I have a problem, its a not too bad but it is this: My RS265 is way t0o lovely for me to track and use day to day (car parks risk 19" alloys and going shopping/to the tip in it is not ideal at all for me). So I am considering getting a previous gen model and a 'duller' daily driver to replace. I am bit lost/confused about the previous gen cars. Given its anticipated hoon/track usage I think I need a R26 (correct me if i am wrong here). What should i be looking for with around £7k to spend? Has anyone gone 'back' like this to the previous gen model?
If I had a spare 7k lying about for another car to use on track/daily I'd be looking at a clio 1*2. Pick up a decent one for 2k, a set of good pads, HC discs, lines, decent coilovers and tyres and have a spare 3k for track days and maintenance. But then again I don't know what your average day is like
R26 wont be as nice a daily driver as your 265,as it was a stiffly sprung,no compromise car,with handling over everything else. The R26R is actually less stiffly sprung,as the reduction in weight aloud for the suspension set up to be softer. Obviously if its track work you want to do,it will be ideal,and the one to have, as it has the benefit of a LSD. A r26 with a remap,good tyres and brake refresh wont be to far behind a 265 on the open road. If you look in the classifieds on here,one of the guys(norvern rob) is selling a great liquid yellow R26..cant see you getting any better than that one. Possibly one of the best in the country the way its been looked after,and has all the best `upgrades` on it..
R26 stiffer than a 265 ? I'd disagree on that one, I've owned both and a cup packed 265 is stiffer than an R26 IMO. I've also used both as dailies, doing 80 miles a day in both - they're both fine for the daily commute IMO
Yeah it's being collected this weekend. Would have been absolutely perfect for a track car too. Had brand new PSS tyres, new Brembo HC discs, new R26.R clutch and flywheel, RS Tuning remap etc. Having said that it's ridiculously clean, it was getting a bit daft as I didn't even want my kids going in it.
I went from r26 to 265 with cup, same stiffness but dampers miles better on the 265 at absorbing so the r26 'felt' a lot stiffer rider to me i used my r26 as a daily and never had an issue, go in a 200 cup that's stiff!
Sorry and on the question of what Meg for track I used my r26 for 1-2yrs on track and never missed a beat, cheap hc discs and decent pads/fluid and your away - then stg1 when you want more power and some semi slicks for more grip! wont go wrong with an r26 mate
He's a car enthusiast, used to have an R26 and has had a Lotus Exige etc, so he's definitely going to look after it. He only called in to view as he was driving this way and didn't actually intend making a decision as he had a 200 cup to go and see, but when we got back from the test drive he said he was having it!
If you're looking for something as a dedicated weekend/track car - why not look at something lightweight and easy to fix when things go wrong? You'll end up spending a lot less on tyres, brakes and fuel, and you'll probably get a bigger kick out of driving it (as well as learn a heck of a lot more about car control). Your initial outlay would be more, but you'd save so much in insurance and consumables in the first couple of years that it would even out quickly. You could pick up an ex-academy Caterham for about 10k (http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/caterham/all-models/caterham-7-roadsport/5133360) and unlike the R26 the value of the car is unlikely to drop below the purchase price thanks to the cost of new Caterhams going up. No doubt an R26 would be quick, but if you're just going for a trackday car, you could have more fun in something more focussed. Bought my 7 three years ago and the 250 hasn't gone near a track since, it just doesn't give the same buzz.
This is exactly my impression going from my R26 to the 275 Trophy too. The newer car rides a lot better with more compliance over bumps, yet is also flatter in the corners, with more roll stiffness.
Completely agree the mk3 cups pull harder and flatter out of corners than the old r26, must be to do with the newly engineered front hub design and more advanced shock absorbers not to mention the better gearbox and stronger engine.
I track the hell out of my R26, its 287bhp 312lbft. Spec Bc coilovers custom geo and corner weighted R26r clutch and SMF Powerflex engine mount inserts Short shift Hc discs and Ds1.11 pads with braided hoses No doubt missed something but it's a cracking bit of kit I run 595 rsr tyres as there good all round on track in wet and dry I've found as long as there up too temp. Had some good runs with 250/275 trophy and trophy R at the RS day. I got chance to drive a 275 trophy and it was a great bit of kit out the box! I'll no doubt switch to a 250cup next year but for now the trusty R26 keeps going so well.
