RE: Renaultsport Megane 250: PH Fleet

RE: Renaultsport Megane 250: PH Fleet

Friday 4th August 2017

Renaultsport Clio 172 Cup/Megane R26: PH Fleet

Or should that be Megane 250? Ben upgrades his Renaultsport collection...



Now about that other Megane. It looked fantastic in Liquid Yellow, it was quick, the limited-slip diff was impressive and it was a lot more comfortable than the Clio. I liked it, but I didn't love it. And given that I have a PhD in Man Maths, it was only a matter of time until I worked out I could get myself into a Mk3 Megane. So only four months after buying the R26 230 F1 Edition, here I am with an Oyster Grey Renaultsport Megane 250 'Lux' with Cup pack, commonly referred to as a 'full fat' car. This time, I really do love it.

One Megane has gone...
One Megane has gone...
The benefit of having the standard 250 Lux is that I get a few more comforts over a Cup as standard, such as dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, heated seats and keyless entry. But then with the addition of the Cup pack, I get a limited-slip differential, stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, grooved brake discs and some shiny red four-pot Brembo brake calipers. Getting down to the numbers, I've got 250hp (funny that), 251lb ft and the car weighs in at 1,387kg. Not all too different from the 230hp/229lb ft in my last Megane, especially as the newer one is 42kg heavier. But boy, does it feel like a totally different car to drive.

For starters, the interior has come on a long way and even though the design is seven years old, it doesn't feel too dated. There are no (or at least fewer) squeaks and rattles, you can connect your phone via Bluetooth and turn on your heated seats if it gets a bit chilly. Lovely. The ride is firm, but feels less crashy and thanks to the incredible chassis and suspension wizardry, the car feels like it's moving with the road, opposed to just darting around on top of it. Very much like the old car, lean on the throttle into a corner and the mechanical differential pulls you tighter into the turn before projecting you out the other side - it really is a sensational drive.

... another one has replaced it...
... another one has replaced it...
Power delivery feels more linear so it's happily docile when pottering, but there's still enough sensation of boost to make it exciting when you're pushing on. It won't be standard for long - you're probably noticing a theme with my cars here - and there'll certainly be more boost on the way. In fact, my only criticisms of the car so far are that the standard exhaust doesn't make much noise and the speakers are a bit rubbish, although the former does make some nice pops in sport mode.

After creating a bit of a wish list on K-Tec Racing's website, I started off by ordering a set of their braided lines, which were fitted with Carbon Lorraine RC5+ pads and a fresh set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres ahead of my first track day in VU11 WLD at Rockingham with Renaultsport. What I hadn't prepared myself for was the sheer difference in pace and cornering speed compared to my little Clio. Sure, it feels heavier under braking but then it is over 350kg heavier. That's the equivalent of loading 14 bags of sand up in the boot. In standard form, it feels more sensitive to throttle and brake inputs when cornering compared to the Clio and as I found out several times, loves a bit of lift-off oversteer. Once I worked out how to keep that in check, I was lapping with so much confidence in the car that I never wanted to come in. When a car can perform this well out of the box, it baffles me how more of them were not sold.

... and the Clio is going too. Got it?
... and the Clio is going too. Got it?
It was an incredible first flat out experience at Rockingham, and it has left me eager for more track time. Oh, and a new set of brake discs. Accelerating towards a concrete wall into turn one on a banked corner keeps your concentration levels high; it's more terrifying than going flat through Eau Rouge. Luckily for the Megane, I've made the decision to take it to Anglesey for the next round of the Javelin Sprint Series in replacement of the Clio.

Sadly for the Clio, this is the end of my time with it, as I've decided I just can't justify keeping it anymore as I rarely pick up the keys to take it out on the road. My two years with my 182 Trophy and latterly my 172 Cup have been immense fun, but I'm ready for the next step and the Megane has proven itself as a worthy replacement for track use. It'll be an emotional farewell when it does come to selling it, but it probably won't be the last time I own a Renaultsport Clio.

Thanks to Renaultsport for having me along to the Rockingham track day.


FACT SHEET
Car:
2002 Renault Clio 172 Cup
Run by: Ben Lowden
Bought: May 2016
Mileage: 35,711
Last month at a glance: Time might be up for the Ben and the Clio...

