Evening all, just posting across from Meganesport as I'm told this is the place to come these days. Well, after having an R26, then an R26.R (I loved both of them) I've been away from Renaultsports for a few years (have been via a Lotus Exige S, C63, Caterham R400 and 911 GT3 - Caterham and GT3 still owned). Long story short, I'm thinking of getting another car to use day-to-day (though I don't commute by car). What do owners think of the 275 Trophy? Good balance of practicality and fun when you want it? Any problems/annoyances that people have as yet? Other car on the list at the moment is a BMW M135i/M235i, so if anyone has experience of both the RS and BMW then your opinions would be much appreciated! Thanks vm
TBH as great as they are, You all ready have the Caterham and the GT3 for proper driving, What model GT3 btw? I would be going for the BMW over one. Comfy cruiser but still handy enough to have some fun when the mood dictates.
I wouldn't agree with that :rolleyes: The Ohlins aren't needed if your not going to track it. The standard suspension is more than capable on the public road. I can't help re BMW, but the Trophy is way better than my R26, in every department. Ride, grip, performance, comfort, interior - all are better. Against a GT3 or a Caterham I'm sure it will feel soft though. This is my only car so for me the balance of practicality and fun is more important than maybe the case with the OP, but in any case, I think it's pretty much perfect. I honestly haven't had any problems with mine yet but it has only covered 2300 miles. Currently planning a road trip round Scotland for a week with the wife and have no qualms about taking the Trophy, sure in the knowledge it will be entertaining enough, cheap enough, big enough and comfortable enough.
They are good for long journeys, I done about 2.5k in mine in 4 days on the way to Spa and other than the Recaro's giving me a bit of a sore back/arse after a while it was more than capable of cruising along in comfort, Just a shame the stock stereo is shite sound wise LOL!
Did you spec the ohlins? They give a better ride on the road as well, it's not all about lap times. Remember they were developed for the ring which is not a nice smooth track, it's full of bumps, rutts and odd cambers like a lot of our roads. Can't see why anyone would buy one and not spec the very thing that make it a 'special' car personally.
No I didn't spec them, predictably. I can understand that they give a better ride on the road and so they should for two thousand pounds (plus the cost of the original dampers they don't give you back). It's just that, to me, the standard suspension is perfectly fine. I don't personally see that the Ohlins alone make the car special - it's not an R after-all. If it is special (and I'm not saying it really is any more special than any other mk3 RS Megane), then it's a combination of the extras, of which the suspension is only one expensive part.
It's a 997 Gen2 (the 3.8), absolutely lovely thing, but it's not exactly perfect for just throwing around day-to-day, and the ever increasing values at the moment is making me think twice before putting mileage on it. Totally take your point on the T275 being very close in character to the cars I already have, I guess that's why I like the idea though, I like my cars to involve me in the driving experience... I'm actually kind of tempted to sell the GT3 at this point actually, I'm just not sure as I'd probably have to resign myself to the fact that I'd never be able to afford one again as I doubt they'll ever come down in value much.
Lucky you, A 997.2 was looking to be my goal for when i turn 25, Unfortunately the way prices of them have went in the past 18 months have put a swift stop to that! I don't blame you for not wanting to put the mileage on with the way values are going, I couldn't not drive it though. Stunning cars. I don't see them dropping that much, If at all either. Shame as it looks like ill now need to rob a post office or bank to own one LOL
Yeah, I have to say I was very lucky. Took the chance just as they started to rise in price, as I realised if they went any further I would never be able to afford one, and that's certainly the case now (and I was 30, so you've got 5 years to go)! Don't worry, it will always be driven! I just want to try and restrict it to journeys that are actually for enjoyment, rather than 5000 motorway miles a year! Right, think I really need to get myself a test in a T275 and an M235i and see which one falls the right side of the performance/comfort scale.
I think the 275 would be a good daily drive for you to be honest. I have a Caterham and a 250 Cup. The 250 Cup still manages to give me that tingly feeling even if I've been out in the Caterham all day. On the other hand, when you just want to take it easy, it's an excellent cruiser, it's comfortable, quiet at motorway speeds and won't hurt your back after a long journey. The boot is excellent too, though the entrance is a bit small which makes carrying larger items a little difficult at times. Honestly though, I still haven't found a car to replace it (had it from new, nearly 5 years). I keep thinking about getting something "sensible" to tow the Caterham with, but I just can't stand boring sensible cars. So the 250 will stay, and it'll probably be joined by a dog carrier/Caterham towcar at some point .
no mate the ohlins were developed for the r which was obviously 100kg lighter, they aren't the thing that makes the 275 special, as in my oppinion I can't see them making much difference over standard susspension which as we all know is epic. It was abit of a marketing exercise for Renault and ohlins and a chance to show some brands off, the main feature on a normal 275 is the akrapovic titanium exhaust IMO for the 2k it costs to upgrade, if you're going to track it you can buy a full set of nitron coilovers for that money, which have a lot more adjustability height wise and caster/camber and as anyone with them will say, are awesome if you just want them for the name then fair enough
So they weren't used to lap the ring? I must have dreamt that marketing scheme up then....... Everyone is so obsessed with the track argument, suspension makes a difference on the road too.
on the trophy r yes but not on the trophy and my point was? The weight saving and upgraded tyres will have done a lot of time saving over a 265, we don't know how much difference the ohlins actually made over standard rs suspension which previously held a lap record of 8 minutes 7
Just trying to work out specs etc. Is it right that the T275 isn't available with xenon's? or have I missed something and it's standard?
I would have thought the improved ride would be more important than any ring time. Not that there's anything wrong with the standard suspension, but when buying something like that new, it's worth making it the best it can be.
I got ohlins and love the way the car feels. Would I spec them again thinking about it? Probably not. 2k for bragging rights seems silly now I think about it
Certainly a good shout, had been thinking same thing myself. Only thing is they prob won't be available till the very end of the year, and is another step up in price. If they hold their value well then that won't be a problem, but M cars don't hve a history of holding value well unless they're very limited run (CSL, 1M).
Just stumbled on this thread after looking for 275 trophy info. In a very similar position. Just sold a CSL and left with a 997.1 GT3 RS as my only transport. Now I work overseas so don't need something to use everyday but I'm finding when I am home I'm putting miles on the Gt3 doing journeys that could easily be done in a more practical fun car. 275 trophy seems to fit the bill. Did you have a test drive in one since your last post? ive looked at A45 AMG but not sure about sinking 40+k into a car that will hardly get used and only depreciate. Ex Clio 200 Cup and R26.R owner btw so I do love some renaultsport.
