34 replies to this topic

[Jezter]

Does anyone have any hands on experience of the reliability of the R26? I've read a couple of articles that claim that the Renaultsport cars are built in a different factory with much better build quality than the standard Renault range and that reliability is 'excellent'. Is there any truth in this, or are they made of cheese like most French cars?

[The Batman]

Pm Articmonkey

[Jezter]

Oh and because it's 1am and I have an unsettled 3 week old on my knee while trying to type into an iPhone, I've put this in Off Topic rather than Other Brands. Would one of the lovely mods kick it over to its rightful place please? Ta

[rob999]

I think RS cars were made in Dieppe. Could be wrong...

[CocoPops]

I think RS cars were made in Dieppe. Could be wrong...

Certainly were when I had my 172 and 182. No idea about now.

[CocoPops]

Oh and because it's 1am and I have an unsettled 3 week old on my knee while trying to type into an iPhone, I've put this in Off Topic rather than Other Brands. Would one of the lovely mods kick it over to its rightful place please?

Ta

Moved

[jonnyboy]

Dieppe is closed now sadly but the r26 was made there. They are a cut above normal results but buy carefully. Front wishbones are expensive when they need doing. Clutch will last about 40k. Great cars though. Head over to www.Meganesport.net loads of info there.

[ArticMonkey]

They are of good quality over most of the Renault range, with recaros and part leather it's pretty good. Engines are strong up to 300bhp and the stock equipment you get is great. Brembo brakes and LSD will help on track and give great road handling. The chassis is great and not many hothatchs could match for the same money. They have the odd issues but what cars don't? Window regs (covered under a 7 year 75% warranty) can go and there was a known fault with some of the clutches but would of been covered again. Make sure the rear discs have plenty of life as they are £200+ as they have the abs sensor in them. Look for lux pack but dont let it stop you buying a good car. Thy don't all come with xenons, look for the black lense inserts (abit like the NA/tubby). Hope that helps.

Edited by ArticMonkey, 04 April 2012 - 06:38 AM.

[Jezter]

Thanks Coco for shifting me over! This is really helpful thanks guys. The VX went to its new home just over a week ago and it was difficult watching my automotive dream disappear down the road with someone else at the wheel. We will need a second car later in the year and I've been given free remit (and encouraged to get the most fun drive available!) as long as its got 4 seats. For the money, the R26 looks pretty untouchable at the moment, but fuel consumption and reliability were concerns. There are some great pointers here of what to look out for, which gives me a little more confidence!

[ArticMonkey]

They are very reliable until you start tuning past stage2. Then the clutch needs upgrading and better intercooler to keep them intake temps down. Not many issues if it's been looked after tbh. MPG will dipend on your right foot. I use to drive fast and see 22, but a normal drive or motorway trip can reach 32-34. Still, their not as juicy on fuel as say an ST. Plus for the money, you can't really go wrong. Plenty of boot space and the rear seats have lots of room to.

[Jezter]

Thanks Artic. I remember you had one and loved it. If I can get 34mpg out of one when I'm driving with economy in mind, that'd be great. When you are pressing on, I would be expecting to pay for the thrills at the pumps a bit more. I've always had VW's in the past (apart from VX of course), but it might be time to renew the RAC membership and go down a more exciting/involving ownership route..........

[ArticMonkey]

Very easy car to drive fast and if things go wrong can be snapped back. The LSD takes some getting use to but once you lern to power out the corners early you will be very impressed with what it can do. Seats can be taken out very quickly (5mins) if you want to loose some weight and have the raspy sound of the exhaust when it comes on boost. If I needed rear seats again id get another or the 250 which has a stronger engine. End of the day the r26r and 265 don't hold the ring track record for FWD cars for nothing. The r26 can be made quicker than both for £1000. Stick some good pads in and tyres and you have a very quick car. Stock I would say an r26 is quicker an easyer to drive than an NA on b roads and has a 6th gear for long drives. The VW's might have the build quality and the fords and vauxhalls the tuning side spot on. However for an out the box all round drivers car the Megane really ticks all the cards IMO.

[forgotmepassword]

My best mate has one. It's standard. He has had no issues with it.

[jonnyboy]

Oh the obvious fault is coil packs. easy diy fix. Many owners carry them in the car just in case. Arctic its bang on about the driveability they are a piece of p*ss to drive very quickly. The first time I drove one was on a soaking wet nurburgring. After scaring the pants off myself driving my na round at 40mph I jumped in the Meg and after half a dozen corners had full confidence.

[Enzo]

That was my car before the VX and would highly recommend it. Did About 50k in mine in 3yrs with absolutely no reliability issues at all. It shreds tyres tho - 10k for fronts and about 14k for rears! I loved my one, a very quick and composed car and I'd echo above that's it's a confidence inspiring car - very easy to drive quickly. I had a 182 before the R26 and again did over 50k in it in 3yrs with only one fail - alternator broke in year 2. It was another brilliant driver's car. I'd definitely recommend RenaultSport models....

[Silent Steve]

FFS. It's French. The only way it could be less reliable is if it was Italian. The electrics will foul up with "known issues" seconds after you buy it. If you want reliable, get a Honda.

[jonnyboy]

FFS.

It's French. The only way it could be less reliable is if it was Italian. The electrics will foul up with "known issues" seconds after you buy it.

If you want reliable, get a Honda.

Old fashioned and outdated! Like saying Skodas are unreliable.

The French cars you get now are not like the French cars of the 80s and 90s. They have had to up their game to compete against the Germans and the far eastern stuff. As previously mentioned the R26 production line was also totally separate to the normal production line. This was done purely to up the quality. The R26 is also when Renault kissed goodbye to value. R26 was about 15k and its replacement is 26k!

[Silent Steve]

FFS.

It's French. The only way it could be less reliable is if it was Italian. The electrics will foul up with "known issues" seconds after you buy it.

If you want reliable, get a Honda.

Old fashioned and outdated! Like saying Skodas are unreliable.

The French cars you get now are not like the French cars of the 80s and 90s. They have had to up their game to compete against the Germans and the far eastern stuff. As previously mentioned the R26 production line was also totally separate to the normal production line. This was done purely to up the quality. The R26 is also when Renault kissed goodbye to value. R26 was about 15k and its replacement is 26k!

Still shite, though. Expensive French shite though now, by the sound of it.

Buy a Megane and buy into regret, my friend.

PS - I have no opinion on Skodas.

X

[jonnyboy]

Ah I think I understand. Dont feed it folks!

[FAST_aD13]

I strongly considered one fo these before opting for the VX. The R26's are excellent cars out of the box and hard to beat value for money wise if you're after a hot hatch - Recaro's and an LSD as standard! Its worth pointing out that there's been quite abit of scare mongering on MegSport.net recently about engines going boom as soon as you start to tune them to and beyond stage 2.. (I dare say its the minority - but worth pointing out). From what i've read the issues stem from a tempramental fuel pump and lack of an inline fuel filter.. again, only when you're tuning Stg 2 or higher, so not worth worrying about unless your after going down the modified route - they're more then capable out of the box!

Edited by FAST_aD13, 04 April 2012 - 07:14 PM.