Megane rs 300/ 280 or Hyundai i30N decisions decisions

[AR1991]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 12 January 2021 at 22:52

[dunc69]

Choose which car you want, put down as much as you comfortably can, and finance the rest with a super-cheap bank loan.

I would go i30N all day, but lots on here will no doubt say Megane. Buying 2-3 years old is the value surely! Especially if Hyundai as you’ll have lots of warranty left.

Good luck.

[Ben Lowden]

I'm a massive Renault fan but having driven both, personally I'd take the i30N. More fun to drive at more sensible speeds and there's some bargains out there right now https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11154793

Our Megane 280 vs i30N article is well worth a read https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/renau...

[AR1991]

I read the article this morning it’s very good! It made my decision harder though as they are equally as good as each other

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the i30N is the pick the fact you can get a nice one for sensible money, as above a low interest bank loan makes the most sense seeing as you intend to keep it, you can get an ex demo at a very good price:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101067...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010155...

[AR1991]

Thanks!

[stevemcs]

If you intend to own the car then don't PCP it otherwise you are doubling up on interest. I'd probably go with the i30 and a bank loan. Don't forget there is a Renault sales person on here who could supply you with a quote

[AR1991]

I was unaware of that? If you could point me in his direction. Thanks

[irish boy]

I'd go for the megane having driven all 3. Personally unless driven back to back its nearly impossible to feel the extra power in the trophy over the 280. If you can find one of the dealer launch cars they have the alcantara interior, not quite as good as the trophy seats but very good. They will also have the cup pack etc.

The i30n is lovely but the megane is that bit more special, and in typical renaultsport fashion once the pace is dialled up it really comes into its own. Residuals have proven superb also.

[J1990]

I got a cracking deal on my i30N Performance in 2019 - PCP'd at £296/month with £1.5k deposit for 2 years and final payment of £14,400 on 10k miles. All in all £23,004 including interest charge... Admittedly benefited from the 'Hyundai owner deal' which gave an extra 2.5k PCP contribution if you already had a Hyundai registered at your address.

Unforunately I've only done 5k miles since getting it but it's just a lovely car, it's cheap enough that I'm not 'precious' about it the way I was with my M4 and the fact that they're fully loaded as standard makes a pleasant change from having to choose eyewatering payments of 'poverty spec' cars when buying new and not intending to keep.

I liked the Megane to drive but wasn't overly sold by looks and interior, don't get me wrong the i30N interior isn't extravagant but the seats are lovely, and it's just all well thought out. Add in to that a 5 year 100k mile warranty that includes track usage and it just seems like a no-brainer to me (admittedly I haven't and never would find myself on a track, but it gave me confidence in the car if they're willing to place a warranty on that).

Mine will be going once the DVLA get around to issuing me with a new registration as we're looking for something substantially bigger than our two current cars, but it never fails to put a smile on my face when firing it up - Amazing sound for a 2 litre engine.

[culpz]

Difficult one this. I'm a big Renault fan and i maintain that this new Megane is the best in class for me. If both could be had on lease/PCP with no desire to own, then I'd take the Meg, as I've heard a few people having issues with theirs. Not sure if these are just little niggly faults or a bit more serious though, so it's something I'd keep my eye on. If it was a long term ownership proposition, then I'd probably take the i30N.

Both are great cars though, so you can't go wrong. Maybe test both and see if one is worth it over the other. Or, if they're pretty evenly-matched, then go for the one you can get the best deal on.

[resolve10]

I picked up my Megane Trophy last week. If you only do 8-10k miles a year and want a car that makes you feel like you are really driving it even at low speeds, it is absolutely brilliant. It reminds me of 90's generation cars where you feel every vibration and every input you make on the car.

If you value ergonomics and want something to seamlessly fit into your life, you want something like a Golf GTI.

Can't comment too much on the i30N. I like the exterior looks but the interior lets it down a bit for me. Not necessarily the quality but the lack of flair.

[J1990]

Just to add, when I was running around doing test drives in 2019 I took out both the i30N and the i30N Fastback... The Fastback was preferable for me, the ride comfort was much more tolerable in normal mode, with a nice stifferning up in sport, whereas the hatch is rather firm regardless of setting. I quite liked the styling of the fastback also and that it looked 'different' (subjective, obviously) but at the time the GFV was so poor that unless I was willing to make a cash purchase it was a no brainer.


i30N price was ~£21.5k new with a 2 year 20k mile GFV of £14,400

i30N fastback I could get for the same £21.5k with the deal that was on but the GFV for the same 2 years and 20k miles was £8,700

With no desire to own it outright I couldn't stomach the potential extra ~£6k over two years, which would've brought the overall it close to what my M4 cost me for a similar period. I appreciate the GFV was very pessimistic by hyundai and there'd almost definitely be equity in it at the end but it just wasn't an option for me, not sure if the GFV is more reasonable now on the fastbacks.

[culpz]

Yeah, I'd much prefer the fastback version too. I actually think the hatchback's rear-styling is a bit too fussy.

[Pillskii]

I was in the same position around 18 months ago. Drove both, both great cars. Marginally sided with the Megane as it felt a bit more raw but ended up with the i30N as the deal I got was phenomenal - brand new for something like £23k. The point about being fully loaded also makes a difference as the Megane price quickly rises when you add the nice to haves on.

Such a shame the Megane is now auto only. Megane is also very wide FYI - check garage width if you have one.