RENAULT MEGANE RS265 (2012) / Cheap fast fun. Yes he actually bought it.

[@_Zoto_]

Love the review - I purchased an RS250 Trophy 2 years ago; primarily a track day car (cost $13.5k with 120k km, full history and one doctor owner). What a steal considering fantastic chassis, brakes, LSD and bullet proof engine & g/box. Couple of comments regarding your great review: - RS250/265/275 was fitted with recirc valve not a blow off (aftermarket fitment on yours) - 3 modes not 2 - normal, sport (with stability control), sport (no ESC); and "sport" modes not only changes throttle response (configurable) but on the RS265, brings power up from 250 in "normal" mode to 265HP, and on the RS275, brings power up from 250 to 275HP - rev limiter early at 6000rpm is a sign of a faulty thermostat as the ECU won't allow engine to redline when not up to full temp (had the same problem and symptom). Also check your rpm "beep" (not rev limiter) setting is not set on 500rpm or so (subtract this from redline when beep goes off; but beep is also further reduced if not up to temp). Don't you just love the French logic! - other issues to look out for apart from thermostat (which is very very common) are expansion tank hair-line cracks/weeping, aircon compressor and engine mounts. Also if you want more info/help with the car this forum is brilliant www.ozrenaultsport.com/

[@markwilliamson8662]

Wow I just learned a lot from your comment, thank you. I’ve had a few people comment that this car may have more mods than I’m aware off. I’ll take your advice onboard re other issues.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Mark is going to be delighted with that. Yes, I'd also heard about the thermostat issue forcing a lower limiter. Thanks for detailed and helpful reply.

[@markwilliamson3185]

You were right about the thermostat issues. Had it fixed and temp doesn’t move from half way, also revs out properly.😊

[@5p1k3y]

​@@markwilliamson3185 so common and lucky it's a cheap and easy fix 😅

[@Sirodjw]

OMG Zoto, so glad to have read your post. I was really struggling with the low rev limiter, and had also noticed car wasn't really warming up properly...excellent, can't wait to fix it!

[@jadomi2076]

I reckon your bang for buck scale is spot on. I've got a remapped RS 250, upgraded discs and pads, PS4S's, res delete and that's it. Love the car. It's far better than my abilities and can really get going. After weaving through some twisties and rowing between second third and fourth I have to just sit in awe. It's a keeper for me. Good mix of modern conveniences and old analogue feel. Your review is pretty much how I feel though I don't mind the stiffness.

[@markwilliamson8662]

Glad you liked the video

[@Masteraal]

Get Matt to install a downpipe. It becomes another beast altogether. Sport button also gives 265ps vs 250 on normal mode. Also found turning esc off completely allows the LSD to work to its full potential.

[@ambroseleung1222]

5 years owner of a RS265 (facelift) premium, the only issue I had was 1 ABS sensor and 1 boot release button . As for the harsh ride , it actually smooth out when you really push . ( Having said that around town I hate the 19" but love the look especially because I had shortened springs )

[@sysakPL]

Eibach proline springs fix the ride despite 25mm drop at the front and 15mm at the back. They're progressive so still pretty stiff for good handling but very good at smoothing out the small bumps making the ride much less jiggly. Non-cup dampers improve the ride hugely as well. And removing the center box makes the exhaust note much better without making it louder.

[@Chippie-O]

I had a glorious time with a 265 Cup as a Hertz rental, so 24 hrs only, but damn what a time, out from airport to Bathurst via Bells Line. I have never driven a more transparent car. You didnt drive it as much think it down the road, it read my mind, brilliant pedal position for heel toe, seats just right, perfect amount of power for the road (and track i expect). Very light clutch in the example i had, never stalled a car as much as i did this, but after 20 mins, no issue. The only critism i walked away with was just straight motorway driving, just a touch to firm on the ride side, but thats not what this is designed to do, so it feels like a cheap blow. Loved the review, subb'ed.

[@Gabrieltamdesign]

Missed my RS265... Watched the video just to reminisce about the good times! I might add that these cars are very reliable and nothing had gone wrong during my three years of ownership despite the (unfounded) French reputation. Btw I think the car has the obligatory resonator deleted already, that's the only way you can hear all the boy racer pops and cracks on lift off.

