Renault Megane R26 F1 Review - Perfect First Track Car?

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[@TeamZSsx]

It's funny how cars styling grow on you, when it first arrived I didn't like it but now it's unique look is very cool by today's bland standards. Also if you love a car it doesn't matter what you spend on it. It's a hobby and you get personal satisfaction on what you create.

[@cool2zip]

Love now too

[@Tombrosapien]

Just like scirocco’s, I thought they were fugly when they came out now I like them lol

[@lash9400]

I love Renault for taking a risk back then

[@mornevanzyl5149]

Great sporty hatch for less money then other sport hatches, lots of the F1

[@PaulSwiftPhotography]

Window regulator is a £30 fix if you can do it yourself. Really easy job. Plenty of guides on here. Steering feel is there if you use the right tyres. Michelin PS4 or Conti Sport 5's bring the feel. Those Yoko's on that car tend to kill all the feel. I owned mine 8 years and it truly was a great machine; hence I kept it so long and for some reason, mine didn't have ANY rattles. I had a simple remap done by RS tuning in Leeds. 270hp and 270lb ft certainly made sure it kept up with the newer hatches now problem. The first Renaultsport Megane to get full 5 star review from Evo mag and on there test it was 6 secs a lap faster than a Focus ST of the same era.

[@clutchfreak13]

Jay , why don't you put specs of the cars you review in description. It would be really nice.

[@mikenorris5378]

I had one of these. I have an M3 now. I still think it's awesome. I might still buy another, they are fabulous.

[@2702simmo]

Mike Norris same as me loved my 225 Trophy and kept it a good while but e46 M3 now. The grip on the Megane in the twisties was insane

[@MotoMaxuk]

Had one a few years ago, I miss it daily, great car. Plenty fast enough and great fun going round roundabouts with the LSD.

[@emc3065]

They called this edition the R26 and then they also released a special edition Clio that was called the R27. They wanted to link it to the winning R25 as you pointed out Jay. Had an R26 and really enjoyed it on track and off track. The short shift kit is an absolutely bargain mod to get on these. They aren't cheap to maintain though if you get a Monday, or Friday car...or in fact an any day of the week car. Kept up with much faster and more expensive cars on track and up at the Evo triangle as well.

[@PureLeeful]

Pretty sure the F1 R26 won both Drivers and Constructors Championship in 2006, the R25 won in 2005.

[@5thgearouttahere]

One of my dream cars, in mega track rat spec BRILLIANT [also JayEmm I like the snappy pace of this video, keep it up!]

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks, there's quite a few coming up using the shorter format

[@thatebutuoyguy788]

What a great car. Truly a worthy competitor to the venerable GTI hot hatch.

[@traceurGeorge]

One day it hit me. I absolutely loved the styling on these, they really are for me from the golden age of hot hatch styling

[@dartology]

Just did a spur of the moment 3600km trip in my 225 Meg and it handled it really well. Interesting and engaging to drive and lively enough to keep such a drive entertaining while still doing 7.6l/100km.

[@johnr53john]

Was taken rounds Brands Hatch in this one by its owner, lovely car. Performs sooo well 👍🏼

[@tracktimevideos5164]

I have one of these as a track car as per my vids. I bought it as it was much cheaper than taking my RS to the Nürburgring and ended up using it on loads of track days. Great cars.

[@muckspreader1able]

Had the RS200 Clio 3rd gen best little hot hatch ever.Try one jay you'll love it just revs and revs and the handling is awesome.Was gutted to sell mine would love another in ultra red with black trim

[@richards4456]

These look ace. Will be a long time before these look dated. I noticed you mentioned the AC. In renaults it actually seems to be reliable. My brothers 09 clio still blows cold. My civic the same age has had two AC faults and currently doesn't work again.

[@onetobum]

Hi jay, r26 or ep3 what's your view worried about rust on the ep3

[@spainter1985]

Nice car! Would like to hear what you think of the FN2 Type R in comparison. Most reviews just talk about the suspension not being as sophisticated as it's predecessor but it'd be interesting to hear an objective opinion of how it stacks up today (on a cost/space/reliability/performance balance). I suspect the reviews of the time criticising the harsh ride to be quite true but back when it was launched cars tended to ride softer - is it still that bad with the perspective we have now in 2019?

