running it for a week now and I am amazed by how much of a step up the R26 was over the 225 Megane RenaultSport at that time.
I'm running it alongside a 225 Trophy whilst looking for a buyer and transferred some parts over so is a very like for like comparison. The LSD makes such a difference. That and a rear ARB are the only notable handling changes to the rest of the range. But it feels so direct and no ounce of power is lost through lack of traction.
I was always chasing this feeling in my Trophy, but the R26 feels so good out of the box I think the only change I'll make from now on out is a tweak to the map to suit the exhaust and decat. Thereafter money will hopefully get spent on driving it!
I've been running it for a week now and I am amazed by how much of a step up the R26 was over the 225 Megane RenaultSport at that time.
I'm running it alongside a 225 Trophy whilst looking for a buyer and transferred some parts over so is a very like for like comparison. The LSD makes such a difference. That and a rear ARB are the only notable handling changes to the rest of the range. But it feels so direct and no ounce of power is lost through lack of traction.
I was always chasing this feeling in my Trophy, but the R26 feels so good out of the box I think the only change I'll make from now on out is a tweak to the map to suit the exhaust and decat. Thereafter money will hopefully get spent on driving it!
Wow, it's been a while since I put anything of note on here.
First things first, I was treated to VIP tickets at the British Grand Prix, just they didn't stretch to transport and accommodation!
I didn't get any useable pictures whilst I was there because the shutter speed on an iPhone just can't keep up with the speed of an F1 car... In all honesty though, this was the first F1 race I ever attended having been watching F1 since the Senna/Prost/Alesi/Mansell days, but it just wasn't what I'd expected. It wasn't exciting or even that interesting. It may have been the VIP treatment though, I'd have preferred to camp and spend some time getting to know the circuit rather than the ins and outs of accounting software!
Then it was MOT time. Word of advice, don't go attempting to refit the sports cat at 8pm the night before the MOT! The bolt in one of the V clamps stripped meaning I spent 2hrs forming a replacement from B&Q pic n mix nuts and bolts. It's held for the last 3,000 miles thankfully!
Clean bill of health, no advisories, and the tester even commented how clean my Clio was (spot the deliberate mistake...)
First things first, I was treated to VIP tickets at the British Grand Prix, just they didn't stretch to transport and accommodation!
I didn't get any useable pictures whilst I was there because the shutter speed on an iPhone just can't keep up with the speed of an F1 car... In all honesty though, this was the first F1 race I ever attended having been watching F1 since the Senna/Prost/Alesi/Mansell days, but it just wasn't what I'd expected. It wasn't exciting or even that interesting. It may have been the VIP treatment though, I'd have preferred to camp and spend some time getting to know the circuit rather than the ins and outs of accounting software!
Then it was MOT time. Word of advice, don't go attempting to refit the sports cat at 8pm the night before the MOT! The bolt in one of the V clamps stripped meaning I spent 2hrs forming a replacement from B&Q pic n mix nuts and bolts. It's held for the last 3,000 miles thankfully!
Clean bill of health, no advisories, and the tester even commented how clean my Clio was (spot the deliberate mistake...)
I think that may have been the last time I cleaned the car, it certainly doesn't look like that now. I've been enjoying too much.
Cue bunking off work for a day an went for a road trip around Exmoor. Some amazing roads up there, better sighted and less restrictive speed limits than Dartmoor. Scenery is more varied too, with epic coastline meeting baron moorland.
I'd definitely recommend the route: Exeter - Cullompton - Tiverton - Minehead - Portlock - Lynton - Lynmouth - Simonsbath - Dulverton - Tiverton - Culm Valley - Exeter.
This drive did cement the thoughts in my mind that the H&R / Renault Cup suspension was too firmly sprung for UK fast road abuse. So a little forum shopping resulted in these babies turning up at work (SWMBO would have had a fit if she'd known!).
KW Variant 3 2-way adjustable coilovers
I even got the fitting / swapping of suspension down to a record, for me, of 2.5hrs. My first attempt on my old 225 Trophy took 2.5 weeks and liberal use of an angle grinder!