[@rubyremi3832]

Have an 8.08 version , absolutely love driving it

[@A861967]

Great to see older cars been reviewed and for most people who are not Race drivers 6.1 0-100 is more than enough. Only thing is the noise it makes on the rd. 😊🇦🇺

[@markwilliamson8662]

Thanks yes I really like this car. There’s not much tyre noise but some of the roads we were on were quite rough, ride is probably a bit too harsh for most people.

[@seriouzly_T]

Thanks guys this has helped me decide on whether to purchase this a Megane, I also have a budget of $20k and as well like cars that have a bit of querk so needless to say I’m SOLD!

[@westsmithon3418]

Enjoy mate, you will love it. Its way more exciting and dynamic than these pensioner test drivers make out...the stiff suspension is something you will come to get used to and enjoy, its NOT super harsh as Grandpa makes out - it is a purpose built / designed car that wouldn't be what it is without all the bits as they are. Make sure you do a good check of the Megs service history and bargain hard as there seem to be a few to choose from in the market this year. The best bang for your buck hot hatch out there - just be pro active with service & look after it as it should be and it will give you years of smiles....a review here with a bit more enthusiasm :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/moWwm2CIrNitibc

[@seriouzly_T]

Yes defo some great advice thank you, I ended up travelling to Sydney from Briz to purchase a 2015 RS 265 drove it back it was quite an experience so impressed. And it grows on me daily, I would be sourcing a Euro mechanic to service and will be staying on top of the servicing.

[@westsmithon3418]

@@seriouzly_T Well done, I have the exact same car & year. I can highly recommend Fred Hopkins at Superior Autos in Albion as the best mechanic for your Meg if you dont have one already.

[@seriouzly_T]

Yes I did source this guy I should’ve mentioned in my last message.

[@danpacey]

Nice review, as ever - I much prefer these "everyday" interesting, older cars than the kind of aspirational stuff most of us will never own. Admittedly I am mildly biased as a fan of Renault cars (currently driving a Clio 172), and as a fan of several defunct brands (Saab, Lancia). It's a sad reflection that so many enthusiast cars come with the "you'll need to find a specialist mechanic" point - if I can do the timing belt on my 172, surely a professional mechanic should be more than capable! But I echo that - there are great RenaultSport experts around Australia if you need one, and the OZRS forum is a fantastic resource if you want advice or to get hands on. I suspect Mark may have found useful advice there while deciding which of the multitude Megane models to plump for! Most will say "one with Recaro's!" Finally - and as you may expect given I own a Clio - I quite like that new graph!

[@markwilliamson8662]

Thanks for your thoughts, glad you liked the review. Yes I did have some sound advice from a couple of friends who were fully conversant with all things Renault.

[@docmattic]

Great review. I hated ps4 tyres on the megane. TheGoodyear eagle f1 super sports are what you want in 18inch. They can actually allow you to attack the corners properly - get them from Tempe. Ps4 are too mushy to get the potential out of the car. Also one of my favourite upgrades was to bilstein b14 coilovers. An improvement in every way with better dampening/ less harshness. I wished I did it earlier - especially given the suspension is 10 years old now, it would give it a refresh.

[@PureLeeful]

The PS4s isn't direct competition for the Goodyear Super Sport, the PS4s is.

[@dayalanpillay241]

Awesome review. Factual and entertaining. Thank you. Just turned 55 and memories of my teenage years of driving a manual vehicle, connecting with the car is coming back. And all I was suppose to do was look for a vehcile for my 18ry daughter🤔Everything in cars these days is so controlling of the driver. Should be the other way around, right! Have had many different vehicles over the years and French vehicles have their special feel as much as German, Italian, Japanese,...

[@minimumtrade]

Megane > i30N from a drivers experience. Superior double axis enhanced strut on the Meg similar to the FK8 & FL5 CTRs, new i30N with basic strut sharpened by running a fair negative camber at a cost of high tyre wear rate. I think the 18" mid range PS4 tyre you've got fitted here might not be sharp enough if you think the new i30N better to steer.

[@inCARnationAustralia]

That's a thought-provoking comment. We should get our hands on some Type-Rs for comparison. As well as steering and suspension geometry and tyres, we were super impressed by the e-Diff in the i30N. And also, the roads have deteriorated a bit since we drove the Hyundai too, with a lot of loose dirt even when it was smooth, so physical lateral grip was noticeably less for the Megane when we tested it. But thanks for your comment.

