Mégane R26 Vs 250/265 Cup

Mégane R26 Vs 250/265 Cup

Author
Discussion

911Spanker

Original Poster:

1,854 posts

23 months

Sunday 18th February
quotequote all
Seriously thinking about a Mégane as a family run around.

I have a few cars but this one needs to be able to be the default wheels for a family of 4 (2 young kids), including Euro hoons.

Concerns I have with the MK3 is whether the rear is claustrophobic?

Also I don't think the MK3 was homologated to have roof bars?

As for driving and overall reliability, any views? I don't expect Honda reliability but don't want to be broken down every week either as it will be relied on a weekly basis.

Budget is reasonably flexible but I think £12k should get good versions of both.

If I go that route, I would be looking for a MK3 with the Cup chassis, Recaros and RS monitor.

Any thoughts/experiences welcomed. Thanks.

classicfred

390 posts

84 months

Monday 19th February
quotequote all
See the thread ' Is the RS Megane 280/300 the answer ? ' re; gearbox issues for the MK 3 RS models .

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

I have a 275 Cup S and the rear seats are not somewhere I would want to spend a lot of time. Feels very claustrophobic with the small rear windows etc. Being only 2 doors, the front doors are quite big also, making getting in the back in car parks etc quite awkward. Boot - although quite large the actual opening is quite narrow with a high lip - not particularly good for pushchairs etc. Only my opinion of course.



Edited by classicfred on Monday 19th February 08:01


Edited by classicfred on Monday 19th February 08:09

snorkel sucker

2,667 posts

210 months

Monday 19th February
quotequote all
I ran a Megane 280 cup for a couple of years and had a Megane 250 very briefly. I also have two young children.

Space in the back of the 250 was fine, but the roofline means the rear windows are slightly high, so may be an issue if your children get car sick and aren't on a car seat / booster to bump their height up a bit.

Boot is big, but aperture isn't huge - neither of my two need pushchairs now so if yours do, would be worth checking out.


SAS Tom

3,540 posts

181 months

Monday 19th February
quotequote all
My dad has an R26 and I would say that it has been reliable in that it hasn’t broken down during a journey.

It’s had loads of niggly issues but all of them have been relatively easy to fix as they’re all common problems that other people have had and solved.

Personally I thought it was badly built but now I own a TT from the same era and I’d say that is no better built with lots of similar issues.

culpz

4,930 posts

119 months

Friday 23rd February
quotequote all
250's are solid cars. Much more dependable than the 225's and R26's, but they are newer. Deffo one I want to own.

They do have their fair share of issues and some of the suspension bits can be expensive; then there's the big cambelt service due every 5 years. The gearbox issues can be a bit hit and miss but I have seem a few for sale that have had it re-built. I wouldn't necessarily let it put you off though. You'd get something very good in budget and maybe even a 265. Just make sure it's been looked after and not scrimped on.

ZX10R NIN

28,358 posts

132 months

Friday 23rd February
quotequote all
The RS250> can have roof bars fitted.


lee1610

67 posts

220 months

Friday 23rd February
quotequote all
I’ve had a few meganes over the years, currently have a 250 as a little weekend toy.

The r26 is more raw to drive, engine not the most reliable if mapping and you’ll want to cap the torque.

For me the 250/265 is a great car, I love the looks.

Must haves are a cup chassis giving you lsd. Recaros are a nice bonus but can be retro fitted.

Common problems, gearbox, ball joints, thermostat. Running costs not to bad

I’ve had all sorts over the years, Impreza p1, integra dc5, golf r, s3 etc. always end up back in something French.


911Spanker

Original Poster:

1,854 posts

23 months

Sunday 25th February
quotequote all
Thanks all and much as I thought - seems like a 250/265 is well worth contemplating..


911Spanker

Original Poster:

1,854 posts

23 months

Sunday 25th February
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
The RS250> can have roof bars fitted.
I never knew that. I did a bit of research but seems to be they weren't homologated for roof bars?

I would love to be wrong - do you have any links etc?