Renaultsport Megane 230 F1 R26
Discussion
Hi, just sold my old Cosworth and I am thinking about something a little newer and upto date. Been looking at various cars and the Megane I quite like the look of. Having owned various warm cars over the years the only car I imagine I have owned close to the Renault was a Focus RS Mk1 with a few mild upgrades (250bhp). I would be interested in any owners present or previous thoughts and experiences with this model (standard and modded).
Thanks...
Thanks...
I ran one for a year
Good points:
1) Incredible performance, could put some serious motors to shame.
2) Incredible handling and cornering, seemed to defy physics.
3) Utterly addictive exhaust 'jet' sound, totally unique to this car.
Bad points:
1) Relatively thirsty, ~20 mpg, no good for me as a daily.
2) Expensive servicing (my one and only service was around £2k, granted that was a main dealer price)
3) Not that exciting. Car was just too good, too may widgets and gadgets taking care of everything, meant the drive didn't feel that involving or demanding of me (again, granted I came from an Elise, and replaced it a year later with another Elise, so possibly a bit unfair)
HTH
Good points:
1) Incredible performance, could put some serious motors to shame.
2) Incredible handling and cornering, seemed to defy physics.
3) Utterly addictive exhaust 'jet' sound, totally unique to this car.
Bad points:
1) Relatively thirsty, ~20 mpg, no good for me as a daily.
2) Expensive servicing (my one and only service was around £2k, granted that was a main dealer price)
3) Not that exciting. Car was just too good, too may widgets and gadgets taking care of everything, meant the drive didn't feel that involving or demanding of me (again, granted I came from an Elise, and replaced it a year later with another Elise, so possibly a bit unfair)
HTH
I had one of these for a few months and found it to be all in all a good motor. As previously stated its a joy to drive and is quick, agile and good fun. I tracked mine and it really did come alive there, especially on the handling front.
Negatives are, I found mine a pretty uncomfortable hard ride, I expected it to be hard but I found it pretty uncomfortable at times, this could well have been amplified by the state of the british roads these days...
Also, as with most French bred, you have to accept small electrical glitches, mine had an airbag warning intermittently but I was assured that it was a dodgy connect rather than anything more serious.
All in all tho great to own for a few months and would highly reccomend as a good little track toy...
Hope this helps.
Negatives are, I found mine a pretty uncomfortable hard ride, I expected it to be hard but I found it pretty uncomfortable at times, this could well have been amplified by the state of the british roads these days...
Also, as with most French bred, you have to accept small electrical glitches, mine had an airbag warning intermittently but I was assured that it was a dodgy connect rather than anything more serious.
All in all tho great to own for a few months and would highly reccomend as a good little track toy...
Hope this helps.
I had one of these for a few months and found it to be all in all a good motor. As previously stated its a joy to drive and is quick, agile and good fun. I tracked mine and it really did come alive there, especially on the handling front.
Negatives are, I found mine a pretty uncomfortable hard ride, I expected it to be hard but I found it pretty uncomfortable at times, this could well have been amplified by the state of the british roads these days...
Also, as with most French bred, you have to accept small electrical glitches, mine had an airbag warning intermittently but I was assured that it was a dodgy connect rather than anything more serious.
All in all tho great to own for a few months and would highly reccomend as a good little track toy...
Hope this helps.
Negatives are, I found mine a pretty uncomfortable hard ride, I expected it to be hard but I found it pretty uncomfortable at times, this could well have been amplified by the state of the british roads these days...
Also, as with most French bred, you have to accept small electrical glitches, mine had an airbag warning intermittently but I was assured that it was a dodgy connect rather than anything more serious.
All in all tho great to own for a few months and would highly reccomend as a good little track toy...
Hope this helps.
I have one. It's fantastic. Ride can be a bit harsh on our 3rd rate roads, only really an issue when you're bimbling. Quiet and smooth on motorway. Mine is my daily and has been fantastic. Manage about 27mpg tank to tank Inc. a lot of city driving. A few gremlins with the window regs, but Renult have extended the warranty on this fault. Get over to meganesport.net and say hi!
R26Chris said:
I have one. It's fantastic. Ride can be a bit harsh on our 3rd rate roads, only really an issue when you're bimbling. Quiet and smooth on motorway. Mine is my daily and has been fantastic. Manage about 27mpg tank to tank Inc. a lot of city driving. A few gremlins with the window regs, but Renult have extended the warranty on this fault. Get over to meganesport.net and say hi!
I've also had one for about a year, 1 window issue and that's it. The performance is excellent - you really have to wind these cars up to appreciate the chassis. The ride isn't rolls-esque but if you think it's bad try a modern BMW with MSport suspension or Merc with AMG pack - i can say for sure that the R26 rides better than my colleagues C-Class!SeanyD said:
I ran one for a year
Good points:
1) Incredible performance, could put some serious motors to shame.
2) Incredible handling and cornering, seemed to defy physics.
3) Utterly addictive exhaust 'jet' sound, totally unique to this car.
Bad points:
1) Relatively thirsty, ~20 mpg, no good for me as a daily.
2) Expensive servicing (my one and only service was around £2k, granted that was a main dealer price)
3) Not that exciting. Car was just too good, too may widgets and gadgets taking care of everything, meant the drive didn't feel that involving or demanding of me (again, granted I came from an Elise, and replaced it a year later with another Elise, so possibly a bit unfair)
HTH
Agree with all of this. I think they are one of the best modern hot hatches: they can be taken out and driven hard, do 500 mile motorway road trips with the minimum of fuss, carry passengers and do the ikea run as required.Good points:
1) Incredible performance, could put some serious motors to shame.
2) Incredible handling and cornering, seemed to defy physics.
3) Utterly addictive exhaust 'jet' sound, totally unique to this car.
Bad points:
1) Relatively thirsty, ~20 mpg, no good for me as a daily.
2) Expensive servicing (my one and only service was around £2k, granted that was a main dealer price)
3) Not that exciting. Car was just too good, too may widgets and gadgets taking care of everything, meant the drive didn't feel that involving or demanding of me (again, granted I came from an Elise, and replaced it a year later with another Elise, so possibly a bit unfair)
HTH
I had mine stage 1 remapped by RSTuning which really transformed the car.
I had mine for just over 2.5 years. In that time it only needed routine servicing and consumables replacing, servicing was cheap IMO at the local Renault dealer (£3-400 a year). Some people have issues with the cars and they are starting to get a little older / higher milage now so things do wear out.
I could get anything from mid-teens (on track) to low 30s (motorway cruise) in terms of mpg. Round town it was around 21-22mpg, mixed quick road driving around 25-27mpg.
They drive brilliantly and there is plenty to like - the handling is fabulous and they are very quick cross country. It is perfectly well refined for longer journeys, the ride quality is good and they have most of the toys and creature comforts to make them pleasant when not out on a hoon. The driving position is crap though, although some change the seat mounts to sort this out.
I've changed to a Boxster S as I wanted something more rewarding and harder work to drive quickly - the main weakness that the R26 had was it was almost too good and too easy to drive really very quickly.
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