Coming from my Clio cup 200 very different car. Much more refined (very very much so lol) and a lot faster. I would say in comparison to the Clio the steering feels rather vague and definitely not as agile. Unsure whether this is becuase I have a cup with a quick rack and it's uber precise and edgy, or whether that's just how they are? Be useful to get some input from you guys. It is however less crashy over bumps (even the cup chassis) and does feel very nice to drive. The gear change is also way easier and less notchy than the Clio. However I think the Clio feels better to be honest! Need to decide whether to go for one now. I love how they look and the speed is insane. Just doesn't feel quite as 'manic' as the Clio. Makes me realise how special the Clio cup is the Megane is far more 'grown up' though and more of a serious car. But driving the Clio home over some beautiful back roads with epic scenery, the car just makes you feel alive when you drive it, it's really fantastic. Sooooo to Megane or not to lol
The perfect car for you is an R26.R then, fast, raw and even more agile than the Clio, I drove a Clio 200 cup and compared to my R it felt no where near as good.
Well Ive come from a 197 cup which I had for 5 years, and I loved that to bits. Only reason I swapped is fancied something different and tried an r32 golf - yuck So I've come back to the meggy, and upon test drive it was like driving a boosted 197 which instantly made me think I was home Had my meggy for a week or so now and love it. It needs recaros and cup pack and with the rs monitor..... With that you can certainly make it more "alive" with the throttle Up to you though, if you're happy with the Clio keep it, the speed in one is bang on for throwing round a B road
You probably know the answer already If you want the the ultimate expression of what a hot hatch should be, keep the Clio. If you want a more grown up car, get the Megane. Re the steering, I had a ph1 172 with hydraulic steering and now have a Trophy with electric. In my opinion the steering is better in the Megane and if you didn't know it was electric you would swear it was hydraulic. It offers a huge amount of feedback. The weighting is perfect when you're on it (maybe not in towns/parking). The older 250 may be different though - I don't know. I do know the the newer Renault is lauded for it's steering, and even the likes of Porsche are told to look at the French brand for inspiration in how to engineer electric power steering. I missed my Clio when I sold it, but then I'd miss the Trophy if I was to let that go now...
Thanks guys. The steering is way lighter in he Megane. I like the weight of it in the Clio. Although it could be becuase I have the cup with quick rack as mentioned. It's just so damn agile and responsive. The Megane does eat up the road though when it gets going. I don't think you'd be able to spank it as much on tight country roads though like I can in the Clio. We shall see. I do really like the Megane though!
I can't believe how well they are holding their value ! Would of liked the R but couldn't pay that much for a daily car. I'm doing a lot of miles in my Meg
So re steering and gear change is that the norm, lighter steering and soft gear change compared to the notchy feel of the Clio? Now don't flame me here lol, but I kinda feel the Clio is more of the drivers car, but saying that it's definitely more tiring on long journeys.
Can't fault you on anything I've read so far. They're quire different cars when you get down to the tactile elements and even the style and feel of driving them. Day to day though... I can't really imagine going back to driving the 200 I had. It was great fun when you were revving the knackers off it and nailing corners on B roads, but christ was it tiresome everywhere else.
Lol! I guess I would say the Clio is more twitchy and manic like a rally car, whereas the Megane feels smooth and powerful but less nimble on its feet, even though that's not the case it just feels so of that makes sense. More like a bmw dare I say I it!
Is the steering better in the cup Megane does it have a quick rack? And what about the trophy? Thanks
Also how can you tell of it definitely has the cup chassis pack? The one i drove apparently did, although it felt much less crashy and softer than the Clio. I guess bigger wheels and it doesn't sit as low either, but just wondered if there's a way to confirm?
Have a look at the Pillar on the inside of the drivers door. If it is a CUP it will say on there, if its an FF it wont say cup even if it has the cup chassis.
Ok thanks. So is there a way to check if it's a FF with a cup chassis?? It is supposed to be that it's just hard to know if it definitely has the cup chassis? They said the red calipers mean it's a cup chassis.
Normally as car with red calipers and grooved disc indicate it has the cup chassis. Unless a previous owner has changed them to look like a cup.
The Megane is a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde car. If you drive it smoothly and calmly it'll respond lazily, but when you really start to push things the car comes alive. While the Clio is feisty all the time, the Megane only does it when you want it to. I'm always impressed with the steering on the Megane. Very precise and lots of feedback - amazing given that it's an electronic system. Show the car a B road and be willing to get the power down as you exit corners and you'll find it just as agile as the Clio but much, much faster - while still being able to do the daily stuff in relative comfort and peace.
