Dilemma of which Renault sport, post your experiences

[fpan]

Hi,

I test drove a Megane 250 Cup and Clio Sport 200 back to back today and I can't decide which is better.

The car will mainly be a daily driver with occasional trackday use.

The handling of both is great but the Megane might be a better car to live with day to day (if only it looked better) whereas the Clio a better track day car.

The 200 needs to be revved high to move but is probably easier to control and it reminds me of my previous 205 Gti whereas the Megane has plenty of low down torque.

In summary what I found is:

Megane:
+ better steering feel and gear shift than Clio
+ amazing brakes (they are literally anchors) with no dead pedal travel
+ great sound with cracks and pops from the exhaust
+ different ECU modes
- I don't like the looks

Clio Sport 200
+ due to being N/A better control or (I guess) ability to adjust your lines mid turn
+ lighter
+ good looking

I have previously owned a 205 Gti which is the most fun car I have ever had.

Has anyone who owns or has driven a Trophy test driven any of the above cars and how does the Trophy rate against them?

I have not test driven a Trophy but judging from the reviews it is probably the modern 205 equivalent I am looking for.

Cheers

 

[p55dud]

nice dilemma!

Having looked at both recently, I'd plump for the Megane, think there're two different animals. I owned a 197 for 6 weeks, as it was the biggest disappointment, part-ex it for a R26 which I loved. However the 200 gets rave reviews, fixing all the niggles of the 197, and I guess the rapid upgrade to the 200 speaks volumes!

The questions I would as are how old are you, and what will you be using the car for. If your looking for a car to pop down to the shops and have a blast back, and to enjoy over the weekend, then the Clio, if your looking for more of a leggy tourer, few more creature comforts, and still have a car that can hustle then the Megane - which also comes down to age, and I'm at that point where every journey isn't a personal challenge to beat my PB, so my years give a different slant on things. :lol:

Also money has to come into the equation clio will be circa £5K cheaper, plus more economical etc. Oh the sleepless nights!

Just to throw another spanner in the works, what I like about RS car is the character and though I cant speak about the as I've not driven one (but have owned a Williams, 172, 182, 197, R26 and a Trophy), in my opinion the new Clio just doesn't have it, buy a Trophy, better looking, handling, priced, exclusivity and depreciation, plus a great fellow owners

Follow your heart, either car is going to put a smile on your face!!

 

[Adam Trophy 37]

Hi, the Clio trophy is the closest you'll get to the old 205 gti experience, ( it's alot more forgiving when on the limit, it will let you know gracefully instead of just letting go) Its not ideal as a daily driver as the ride is quite harsh at times especially at low speeds it gets better the faster you go ! It does give you that same special smug feeling that always puts a smile on your face like the 205 could.

I'd say drive a trophy before you commit to anything. Good luck !

 

[eljeffo64]

As said, it depends what you want it for; having driven all 3, but owning (amongst other things) the Trophy - the T does it for me. The 200 cup is a damn fine car though. The meg was ok (quick but a bit lardy). If I was in the megane market I'd have a focus RS instead!

 

[fpan]

Interesting replies guys, thanks.

@ p55dud, I have not driven a R26, I hope it is similar to the RS250.

Btw, none of the 200 or RS250 had Cup packs.

The car needs to do everything, daily driver, long distance trips, adequate space and occasional trackday use.

@ eljeffo64, I have test driven a RS and did not like it. Too much turbo lag and torque steer. The RS250 had not torque steer as a comparison. What's all the fuss about Revo knucke!

At the moment I drive a Forester Sti which is a great all round car especially after I got it where I want it to but using it only to go to work and back lately I thought of downsizing.

 

[p55dud]

I've driven the RS Focus, great noise, but too much OTT. With what you've said the Megane sounds like the right car I did a fair bit of traveling in the 197 and it was too small inside, build quality and toys left alot to be desired and it was tiring. The 250 looks really well built, refined and the looks have grown on me, thinking about one myself, as the reviews are great, or Keep the Forester and buy a T for the weekend and track days, job done

 

[fpan]

@ Adam Trophy 37, my 205 Gti had the Skip Brown Cars suspension and engine modifications (they used to rally 205's and Sunbeams back in the 80's), it was very planted and progressive on the limit yet still retained the ability to steer it via the throttle.
It was fantastic fun drifting it on a track by trail braking and steering at the same time, you could go round 90 degree bends sideways, great fun and I wish I had never sold it.

