After much searching, I have finally found "the one", just in time for my lease car being returned. I got home Thursday, gave the Golf a wipe down and it had its final night with my Clio: IMG_20170323_175416 by Jon Scoltock, on Flickr And then, on Friday morning, this happened: IMG_20170324_110519 by Jon Scoltock, on Flickr IMG_20170324_111604 by Jon Scoltock, on Flickr It was a little bit sad, however, by Saturday afternoon, following a little drive to Lincoln, this had happened: IMG_20170325_165743 by Jon Scoltock, on Flickr IMG_20170325_164545 by Jon Scoltock, on Flickr And making friends with the faithful 172: IMG_20170325_165809 by Jon Scoltock, on Flickr It's a 2013 265 with Cup chassis and leather Recaro seats, along with xenons, LED DRLs, keyless, black roof, RS Monitor, 19" wheels, RS gear knob and perhaps a couple of other things I haven't yet noticed. It's on 12k miles, having been a lease car in a previous life. There are a couple of things that I want to change; including getting rid of the crap Chinese rear tyres and having a couple of little marks sorted but, otherwise, I'm very happy with it. Modifications-wise, I can't imagine much will happen, certainly not to begin with. A mid-box delete is likely and I would perhaps like a bit more induction noise, but I'm not sure how best to address that yet. A change to 18" wheels and a slight suspension drop may also happen, but we'll see about that. Happy to have found one in the right spec though.
Thanks guys. Initial impressions are that it's a much more accurate tool than the Golf. Ze German was a hugely capable car; certainly faster than the Meg by some margin thanks to the DSG box, but it didn't really have any personality. With 4WD, the grip was endless and the power was so linear, the box so effective, the steering a bit detached, it just left me feeling cold. It was a lovely daily as it was more modern, better screwed together and just a bit "nicer" than the Meg, but it just didn't do much for me. I rarely found myself driving it briskly as there was little or no reward. You had to be going so fast to get any real sensation, that it just kind of spoiled it. I think I will miss some of the creature comforts (DAB for one), as well as the nicer ride and auto box on the daily grind but, when it comes to driving enjoyment, I think the Meg is in a different league. The steering feel alone is leaps and bounds ahead of the Golf in my view. The engine is a bit more old-fashioned and a bit harsher in the RS, which sounds like a bad thing, but I think it actually gives the car some character. Couple that with the firm ride, Recaro seats and just knowing you have a proper diff etc, it just makes the whole car feel a lot more "special". You can't beat a wobbly stick in the middle for driving engagement either. I'm not sure if the Meg is the type of car I would want as a daily for the next 3-5 years but, as a car to enjoy, the early signs are encouraging.
Very much so. The latest S3 is pretty much identical to the Golf R I believe, so it makes sense I guess. Great cars, but more of a fast cruiser than out-and-out racer.
Interesting review. Thanks for that. I had a few pax laps recently by someone who owns a DSG golf R. Very impressive gear changes and nice place to be. I asked him what he thought about it from a drivers point of view and it mirrors what you said. He felt that it was a really good daily driver but it wasnt as fun as his track Clio. He was ready to part with it after a year of ownership.
Yeah, a year with it was definitely enough. Very capable car and I can see the appeal for some people, but it wasn't really for me.
Good "upgrade" A couple of my mates have R's, One a Mk6 with well over 400bhp and the other a MK7 running stage 2 APR so circa ~430, Blisteringly quick but my god, What a dull car to drive.
Somebody waited for me from the petrol station last night in an R. He gave me the look, like he wanted to race. When I left the forecourt, he was hoovering round the roundabout wondered which way I would indicate. The whole body language of the car just screamed 'meh', like his heart and the heart of the car just wasn't in it. I knew he'd spank me on the dual carriageway, so I didn't bother, at which point he gave up, and I felt a real sense of 'groan' from the Golf, like as if to say "if you're not going to bother, why am I even here, why do I even exist? If I can't do this, I haven't got anything else." Almost like the car visibly and audibly sighed. I'm possibly reading a little too much into it (it was very late), but it made me laugh. Nice car BTW OP. I'm sure it doesn't look as pink in the flesh
I had an old S3 back in 2002 ! Another bonus with the Megane RS265 is you hardly see any about but always see so many Golf R's !
Red is the best colour Actually LY is but nevermind red looks ace! Golf R superb car, I loved my mates mapped 7R and I actually found it handled very well but each to there own. Still great clio and meg welcome along!
Thanks Jamie. Yeah I've seen a few people talking about remaps, but I don't think that would have addressed the fundamental problem of them feeling a bit detached to drive. A very open question as it depends on mileage etc, but people were getting them on special deals with a low mileage allowance for little more than £200 at one point. God knows how anyone was making any money out of it. Thanks. Maybe in a year or so! Will have to get something more sensible at some point. It's a strange one. I never found that the Golf attracted much attention, as most people just assume it's a diesel. In a straight line, not much will touch one to be honest. Mine had the minerals to keep up with some quite heavily modified stuff. The DSG box gives it a big advantage over manual cars. I think a could polish would certainly help it, but red cars always look pink in pictures lol. Yes. Someone who works around the corner from me has a facelift 265 and I do see a yellow one about too. Golfs were a bargain to lease though, so they're everywhere. Thanks. The Golf is a very good car, extremely capable and it has more grip than a python on steroids, but I just found it a bit un-involving. Technically brilliant but I always felt like a bit of a passenger, like it didn't really need me there.
The rare site of a 250 etc is what got me really interested in the car, before 1.5years ago when i started looking for a car i had never even heard of one.
Thanks for all the comments. I am pleased to have found one with such a good spec. However, sadly, see this: http://rsmegane.com/threads/noises.13964/#post-151182 A minor annoyance.
It's gone again If you saw the thread above, you will know it quickly developed a suspension knock, so the dealer have taken it back to investigate and repair. In the mean time, they have just dropped this outside my office. Err, yay?
