So after the saga of my Impreza (Details here: http://www.cliosport.net/threads/robs-1995-impreza-wrx-sti-type-ra.801704/ ) I knew that I wanted to get something a little more modern, and that still excited in the twisty's, track etc I've always liked the Mk2 Megane, it's a quirky looking car and IMO looks even better in 'RS' guise! Which bring me to the Impreza's replacment my 2008 Renault Megane F1 Team R26 finished in 'Black Gold' I originally ignored the black cars as I really fancied a bright/lairy colour such as yellow, red, white, or blue. However after looking for a while and finding cars in these colours with poor history (within my budget of 5k) I decided that service history, and a stack of invoices from likie mined previous owners was more important. I came across this car, and after a lengthy cht over the phone with the owner he seemed like a decent chap, and the R26 had obviously been well looked after with many important components including the swivel hubs being renewed. My preconceptions of the colour were blown away when I first saw it, and after a good look round and a road test, a deal was made and the R26 is now my fourth Renault Sport model! Heres the advert description: *** 95k miles First registered 09/07/2008 2 previous Keepers Mot till 23/02/2018 Full service history up to date using only main dealer and independent Renaualt specialists Just been serviced at Two Techs Renault specialists in Dartford. Recently had new plugs and coil packs from Renault parts direct Tracking and alignment done recently with printouts Spec: Standard R26 wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres all round Brembo front brakes with Ferodo ds2500 pads and standard rears Factory LSD R26R rear spoiler Scorpion silencer New Cooksport springs all round Air conditioning Power folding mirrors Power steering Central locking Cruise control Recaro Trendline seats with no rips or tears to bolsters New leather gear gaiter Genuine Renault sport mats Immaculate rear seat Pioneer touch screen head unit with apple play Cambelt and auxiliary belt changed at 62881 miles at Renault services Rugby Overall the car is in well looked after condition. There is the odd small age related mark on the car but nothing that stands out as offensive *** In hindsight I should of bit the bullet, and bought one of these a long time ago! It's a fantastic car and as many have said it's like a 'grown up Clio' and what I mean by that is if you take what makes a Clio great and just refine it a little in a larger car. The drive home was a lot of fun ignoring the obligatory traffic on the M25... Whilst enjoying the drive I had already started thinking about the first mods and what I want to do with the car. I can see the car going down the 'Clubsport' route similar to what I did with my Trophy, think of an R26R but not as hardcore. Caged, but with carpet and full audio etc with the plan to have a fast road car that will be also used out on track. One thing that I'm not a huge fan of right now is how quiet the exhaust is and how soulless the engine note is! This is already being addressed with a Milltek cat back exhaust system on order (de-cat to follow) and a KTR Induction kit with larger intake hose. Another problem (or it might just be me) is the poor gear selection. I'm often selecting 5th when I wanted 3rd and when I want 5th it can be tricky, and don't even get me started on selecting 6th! It's quite shocking that Renault didn't put a gate on reverse as I imagine you could easily make an expensive mistake! (Unless they do and mines already broken!) Any advice on gear selection problems would be most appreciated! For now the only photos I have are from the advert, and I will let them do the talking! Very excited for CSF17 as the last two years I've attended have not disappointed and it will be great to see how the R26 performs on track! Thanks for looking! Rob.
Thanks mate, I've already made a fair bit of progress this evening! Milltek exhaust fitted, which has given the car a much more purposeful sound. It's only cat back for the time being but I'm looking forward to hearing the results of a decat pipe! Also fitted this evening was a KTR induction kit coupled with their enlarged intake hose. I know the gains realistically are minimal, but it just sounds so bloody good! Completely changing the character of the car. I have also improved my gear selection and fixed the seized gate reverse on the shaft. However I'm still struggling to get the car into third gear when accelerating hard, but at lower speeds etc it's much easier. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I will get some photos up at the weekend hopefully! Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Hi Matt, It's fine when cold or hot, and when first starting. I'm only struggling to get third under hard acceleration. I thought it could be worn engine/gearbox mounts, but after this evening found that both the mount under the battery, and the dog bone mount have been refreshed with Powerflex bushes. It's really annoying as the change from second to third when having a bit of fun is being spoilt by not knowing whether I will succeed in getting third or loose all power by selecting fith! [emoji23] Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
There seem to be a few kits out there. Anyone in particular I should look at? Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Do you think fitting a short shift, and a new actuator. Like the one K-Tec sell would cure my poor third gear selection? Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
How Rob its james from cliosport net. If you fit a short shift mod let me know how it goes. Thinking of doing the same as I'm doing my gearbox mount soon. I was looking at the engine dynamics one but am struggling to figure out how the other cable fits. Cheers
I've not got one but I read that the engine dynamics one doesn't feel very nice - theres a couple of people that can modify the original linkage to create a short shift but you'll have to have a search to find someone
Oh ok. It looks as if you can just move the mounting point closer to the centre of the actuator it makes all the difference. I'm wondering if it's something I can do myself the more I look into it. Once the battery is out I'll have a good look.