Did you also use to own a 205 Gti?

I like the idea of keeping the FSTI and getting a Trophy, just need to stretch a bit more and also find the right Trophy.
I really liked the RS250 but didn't like the looks at all and the roof space for the rear passengers was limited.

 

[eljeffo64]

Easy, buy a Trophy, they are cheap; if you don't like it (impossible) then sell it on without any capital loss and buy one of the others for at least double the amount!. Just make sure the Trophy is properly sorted before you buy it.

 

[p55dud]

Easy, buy a Trophy, they are cheap; if you don't like it (impossible) then sell it on without any capital loss and buy one of the others for at least double the amount!. Just make sure the Trophy is properly sorted before you buy it.

I second that and the good folk here will help you find a good one

 

[Sir_Dave]

@ Adam Trophy 37, my 205 Gti had the Skip Brown Cars suspension and engine modifications, it was very planted and progressive on the limit yet still retained the ability to steer it via the throttle.

It was fantastic fun drifting it on a track by trail braking and steering at the same time, you could go round 90 degree bends sideways, great fun and I wish I had never sold it.

If you want to recreate this feeling (was my intention having owned 2x106gti's, a saxo vts & 306 Rallye all on Bilstein Grp N's), buy a Trophy, get some 15's & a Whiteline ARB. Its the closest thing you'll get to a proper old skool hot hatch these days!!

Imho, its a little understeery on the limit as standard, hence the additional of the Whiteline ARB to stiffen the rear end up, improves the possibility of lift off oversteer & the ability to steer on the throttle through corners.

Neither the 200 or the 250 will give you this feeling as they are simply too heavy, subsequently lacking the delicacy of the 205/Trophy, etc.

Mind you, for a fraction of the cost, a 172 cup will get even closer to the old skool feel due to its inherently basis nature. A set of H&R/Bilstein coilovers setup nicely, a Whiteline ARB and you have 'the' modern 205 gti. No abs, & an even more pure 'feel' than the Trophy.

And yes, ive had one of those as well :wink:

 

[fpan]

Thanks Dave!

A 172 is not a bad idea but how long do these (172/182) engines last without needing any work on them?

Ideally I am after a 205 again but to find one in good condition and SBC phase I & II suspension plus putting a Quaife on it would bring the cost up by a lot.

There is a Trophy with coilovers for sale at the moment but IMHO it is "a shame" to remove the Sachs for coilovers.

Maybe I am bitter after my experiences with coilovers in the FSTI but after having spoken to many other owners a good set of Bilstein inverted monotube dampers with a matched set of springs can't beat anything for a daily/occasional track car.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Thanks Dave!

A 172 is not a bad idea but how long do these (172/182) engines last without needing any work on them?

No problem

Re: mileages, if you look after them they're as relaible as anything else.

Good oil/servicing every 10-12k and aux every 36k/cambelt every 60-72k, done by a reputable specialist and they'll last well. The 'de-phaser' is also worth changing as preventative maintenance as well if you are unsure whether the oil services have been regular - it gets rattly & fails, meaning the cambelt has to come off again!!

For reference, my Trophy is probably the highest miler off them all, by quite a high margin, at 174k, & it still pulls like a train/drives superably. In fact, it drives exactly the same as my previous one, which was on 52k when i bought it!!

And yes, Bilstein B8's/Grp N's are a fantastic piece of kit, especially when combined with a decent, matched set of Faulkner springs. Such a shame they dont do a damper combo for the clio, only coilovers ...

 

[Jimboss]

ive had a trophy and megane r26..both great cars but different animals especially when i tweaked the meg to circa 280bhp with 340lb torque. Do you prefer turbo punch or the buzz of the n/a? the trophy was more nimble and tactile too. never had a problem with either car mechanically although the brakes on both were sh*te and ended up upgrading both discs and pads. cannot comment on 250. get a r26R you now it makes sence! IMO i think i preferred the meg cause it suited my driving style more.