MFD's Megane RS265 FF + Cup

[M.F.D]

On Friday I found myself purchasing my fourth Megane 3RS. After selling my last one in 2020, I've came to the realisation that it's simply the best car I've owned, and at this price point, very hard to compete with.

After chatting with a very nice chap on here, we came to a deal and arranged a collection date. Pretty much all the required maintenance done in the past few years and clearly a very well looked after car.

His Readers' Cars thread here - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Obviously the car wasn't local, it never is.

Eurocentral - Edinburgh airport (Bus)
Edinburgh - Stansted (flight)
Stansted - Cambridge (train)
Cambridge - Newmarket (train)

Short drive to the car and was everything the owner said it would be. Paperwork done and hit the road to York for an overnight with the family.

Some pics







Had all the good OEM options,

Recaro's
Cup pack
Arkamys
RS Monitor
Yellow belts

Plus some mods

Bilstein B14's
Wagner Intercooler
CGR Sports Cat

Immediate plans are,

Map at EFI Parts
Swivel hubs
Service/MOT
Zero Point One shifter
Wheel refurbishment (not decided on colour)
Front tyres

Obligatory Shell pic



Car was faultless all the way home, forgot how awesome these things are to drive. Even managed some decent MPG on the way home.



Can't wait to get sorting bits and upgrading in time for some track days next year!

[Marshall878]

Congratulations! Love these, you’ve got a great spec too. Will be following closely.

[Gilhooligan]

Looks like a nice one. Good/ bronze wheel colour would maybe brighten it up a bit.

To add to the OEM spec, I can see it’s also got the visibility pack which adds the (very good) bi-xenon headlights.

[Kevin-y9fs3]

Congrats.

Coincidentally, I've just bought my fourth one too! 275 Nav + Cup pack in Liquid Yellow. Collecting tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Looking forward to seeing more updates.

[Burny16v]

Looks good! I'm a big Reanultsport fan but have only owned Clio's so far. I've been interested in getting a Megane and have had my eye out for a nice 265 but as I've learnt over the years with Clios, they're not necessarily the most common cars, especially good ones! Enjoy it, look forward to seeing any updates.

[The Rotrex Kid]

Looks great. I think Renault nailed the 250/265 styling.

Metallic grey is what I would go with for the wheels.

[roadie]

Mega. I had a 12 plate 265 Cup in pearlescent white with all of the options. Incredible car on the right occasion!

I'd be interested in your thoughts on how coilovers compare to the stock suspension.

[Marshall878]

roadie said:

Mega. I had a 12 plate 265 Cup in pearlescent white with all of the options. Incredible car on the right occasion!

I'd be interested in your thoughts on how coilovers compare to the stock suspension.

I had KW V3s on my Clio 200 and found them way more compliant than the Cup suspension.

[M.F.D]

Marshall878 said:

I had KW V3s on my Clio 200 and found them way more compliant than the Cup suspension.

Yeah I wasn't sure what to expect from the B14's but they are indeed very compliant and soaked the road home without any discomfort or complaints. Feels just as stiff as Cup shocks but slightly more forgiving. I will be getting the car a bit lower, swivels done, new tyres and a full alignment and hopefully get to know them a little better.

[M.F.D]

Marshall878 said:

Congratulations! Love these, you’ve got a great spec too. Will be following closely.

Thanks mate

Gilhooligan said:

To add to the OEM spec, I can see it’s also got the visibility pack which adds the (very good) bi-xenon headlights.

Very well observed, not an option I’ve had before and I am genuinely amazed at how good the xenon’s are!

The Rotrex Kid said:

Looks great. I think Renault nailed the 250/265 styling.

Metallic grey is what I would go with for the wheels.

Gilhooligan said:

Looks like a nice one. Good/ bronze wheel colour would maybe brighten it up a bit.

I’m on the side of silver/grey at the moment, but bronze would work too. I used to love black wheels but kind of gone off them now.

Kevin-y9fs3 said:

Congrats.

Coincidentally, I've just bought my fourth one too! 275 Nav + Cup pack in Liquid Yellow. Collecting tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Looking forward to seeing more updates.