[@TassieLorenzo]

FN2 ride is indeed fairly bad even by modern standards (albeit still a LOT softer than the FD2 JDM Civic Type R, by comparison to the Japanese model, the FN2 is more of a Type S!). The OEM Bridgestone RE050s were a very stiff tyre though, so switching to a modern more compliant tyre like a Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 will help a lot at improving the ride (or even going down to a smaller forged 17" wheel to save unsprung weight too). The 2009+ version FN2 with the LSD hooks up nicely out of bends, however it does tend to feel a bit like a big car with a small(er) engine and keeping up with traffic requires driving the car rather hard. As Clarkson said, the default chassis setting on the FN2 is (sadly) plough understeer (so quite different to a lively Megane with a mobile rear), however this can be mitigated by upping the rear tyre pressures and fitting slightly wider wheels on the front. Another great point of the FN2 is the incredible practicality thanks to the magic seats as well (truly cavernous load area), plus the unique design of the interior and exterior too. The Honda has a VERY high-quality of design and manufacture, with a well-presented engine with minimal use of plastic parts (no brittle plastic hoses to be seen, unlike a Megane where there are dozens of them for vacuum, boost, PCV and this and that!). The FN2 is more comparable to the Clio 197 and 200 than the Megane in some ways. But the Clio is a much smaller, more agile car. The Clio's F4R engine is a more traditional long-stroke torquey twin-cam so it's much more tractable at lower revs (but doesn't rev as high), whereas the Civic's K20 is a shorter-stroke (square) much higher-revving motor with the VTEC crossover and, of course, comes alive from 5000-8000rpm.

[@vee10pfs]

We still have ours in liquid yellow, one owner from new, not messed around with, no track days, dealer serviced with only 30K on the clock. And no it's not for sale!

[@jasonjuggler3457]

how much do you want for it?

[@Richz2]

RenaultSport just make damm good cars. Nothing fancy but does the good things very well.

[@RogerBaileyOnCars]

Slightly unorthodox yet impressive drivers car, succinct interesting review 👍

[@Tombrosapien]

I think I’m sold, shame about the goofy handbrake tho, but that’s probably a good thing because handbrake turns haven’t always turned out well for me lol

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

Great review and great car

[@tomholton235]

Might have bought a 225 after watching this. Amazing fun car.

[@sammysev16]

Had two megane 225’s (one a cup and one a trophy, the first megane 225 with the cup suspension) two Clio 197’s (one a normal bog standard and one an r27, first 197 with cup suspension) and I’m currently on my second clio 182, this time a 182 cup, I think if you can get past the electrical faults the 182 is the pick of the bunch, plenty quick enough, light, nimble, absurdly cheap to buy and run, pottering around town my 182 cup hovers around 33 and on the motorway if I’m not in a rush 40mpg is comfortably manageable, (obviously if driving a bit more spirited that can quickly fall to low 20’s). Only ever had electric issues on my 6 Renaultsport cars (apart from a rack dying on my 225 cup) and I’ve used them all daily! If you get a chance, have a go in a 172/182, hilariously fun, even despite the awful driving position

[@rsturborolphy6760]

I've got a f1 and a 172 . Had a 182 before the 172 deffo enjoy the 172 more

[@taketimeout2share]

@@rsturborolphy6760 Yes , I have heard that from some other people . The 172 is lighter and is quicker to 60. Surprising, considering the power deficit. And the 172 is cheaper too.. Got to look in to this a bit more.

[@rsturborolphy6760]

@@taketimeout2share they just look better as well , I'm not a huge fan of the twin exit on the 182 . I had a stealth k tec system on the 172 sounded pretty tasty . I do like my r26 though absolutely wicked cars right out the showroom !

[@taketimeout2share]

@@rsturborolphy6760 I like it when people like the car they have. My "other car" has an even bigger bum than yours! Its an immaculate Avantime 3 litre. It is beyond wicked, - its sublime. I am so lucky.

[@rsturborolphy6760]

@@taketimeout2share isnt that the pretty rare 7 seater ??? I've only ever seen one of them . I literally wont let my megane go for anything it's got sentimental value that no one could match so it's part of the family lol

[@TheWretchedWorld]

You need to review the second generation 250 265 275. They are by far the best Imo.

[@tracktimevideos5164]

You keep going on about the 3rd generation car being a 1.8 but you are actually talking about the Megane4. Megane3 is also a 2.0. The Renaultsport Megane 2 Just came in 225, Trophy and R26 flavour with the Lux pack just being a spec item with leather etc. All R26s are Cup spec and the 225 and trophy could also be specced with the Cup suspension and red calipers. Not as confusing as you were making out.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

The Renaultsport Generations are not the same as the regular Megane

[@tracktimevideos5164]

@@JayEmmOnCars they are known as Megane 1,2,3,4. Not Renaultsport 1,2,3,4. When you buy parts for an R26 you are buying parts for a Megane2, parts for an RS250 are Megane3 parts etc. Just look on Ktec or any other Renault parts website.

