Discussion
Had my R26 for about 8 months now and it continues to impress. The Megane follows a very powerfull list of rear / four-wheel drive cars I've owned over the years, but it holds it's own in terms of the fun factor. The engine has buckets of torque for a turbo but wish it had another 20-30bhp to maintain the pace when in third / fourth.
The handling is the main party trick. You can turn in early, late, too quick or too slow and you still have options. Power aggresively through the corner and the front diff is stunning (whether in the dry or rain), although feels a bit remote from driver perspective.
Cruising on the motorway is no problem and I get 25-26 mpg with spirited driving. Cabin feels right, with good equipment and great Recaro's. The R26 reminds me of my favourite owned car to date - M3 CSL. A car that can be used everyday, raw and fun to drive in virtually all environemnts. Go for an extended test drive.
The handling is the main party trick. You can turn in early, late, too quick or too slow and you still have options. Power aggresively through the corner and the front diff is stunning (whether in the dry or rain), although feels a bit remote from driver perspective.
Cruising on the motorway is no problem and I get 25-26 mpg with spirited driving. Cabin feels right, with good equipment and great Recaro's. The R26 reminds me of my favourite owned car to date - M3 CSL. A car that can be used everyday, raw and fun to drive in virtually all environemnts. Go for an extended test drive.
SagMan said:
Had my R26 for about 8 months now and it continues to impress. The Megane follows a very powerfull list of rear / four-wheel drive cars I've owned over the years, but it holds it's own in terms of the fun factor. The engine has buckets of torque for a turbo but wish it had another 20-30bhp to maintain the pace when in third / fourth.
The handling is the main party trick. You can turn in early, late, too quick or too slow and you still have options. Power aggresively through the corner and the front diff is stunning (whether in the dry or rain), although feels a bit remote from driver perspective.
Cruising on the motorway is no problem and I get 25-26 mpg with spirited driving. Cabin feels right, with good equipment and great Recaro's. The R26 reminds me of my favourite owned car to date - M3 CSL. A car that can be used everyday, raw and fun to drive in virtually all environemnts. Go for an extended test drive.
Agree with all of that - have had mine about 8 mths too. went from an S4 V8 and haven't regretted it - a fast, good looking (mine's white, and pleased about that), practical hatch. I would also say that the brakes are fantastic too, give you confidence and are very precise. Also makes you the envy of every bloke under 20! Build quality is fine (came from a run of 3 Audis, and while not up to that standard, it's no problem.) Get a proper spare though.The handling is the main party trick. You can turn in early, late, too quick or too slow and you still have options. Power aggresively through the corner and the front diff is stunning (whether in the dry or rain), although feels a bit remote from driver perspective.
Cruising on the motorway is no problem and I get 25-26 mpg with spirited driving. Cabin feels right, with good equipment and great Recaro's. The R26 reminds me of my favourite owned car to date - M3 CSL. A car that can be used everyday, raw and fun to drive in virtually all environemnts. Go for an extended test drive.
Had mine for 12 months and its a truely excellent car. Had a Clio Williams, Audi S3, Mk5 Golf GTi and R32 before and it is the best of the lot so far (the Williams was the most fun/evil to inexperienced drivers). Have done 2 trackdays so far in the R26 and it has been awesome. If you like hothatches you will love it.
Had mine since January. Absolutely loved every mile with it, especially those on track. It provides many hot hatch thrills whilst still feeling lightfooted, and still maintains high refinement for a motorway cruise.
I'm a hardcore fordie by heart, and had my name down for a Focus RS before my Megane even arrived in the country, but my Renaultsport experience impressed so much that the RS soon became a poor choice. As a result, my new R26.R should be arriving in the country this week.
I'm a hardcore fordie by heart, and had my name down for a Focus RS before my Megane even arrived in the country, but my Renaultsport experience impressed so much that the RS soon became a poor choice. As a result, my new R26.R should be arriving in the country this week.
Totally agree with your hardcore fondness, R26 that is, but also the ability to cruise with acceptable levels of comfort.
Are you getting R26-R this month or waiting for Jan 09?
Really interested in your comparative view over standard car. Also interested if the softening of suspension improves steering inputs. Sometimes I find it difficult to get flow with the steering, just too much assistance.
