I quite fancy a RS250. Didn't realise they had dropped down to these values. I have had a few Clio RS's in the past. In fact still have a PH2 172 I need to sell sat on my mothers drive oooopps. Anyway looking to spend £10K. As it will be a second car. So I am slightly limited in choice. From reading people seem to say make sure you get one with the Cup Chassis and if possible Recaro's. Anything else I should be looking for? I do really want Xenon's but a lot just don't seem to have them. Also Cup pack on a FF. Will these all have Red Calipers? Or can they have the silver Brembos and the cup pack? Not too fussed about RSMonitor. Lastly did they have an option for a better Audio package? I don't see mention of this in any adverts. But again it could be my budget limiting this option?
Yeh both cup and cup packed cars have red calipers from factory. Arkamys is the optional audio package, but from what ive heard its not that great of improvement. But beleive it or not, renault do an aftermarket focal package aswel now.
Ok great. I assuming however there is a chance that a non Cup chassis FF could have Red calipers fitted at some point as well? In that case how would I know? Other than driving. Will not worry too much about the Arkamys then and have a look at the Focal package.
Grooved discs only came on cup/packed but again someone could of added them. Black wheels instead of silver unless they have optional 19" steevs on.
Ok cheers. I guess the likelihood of someone changing to red calipers all round and grooved discs is fairly slim.
If they are silver, 99% of the time it should be a non cup version, all the audio systems they supply are crap, so i would not worry about hunting for one, RS monitor is worth getting i think, just so you can play with the throttle maps
I see you can pop a small Pioneer amp in and change the speakers out. Probably worth doing that if I feel the need. Will keep my eye out for a Cup Chassis one then. I would like Xenon's as well. RS Monitor sounds pretty cool but not sure how much practical use I would get. Recaros again would be nice but not overly bothered by them and at my budget, few and far between.
Tbf, not many garages know they have the rs monitor, easy way to tell on ignition the centre display will say "renault sport", non rs monitor just say "renault"
Ask to see the V5C - if it is a Cup model it will say there (doubt this applies to non-Cups that have had the Cup package fitted). Having sat in both in a Megane (and owned the Recaros in a Clio 200) I can honestly say the non-Recaros are still very supportive and very comfortable, whilst they may not be as smart to look at I personally wouldn't get caught up in having to find a car that has to have them fitted. You may actually get a better car for your budget if they're not fitted as they are an expensive option that demands higher 2nd hand prices. So obviously part of the price is recovering the cost of the Recaros whereas this part of your budget could go towards a lower-mileage, or better condition, car.
That is my sentiments exactly. They do look smart. But not a deal breaker. As before I do want Xenon's as I think they make the front end of the car look much more modern and clean. I quite like the standard leather. They remind me a little of the old school Clio 16V seats. Little armchairs.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think the Cup models had xenon's, if you definitely want these then it would have to be a full-fat model with the Cup chassis as an option. This will obviously be even more expensive than just a Cup model. You've mentioned it will be a second-car (like mine) therefore why not go without all the little luxuries and get the more focused, lighter Cup and your budget will get a better car than a full-fat with Cup chassis. As for leather, I would always go for cloth if possible, it just wears so much better and my 30k/6 year old seats still look like new, whereas my Q5's 20k/3 year old seats look like they're twice as old, its been the same on pretty much every leather car I've had. You can do without leather, or xenon's etc. etc. on a second car surely...!! Go for a Cup - you wont be disappointed!
I know I can go without leather, Xenons etx. I still stick 10K a year on a second car. So to be honest the extras are important to me. To be clear I want a FF with Cup Pack not a Cup. I am not a fan of the cloth and although it sounds pathetic not a fan of the manual knobs. I really do get what the Cup is. But the other bits are more important to me. If I wanted a fully stripped out car as a second car I would probably buy something much more raw. Also the other half is going to be using this a lot and it is a push to get her to agree to this as she hates the Meganes both old and new.
Fully understood, good luck with the hunting. (My wife hasn’t even sat in the car, let alone driven it!!)
The days of Renault knocking out a real stripped Cup like the old Clio has gone, no A/C, base spec trim, thinner glass, no cruise control etc. Of course you have to go for what you want, but a MK3 Cup is no longer the poverty spec of old. Personally, I prefer to resist the slow march to pack more gadgets in cars that manufacturers have decided we need but just add cost and unnecessary complication. Not a Cup or FF buying issue here, but auto wipers, lane departure, electric hand brakes, auto lights, electric seat vibrators that activate if you need a bit of lower region simulation etc......the list is becoming endless. Have people become that lazy or inept at driving.
I almost said the same thing but didn’t want to sound argumentative. My Cup is perfectly habitable with a good heater, air-con and cruise-control etc.; it’s certainly not stripped-out basic-spec. I personally would like to get the best condition car for my budget rather than potentially waisting it on unnecessary luxuries and subsequently getting a worse condition car. Luxuries are what the main car is for! But let’s not forget its each to their own.
Mine was more of a general point about the creeping car gadget trend, not the minor differences between a Cup and FF+Cup. Parallel parking used to be a bit of a badge of honour. Apparently we now need a load of software, electric steering and a wedge of sensors so the car can have a go for you, and usually screws it up, while you pick your hooter. Cheaper more simple cars please.
I know the Cup isn't stripped out like it used to be. My point was more IF I was looking for a raw car I wouldn't be looking at the Megane in the first place. Fully take onboard. However to be honest in the £9-11k bracket which I am looking. I have seen I think 2 actual Cups rather than FF with Cup Pack anyway. I am not going to just buy a car because t has a specific toy if it is a pup. However I feel I can get most of what I want without resorting to buying a Cup. The cabin is where you spend most of your time. I just don't like the Cup cloth seats at all or those knobs I drove 2 on Friday. I was impressed and really liked them. Neither were Cup packed. Keen to drive a cup packed one to see what the difference is. Closest to me is KTEC. Sadly they don't have anything in my budget For Sale. Appreciate all the input guys! Ohh and I love auto wipers and headlights
Think I have found the one for me. OG, 67K. Cup Packed FF, Leather Recaros, Xenon's, Nav, Front and rear parking Sensors. Recently had a Cambelt, pump and Phaser plus service. Full history. Decent rubber all round and within budget. All being well should get her in a week and half.
If it's the one I'm thinking of I ebquired about that and sounds a good genuine car, but the reply on email I got sounded like they just didn't give a toss. And the cambelt done by a local garage, not specialist. If like the Clios, the cambelt being done properly is a big thing.
@FatRS Collected it Friday. Happy so far. Few small bits need doing. AC isn't blowing as cold as it should be and steering wheel sits slightly off centre. Getting these all sorted. Other than that drives well and is in very good nick.
I probably will yeah Already put on the Black diamonds and removed the Megane from the black. Gave it a good wash yesterday. Clayed it and machine polished where the Megane writing was. Planning on doing the whole thing soon. Plans are Mid chop, Panel filter with stuff removed from Airbox, Remap and Intercooler. Would like to make it sound a bit better. I am a little spoilt as I still have my MK5 R32 and that noise is sublime.