[@kimmywong9995]

Depends on drivers. Megane defo requires more skills to conquer while i30N would be easy for amateurs to drive fast. I agree with your statement, as a old school car enthusiast I would pick this French over the Korean box. More feedback from chassis, clutch engagement, slip differential, steering ,etc. It has got more hardcore and race feel for drivers.

[@SandViper94Gaming]

My I30N DCT has a blown gearbox (not even a year old) Hyundai is buying the car back and I have decided to get one of these instead. Picking up an RS 265 next week!

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Very sorry to hear that. But good to hear that Hyundai's after sales support is performing.

[@SandViper94Gaming]

@@inCARnationAustralia They were good up until a certain point. Now dragging their heels a bit. It will be a worthwhile outcome eventually though. Thanks for the videos!

[@markedwards4879]

Moo. 😂 Not sure that the cow liked the yellow seat belts either lol. I can see the attraction and agree that life is too short to drive boring cars, but never really liked FWD ones (other than the original Minis and the early CRX). Good to see heel/toe work rather than silly paddle things

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Put Mark W in a RWD car like the E92 M3 or the iX3 and he loves it. Put him in a FWD Megane or i30N and he compliments it on its smart diff and cornering prowess. Put him in an AWD car and he is impressed by the grip and how it puts the power down mid-corner. Unless it's a WRX. Then he complains about the understeer. (And I think we can let go of the yellow/gold belts thing now. That was me mooing BTW)

[@elliotts7006]

Ive got a 2015 RS thats stock (as far as i know) and its a tonne of fun. Its almost worth the speeding fines and bi-monthly chats with NSW highway patrol 😅

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Slow down Elliott 🐌🐌🐌🚔!!

[@elliotts7006]

Yes Mum.

[@99drums54]

Does this car hold up well after 10 years? Got my eyes on a 2013 rs 265 cup with 114km for $17k seems not bad

[@marbesto]

I was wondering the same. Ive got my eye on a 2015 RS 265 with just 14k kilometers for $14.2k. Did you get yours?

[@99drums54]

@@marbesto nah i didnt, got myself a cheap daily lol

[@morphix007]

nice listening to older dudes rather than some 27yr old yelling at me

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Thank you. But a sobering thought. One day we'll be dead and that 27 year old will be a softly-spoken wise old dude doing KZbin reviews of electric flying cars.

[@rsyncd]

Since most of the obvious things are already in the comments, I'll add a trivial one about the glovebox: These (like many other cars) were designed for the steering wheel to be on the left side, so when you swap it over to the right there isn't much room like it would in, let's say, the French version of the car.

[@gliberty490]

I assume this is in NSW? These roads look amazing, mind if you share the spot?

[@inCARnationAustralia]

It's the Kanimbla valley, around Hartley and Cox's Valley. Roads are very potholed though at the moment after all the rains.

[@montanaoneill9262]

My car makes the whooshing noise because mine has a ktec cold air intake system. So im guessing there's one in this

[@JBOsurf]

What happened to the GT4RS video?

[@inCARnationAustralia]

Good question. Waiting on permission from the venue to use it. Hopefully will have it up soon!

[@JBOsurf]

@@inCARnationAustralia Glad I got to watch it before it was removed. Excellent video!

[@inCARnationAustralia]

@@JBOsurf Thank you. I hope it will be back. Such a fabulous car. (Only a little glitch with the playlists meant it was accidentally visible for a brief time. Wasn't my intention!)

[@StanJM]

When you buy a car and you think the wastegate sound is stock 😅

[@Masteraal]

That noise is 100% not stock. Mine doesn't sound anything like this.

[@dehechenka]

Is there any benefit to a blown off valve, I got the same car I like the sound of the blow off but I heard it causes issues long term.

[@markwilliamson3185]

Good question, I hope someone can answer it for us.

[@richardhall2998]

hardly cheap fun if you have to come up with $2,500 to $3,000 for extra servicing every 5 years for cam belt and water pumps...

[@westsmithon3418]

At a Renault dealer maybe, can get it done way cheaper elsewhere.

[@Thisonegoestoeleven666]

Love these on track.