Saggy
Are you getting R26-R this month or waiting for Jan 09?
Really interested in your comparative view over standard car. Also interested if the softening of suspension improves steering inputs. Sometimes I find it difficult to get flow with the steering, just too much assistance.
Saggy
ab86 said:
Just wondered if anyone's got/driven any of these, and what people think of them?! Quite fancy a hot hatch!
If you want new, you'll only find the lightweight, more hardcore, R26.R available. The R26 has now finished production. The .R is a formidable car full stop. Take a look at some of the reviews for more insight (EVO Car of the Year, Drivers Republic, Performance Car (this month's)...Edited by ab86 on Sunday 30th November 00:23
Sorry, not had the chance to look at this topic since last posting.
SagMan, My R26.R has arrived at the import centre for me to collect from the dealership next week. Will keep you updated.
In reply to your the Liquid yellow query, lbird. My current R26 is Liquid Yellow, and the paint code is J37.
SagMan, My R26.R has arrived at the import centre for me to collect from the dealership next week. Will keep you updated.
In reply to your the Liquid yellow query, lbird. My current R26 is Liquid Yellow, and the paint code is J37.
Edited by Arun_D on Thursday 18th December 13:28
Arun_D said:
Sorry, not had the chance to look at this topic since last posting.
SagMan, My R26.R has arrived at the import centre for me to collect from the dealership next week. Will keep you updated.
In reply to your the Liquid yellow query, lbird. My current R26 is Liquid Yellow, and the paint code is J37.
Congrats on a great choice of car. Hope you're getting a good discount. I've just ordered one and was a) in light of the very limited production run, very suprised that there were any still available and b) even given the current economic climate I was even more suprised to get a thumping discount - again given how limited production numbers are.SagMan, My R26.R has arrived at the import centre for me to collect from the dealership next week. Will keep you updated.
In reply to your the Liquid yellow query, lbird. My current R26 is Liquid Yellow, and the paint code is J37.
Edited by Arun_D on Thursday 18th December 13:28
Pugsey said:
Arun_D said:
Sorry, not had the chance to look at this topic since last posting.
SagMan, My R26.R has arrived at the import centre for me to collect from the dealership next week. Will keep you updated.
In reply to your the Liquid yellow query, lbird. My current R26 is Liquid Yellow, and the paint code is J37.
Congrats on a great choice of car. Hope you're getting a good discount. I've just ordered one and was a) in light of the very limited production run, very suprised that there were any still available and b) even given the current economic climate I was even more suprised to get a thumping discount - again given how limited production numbers are.SagMan, My R26.R has arrived at the import centre for me to collect from the dealership next week. Will keep you updated.
In reply to your the Liquid yellow query, lbird. My current R26 is Liquid Yellow, and the paint code is J37.
Edited by Arun_D on Thursday 18th December 13:28
SagMan said:
Arun - Great Xman present your getting. Please keep forum updated with your progress and photo's would be great.
Festive wishes to you all.
90% certain that this pic is of my car. Was taken last friday at the Dieppe factory. Mine is part of the 1st batch to arrive in the UK, and is the only one of this spec that I know of that was expected to arrive.Festive wishes to you all.
Hope you like. Most of the others in the first batch are white with black wheels, not my cuppa tea.
Arun_D said:
Pugsey said:
Arun_D said:
Sorry, not had the chance to look at this topic since last posting.
SagMan, My R26.R has arrived at the import centre for me to collect from the dealership next week. Will keep you updated.
In reply to your the Liquid yellow query, lbird. My current R26 is Liquid Yellow, and the paint code is J37.
Congrats on a great choice of car. Hope you're getting a good discount. I've just ordered one and was a) in light of the very limited production run, very suprised that there were any still available and b) even given the current economic climate I was even more suprised to get a thumping discount - again given how limited production numbers are.SagMan, My R26.R has arrived at the import centre for me to collect from the dealership next week. Will keep you updated.
In reply to your the Liquid yellow query, lbird. My current R26 is Liquid Yellow, and the paint code is J37.
Edited by Arun_D on Thursday 18th December 13:28
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