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R26 Track day advice

Discussion in 'Track Days & Track Driving' started by git-r, May 26, 2016.

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  1. May 26, 2016 #1
    git-r

    git-r

    Hi all,

    I'm really tempted to buy an R26 and was hoping some of you may be able to help with some questions I have about using it on track.

    Brakes - how does the standard kit hold up?

    Oil surge - do these engines suffer with this when running sticky tyres?
    I'm guessing not as the R26.R was fitted with R888's from factory but would be very grateful if anyone could confirm. If there's no difference between the engines then it can't be a problem, can it?

    I'd intend to use the car as an everyday car and already have a track car but often find myself wishing I had another car to use on track when my track car is broken (most of the time lol).

    I see some really well driven Meganes regularly on track yet have never seen one break down. I've heard so many good things about them and the durability, cost of running and apparent lack of modification required for them to be good on track really appeals.

    Is what I'm thinking correct?

    I ran an E46 M3 a couple of years ago and whilst there was a great potential for it to be quick the standard equipment was lacking for track work and I didn't want to modify.

    The Megane seems to offer great track capability at affordable cost whilst remaining ok for road use. Or am I wrong?

    Thanks in advance for any help and a great forum :smile:

    Sam
     
  3. May 26, 2016 #2
    TimR26

    TimR26 South Central RSM Area Rep

    You're not wrong about it being a great road and track car. I use my R26 everyday for work and do about 16k miles a year in it.

    I'm not a fan of the oem brake pads as they fade for me quite easily so would recommend upgrading them. I found DS2500 to be good to use everyday on road and do the occasional trackday.

    The drilled brake discs are prone to cracking so I've changed to solid Brembo HC discs. Bonus is they're much cheaper and just as good.

    I don't think oil starvation is an issue.
     
    git-r likes this.
  4. May 26, 2016 #3
    Nunez20

    Nunez20

    I have a R26, you will need some better pads for track days most use DS 1.11 about £160 ish from JJC and some HC discs.

    I use mine daily about 12k a year it has a car seat in to pick up the little one from nursery and then try and do 2-3 track days a year, I just turn up with the car how I drive it daily dont do anything special to it and just have fun around the track and drive home and stick the car seat back in. If you have a easy week and avoid a heavy right foot you can get 30+mpg.

    Did cadwell on the weekend and the one thing I wish I had some was better track tyres as I currently use eagle F1's and they took a beating the other day, tempted to buy some slightly used track tyres and just swap them over for the track days.

    Tuning wise I would say the cheapest option would just be a remap to get to 250 bhp, or if you want to spend a little more a decat / sports cat and cat back system would be good, add a intercooler and some 630'2 and you will be 270/280 bhp. But in all honestly if you want to do it cheaper just some pads and discs and a remap will be good.
     
    git-r likes this.
  5. May 26, 2016 #4
    git-r

    git-r

    Many thanks for the advice :smile:

    Tim - 16k is a proper annual mileage. How many miles have you clocked up in your R26 and what problems have you had?

    Understood about the brakes , I actually run the ds2500's in my track car coincidentally.

    Nunez20 - is that £160 just for the pads? The F1's aren't best for track but if you can get Michelin pilot sport super I'd highly recommend them. They don't give quite as much grip as a track tyre but not far off and last forever. And work brilliantly in the wet.

    Doubt I'd do any modifications to it but it's always good to know the possibility is there. I'd really like to do some competitive stuff with it completely standard to see how it does.

    Has anyone ever heard of oil surge problems when running sticky tyres on track?
     
  6. May 26, 2016 #5
    NJH

    NJH

    I took my bone stock R26 round Thruxton last autumn, by the late afternoon only Calum Lockie and a Caterham race car was going quicker through those corners and that was on the standard PS2 tyres. I was amazed, really amazed how well the car held up and to be honest the standard suspension as well, more than up to the job. Loads of fun too as the boys in Dieppe really nailed it on this car, very little understeer and the car can be backed in and around the corners with plenty of counter steering fun. It understeers less than my rear wheel drive Porsche 944 S2 race car for example, and shockingly I don't think is much behind it in lap times.

    I did have 2 observations though:
    1) The stock pads are total rubbish, forget anything like late or hard braking with them.
    2) The long gearshift on the cars other than the R26.R is not great really, I missed the down shift into 3rd a few times hitting 5th instead.

    Personally I don't think these cars need anything else but many will choose to go much further.
     
    git-r likes this.
  7. May 27, 2016 #6
    git-r

    git-r

    Njh - very good to hear - thank you :smile:

    Ps2 tyres are still very expensive for a reason - they give incredible grip for a road tyre!

