Hi guys. Always been into hot hatches and have owned the following: - Renault Clio 1.2 16v expression (for learning and first car) - Renault Clio 1.2 16v dynamique (was turned into a 172 replica) - Renault Clio 1.8 16v (Williams f7r 2.0 conversion) - Renault Clio 2.0 16v 172 I have always loved little French hot hatches as you can probably tell. But wanting something with more power and a bigger car while keeping the small nippy feeling. I have looked at golf gti mk5, seat leon cupra. Focus st. Honda civic type r ep3 (no idea why) Narrowed it down to either golf gti or megane rs. Now my question is do I go for a 225 for what is becoming very cheap for the car you get. Or spend a little more on getting an r26? I know the DIFFerences etc but wondering if the money is worth it. So I'm either going to get a nice 225 and chuck some money at it to get it nice and how I want it. Or get a r26 and keep it how it is and maintain it. One thing I do like is the recaro trendlines over the bulky seats. I take it 225's don't come with the option? I know the differential on the r26/trophy is a clever bit of kit but is it worth the price difference? Any bits of advice etc would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance. Cheers. Tom.
Trophy doesn't have the diff. Apart from that and the seats you won't notice any difference. Personally I think the recaros are useless and can't see why people go mad on them. They're not supportive at all
I think the r26 is worth a bit more even just for the exclusivity i dont think you will notuce the lsd much unless u really drive it hard or use it on the track i never see any others round me i may be selling my r26 in the coming weeks
I think the diff is quite noticeable personally, even when driving normally on the road. Just the other day i was pootling around and changed gear while going around a roundabout i was surprised at how much the car drifted off line when the clutch was depressed and i was just taking it easy, i think the diff does a lot of work that you don't really notice, you just put it down to how grippy/ capable the car is, personally i'd spend the extra on an R26. I think recaros were also an option on 225's
Agree with this 100% i have drove my mates r26 with LSD (obviously) and personally didnt feel anything when taking it round the same corners etc on normal roads... If you have the extra money id buy a standard 225 and mod it to how you want/expect it to be! As for the seats... i like what is in mine (Lux) with heated leather seats, but it just comes down to preference!
For me the R26 is the ultimate (bar the .R) expression of the MkII RS, so if you can afford one, why not? And to those saying the diff doesn't do anything on the road - you are wrong. Turn the traction control off and try harder (but safely).
I've owned both, have the R26 now and if budget is really a priority I can't say there is a MASSIVE difference between the two. In the real world the diff doesn't do much above second gear on standard power. The 225 still felt light on its feet, very well suspended and beautiful handling just without the diff to scramble out of slow speed bends. On track when you are properly un loading the inside wheel and have the throttle buried from the apex of a bend - that's when the diff will help out. In the real world - not so much. I would be tempted to find the most tidy 225 you can possibly afford.
I want want want it back!! They are too much hastle to keep as a daily car. If I had the money to run another car then I would still have it. Truely amazing things. But when rust hits. Rust takes over!!