apologies the short shift has gone now can just see me mentioned, With regards to yours @Jamesycc its very easy to replicate a short shift just need to drill and thread a stud closer to the centre, You can fit ph1 shifter to a ph2 with no problem as far as im aware ? i do have a standard ph2 shifter for sale if anyone is after one to machine ?
Thanks for the reply mate. I think I'm going to order the kit ktec sell, as that will also refresh my old actuator. I'm hoping that will cure my poor third gear selection rather than being an internal gearbox fault! Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
no problem, yeah that will refresh everything i know the engine dynamics kit isnt designed for the ph2 apparantly, might be worth testing mine out if you want and then seeing what it is ? where abouts are you based ?
Okay, you need to buy a ball stud from the likes of Ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-New-1...029344&hash=item41a30f3501:g:QygAAOSwLzdWQ767 Drill a hole about 20mm in from the existing ball stud, i drilled mine to an 8mm tapping size, then tapped the hole and locked it off with a nut underneath. Simples
Yeah, read that somewhere else. I have many plier type tools, swan becks etc. Will probably soak it first as I'm doing the gearbox mount first.
I've just ordered the ktec one... Hopefully there will be no drilling, and just a case of fit, and forget! Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
It's a while since i have touched mine (and age is also having it's effect) i think you have to pinch in the top and push down slightly while lifting the whole cable end fitting, if that makes sense
Makes sense. Spent years stripping and servicing suspension forks and disc brakes so know all about many different attachment options, devices and such like..
Cheers Mark! I'm looking forward to the first proper cleaning session! I'm going to order some DoDo Juice Blue Velvet Pro Edition. Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Haven't tried that one, I use fusso dark on mine. If you're into detailing deep black comes up amazingly well when machine polished.
Oh what fun I've had this evening! I received my gear shifter today, and went to fit it after work this evening. Unfortunately I ran into a problem and only realised there was a fault with the shifter when I'd already removed the old one! If you look at the photo, on the left hand side of the selector I presume there should be a ball joint that one of the cables would connect to? I can see on the new shifter where it has been machined, and a hole has been drilled with a thread but there's nothing there. I've emailed K-Tec this evening so will hopefully get a reply in the morning! [emoji30] After much swearing I refitted the original shifter so I could actually drive home... I decided to tackle a job I wasn't overly looking forward to, but it wasn't actually that bad. I have amassed quite a collection of Osram upgrade bulbs so turnes my attention to the front end. I attempted to use the 'covers' inside the wheel arch to gain access but unless you've the hands of an infant they're useless! [emoji23] In the end I thought 'fuck it' and just took the front bumper off. Which made things much easier! I forgot to take photos of the end product, as by this point I was shattered, but they are a massive improvement. I'll let you know what happens with the shifter... Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Finally got the new shifter fitted last night! K-Tec sorted out the missing ball stud, but they did need to send two after the first one went missing through a little hole, so I was essentially sent an empty envelope! After having a little experience with this job it went without any problems apart from one of the battery tray torx bolts decided to round off... It was worth the effort though as the difference in gear selection is phenomenal! I urge anyone with a Megane to consider this modification, as it improves the driving experience no end! [emoji23] Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
Really lovely example there mate.imate.i thin the r26s look best in the black.i wanted a ly one also but the have a higher price tag. Well happy with mine and all the paper work .worth much more.
Cheers Mikey! White, yellow, and red were all on the 'want' list but I don't regret getting a black one. The black looks much better in person. The photos just don't do it justice! With the budget I had I just wanted to find a well looked after example with good history, which I hope I have. Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
I'll let you know mate! [emoji23] I do know a few people that use them both on and off track with positive reviews. Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk
i had then on my 182 for a while for both track and road, road they where great and i didnt really see much difference in fuel usage over my PS3's .. probably used more due to the cornering grip increase tho tbh haha