    Although from what you say it sounds like it was more to do with your driving than the tyre :smile:

    Love what you say about the car being playful for a front drive.

    People say that I'm a "talented" driver... I'd wholeheartedly disagree! But I'm very much looking forward to seeing what I can do with a standard Megane!

    I've tracked so many cars over the years, best being a c5 Audi A6 1.9 diesel. It was so enjoyable going quicker than cars with stickers in such a blunderbus! :smile:

    There's a car that in my opinion is too expensive at 6k very local to me. I'm going to try and buy it for around 5k. It's got fsh, cam belt changed, PS2 tyres, 62k miles and 4 owners. Will paste a link, please let me know your thoughts.

    Thanks again :smile:
     
  8. May 27, 2016 #7
    git-r

    git-r

  9. May 27, 2016 #8
    Aerofoil

    Aerofoil

    Top end price for a private sale. 4 owners and not a strong colour. Need to know how long he has had it.

    Worth a look and if pukka, could be worth a punt, but like you said I wouldn't go much over £5K for it.
     
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  10. May 27, 2016 #9
    Just-that-ek

    Just-that-ek

    Very true, I paid 6k for mine although that was two years ago now 37k on the clock and 1 owner which I thought was quite good
     
    git-r likes this.
  11. May 27, 2016 #10
    TimR26

    TimR26 South Central RSM Area Rep

    It's on 105k now, was on 27k when I bought it November 2010. I forged the engine 8k miles ago, short story is because my gearbox broke and engine was burning oil. My project thread shows all the issues I've had in past two years.

    I've never heard of anyone having oil issues running sticky tyres.
     
    git-r likes this.
  12. May 27, 2016 #11
    sunnylunn

    sunnylunn

    Hi mate, pads/fluid/lines along with an intercooler and some decent tyres and you'll be sorted. you can get the HC plain discs pretty cheap as well. Never heard of anyone having oil surge problems in a Megane, gearboxes can be a problem, but its pot luck on that one.Engines do seem to be pretty bulletproof as well.
     
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  13. May 27, 2016 #12
    Nunez20

    Nunez20

    that silver car on autotrader is a bit expensive, especially in silver and with no LUX pack I would say 5-5.25k would be the max. There is a yellow one in the sales section here for 6k with a fair bit done to the engine (a good 2k spent) which would be a better buy and save you on mods in the future (PS I have no connection to the seller just pointing it out)
     
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  14. May 27, 2016 #13
    Aerofoil

    Aerofoil

    R26 as a track car......remap, pads, fluid, tyres, drop some weight out. Nothing else required.
     
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  15. May 28, 2016 #14
    git-r

    git-r

    Thanks for this, yes the guy has had it about 4 years, last serviced at Renault start of this year.
     
  16. May 28, 2016 #15
    git-r

    git-r

    Wow that a very good price for that spec of car. Looking at what's available at the moment I can't see me getting as good a deal.
     
  17. May 28, 2016 #16
    git-r

    git-r

    Many thanks for this and your build thread. Extremely good reading and what dedication you show, loved the last bit of the thread when you get it to the 'ring :smile:

    Thanks for clarifying the pis surge issue.
     
    TimR26 likes this.
  18. May 28, 2016 #17
    git-r

    git-r

    More thanks :smile: or should I have just put thanks to everyone lol!
    Very reassuring to hear. With the gearbox do these tend to be more problematic on modified cars?
     
  19. May 28, 2016 #18
    git-r

    git-r

    Thanks - yes I looked through the for sale section but the yellow colour if a bit too much for work and I'd rather get a standard car.
     
  20. May 28, 2016 #19
    git-r

    git-r

    Brilliant as this is basically what I thought would be required.

    Although I already have a track car and 'my' R26 would be primarily used on the road so don't want to modify it other than a set of pads and fluid.

    Thanks again all - the search is on!! :smile:
     
  21. May 28, 2016 #20
    Just-that-ek

    Just-that-ek

    Mine was completely standard though
     
  22. May 28, 2016 #21
    not normal dan

    not normal dan

    Great track car! I've done around 10 track days in the past 18 months I reckon regularly seeing 200 miles on track per day!

    First day I did was donington as it was local, car was standard bar ds1.11 pads which tbh is the only pads I'd really consider from the ferodo range.

    My cars since gone through a large spec change after its first day.

    Apart from wear and tear items like pads and tyres mines been pretty well behaved and with a bit of experience and tutoring from friends and professionals it's rather rewarding to be pushing expensive machinery out the way haha!

    For me I really don't know what I will ever replace mine with, granted its only used for Trackdays now but it's a hard one to beat!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  23. May 28, 2016 #22
    Aerofoil

    Aerofoil

    Gearboxes are pretty sound. Clutches tend to be the weak spot if pushing serious torque.
     
