MK3 Megane RS250

[stuartyvilla]

Finally getting round to making a thread on this. Took a strong notion towards the end of last year, to change to car, so the GTI went and this was its replacement. I'll admit that I'd never looked too closely and this gen of RS, but they had a great reputation and I thought I'll give it a try.

The spec is as follows;

RS 250 Lux in Capsicum red (same shade as the clio trophy). Non cup car I think but has the RS monitor, visibility pack (bi-xenons, parking sensors) and the anthracite ID paint options for the front,mirrors and diffuser). A previous owner must have swapped the 18's for 19's at a time as well.

Initial impressions are you could see why they are a well regarded car, with plenty of shove and great grip! Car has 97k on the clock and is by no means perfect, bit I like to breath a bit of life back into a car!

First wash

Shortly after collection I took the car to Bells for belts and changed some of the suspension items, LH hub carrier, wishbone etc. This improved the car greatly as the steering was very twitchy when I got the car (although I'd say there us still an issue somewhere as still a floatiness to steering and motorway speeds). But for now it's manageable. As you can see I got lucky with the belt!

Next job was a wheel refurb, went with an Alfa Romeo grey instead of back to black. Very pleased with the job the guys at Powdertek done,would recommend.

Future plans are hopefully;

Sort out the steering issue

Get the car fully detailed

Enjoy it!

 

[big_pete]

That is a lovely looking car, is it lowered? It sits so well

 

[gav525]

Love that, the Mk3 Megane RS is one of the cars I've always looked at when searching for a new car, yet never actually owned one yet!

Great colour that as well, can't say I've seen one in that red before!

 

[stuartyvilla]

That is a lovely looking car, is it lowered? It sits so well

As far as I can tell its not,but I noticed yesterday my rear drivers side is sitting a bit lower than the rest of the car, so yes, one corner is lower than the rest

Love that, the Mk3 Megane RS is one of the cars I've always looked at when searching for a new car, yet never actually owned one yet!

Great colour that as well, can't say I've seen one in that red before!

I was the same, always overlooked them, but for out of the box performance, they are very capable, even a lowly Lux pack like mine. A 265 trophy and 275 must be a riot to drive. The colour seems to be relatively uncommon , and with the grey front instead of the usual black, I liked it for being different, definitely needs a detail though.

 

[Gambit]

pictures never really do these cars justice on just how well they sit, anytime I see them alway surprised with just how wide they are, just looks so purposeful

Hard to believe that belt condition in this day and age!! Looked like it had been slightly rubbing?

 

[stuartyvilla]

pictures never really do these cars justice on just how well they sit, anytime I see them alway surprised with just how wide they are, just looks so purposeful

Hard to believe that belt condition in this day and age!! Looked like it had been slightly rubbing?

Completely agree regarding looks, certain angles from the front, very aggressive, the rear not so much! The belt did surprise me, as the weekend before I got it done I was horsing it around rightly (new toy syndrome)

 

[Nazor]

Looks great - hard to beat a nice french hatchback!! Very cool.

 

[ahannigan]

Big softie for an RS Renault. Still think they always nail the seats in every generation. HTD

 

[stuartyvilla]

Not much of an update, but managed to get on top of the steering issue. So after an alignment making no difference, I took it to a local fella to me who I learnt afterwards had one before, to have a look.

To my embarrassment he said that the car was running 225 tyres at the front and 235s at the rear, and should have been one or the other... So straight away I got uniroyal rainstorm 5s in 235 section fitted And it transformed the steering of the car! Far happier with how the car drove.

@big_pete has a good eye as well, when the wheels were off I realised the car is on h&r springs, so 30mm lower than standard. I managed to get it washed and a few better pics of the car with the refurbed wheels on it.

 

[big_pete]

Thought it must have been. It sits so well lol

 

[renman8957]

Get the resonator out, definitely makes it sound better. Loved the handling of my RS250, go-kart. Enjoy!

 

[stuartyvilla]

Small update but replaced the chrome exhaust surround as the old one was flaking badly,it's the wee jobs that satisfy most!

 

[stuartyvilla]

Picked the car up from @300trophy today after a detail, an incredible transformation, helps freshens the car up no end! Got eddie to put a fresh set of plates on as well. KTEC middle silencer delete pipe and panel filter ordered as erll for a bit more noise then that should be that!

 

[Jbridges522]

Looks great! The silencer being taken out honestly transformed my bro's really add's to the "driving experience".

 

[Simon998]

Quite fancy one of these next. Had any major issues with it?

 

[stuartyvilla]

Quite fancy one of these next. Had any major issues with it?

I've had no major issues, mine was a bit rough round the edges so I spent a bit on timing belt and front swivel joint hub on one side (they are expensive from renault as they only supply the complete hub, not just the bearings). Also replaced an o2 sensor and a water pump for the turbo as I had an error code for it. But no nasty surprises fingers crossed! Seemingly a well looked after one is pretty reliable, engine wise anyway!

 

[Simon998]

Cheers. I knew about the swivel joints, same on the clio 197s/200s I think. Think I've decided on another RS Clio or Megane next. I still like the older 225's.

 

[stuartyvilla]

Cheers. I knew about the swivel joints, same on the clio 197s/200s I think. Think I've decided on another RS Clio or Megane next. I still like the older 225's.

Yeah it's a shame about renaukt selling the whole thing. Although with a press you could do it yourself If you are that way inclined. They're super cars for sure, there is a reason 100's get tracked around the ring etc, so capable out of the box.

 

[Simon998]

I still missed my 172 even when I was dailying the Cayman S. Just something about them get under your skin.

 

[stuartyvilla]

I still missed my 172 even when I was dailying the Cayman S. Just something about them get under your skin.

Same as my 182, it really should have made way when I bought my first 208 GTI, but I couldn't let it go as it to got under my skin!

 

[stuartyvilla]

Managed to get out tonight and take some better pics of the Megane while it was still pretty clean! Got home and fitted the panel filter, so excited to see if it adds any more noise,haven't got the delete pipe fitted yet though!

Also added a quick before and after that eddie took of the paint on the bonnet, some difference!