Thanks for the replies. At the moment I have decided to keep my RS265 and am going to get an MGZS 180. They are stupidly cheap, have 180bhp, tough engines and I can rag it around without worrying too much if I damage it (although preferably I won't). Plus parts cost next to nothing too. I'll update you all next week when I've bought a Lambo!
On the RS day I didn't have one come past me, majority of them were 275 trophies and trophy R's but they were Renault demonstrators but there was a couple of 250's there too. Although I am talking about a track day, yes I overtook a few but skills of driver etc vary at those sort of days. Like I said when I drove the 275 trophy with the ohlins on it was a cracking car out the box and I was quick straight away so over time I imagine I'd get even quicker then I was in my R26 maybe
Bomb proof? They use a Rover K-Series, known for it's head gasket issues! It gets on fine in lightweight cars but I don't think it would be the most reliable choice for a track car. Thought about the last gen Fiesta ST? 2.0 Duratec. Lots of tuning potential, cheap parts. Decent build quality too.
the mg zs180 uses the kv6 engine. Totally different to the 4 pot. Head gasket failure is very very rare. Very decent v6 engine pretty light weight and has one of the best fwd chassis ever made. A big improvement over the integra dc2 type r chassis which it shares. And i dont hear anybody knocking the integra. Great starter track car. Strip it to around 950-1000kg ,2nd hand exhaust and inner wing filter will see 190-195bhp and they sound fantastic. You cant go quicker for a grand (for a good one) or well under a grand in most cases.
Ah, I was thinking of the hatchback (the ZR). I stand corrected! (and that would have been a horrible choice!).
Thought about a Mazda RX8? Cheap, 231 bhp, perfect weight distribution, RWD (more fun), 9000 rpm NA, cheap parts, decent stock brakes. One of the most underrated track cars out there. Buy a pre 06 plate for low VED and with a good engine and it would return tons of smiles per £.
Yes, I have even pax'd in one at Abingdon. Nice but the MG is cheaper and will probably fit my 'if you damage it you can repair it for a fiver aim. Anyway, went to the pub list night, got a bit pissed and bid on a 3.0 Sport X-Type! Ooops. Going to pick it up tomorrow. Just to use as a daily driver, not for track obviously!
The MG will be cheaper but I reckon you will have to spend on it to get it track day durable. The suspension is soft and the brakes are weak standard. Ok for a few fun laps but ultimately frustrating on circuit unless you mod it. The Mazda's advantage is all you need is some good pads and brake fluid and its ready to go and you wouldn't have needed to buy the Jag as a daily driver, assuming you could have lived with a 4 seat Mazda!
Probably pointless now but I forgot my brother in law is selling his LY R26. It's a perfect track car with RS Tuning map, Cooksports, bigger cooler, cambelt/major service/all new PS3's done just a couple of K miles ago, new front discs/yellowstuff pads all round/braided brake lines all round, full size spare alloy (all 5 just refurbed), clutch done 10-15k or so miles ago and a massive folder of bills plus FSH. It's done about 90k miles but it's is great nick and had tons spent, he wants around £6k for it.
Well tbh Mrs 111R is still being a bit challenging on the car front with the old 'So now you've got this Jaguar what are you going to do with your other one (the RS265)?' My plan is to go back to having 2 cars as before rather than one. I need to drive an R26 before I make any decisions.
I did wonder, that's almost why a ZS 180 might be better for me as it'll only cost £1000 and for that I can thrash it to death and forgive it its poorer performance due to its age/value.
I've had a Rs250 with map cooler, pads etc, i've now got a decently modded R26, not a lot in it on track, 250 nicer to drive on the road, thats about it. get what suits you mate
Depends what your after really, both great cars and if your chasing lap times the mk3 may be a little faster with same mods but if u want to feel more and have fun which is the main reason to do track days i think the r26 wins all day long
I worry that I can't push my RS265 as far as I'd like on track as its big and expensive. Something less expensive may mean I can push more to the limits and if I go over them I won't be crying into my bank account! I am only considering the MG ZS because its got a big reliable V6 so has decent power, is supposed to have a good chassis and is ridiculously cheap to buy and fix. Of course the ideal solution is X-Type as a daily, RS265 for hoons and MG ZS for tracks. I wonder what Mrs 111R will say about that! (Probably nothing repeatable on here!)