Previous reports:
Trophy out and Cup in as Ben changes Clios
Super Spa in Clio Cup!
Rubber swap for slipperier surfaces

Car: 2011 Renaultsport Megane 250 Lux
Run by: Ben Lowden
Bought: May 2017
Mileage: 55,310
Last month at a glance: ...but don't worry, there's another Renaultsport hot hatch here!

Read more about Ben's old Megane here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author
Discussion

Aftershox

Original Poster:

397 posts

157 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
How does this compare to the GP2 Ben for fast-road driving and general duties?

hondansx

4,562 posts

224 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Interesting that you find the Megane more playful than the Clio! I rented a 182 on track a couple of times and found it hard to believe you could find a more entertaining FWD car.

seefarr

1,461 posts

185 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
PH said:
it is over 350kg heavier. That's the equivalent of loading 40 adult badgers in the boot.

Speed Badger

2,667 posts

116 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Hi Ben, don't know if you remember but I got my black R26 around the same time as you got your yellow one. Well I too have sold mine -
I think we have a strange case of symbiotic Renault ownship! I did enjoy mine but countryside living plus putting the baby in her seat called for something 4 door, so I've abandoned the Renault stable for now, having had a Clio 200, Mégane 265 and R26 in quick succession.

I have plumped for a Subaru Impreza STI 2005 dccd widetrack model. I am very much enjoying the country roads in the wet smile. I really liked my 250 and latterly 265 - the jump in interior build quality from the R26 is quite something. I test drove the new (well, FK2) Civic Type R and a 2015 facelift Mégane 265 and preferred the Mégane as it felt like it wanted to kill me a bit more! I would absolutely own one again, great choice.

nickfrog

20,871 posts

216 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
hondansx said:
Interesting that you find the Megane more playful than the Clio! I rented a 182 on track a couple of times and found it hard to believe you could find a more entertaining FWD car.
The Megane is set up very aggressively with a very pointy front end and a very mobile rear. Add superb traction thanks to the Perfohub the LSD and that extra weight and you have quite a good recipe for neutrality even in the traction zone if you've let the rear rotate sufficiently.

The Clio is quite a handler too tbf !!

stuart_83

1,002 posts

100 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Very nice! Shame the change from my Octy to a 275 didn't work out - I keep my eye on the Megane market but probably going to have to keep the VRS 230 for a while now.

I'll be watching for your updates Ben, and you know if you sell your 172 you WILL end up with another. I should know, I had three and keep thinking about buying one for a second car smile They get under your skin a bit (if you get a good one).

Enjoy the Megane!


BenLowden

5,968 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Aftershox said:
How does this compare to the GP2 Ben for fast-road driving and general duties?
That's a really tough one; I still miss the Mini but for different reasons. The Mini was very fighty and felt more agile, probably thanks to its lighter weight and stiffer Bilstein suspension. While some might criticise it for being a bit of a terrier tugging you all over the road, it was part of the appeal to me and made it really engaging.

I'd say it's perhaps more entertaining at slower speeds, but the Megane still comes out on top. It has breathtaking cross country ability and while the Mini had it too, the Megane does it better and faster. Especially in the corners, the proper mechanical differential in the Megane wipes the floor with the electronic unit in the Mini. I expect the Megane will be faster on track too!

BenLowden

5,968 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
hondansx said:
Interesting that you find the Megane more playful than the Clio! I rented a 182 on track a couple of times and found it hard to believe you could find a more entertaining FWD car.
It probably doesn't help that I've been running sticky Avon ZZRs on the Clio so I've got used to it being so planted, whereas I was on more standard road tyres in the Megane (Michelin Pilot Sport 4). Don't get me wrong, the Clio is still extremely playful, but the Megane felt more sensitive to inputs and having more power/torque would have added to that. I'll have the Megane on Avon ZZRs soon too, so I'm sure that'll ground it a bit more in the dry!

BenLowden

5,968 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Speed Badger said:
Hi Ben, don't know if you remember but I got my black R26 around the same time as you got your yellow one. Well I too have sold mine -
I think we have a strange case of symbiotic Renault ownship! I did enjoy mine but countryside living plus putting the baby in her seat called for something 4 door, so I've abandoned the Renault stable for now, having had a Clio 200, Mégane 265 and R26 in quick succession.

