Hi guys, but if a clio fan but given the ever expanding family and my sheer refusal to do without a renaultsport I'm looking at selling my beloved clio 197 which is immaculate and seeking a slightly larger counterpart either a megane 250 or 265, budget, 13-16k preferable sub 25k miles and recaros, liquid yellow or white ;-) Any advice on the meganes, what to look out for other than the obvious, service history, belts etc?
Hi and welcome. I wouldn't be too much help on the Mk3 Megane as this is my first but you want go far wrong on here and if you know Clios... Water under the carpet due to blocked scuttle drains is a popular one which could be a pain to fix properly. Tyres and brakes can be expensive so check them. The front strut design is different from the 197 I think and can suffer from bearing failure which will make the steering heavy and reluctant to self centre so check that too. Central locking can have a few niggles too wit the buttons or sensors not working correctly. Apart from that, it's the obvious as you say really. Good luck buddy, and post some pics when you find something.
Thanks mate, the issues you described sound typical of the clio too, the hubs joints are bad for going so I presume the meganes are a bearing rather than balljoints swivels. How solid are the engines? I'm looking for a very low mileage one and have an eye on a 250 white with cup chassis (I think) I'll get to that next it only has 12.000 on the clock but I plan to keep it a few years so miles will soon rack up! How can you tell its a cup? I'll post a link actually http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201501290521959?atmobcid=soc3
Engines really are rock solid if left standard - no real problems at all. I think red callipers means cup but it's worth double checking. The linked car looks good but I'm not a fan of the wheels at all but that's obviously up to you.
Ive got a white 250 Cup with Recaros and RS Monitor, Check wear on drivers seat, even at low mileage, if some big lads been squeezing in and out a lot it can wear, as above tyers,brakes etc, I'de check for RS Monitor as now I've got one and use it I wouldn't have one without. Paintwork for me, i wish ide looked harder and checked more especially under and around side skirts and the front.
The one in the link is a cup, like xanda said red calipers and the discs will be groved. Also the engine seems to be bomb proof even with mods, no one in the two years I've had my Meg has posted any engine related problems due to tuning. I would also seriously consider getting recaros. They are a must in my opinion, they are very comfy and the standard seats a hideous to look at.
Thanks mate, yeah when I bought my 197 it never had recaros, it had the cup chassis but no optional recaros so I paid a small fortune to source an immaculate set, I reckon I'd miss them if I never had them. Although....ive only done roughly 3000 miles on mine and the bolsters have already started showing slight signs of wear in the drivers side bolster :-(
What you have sir....is precisely what I'm looking for, those factory options within my budget are hard to come by with relatively low mileage, there are cheaper with 20-40,000 on the clock, but that could soon mount up to 50-60k in 3 years.
I have what you want perhaps in terms of spec, but im unfortunately rocking over 100k on the clock haha, i just cant stop driving the thing!
Ha, that's a good sign then, 100k of trouble free motoring? What mileage and number of years do the timing belts need done on these? Jesus, the salesman has offered me a good trade in price for my clio and a decent finance package for the remainder, what initially began with an enquiry is soon becoming a reality, never had finance before though so it feels like a bit of a plunge
Right guys, found a car, higher spec, 29,000 on the clock with xenons and other options, but 3k cheaper, worth paying the extra 3k for a 12,000 miler or go for better spec, my cousin works at the dealership that's selling the cheaper one so would likely get a little more discount or better finance package, opinions?
29000 is what I would consider low mileage and I'd definitely save the 3k. Spending 15k on a 250 nowadays is crazy.
Yeah bought the car with around 80k and cant sit in the house when i know its on the drive haha, the only thing ive spent on it is, tyers brake pads, wiper blades and too much fuel haha
Yeah I suppose you're right mate, and judging by what you guys have said they seem to pretty resilient to miles that rack up
Well I've gone and done it haven't i?!! lol!! Put my deposit down on an immaculate 12,000 miler, cup chassis not a mark on it and drove a dream
