Telling the difference between a standard 2012 RS and Cup 265

As long as no 'tinkering' has been done, the 2 most obvious signs are:

• red coloured brembo calipers
• little cup badge on the pillar
• grooved discs (not 100% on that one)

Im only a new lad round here - there'll be someone fully clued up soon! :-)

 

I have problems telling any Renaultsport version of the mark 3 from the seemingly many "regular" variations on the road , I can spot a RS Megane Mk2 without much trouble from most angles, from an even fleeting glance (from experience with my 225), I'm sure if I was stood next to a Mk3 with a little time I could work things out, but are there any "must be" visual clues for the Mk3, like the Fogs and the exhaust on the Mk2

 

If its a FF it wont have a cup badge on the pillar. On full lock a cup will jump a little due to the dif.

 

That's a good one about the diff- first time i was manoeuvring in a car park i thought something was wrong with the suspension or alignment with the diff doing its thing.

 

Early base Cups don't have climate control. But you can get an early FF with Cup pack that does.

 

FF+Cup doesn't have the "Cup" sticker on the door pillar.

Non-Cup cars skip on full lock too (I think it's more to do with the suspension geometry than anything).

Best way to tell is the red calipers (non cup are silver). If the car has 18" wheels you can tell by the design and colour - again Cup cars have black wheels and non-cup are silver. However, 19's can be fitted on either.

Cup cars did have grooved discs, but I think Renault stopped supplying those at some point. And of course, discs can be changed.

Best way to check is have Renault give you the spec sheet if you're not 100% sure.

 

I had the same issue while browsing the online ads when searching for an RS... as stated above, red calipers and grooved discs are the only exterior change, apart from the slight drop in ride height.

On a testdrive it should be easy enough to feel the diff doing its job, like when exiting a small roundabout in 2nd gear.

 

Could always pop the number plate into an insurance quoter, see what comes up?

 

^ Yeah that's what I'd do.

If you go and look at it, ask to see the logbook as I think it's part of the official name so should be on there.

 

If you see a car ask on here if anybody knows it.

 

Trouble is, this won't show if it's an FF+Cup. It'll just show up as a Megane 265 Sport as the Cup bit was an option extra. (My 250 never showed up as a Cup car on insurance websites).

 

Yep, only certain option is to go to renault with a vin.

I wouldn't be for relying on brakes or wheels either since they can be changed very easily.