I have plumped for a Subaru Impreza STI 2005 dccd widetrack model. I am very much enjoying the country roads in the wet smile. I really liked my 250 and latterly 265 - the jump in interior build quality from the R26 is quite something. I test drove the new (well, FK2) Civic Type R and a 2015 facelift Mégane 265 and preferred the Mégane as it felt like it wanted to kill me a bit more! I would absolutely own one again, great choice.
I certainly do remember. Funny that, because I did come very close to buying a very similar Impreza STI from a member on here! Dan and I had a really 'tough day at work' battling out the Megane 275 Cup S and the FK2 Type R, but the Megane did just pip it for being so playful. This one won't be going anywhere in a hurry biggrin

GibsonSG

276 posts

110 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Ben - quick (and very cheap) tip re: exhaust noise. Put the back seats down - sounds crazy but it makes a big difference to the volume of the on-boost sound. I've just got back from a blistering holiday in mine in Scotland and Wales and had it in "civilian" mode with the seats up so the kids could be accommodated. However, it's back to normal duties now and sounds so much better....

macky17

2,210 posts

188 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Great choice and a nice, subtle colour. Finally bought myself one of these this week after years wanting one but somehow never pulling the trigger. Mines a 275 Cup-S with the ohlins, akrapovic and recaros in flame red. They are sensational cars - I would argue the best fwd cars ever made (although I'd like to try an fk8 CTR). Interiors and build quality are a generation behind the latest hatches but who cares? In its own way it's as entertaining down a B road as any other car you could buy at any price.


Edited by macky17 on Friday 4th August 21:33

HannsG

3,031 posts

133 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Are these awd? LSD?

TrivsTom

129 posts

166 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Having just spent the week in my other half's Ka, I cannot WAIT to get back into my 172 tomorrow after having its cambelt & dephaser done at Engine Dynamics.
Reminds me I need to treat the old girl and book another track day...

macky17

2,210 posts

188 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
Engine Dynamics near Kelvedon? Just discovered them a couple of days ago - 15 minutes away smile

nickfrog

20,871 posts

216 months

Friday 4th August 2017
quotequote all
HannsG said:
Are these awd? LSD?
Certainly not AWD, thankfully. Many track them properly and weight is definitely the enemy in that environment!

They have a decent GKN LSD as standard in the Cup versions which some upgrade to a very aggressive Drexler for intense track work.

BenLowden

5,968 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Saturday 5th August 2017
quotequote all
GibsonSG said:
Ben - quick (and very cheap) tip re: exhaust noise. Put the back seats down - sounds crazy but it makes a big difference to the volume of the on-boost sound. I've just got back from a blistering holiday in mine in Scotland and Wales and had it in "civilian" mode with the seats up so the kids could be accommodated. However, it's back to normal duties now and sounds so much better....
Ha you're spot on there, didn't take me long to work that one out. It's a good tip though! Sounds like a great trip, hoping to do the NC500 in mine next year thumbup

macky17 said:
Great choice and a nice, subtle colour. Finally bought myself one of these this week after years wanting one but somehow never pulling the trigger. Mines a 275 Cup-S with the ohlins, akrapovic and recaros in flame red. They are sensational cars - I would argue the best fwd cars ever made (although I'd like to try an fk8 CTR). Interiors and build quality are a generation behind the latest hatches but who cares? In its own way it's as entertaining down a B road as any other car you could buy at any price.
That's beautiful cloud9 And exactly what I want in a couple of years hopefully. Did you get that from Kent? I looked at one in that exact spec last year at Maidstone Renault but it had just sold, although I did see it was up for sale privately recently. I'm a big fan of the interior and I don't really find it dated compared to other current hot hatches. Plenty of gadgets in there, especially with yours if you have RS Monitor V2.

macky17

2,210 posts

188 months

Saturday 5th August 2017
quotequote all
Thanks mate. Yep that's the same car, with the monitor as well. Not many about.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

107 months

Saturday 5th August 2017
quotequote all
Great cars these

BenLowden

5,968 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Saturday 5th August 2017
quotequote all
macky17 said:
Thanks mate. Yep that's the same car, with the monitor as well. Not many about.
Dreamy! I ended up buying a Mini GP2 but might have bought it there and then if it hadn't have sold. You've got the perfect spec there, and as you've said, there can't be many around like that. Enjoy driving

GibsonSG

276 posts

110 months

Sunday 6th August 2017
quotequote all
macky17 said:
Thanks mate. Yep that's the same car, with the monitor as well. Not many about.
Lovely looking car. Nicer spec than mine too - I quite fancy one of the "full house" cars having got the bug for them now