Good afternoon all, I am about to embark on a bit of a refurb and I wanted your opinions and advice on what I am doing. Please help wherever you can. Car: Renault Megane R26.R Age: 2009 Mileage: 28,900 I am about to give the Megane its 6 year service and wanted to give it a bit of a spruce up too. As part of its 6 year service it requires a cambelt and water pump change. I have also been recommend to change the cam belt pully at the same time. Is this required? - I don't mind doing it but only Renault has advised it. Additionally I have noticed that when on track there is a slight smell of coolant emanating from the engine bay. My MOT guy reckons I could have a small leak in the radiator - probably from a stone on track. Lastly I had a headlamp replaced under warranty and whilst the number was off I noticed that a lot of the fins on the intercooler were badly bent or missing (and I mean a lot). Also I noticed that the front bumper is sagging ever so slightly. I would like to rectify this. So I was thinking of getting the following done: Service car for 6 year service Perform cambelt change Pressure test the system to inspect for leaks Replace intercooler with uprated model (Airtec or Forge) Inspect and replace radiator Inspect and replace all coolant hoses Replace PF Discs (worn) 4 wheel alignment New Michelin Pilot Cup 2s With all of this in mind I wanted to ask you some questions: Given I am based in Silverstone and don't need the car from day to day can anyone make a recommendation as to someone reliable and careful enough to carry this work out. I need someone who respects the car for its rarity and will treat it like a modern classic rather than a piece of meat. As I don't intend to modify it for power and just want a new IC to replace the old and give it as much air as the standard map can accept, what intercooler would you use? Likewise hoses. If I am going to drain the coolant systems I might as well put new hoses on, the car has stood for most of the 6 years. What hoses and where do I get them from? As I don't intend to modify it for power and just want a new replace to replace the old and give it as much cooling as the standard map can accept, what radiator would you use? Do we have any partners on here that are capable of doing the work? Is there any sponsors who could offer me some discount on the hardware? As a photographer and journalist I would be willing to provide a piece for a blog or article in return for a little discount? Answers on a postcard please. I am looking to carry this out immediately and I would like all of your advice and opinion as all I have ever done is service this car on a regular basis. Thanks Kevin
Try and give what I can offer: Radiator: OEM only, must be OEM, someone ran a non oem one and all that happens is overheating on track - OEM from the place you go to get the belts. Intercooler: For transparency I run Airtec in Black as its discrete looking and has the lowest intake temps out of the 3. The new kid on the block is pro alloy, won't keep the temps as low as airtec or forge, is also more expensive. Dyno testing ar RStuning with a 380BHP megane 2 showed the pro alloy allowed for slighly more power, 2 or 3 BHP - For track work, if I had to spend the money again, I would still go Airtec. Jonny at TrackFocusDirect The man to order from if you decide on Airtec Be aware the intercoolers weigh a lot more than the OEM one.... In terms of the place to go to get all of this done - I know its a long way up the M1, but Mick Pittman at Diamond Motors does have a very good reputation and does look after a few R26.Rs and V6s etc, with very professional looking facilities - I have never used as I am in Edinburgh, but I would trust him with a 20k collectors car - plus its the stamp of a professional known for being a specialist at Renaults. Again, just what I would do with my cash.
I've just fitted a Forge intercooler, its not been mapped in. It does seem to sustain its power in the high revs better. With any old Renault its bound to have some gremlins. Bet its a cracking car. Enjoy!
I've used Mick, and would definitely use him again. He's a good guy and is genuinely interested. Mark Black is another that I'd use again, though Mick is closer for you.
I would go to Mick as well. I've replaced my cooling system with an oem radiator, Forge hoses and Evans waterless coolant. Intercooler I would go with Forge or ProAlloy.
Personally ide keep everything oem, will be better for resale and the car was designed to use those parts. If you dont mind paying a lil premium and travelling a lil I would take it to Mark fish. Ive not used the other companies quoted but Marks service has always been outstanding. Top bloke with plenty of knowledge, and confidence that the works going to be done to a high standard. He done my .R big service last year and yes it wasnt cheap but you get what you pay for. He even washed all the road salt off from travelling over to his, touched up a stone chip on one of the wheels and reattached the washer pipe that had came unclipped without asking (foc obviously lol). Hes happy to talk aswell and not push you out of door as soon as hes got your money. anyways thats my 2pence.
I'm in the fortunate position that the car is never being sold. I will also be keeping all the original parts in storage. I will want it to look as OEM as possible but give it the best it can get. Where is Mark based - I dont know these people or their companies.
http://markfish.co.uk/ Harlow mate, i know its quite a way from you but its another option. He has a facebook page aswell.
The only company that currently sell an uprated hose kit are forge Motorsport mate - do them in red, blue or black
Update. It's back. It's all done. Wests of Bedford have been brilliantly helpful. I haven't driven it properly yet but intend to do so this week. I spent most of today playing in my other "R"
Cracking Line up Kevin! Nice to see someone properly pampering an R and keeping it stock. On a sidenote, Shall you be covering the new Lomas/Gavris Fiesta at the N24 this year?
Its done about 10 miles on the car & cost £670 sooo.... Tbh i wont get anything as good for the price so I'd probably not sell it but offers are welcome
