Mégane rs250 Vs focus ST 2.0
Discussion
So after ruling out coupes on practicality grounds I think I'm down to these two hot hatches.
Most of my driving is decent A and B roads and I'll always choose a cross country route rather than use motorways. However, I'm not after a track car. It needs to work as a daily and as a 100% road car.
I prefer the look of the Meg, especially as it's 3dr and seems a bit special. But because I do value some comfort I'd rather the non cup lux with 18's. Something like this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
However, I guess some would say that if I don't want the cup chassis there's no point having a Meg. I can't seem to find any reviews of the non cup car.
Then there's the focus. It's a great car and I like it. Probably a bit newer and cheaper to run too. This kind of thing:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Which would you choose for my kind of driving?
Most of my driving is decent A and B roads and I'll always choose a cross country route rather than use motorways. However, I'm not after a track car. It needs to work as a daily and as a 100% road car.
I prefer the look of the Meg, especially as it's 3dr and seems a bit special. But because I do value some comfort I'd rather the non cup lux with 18's. Something like this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
However, I guess some would say that if I don't want the cup chassis there's no point having a Meg. I can't seem to find any reviews of the non cup car.
Then there's the focus. It's a great car and I like it. Probably a bit newer and cheaper to run too. This kind of thing:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Which would you choose for my kind of driving?
I had the Focus albeit a facelift version. It was very competent and a very nice interior, mine was full leather with all the toys. It was reliable and I don't believe there.ahould be rust issues, I also had 2 MK2 Focus's which didn't have rust.issues.
All that said as a.driving experience I'd probably go for the Mégane if I was to go down that road again. The Focus just never really thrilled me.
All that said as a.driving experience I'd probably go for the Mégane if I was to go down that road again. The Focus just never really thrilled me.
Thanks James.
Yes I kind of think the focus is the safe choice. It is probably the best fit for my circumstances but then there isn't really much special about it. And I really wish they'd made a 3dr version. There is actually a MK2 ST3 for sale locally which does it for me looks wise. Don't really fancy sub 30mpg though and it is getting on a bit. I've had a couple of fords in the past and enjoyed them both.
I'd like to hear from people regarding the non cup Mégane. Every review seems to focus on that cup chassis but then they are often driving them on a track which I don't want to do.
Not too worried about rust or reliability with either, I'm sure they'd be fine and coming from BMW I think I'd be pleasantly surprised at maintenance costs!
Yes I kind of think the focus is the safe choice. It is probably the best fit for my circumstances but then there isn't really much special about it. And I really wish they'd made a 3dr version. There is actually a MK2 ST3 for sale locally which does it for me looks wise. Don't really fancy sub 30mpg though and it is getting on a bit. I've had a couple of fords in the past and enjoyed them both.
I'd like to hear from people regarding the non cup Mégane. Every review seems to focus on that cup chassis but then they are often driving them on a track which I don't want to do.
Not too worried about rust or reliability with either, I'm sure they'd be fine and coming from BMW I think I'd be pleasantly surprised at maintenance costs!
If you want a nice daily then go for a proper Lux:
265
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
The Megane is still a smidge ahead of the Focus but when comparing a Lux with the Focus you need to look for an ST-3, I'd take the Megane.
265
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
250
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
The Megane is still a smidge ahead of the Focus but when comparing a Lux with the Focus you need to look for an ST-3, I'd take the Megane.
They did do a 3dr mk2 focus ST. I used to have one. In fact I’ve had 3 of the mk2s. All were 19mpg but I only do local short drives. My current mk7 fiesta st only does 30mpg same driving.
The mk3 focus is apparently mid twenties mpg wise. I’d rather have the focus than the meg though. Just not a big fan of Renaults.
The mk3 focus is apparently mid twenties mpg wise. I’d rather have the focus than the meg though. Just not a big fan of Renaults.
ChrisH72 said:
Not a fan of those 19 inch wheels though. I'm sure it'll ride better on 18's like most cars do.
The roof seems to come with cars with the 19's also for the case of have 20k (in the case of the 250) & 10k & a year younger (in the case of the 265) saying all that the 250 would be my pick because you can always pick up a set of 18's but you can't lose 20k & add a roof.Yes shiv, I’ve watched that chris Harris review. Also Matt Watson on carbuyer with the same three cars. The outcome is the same in both, focus wins as the best road car. But the Meg had the cup chassis which they said makes it just a bit too hardcore on the road.