[@ktmman3]

As above only the latest megane sport is 1.8 225 cup and trophy (mk1) R26 (mk2) 250,265,275 (mk3) Latest megane (mk4)

[@tracktimevideos5164]

@@ktmman3 the 225 and Cup/Trophy were also mk2 Meganes. The mk1 Megane did not have a Renaultsport variant.

[@ajames718]

Get your hands on a Megane RS275 Trophy please!!!! Really enjoy your reviews and would love to see what you think of the 2nd Gen Megane RS

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I'd love that too!

[@Mouse2113]

I'll lend you my 275 Trophy Jay but I'm up in Aberdeen 🤓 Great vid BTW. I love the R26 too

[@JayEmmOnCars]

I'm in Scotland this coming week

[@jordanski100]

My first reaction when he said "quite expensive to fix" was no it isn't. I bought mine for £40 - fitted in about an hour. Getting the doorcard back on was a bit of a faff mind. Someone more competent could easily do it in less time. PS4's definitely help with the feedback. I bought mine it was on some budgets, changed them and the difference was night and day. The highlight is definitely the chassis though. Very communicative at any speed. Great car.

[@rickybaskerville8647]

Got a golf mk5 gti in red if you wanted to review it?

[@robinmarples5198]

They are future collectors. Let them stock please In France à good one with 100 000 km is around 15 000 euros

[@onelyone6976]

How, I’ve seen several in the netherlands and germany for under 5k€ with about 160 000km

[@TheJmebe]

That is a gen/MK 2 Megane - I have the R26 variant.

[@ravenmaster6364]

please do a clio 197 review 🙏

[@TassieLorenzo]

The turbo went pop? But the turbo is Japanese (Mitsubishi TD04, albeit made in Netherlands), that's a shame to hear. :(

[@CTcuber4K]

Dear KZbin, When I search 'Renault R26', I want to see the Renault Formula 1 car from 2006, conveniently named the Renault R26. Instead I found this... Thanks for that, It was actually a pretty cool video, but not quite what I was looking for.

[@jimmyjt16]

Can you test second gen RS megane please?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

If I find one yes

[@rebel099tl]

I 100% recommend driving a 197 or the facelift the 200. Only car so far that I will never be selling.

[@Birmingham_racing]

The 225 is how I discovered lee Lockwood

[@jasonjuggler3457]

you orite mate

[@rsturborolphy6760]

And how not look after cars 😂

[@Simon78]

I’ve an RS 225 Cup (see my channel)...I’ve actually today calculated in the three years of ownership I’ve spent $7400 Aussie$ on maintenance/repairs compared to the $6500 purchase price! ...leaving it still stock with still one dodgy window and no working AC....but my god I love it so.

[@Simon78]

I can’t help but also say I’ve never had so much frustration just to change a fuse... Battery out. ECU OUT. Battery tray out. Fuse cover off, unclip looms, pop out fuse thing, take off cover , unclip more cables.... finally access to the fuses.... reverse. I blew a fuse by shorting out circuit changing a number plate bulb (a three minute job)... took an hour thanks to the fuse. Actually my most viewed video on my channel is how to access the fuses!!! .... I still love it though (lucky as I can’t afford to change to another car now!!!)

[@TassieLorenzo]

Yikes!

[@jamesid2846]

You pretty much drove past my house. That was weird lol

[@bambychoi9366]

This or the Clio 182 as a first track car? Either way, at this price point, it has to be a Renault Sport.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

You'll see my answer in the Clio 182 video, due out in August

[@dang6413]

Had a 182 and have an r26 at the minute. Id take the r26 if i had to pick one of the 2. Clios great fun but on longer tracks youstart to feel like you need more power. But i Would pick the clio over a normal 225 without the lsd though

[@2702simmo]

Had both myself and would have a Meg again all day over the 182. The Megane a slow burner but a great car

[@ganz7ful]

The UK always approaches anything with a complete scepticism - so satisfying to look at the negatives

[@mrwick7961]

i hAve a 197, its harsh on the road for sure, and not the best car to live with being small and me being tall. and u have to rev the nuts of it to get anything out of it. but it handles like a dream

[@RichieRouge206]

Love this car Great review- love the bum

[@2702simmo]

Still to this day one of my favourite cars I’ve owned and out a few pricier cars to Shame. A much better all rounder than the Clio RS and I’d have another in am ideal world where o could afford about 10 cars The big booty is the best looking Rs for me chunky and aggressive looking although they seem very much marmite in terms of looks

[@garysmith7814]

Bought one. Spent a fortune fixing and enhancing it. Never get the investment back in £ but might in fun.