I set bump and rebound settings to KW advised settings and haven't touched it since. The ride and handling has been a revelation; lesser spring rates than the H&R springs but damping is so much more composed than the Renault Cup dampers. It now feels like it floats over the road rather than bouncing off it. So confidence inspiring on the typical Devon B roads.
Even if it does spend a huge amount of it's time commuting with me on A30/A38/A303/A35/M5 racking up 1,000+ miles a month. I used to be desk based doing about 250 miles a month. Now I find any excuse to take the R26 over planes and trains!
Spotted this beast parked next to me at Woking station yesterday. How can the newest of "Mini" actually be bigger than a family hatchback of 10yrs ago. Progress?
If I get time I might wash it over the weekend, not been washed since the MOT in August. But then driving it is far more fun! Looking forward to an early morning blast with www.car-addicts.co.uk next Sunday too
Cue bunking off work for a day an went for a road trip around Exmoor. Some amazing roads up there, better sighted and less restrictive speed limits than Dartmoor. Scenery is more varied too, with epic coastline meeting baron moorland.
I'd definitely recommend the route: Exeter - Cullompton - Tiverton - Minehead - Portlock - Lynton - Lynmouth - Simonsbath - Dulverton - Tiverton - Culm Valley - Exeter.
This drive did cement the thoughts in my mind that the H&R / Renault Cup suspension was too firmly sprung for UK fast road abuse. So a little forum shopping resulted in these babies turning up at work (SWMBO would have had a fit if she'd known!).
KW Variant 3 2-way adjustable coilovers
I even got the fitting / swapping of suspension down to a record, for me, of 2.5hrs. My first attempt on my old 225 Trophy took 2.5 weeks and liberal use of an angle grinder!
I set bump and rebound settings to KW advised settings and haven't touched it since. The ride and handling has been a revelation; lesser spring rates than the H&R springs but damping is so much more composed than the Renault Cup dampers. It now feels like it floats over the road rather than bouncing off it. So confidence inspiring on the typical Devon B roads.
Even if it does spend a huge amount of it's time commuting with me on A30/A38/A303/A35/M5 racking up 1,000+ miles a month. I used to be desk based doing about 250 miles a month. Now I find any excuse to take the R26 over planes and trains!
Spotted this beast parked next to me at Woking station yesterday. How can the newest of "Mini" actually be bigger than a family hatchback of 10yrs ago. Progress?
If I get time I might wash it over the weekend, not been washed since the MOT in August. But then driving it is far more fun! Looking forward to an early morning blast with www.car-addicts.co.uk next Sunday too
Cliff J said:
I do really like these, always did, even with that weird back end lol
Are these supposed to be more reliable than its Clio sister 172/182 etc?
I love the J-Lo butt! The twin pipes just really appeal to me.Are these supposed to be more reliable than its Clio sister 172/182 etc?
In all honesty, the reliability can be hit and miss. All the RSs are built in Dieppe on a separate production line, but you do still have to put up with a lot of standard Renault parts too.
My 225 Trophy cost me the purchase price then some in repairs / minor improvements. This R26 cost me more than I'd invested in the Trophy but has been perfect in 5 months. The only work carried out has been modifications, the way it should be.
Great looking car and nice mods!
Intrigued by the KW's, they have an excellent reputation and judging by your comments they suit the R26 really well. One thing I can't get my head round is that from the pics it doesn't look like they have separate pre-load and height adjustment? Does this cause any issues?
Intrigued by the KW's, they have an excellent reputation and judging by your comments they suit the R26 really well. One thing I can't get my head round is that from the pics it doesn't look like they have separate pre-load and height adjustment? Does this cause any issues?
Darren1101 said:
I think that may have been the last time I cleaned the car, it certainly doesn't look like that now. I've been enjoying too much.
Cue bunking off work for a day an went for a road trip around Exmoor. Some amazing roads up there, better sighted and less restrictive speed limits than Dartmoor. Scenery is more varied too, with epic coastline meeting baron moorland.
I'd definitely recommend the route: Exeter - Cullompton - Tiverton - Minehead - Portlock - Lynton - Lynmouth - Simonsbath - Dulverton - Tiverton - Culm Valley - Exeter.
This drive did cement the thoughts in my mind that the H&R / Renault Cup suspension was too firmly sprung for UK fast road abuse. So a little forum shopping resulted in these babies turning up at work (SWMBO would have had a fit if she'd known!).
