GW Stage 1 R26

After owning a number of 306 GTi-6s over the last 6 years I decided it was time for a change and to buy something a bit faster and a bit newer, and after a lot of looking around and searching Pistonheads I decided I really wanted an R26 (not to mention being taken out in one by Ed Doe).

A few weeks later I found one in Glacier White on Meganesport, and went to see it just a few days later and ended up leaving a deposit. The next week was probably one of the slowest in my life waiting for the weekend to go and pick up the car!

It's an '08 GW R26, with both the black and LUX packs, on 47k miles.


The car has had a number of other extras fitted by the previous owner, so that means for the most part I won't be doing all that much with the car in the short term.

• The interior has been re-trimmed in alcantara (dash, centre console, speedo surround, door handles, steering wheel, gear stick gaitor, seat bases and a-pillars) and the speedo surround and the top of the centre console has a white double stitching which match the stitching on the door cards, which is a very nice touch! The seat bases, steering wheel and glove-box strip have also have had the R26 logo embroidered onto the alcantara which looks amazing, and is the only sign that it's an R26.
• R26.r suspension has been fitted, which lowers the car slightly all around
• R26.r rear spoiler
• KTEC Stage 1 remap (260bhp and 295 lbs/ft torque)
• KTEC intercooler
• KTEC panel filter and airbox mod (the standard airbox is fairly restrictive)
• Backbox-chop

There are also the other usual goodies that make a huge difference, like climate control, cruise control and speed limiter, auto-headlights. There are so many great features, I'm very impressed and would recommend one to anyone that is looking for a step-up from a GTi-6/Rallye. To be honest, even the 175 DCi is a great car is a lot of car for the money.


Anyway, enough talking, time for photos!










Thanks for reading

 

Thanks! I'm afraid not! I'll find out from the previous owner though as it could come in handy if I wanted any other bits done as well

 

Haha cable ties FTW! I'm well versed in French car mechanics, I have cable ties aplenty Thanks! And no need to apologise, it's not for everyone! Personally I'm 50/50 on it, but I can't say I dislike it enough that I want to remove it

Thanks

The drivers side switch for the drivers window seems to have packed in unfortunately, is that likely to be the same issue as with the regulators? I think I heard that Renault will repair that under warranty as it's a known fault, is that correct?

Also the passenger side lock on the handle isn't working anymore, I think I'll be getting myself a soldering iron and tackling that over the next few weeks using the guide I found on here.

 

Thanks mate. The window on the driver's side doesn't move at all. I'll probably take a drive up to my local Renault in the near future and see what they say about it.

I took this out on track today at Castle Combe, and I'm in love. It was my first track day and first proper drive in the R26, and I'm very pleased with it. It was very planted in the corners, and aside from some understeer around Quarry towards the end of a hard session on a not-quite-dry track (likely tyre pressure too high) it had amazing levels of grip. One of the highlights was watching a Civic Type-R trying so hard to keep up through the Esses that he ended up with two wheels in the grass on the exit haha. Unfortunately though it was quite a busy session and the CTR driver was by no means the worst in terms of trying to race, I didn't get to push the car quite as much as I'd have liked, though that's probably best for now until I've got a few more sessions under my belt.

Pics to follow in the next few days.