Sounds awesome, my first 250 Cup was LY and it is worth the extra premium – great colour! Glad to see I’m not the only mad one buying these continuously!

Burny16v said:

Looks good! I'm a big Reanultsport fan but have only owned Clio's so far. I've been interested in getting a Megane and have had my eye out for a nice 265 but as I've learnt over the years with Clios, they're not necessarily the most common cars, especially good ones! Enjoy it, look forward to seeing any updates.

Do it, totally different drive to the Clio but you won’t regret it.

[Watchthis]

Euro Central..you must be close to me. May see this out and about

[M.F.D]

Watchthis said:

Euro Central..you must be close to me. May see this out and about

I am indeed local, be sure to wave or send the team America signal

[M.F.D]

On the drive home the drivers Recaro was moving about a little, bugged me no end but today I had time to have a look and thankfully a simple fix.



Nut had wiggled off the bolt thread, found it under the seat. Not the easiest access for my shovels but took the side plate for the seat rail off and job jobbed.



Yes I know, needs a clean....

I spent the last of the limited time I had before work to give the car its first wash in my ownership. Also rejuvenated the front splitter as it was looking a bit tired.









Cars booked in at the end of the month for front swivels, then the following week for service, MOT and an alignment.

[Greendubber]

Nice motor OP, I also think the wheels would look great in a bronze colour.

[M.F.D]

Greendubber said:

Nice motor OP, I also think the wheels would look great in a bronze colour.

Thanks, I may need to photoshop this to see what it would look like.

Small update, got my plates on the car. Went for a slim one at the front (90mm x 520mm) and shorter rear. Love the front and overall happy.

Hate removing old sticky pads but hate holes in the bumper even more. Wasn't the worst in the end though.

Edited by M.F.D on Saturday 19th October 00:40

[M.F.D]

Couple of small updates

There is argument for and against intakes on these cars. I've previously ran DIY jobs with big cone filters but the area is so crammed that heat soak is for sure an issue. However, I had a Ramair panel filter sitting and thought I'd throw that in meantime.



Took the standard filter out, attached was a large woolly piece that I'm not sure should have been there....





A well known 'mod' is to remove the foam insulation from the airbox to improve intake noise.





Fuelled up and can definitely notice the noise is more prominent, however nothing on an open cone filter or anything.



Next up was this piece if interior trim. Done this on previous cars too to add a bit if subtle colour to the interior.



Some gentle persuasion was required, but off it came



Gave it a quick wet sand, polished it up and added some red adhesive tape to the bottom section. To be fair I could have spent longer doing this better but overall I'm happy with how it turned out, I know it may not be everyone's cuppa.







In other news, stud and nut kit has been ordered, along with some 20mm spacers from Kam Racing.

Edited by M.F.D on Tuesday 22 October 08:27

[M.F.D]

Days off spent well, nice trip with the wife down South East Ayrshire for an overnight. Some nice roads down this way. Didn't manage over the mennock pass sadly!








Then onto Rentec in Edinburgh for swivel hubs to be done. This appears to be the last big ticket maintenance item needing done for now, with Xenous doing alot in his ownership. Great service, plenty other Renaultsport cars around and staff here keen track day'ers too. Recommend to any RS owners in Scotland looking for a decent indy.

[Jhonno]

These are peak modern hot hatch for me..

Bronze wheels would look mint!

(That foam should have been there btw..)

[ALTO77]

Lovely car, I'm a fan of these. I would be getting it booked in for an MOT asap though to avoid the chance of a fine, as it looks like the previous owner had it tested on the 4th of October, it failed the test and then they have sold it to you when it's not legal to be driven on the road, unless going straight to an MOT test centre. I would have thought the previous owner would have known this when they sold you the car.

[M.F.D]

Jhonno said:

These are peak modern hot hatch for me..

Bronze wheels would look mint!

(That foam should have been there btw..)

Yeah, I have to agree - they just drive so well (albeit totally bias). Perfect blend of being analogue but still some mod-cons. Good to know re the foam, just looked a little odd to me.

Another vote for bronze, think this may need to happen!