[@Holdeenio]

Same gary!

You will more than make back your money in fun factor.

[@Holdeenio]

I kind of did... though didn't have to spend what I did on it to have the same fun, it was just too tempting :)

[@Simon78]

Same here too ! Spent more fixing issues in three years than the purchase price!!! Still love it though!

[@mouse2hunter]

Hi, I've recently bought a 225 Sport 2006, I'm looking to lower it around 30mm any links for a good kit?

[@rss112]

I’m looking to get one ☝🏼. Anyone got any tips for what I should look out for? Tips and tricks??

[@taketimeout2share]

Always buy the owner, not the car. The car's true worth is always a reflection of the owner. The most important question, why do you think are they selling it? Anyone can make a bad car look good. So always judge the owner,not just the car. And only buy unaltered bog standard.. That's it.

[@robinmarples5198]

I had one before my megane 3 265 cup. It s not a great first track day car. It s a great all purpose car.

[@scareyaf]

Is this phase 1 car? I just bought a phase 2 225 and the steering is pretty bloody good for being electric. Awesome cars to drive, lot of car for the money. I dare say people are going to catch on and these may skyrocket in price very soon.

[@carllynch8798]

R26 came after the 225. Then the R26R

[@VUO4E]

Jay, try to get your hands on a Clio RS (Clio II, phase 1, 172bhp). You'll remember the experience.

[@rsturborolphy6760]

I own a 1 owner black one with 50k miles on the clock I treat it better than my kids 🤣

[@carllynch8798]

Mr megane r26 f1 this only had 35k when I bought it now has 135k in 4 years of ownership

[@rsturborolphy6760]

@@carllynch8798 ow is it your motor ?? Fair play mate . Yh my mates trophy is the same it was mega low miles and hes put about that on his but you dont even want to see the state of that thing 😂 I'm looking at driving over to the ring next year . I've done cadwell in mine as it's my local track , mine dosnt get abused as I have the kids in it alot so it's nice to get it on a track and open it up

[@mejostanley8461]

I hi guys jus let uno I own 1 shes pushing 400bhp ive had no issues apart from passenger window part from that never let me down

[@AndrewTSq]

"Budget fun" :D A few thousand pounds to swedish crowns = 300000sek, which is around 22000 GBP. I must say the british car market seems to have so many cheap fun cars. Wish the steering wheel wasnt on the wrong side for me.

[@dennisb5319]

Nice review, the big booty stlying has always put me off buying one of these chariots.

[@2702simmo]

Dennis B it was my favourite part. With spacers on they look so meaty from the rear

[@dennisb5319]

@@2702simmo It's a itch that i'm trying not to scratch lol

[@2702simmo]

Worth scratching as they’re at a price where you’ll probably get your cash back 👍

[@gmain1977]

Best part of the car is the ass, just like how I like my woman with a bit of a booty

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Window regulators expensive to fix ? Nooooo..... Ubber cheap actually. Best to buy the pre-made quality ones for about £40 each. Approx 30mins per side to fit.

[@Simon78]

DJ_PaulTUK try getting them that cheap in Australia! Every thing ends up being a loooong shipping wait to try and avoid paying the extortion that Renault Australia push on owners!

[@andrewnorris5415]

Those of us older viewers remember the shake your ass advert fondly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4vUf2yBltCDe6M

[@PureLeeful]

Groove Armada!

[@rsturborolphy6760]

Typical rear exhaust mount is going or gone on that

[@carllynch8798]

Mr megane r26 f1 yes bud

[@rsturborolphy6760]

@@carllynch8798 I've not had mine long and I've already replaced mine Haha my mates had a trophy for 5 years and he said every mot they need doing . Thinking of going solid mount

[@christophermoodley2083]

We like renault best u do video of a vw watever

[@lightningleaf23]

French cars in my experience are reliable, mid 90s into mid 00s there were electrical gremlins but the constant stereotyping doesn’t hold true. In recent years the German cars have been the least reliable yet we never hear about that.

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

I would concur with your thoughts. Jay doesn't really know an awful lot about cars considering he has a car channel.

