Hey guys, I’m on the verge of buying a R26 F1... taken my time getting one lol! Wanting to ask a few questions about what I should look out for when I get the Megane. Post it here or.... Cheers, Steve
yeah..post here. loads of knowledge here on the known problems and things to look for when buying. Remember these are old cars now,and if not looked after,can become money pits. A well cared for example should handle like a dream down a B road.
Thanks mate! Fingers crossed I’ll be picking up an ‘07 R26 F1 in nimbus grey. 83k, FSH, cam belt done at 60k, no advisories on last MOT. Is there anything I should look out when giving it the once over? Rust areas? Turbo whistle? Gearing? LITERALLY anything guys, it would be really helpful. I know quite a bit about cars but this will be my first Megane. Thanks in advance
ok...swivel hubs..common fault...if the steering doesnt self center,or is sticky or even jams in places when turning the wheel.The bearings have seized and need replacing..kits are available,but still will cost in the hundreds with labour to sort out. Rust..shouldnt be any anywhere..apart from stone chip scarring underneath due to lack of mudflaps..If it has rust..its had a knock Engine and gearbox..both relaible...if its been tuned,make sure its from a reputable tuner of meganes like efi or rs tuning. Anything approaching 300hp/300 lb/ft is the limit on stock internals without pushing to the limit of what the engine can take.The gearlever should obviously have no crunches,and make sure the gear lever is not stiff,and self centers in neutral. Look for replacement steering and suspension/bush parts in its history...if it hasnt been done..it will need it very soon at that age and mileage. Brakes should be strong,and make sure it doesnt have ditchfinder tyres on it...225/40 or 235/40-18. look for evidence of clutch/slave flywheel replacement..a expensive job..and flywheels are a wear part on these cars. Also see if the replaced the aux belts and waterpump when thay did the cambelt....waterpumps can be weak on these. inside...obviously wear on the seat bolsters...and make sure the windows go up and down.Very common for window regulators to pack up,as they get damp and corrode in the doors. Overall though..these cars are remarkably reliable and hardy.My own 07 R26 has never broken down from new. They will take sustained track abuse..but as i said before,they are ageing now. So if the suspension items,roll bar links,bushes will be tired effecting the handling.The steering also can suffer..steering should be sharp and direct...if it feels loose..the rack is worn,which can sometimes be sorted with just a steering rack bush replacement.
Awesome thanks for the advice, massively appreciated! I’ve done some research and this cements what I got told as well. Slight change to the Megane I’m getting but hopefully all will be revealed Saturday!
What a beaut!! Bit outside my budget and currently on my way to pick up a black 225 Cup. question, to anyone, I’m going to fit a Kenwood double din headunit. Got the surround, cables for steering wheel etc but I seem to remember reading something about connecting a cable to the handbrake? Or connecting a earth cable when installing on the megane? Anyone done it before on the Meganes?
cable to the handbrake, is to stop you watching videos on the headunit when driving.Just disables the video function when the handbrakes off. Its not much of a job to remove the plastic cover to get to the handbrake wiring connection. I expect you know,but a 225 wont handle as precise as a R26. Its suspension isnt as polished,and it has no LSD.
that’s true your better of going the extra mile to upgrade with the lsd that makes all the difference Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ahhh ok, that’s fine then. Not worried about that at all. Rather watch the road and not die watching family guy haha! Totally get what you’re saying. I’ve looked at a lot of R26’s in my budget but the 225 cup I’ve got has had all new shocks, springs, top mounts, inner and outer track rod ends, anti sway bars, drop links, discs and pads replaced in the last 8 months along with water pump, aux belt and cam belt. I couldn’t say no! She’s a beaut! I’ll post some pics in a bit.
So, picked up this late 2007 225 Cup + Lux leather interior today! Very well looked after car for the age and well within my budget to allow me to get a few bits down at the spray shop. Don’t want to tempt fate but she feels good! Lots mechanically been down to her recently which is exactly what I wanted!
Welcome to the club Stephen, looks in good fettle and nearly every possible pitfall taken care of already.
Cheers mate! Glad to be part of the team!! Yeah had a lot done and what I wanted. Didn’t want the hassle and cost of doing all that and know with the age it’s obviously needs doing. Bit of tlc to the body work, starting tomorrow, and should be looking tip top
looks good..doesnt look like its lowered to,which will only make it crashy to drive. hopefully it has premium rubber as well,which is always the first step to keep the handling good. in regards to that handbrake wire...someone told me you can fool the headunit to thinking its on with a resistor. I havnt done it on mine yet,but if you have a video playing,you can still hear the music,even if you dont want to watch it while driving!
springs have been replaced but with eibachs which run the same as originals I believe? Eagle F1’s all round and practically new! Haven’t thrown it around yet but it’s sticks to the road! Yeah, that’s what I heard mate but can’t find the website I read it on!
do you have any plans for it stephen as in upgrades for the future you always want more power lol [emoji13] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
First off, fit a double din head unit and see why the lights flicker on the fan and temperature lights in the middle of the dash, like a disco at night haha! Want to get the stone chips sorted and the rear arches at the bottom, and at the bottom corner of the doors before winter. Few little bits like new wheel bolts, debadge. Not sure on power yet... she’s got a front mount intercooler, original air box with k&n panel filter so probably change that and get her dyno’d at Forge Motorsport as they’re only 25 minutes away
Welcome to the Club Stephen! That car looks amazing for real, I hope you enjoy it a lot. Here I am, waiting for next upgrades and pics
just getting the niggles sorted first then. the flicker will be electric they suffer with electrics might be just water in the scuttle drains because if they are blocked the water gets in the door pockets and the little compartment on the floor and behind the glovebox my lights were flickering i just when into the fuse box and cleaned all the connections and it sorted it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So, fitted the double din today. Took a bit of trimming with the Dremel but got the fascia to sit nicely. Steering wheel controls working too!
nice stereo stephen i gotta get my double din sorted soon another job to do on the list lol to unblock scuttle drains you need a plumbers wire and the drain is located under the window wipers and some boiling water and just use the wire to unblock it’s like a sink same method. [emoji1303] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks mate, got it on sale, love a bank holiday haha! Took a bit of time playing around for it sit flush but got there in the end. Found them, thanks for that. Definitely blocked, I’ll get some sleep plumbers wire for that job