Hmmmm, I had the same thought about the wheels. Easy enough to sell them and get some 18’s as I’m sure more people would be wanting to go the other way.
That white one is good value and is only 11 miles from me. I don’t like that it says private seller but the pics look very much like a trader. And the mot history is a bit dodgy, seems that at least one owner was not all that careful and moved the car on as soon as it developed problems. It’s definitely on the right lines though.
Hmmmm, I had the same thought about the wheels. Easy enough to sell them and get some 18’s as I’m sure more people would be wanting to go the other way.
That white one is good value and is only 11 miles from me. I don’t like that it says private seller but the pics look very much like a trader. And the mot history is a bit dodgy, seems that at least one owner was not all that careful and moved the car on as soon as it developed problems. It’s definitely on the right lines though.
ChrisH72 said:
Hmmmm, I had the same thought about the wheels. Easy enough to sell them and get some 18’s as I’m sure more people would be wanting to go the other way.
Nope, its the other way with these cars, the 18s are what people want and not the 19s.Have you tried a cup car? On 18s they aren't too bad for a longer commute.
Ah that’s interesting. I remember when I was looking at type r’s last time nobody really wanted the 19 inch wheels even though they look good.
So far I haven’t tried either. I have an annoying habit of getting carried away on test drives and buying there and then so it pays to gather as much info as possible in advance.
My 3 series is SE spec on 17’s and I’m very happy with the way it drives and rides even on runflat tyres. I have no regrets about buying the SE rather than the M sport which is what makes me think the non cup would work for me. The Lux models without cup seem to be quite a bit cheaper too and I do like features such as climate control, heated leather seats etc.
So far I haven’t tried either. I have an annoying habit of getting carried away on test drives and buying there and then so it pays to gather as much info as possible in advance.
My 3 series is SE spec on 17’s and I’m very happy with the way it drives and rides even on runflat tyres. I have no regrets about buying the SE rather than the M sport which is what makes me think the non cup would work for me. The Lux models without cup seem to be quite a bit cheaper too and I do like features such as climate control, heated leather seats etc.
I had a Megane RS265 as a daily. If you live in a city, or in fact anywhere other than a remote Welsh mountain village or 15 miles from a race track I wouldn't bother, didn't like it at all. From another thread:
vtecyo said:
Rubbish.
19" wheels meant the ride was crashy. Engine and gearbox pretty agricultural but robust. Interior very sub standard and the stereo is absolutely dreadful. Can't comment on the Arkamys one, but the standard audio is honestly unacceptable.
It's still a Megane hatchback so you can get quite a lot in it, and mine was 320bhp with the cup pack diff etc so it was pretty fast. Although it ran on Vpower only and used quite a lot of it
If you live near a mountain road or a track it's great but it's flawed as a daily vs competition. I should have bought an S3.
Also imho unless you get the cup pack it's not worth looking at as that's what the car is all about - there's a reason they're everywhere at the Nurburgring!19" wheels meant the ride was crashy. Engine and gearbox pretty agricultural but robust. Interior very sub standard and the stereo is absolutely dreadful. Can't comment on the Arkamys one, but the standard audio is honestly unacceptable.
It's still a Megane hatchback so you can get quite a lot in it, and mine was 320bhp with the cup pack diff etc so it was pretty fast. Although it ran on Vpower only and used quite a lot of it
If you live near a mountain road or a track it's great but it's flawed as a daily vs competition. I should have bought an S3.
Edited by vtecyo on Monday 17th February 09:32
Yes it was your comments that really cast doubt over the cup chassis for me.
And it has crossed my mind that there's little point in buying one without it as that's kind of what the car is about.
It's just a shame that I can't seem to find any reviews of the non cup car on 18's. And so far nobody here has commented so perhaps nobody bought the car in this combination. There are a few for sale but I guess there about as popular as my SE spec, manual BMW on 17's!
And it has crossed my mind that there's little point in buying one without it as that's kind of what the car is about.
It's just a shame that I can't seem to find any reviews of the non cup car on 18's. And so far nobody here has commented so perhaps nobody bought the car in this combination. There are a few for sale but I guess there about as popular as my SE spec, manual BMW on 17's!
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