KW Variant 3 2-way adjustable coilovers
I even got the fitting / swapping of suspension down to a record, for me, of 2.5hrs. My first attempt on my old 225 Trophy took 2.5 weeks and liberal use of an angle grinder!
I set bump and rebound settings to KW advised settings and haven't touched it since. The ride and handling has been a revelation; lesser spring rates than the H&R springs but damping is so much more composed than the Renault Cup dampers. It now feels like it floats over the road rather than bouncing off it. So confidence inspiring on the typical Devon B roads.
Even if it does spend a huge amount of it's time commuting with me on A30/A38/A303/A35/M5 racking up 1,000+ miles a month. I used to be desk based doing about 250 miles a month. Now I find any excuse to take the R26 over planes and trains!
Spotted this beast parked next to me at Woking station yesterday. How can the newest of "Mini" actually be bigger than a family hatchback of 10yrs ago. Progress?
If I get time I might wash it over the weekend, not been washed since the MOT in August. But then driving it is far more fun! Looking forward to an early morning blast with www.car-addicts.co.uk next Sunday too
Great route, presumably you did the porlock hill? I love that hill, and the road to Lynmouth thereafter! Cue bunking off work for a day an went for a road trip around Exmoor. Some amazing roads up there, better sighted and less restrictive speed limits than Dartmoor. Scenery is more varied too, with epic coastline meeting baron moorland.
I'd definitely recommend the route: Exeter - Cullompton - Tiverton - Minehead - Portlock - Lynton - Lynmouth - Simonsbath - Dulverton - Tiverton - Culm Valley - Exeter.
This drive did cement the thoughts in my mind that the H&R / Renault Cup suspension was too firmly sprung for UK fast road abuse. So a little forum shopping resulted in these babies turning up at work (SWMBO would have had a fit if she'd known!).
KW Variant 3 2-way adjustable coilovers
I even got the fitting / swapping of suspension down to a record, for me, of 2.5hrs. My first attempt on my old 225 Trophy took 2.5 weeks and liberal use of an angle grinder!
I set bump and rebound settings to KW advised settings and haven't touched it since. The ride and handling has been a revelation; lesser spring rates than the H&R springs but damping is so much more composed than the Renault Cup dampers. It now feels like it floats over the road rather than bouncing off it. So confidence inspiring on the typical Devon B roads.
Even if it does spend a huge amount of it's time commuting with me on A30/A38/A303/A35/M5 racking up 1,000+ miles a month. I used to be desk based doing about 250 miles a month. Now I find any excuse to take the R26 over planes and trains!
Spotted this beast parked next to me at Woking station yesterday. How can the newest of "Mini" actually be bigger than a family hatchback of 10yrs ago. Progress?
If I get time I might wash it over the weekend, not been washed since the MOT in August. But then driving it is far more fun! Looking forward to an early morning blast with www.car-addicts.co.uk next Sunday too
Bright Halo said:
Great looking car and nice mods!
Intrigued by the KW's, they have an excellent reputation and judging by your comments they suit the R26 really well. One thing I can't get my head round is that from the pics it doesn't look like they have separate pre-load and height adjustment? Does this cause any issues?
Sorry BH, that's where my technical expertise ends. No issues I'm aware of though.Intrigued by the KW's, they have an excellent reputation and judging by your comments they suit the R26 really well. One thing I can't get my head round is that from the pics it doesn't look like they have separate pre-load and height adjustment? Does this cause any issues?
Most people in the Meg community go for BC Racing (cheaper, but to stiff by all accounts) or AST (way out of my budget). To me, and what I'd read, the KWs make for for a perfect road setup: potentially to soft for regular track work, but excellent compliance on the road.
Ahbefive said:
How comes you decided to fit coilovers? I find that even on standard suspension the R26 is pretty damned good on track, I have used mine primarily for track stuff.
Personal preference I suppose. As standard they ride too high, my previous 225 had a snapped spring and Renault parts were too expensive hence H&R so lowering was the obvious decision there.Thereafter, coilovers were just an obvious route. I do plan on the odd track day and, not being disengenuous to the standard setup you use, but I expect this will be noticeably better given my on road experiences.
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