[@jimmy92goodwin]

@@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420 There are a hell of a lot of cars to know everything about and he's already admitted that French cars are an area he doesn't know much about. He seems extremely knowledgable with Japanese cars, German, Lotus' especially. The more you look into any single car or brand the more you realise how little you know in reality

[@gmain1977]

Because German cars are snobby brands and people will buy them just to say they own a BMW or Audi etc

[@jamesdavis8452]

Had a first generation 225 , was rapid as fuck . Power to weight ratio. French crap made out of plastic. R32 at time got run Civic type are got mugged Was class

[@christianglyde2696]

nothing about what it’s like as a track car !

[@carllynch8798]

It’s a lot of fun. I will let JayEmm drive it on track next time

[@joebusuttil8590]

I was just about to subscribe but you called it a Renault Megan 🙄

[@richard-bt1lq]

Needs a hoover😥

[@carllynch8798]

lufc richard I use it for work and daily duties so it has a hard life. My other car is looked after more B5 RS4.

[@richard-bt1lq]

I used to have a 225 on 04plate. Great car. Dear for parts 🤷‍♂️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@christophermoodley2083]

Y his this guy doin video of a Renault if u don't like it

[@mikuelable]

these are okay used

[@jameslloydcole8783]

Cheap because working on them is an absolute joke. My dad’s a master tech and one of his least favourite cars to work on is this gen megane. Design of things is so poor for the people who have to fix them.

[@Simon78]

James Cole totally agree (see my vids)... I’ve never had so much frustration just to change a fuse... Battery out. ECU OUT. Battery tray out. Fuse cover off, unclip looms, pop out fuse thing, take off cover , unclip more cables.... finally access to the fuses.... reverse. I blew a fuse by shorting out circuit changing a number plate bulb (a three minute job)... took an hour thanks to the fuse. Actually my most viewed video on my channel is how to access the fuses!!! .... I still love it though (lucky as I can’t afford to change to another car now!!!)

[@robsmithracing]

Yep, changing the front wishbones involves the front subframe unbolting an bumper etc.

[@mj23bt32]

did you really say renault sport Megan ??? nah mate

[@marcog3896]

first like

[@MrCarrera28]

Perfect first track car is an Integra Type R.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Getting kinda expensive now no?

[@MrBreakingBud]

clio 2 rs cup 182

[@MrCarrera28]

@@JayEmmOnCars You get what you pay for, Honda engineering, seam welded chassis, Recaro seats and light weight performance that rewards driver inputs and requires technique to harness its capabilities.

[@carllynch8798]

MrCarrera28 rust is a big issue with them cars and the value of a tidy one is getting expensive

[@freshjive818]

@@MrCarrera28 but as others have stated it's expensive, I love the Integra type R my friend owns a DC5 and it's fantastic however you can get most of those thrills with a much cheaper EP3 which is the Honda to compare against this particular car, any year Integra type R is getting towards money of some serious machinery (EVO territory) I just wouldn't want to hammer something that expensive and appreciating around a track as much as something that cost me 2K it would ruin part of its enjoyment

[@alejandrocastillovillalobo3116]

El r25 ganó el 2005, el r26 2006… este guaton ni investiga entero laji…

[@pgr3290]

It'll probably break. As a track car it'll be broken after 5 laps. You'll want something a bit more robust to thrash. Probably be better with an EP3 Type R or an old stripped out Beemer, 328i maybe

[@pgr3290]

@@carllynch8798 I had an R26 when they weren't very old. Great fun car, fact is they are not well built and I had issues despite the car being young at the time. This one with the mileage and track days no doubt has had a massive list of work done and raft of repairs at this stage of it's life.

[@pgr3290]

@@carllynch8798 Any RS4 is obviously a totally different proposition to an old French hatchback in terms of maintenance costs. The Megane I had rattled and creaked around when it was just two years old, I can imagine how tired any of them would feel after over 10 years. I had an EP3 and an FN2 Type R which was another world in terms of build quality. The EP3 was handed off to someone else and it's still tight as a drum at over 100k miles and 17 years. The R26 probably had the best chassis of any of the front drive hatches from this late 2000s era but it definitely had the worst build quality and reliability compared to the Golf or Civic or even the Focus, which I have also owned variously. The next generation Megane was a vast improvement for build quality and I love that car. The 265 Cup in particular.

[@mournfulmaurice2009]

Renault Megane II is the single worst car ever. You cant imagine the defects I experienced on mine over the period of 18 months, tho it wasnt the Trophy butva standard station wagon. Anyways, not recommendable in any way....