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  24. May 28, 2016 #23
    not normal dan

    not normal dan

    I run the lightened and balanced SMF TTV flywheel coupled with an R26R clutch.

    Mild up grade, so far seems more then up to the job and I'm running 288bhp and 312lbft of torque.

    A lot of the clutches I seem to see are folk that have had them mapped that are still on the original clutches so kidding asking for it.

    Again it's wear and tear and Trackdays to put more strain on a car but little bit of mechanical sympathy goes a long way [emoji106]


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  25. May 28, 2016 #24
    TimR26

    TimR26 South Central RSM Area Rep

    Thanks, hope you find a good R26.
     
    git-r likes this.
  26. May 29, 2016 #25
    git-r

    git-r

    lol all of my modified cars have been worth less than if left standard. I'll never learn though!
     
  27. May 29, 2016 #26
    git-r

    git-r

    Thanks for this and also for your build thread - I'm on about page 10 now :smile:

    200 miles a day is excellent!!

    I know that feeling of hauling in an expensive catch on track days - love it :smile:

    It seems a unique car - I don't know any other that is so capable on track straight out the box for the money :smile:
     
  28. May 29, 2016 #27
    not normal dan

    not normal dan

    Yeah I've even topped 240 at Oulton as I do enjoy it there haha

    Yeah I struggle to thing if something to ever replace it with like I said that can give similar thrills

    Glad to know someone takes a read, I do try and keep it updated tbh


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  29. May 29, 2016 #28
    Aerofoil

    Aerofoil

    My view, on track, you have to maximise the capability of the car and driver before going down the big mod route.

    So many dudes just cruise round a circuit in highly modified stuff. More show than go.
     
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  30. May 29, 2016 #29
    not normal dan

    not normal dan

    Tbh that's why I did my first track in a standard R26 on PS3's but it certainly highlighted areas I wanted to improve on.

    From the offset my R26 was going to a purpose track car eventually.

    I've made improvements as I have gone a long and found that my skill level has evolved with the car and now I find myself really pushing to exploit the best bits out the car.

    Cadwell last weekend was a great example of that!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  31. May 30, 2016 #30
    git-r

    git-r

    Agreed... I've just been at a car show today and know exactly what you mean lol
     
  32. May 30, 2016 #31
    git-r

    git-r

    Very good to hear - keep up the good work :smile:
     
  33. Jun 7, 2016 #32
    git-r

    git-r

  34. Jun 7, 2016 #33
    Nunez20

    Nunez20

    thats crazy money for a standard (thats not yellow or white) car even if it has low mileage, you can get a nice 250 for a little more might have more mileage but its a newer car with a stronger engine
     
  35. Jun 7, 2016 #34
    oldfella

    oldfella

    RE... Aerofoil"Dudes cruising around the track,in Modified Cars" I am going flat out,but seems slow to everyone else,who are quicker than me!.
     
  36. Jun 7, 2016 #35
    git-r

    git-r


    I agree but have you seen the prices of some of the others on autotrader?

    It looks seriously mint and compared to the other prices seems not too far off, but I've only been looking at prices for a few weeks..

    I think the value of the newer version will continue to drop where as the value of low mileage standard R26's may not. Compared to figures on this thread the R26 values seem to have increased.
     
  37. Jun 7, 2016 #36
    Nunez20

    Nunez20

    Not but at the same time some guy had a thread a few weeks back saying he can't shift his r26 for very little so I would rush into anything
     
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  38. Jun 7, 2016 #37
    Car.crash

    Car.crash

    git-r likes this.
  39. Jun 8, 2016 #38
    git-r

    git-r

    I think I remember the thread - was it a yellow one for about 6k? That car from memory had about 70 k, a few owners and was modified. I'd rather pay an extra 1 k to get one with less than half the mileage that's standard.

    The way I see it a car with 30k is brand new and that really appeals!

    Provided they're not 30k track miles lol!
     
  40. Jun 8, 2016 #39
    git-r

    git-r


    Thanks mate, I'm already watching your car on eBay, good thing to know you're on here..

    I've no idea what a gearbox with the locking diff costs but imagine by the time I've bought and paid to have it fitted I won't have much change out of 1 k. Add the recaro seats for another 500 and yours would end up around 6.3k.

    I don't need the seats but would like them and the factory R26 will be worth more come resale.

    Have to say yours looks lovely though :smile:
     
  41. Jun 8, 2016 #40
    Car.crash

    Car.crash

    If your set on the recaros too then mine certainly wouldn't make financial sense for you.
    But other than that diff I don't think there is anything else between them.

    I may reuse it some day but it's been in my garage for a few months now unused.
     
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