Megane RS

[Carfanatic44]

I started a thread a while back with the below criteria and came to the conclusion that an Alfa Romeo Giulia was the car for me, but bored over Christmas and I've been car shopping on Autotrader and I'm wondering if a Renault Megane RS would fit those needs?




I need

4/5 doors
Pretty quick
Good looking
Nice sporty interior
Decent boot
Prefer classy so no Honda type R
I do lots of short trips, so I'm thinking petrol
Up to 6 years old
Reasonably reliable
Not massively expensive to run


It must be fun

Budget is max 20k

[justin220]

I've just recently sold my 280 and it was a fantastic bit of kit. Almost exactly as per your list.

Only thing that I needed was more space.

[Wonderman]

My lease one just went back after 4 years (I extended the lease). Loved it. Was fine for 4 of us on a few family trips to Scotland trips space wise. Yes it's not as roomy as Golf-R estate but it's about a 1,000 percent more interesting to drive, and more comfortable for the driver at least (I didn't get on with the Golf seats). Red one's are faster though

Owners thread here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Wonderman on Thursday 2nd January 15:32

Edited by Wonderman on Friday 3rd January 08:39

[Fuzzarr]

They do seem to be very good value at the moment.

Manual or auto?

I was a bit put off by some of the potential costs and things that might break, but at the same time you're saving a lot compared to, say, a Civic R of the same age.

See also: Hyundai i30 Fastback N.

[Carfanatic44]

Just reading up a bit on these, looks like the EDC gearbox isn't great? Also the manual gearbox is the same as used in the MK3? I had a MK3 and the gearbox was a known issue, mine never went wrong but apparently a good few did. The cars do look smart though and are pretty rare which makes them a bit more special.

[CG2020UK]

Going to go against a lot of car reviewers but having driven an Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce it doesn’t drive or handle to the levels of proper hot hatch.

I didn't think they were overly fun.

[Fuzzarr]

Carfanatic44 said:

Just reading up a bit on these, looks like the EDC gearbox isn't great? Also the manual gearbox is the same as used in the MK3? I had a MK3 and the gearbox was a known issue, mine never went wrong but apparently a good few did. The cars do look smart though and are pretty rare which makes them a bit more special.

EDC is considered to be more up to the job of handing the available torque. The manual is a bit marginal and can have problems. There's a good thread in French Bred for these cars that's worth a good read through.

[Legacywr]

I love the look of these, I’d want orange or yellow.

I was going to suggest a Golf GTI Performance, they seem to have gone up in value since I sold mine in the spring.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024111563...

[lee1610]

I’ve had a volcanic orange 280, currently own a liquid yellow 300 trophy. Mines a manual, going in for a gearbox rebuild, only covered 18k. Bearings are a common issue. Battery is another issue but easily sorted.

I absolutely love mine, love the colour, don’t see many on the road. Not as quick as the German awd but always puts a smile on my face. It’s not my daily but use it when we all go out as a family (11&14 year old and a misses) and weekend toy.

I’ve had all sorts, golf r, s3, Impreza p1, integra dc5, etc but always had a sport spot for a Renault sport, I’ve had plenty of Clio’s and plenty of meganes, r26’s, 250/265. Would recommend driving one.

Spec wise, recaros, big screen and Bose are good options 👍

Edited by lee1610 on Thursday 2nd January 21:42

[Wonderman]

Carfanatic44 said:

Just reading up a bit on these, looks like the EDC gearbox isn't great? Also the manual gearbox is the same as used in the MK3? I had a MK3 and the gearbox was a known issue, mine never went wrong but apparently a good few did. The cars do look smart though and are pretty rare which makes them a bit more special.

Mine was manual and no issues ~28k when went back.

[Simon_GH]

My neighbours bought one last year - they love it. After a string of quick(ish) cars including a 3 litre Z4, this is the one car that has lived up to their hopes.

[Chucky-egg]

Had a manual 300 Trophy in LY for 2 years. Great car, had the battery issue (dead lithium that needed a replacement), but no problems other than that. Very capable, fun, great daily and very practical.

It was my 4th RS Megane so I’m somewhat of a fanboy - as an all-round car no doubt the MK4 is the best out of them all imo.

[ZX10R NIN]

The EDC gearbox is a decent box, it gets criticised because it's not a manual.