Cant say much more than that. As most of us have and just like you I progressed from a 182 trophy to my 250. I won't labour point everyone else has said as I agree with almost then all. However on a B road I used to always always say nothing would be more fun or as engaging as a 182 trophy and there wouldn't be much keeping up with it (tight and twisty stuff only). However I then had the Megane and had it a good 6 month when my mate bought a 182 trophy so I was so desperate to get out in it again. We went over the EVO triangle and my God it wasn't a patch on the Megane. The Megane would destroy it when driven properly point to point. The only thing for me I find which I miss in the trophy is that I found they soak up the bumps far far better than a Megane. I sometimes find myself bouncing around in the recaros where as in the trophy I would just be foot to the floor. And I think the main point to say is the Megane can do day to day with your 80 year old grandma in the Clio can't it's like a naughty puppy it just won't behave - which is a mega trait in a car but sometimes you just want to chill!
Haha...well summed up guys thanks for that! I think you are right about the Clio. It is feisty 247! As the dude who showed me the Megane put it (he had to test drive mine too before giving me a trade in value) the Clio is more like a house fly as it just buzzes about everywhere changing direction on a six pence! Funny you should say about the trophy feeling smoother than the Megane over bumps. I found the Megane way smoother than the Clio cup. Although it must be said the Clio's suspension is the hardest I've ever experienced in an unmodified car. I like it though, although it can be an arse on really shite roads with sadly are plentiful in this country. Mind you, you mean the 182 cup don't you, and I test drove a 172 years ago and that was epic for soaking up terrible roads but you could absolutely hoon it at the same time, so I imagine the 182 trophy is even better. Have you compared it to a Clio 200 yet? They are supposed to be the best of them all aren't they? I put a deposit down on the Megane today anyways, so all being well with my loan request I should have it soon. Fingers crossed. The wife is gonna be pissed, she thinks I change my cars far too often already!
For me it was the remap on the 250 up to 303bhp that really got me grinning. Love this car but then mines not a cup as it wasn't what I wanted, didn't want the hard ride as I mostly drive it to work and back!
I have driven every Clio sport as both me, my brother and my mate have owned them all and in all honesty the best one for pure point to point blasting on a B road the 197 was my favourite!
I need to drive a 197 - I was semi seriously considering getting a 3k one in March as a daily driver as my meg is becoming pretty stripped out (I've done it the wrong way round really lol)
The clio on normals roads are horrendous but in a good way hah, even my Meg lowered with buckets and harder tyres are no were near as stiff. but when going for it it's amazing I preferred it to when my Meg was standard.
You guys are making me wonder whether I've done the right thing now what with all this talk of how good the Clio is I got a perfect rally car bang out of the Akropovic tonight on a gear change. Made me love it even more arrgh
The Meg pops and bangs more than my 200 ever did, both on factory exhausts mid you. I bet the Meg with the mid-box removed make a lot more noise again. Certainly I'd say as well the F4rt over just the F4r engine in the Clio is more 'dramatic' even if revving the knackers off the Clio was fun the engine in NA form is a bit breathless up high when compared to offerings from Honda. I've had my Meg for a few years now, I miss the 200 to some extent as it was a lovely car: BUT, and it's a big BUT... the Megane is more comfortable, more refined on the motorway, has huge amounts of torque and when you rev it out it goes like a stabbed rat Will you regret it?...... no. But at the same time you might miss the Clio SOME times.
Thanks bro I appreciate your input. I saw your posts in the Clio forum too so I feel I 'value' your opinion as you know where I'm coming from lol. Yes I guess I'll miss the little Clio but onwards and upwards as they say. I never considered or cared about a car being more 'grown up', but getting out of the Megane Sunday I felt like, wow this does feel much smarter.
Lewis, I don't think you'll regret it honestly! I had a Fiesta ST before the Megane. It was fitted with the Mountune 185bhp kit along with KW V1 suspension. It was brilliant fun to drive, very chuckable, but the Megane is a league above. I was afraid I'd lose the nimble handling, but I really didn't as the Megane doesn't feel like a larger car when you're driving it. I've said this on here loads before, I've got a Caterham too, and even after jumping in the Megane straight after driving that, the Megane still impresses me and puts a smile on my face.
Thanks a lot dude that's good to know. The caterham must be amazing too, so if the Megane still pleases after driving that then it must be a good car. My next dilemma is wether I drop 2G's on an Akropovic and get one fitted before I pick up the car. So damn expensive but I've fallen in love with it after having one on the Clio. It just adds so much character and boisterousness to the car. We shall see either that or some two price discs or perhaps even super sport tyres
