jim60t

I've had both. Megane is soooo much better.

Dont listen to them! haha I have put LED globes into my headlights on my facelift 265 (and so have many other forum members). Admittedly, they will never be as great as bi-xenon's but then its a preference thing. I much prefer the look of the facelift over the older look. I was happy to forgo better headlights at night for a car that i think looks better. So each to their own.

These guys are so used to German autobahns. Red lining 5th gear at 210+ km/h and he is taking a hand off the steering wheel and giving commentary while doing it. Once I get past 140 (on a track) its 2 hands and white knuckle driving haha!

Yeah I also suggest a wheel balance. The give away clue is that the vibration is at higher speed. Hopefully this is the cheap/easy fix you need

I'm part of the ARDC. Mine expired last month and I have not yet renewed the ARDC membership nor my Motorsport Australia (previously CAMS) license. I don't see the point in getting the license rewed if there are no events or track days on.

Read here. This website is my go to website when comparing any variant of a car i'm looking at. https://australiancar.reviews/reviews.php#!content=review&make=Renault&model=Megane RS&gen=798 The biggest difference will be how important are bi xenon HID lights to you? Facelift went back to Halogen lights (stuffed if i know what Renault were thinking). I personally like the facelift, and i've changed my headlight globes brighter LED ones - still no where near as good as the HID's in the pre facelift though).

Don't listen to what you see or hear about French cars. The Megane 3 RS's are stupidly reliable. You will read about broken door handles, or failed engine mounts or failed AC compressors. But they are the vocal FEW. The remainder of the silent owners have had nothing but pure motoring joy and reliability. Servicing? Minor servicing is the same as what I paid for the Mazda. Major service, the Renault may cost more. But since you're looking at 2014/15 models this should already be done (regardless of Km's on the car). Good luck finding your Megane. They were hidden secrets in the Aussie motoring landscape but are slowly becoming more and more popular.

Here are a couple of pics from my old MPS that I owned back in the day: I can impart some judgement here since I used to own a Mazda MPS 3 and am now onto my second Megane 3 RS (I had a Megane RS 250, sold that went to a 2015 Wrx STi, then saw the error in my ways and bought a Megane RS 265). The Mazda was 'faster' in a straight line... if you like that thing. The MPS obviously has a bigger motor and higher engine HP. Thats the only thing going for that car. Renault know how to build good drivers cars. Chassis tuning is obvious and you'll notice it instantly as soon as you drive the Megane. The MPS was hard to get on the power when there was even slight steering angle in the steering. So you were always waiting to get the steering wheel straight before applying power. On a track or twisting roads, the car is a lot slower than the Megane. Megane also has factory LSD, Brembo brakes, and (depending on which car you buy) leather Recaro's. They are big ticket items that most other manufacturers leave out. The Megane is also newer too by about 4-5 years to your old car. The difference in interior feel is obvious, the Mazda is showing its age now. Ask yourself this, what motorsport does Mazda compete in? None. Renault on the other hand is in all forms of motorsport and all that research/development filters down to their road going cars - especially the RenaultSport vehicles in the Renault brand. I'll say this, I wasn't a "car handling" guy before I bought my first Megane. I never wanted to do track days or anything like that. But as soon as you experience a well set up chassis'd car like the Megane you'll understand. The car flatters you and makes you a better driver than what you are.

This is not correct. Adrian had 2 BO's. The other one you are referring to, which was originally for sale but he decided to keep, has custom 'F1 CUP' NSW number plates. This particular BO is not on the WOVR. The new buyer would no doubt have found out if it was on the WOVR register is they completed a PPSR report. @michiale Congrats on the purchase. You'll love it!

You could DIY. Check out my guide here:

Got a link to a specific set that you recommended Matt?

Clio 172/182

No, I don't think it does make any difference. The rears you can't tell if they are on or not. The fronts, with 20mm spacers, makes the steering a little heavier. But that's about the only difference I noticed

They are hub centric with studs on them. I'll include the chrome wheel nuts so you can hold the wheels to the spacer. You can't use the factory wheel bolts to hold the spacer onto the hub as the head of the wheel bolt is too high and will touch the wheel. To fit these, you will need low-profile replacement wheel bolts (sorry to spam the OP's thread - but thought it would be good to show pics of the spacers and whats needed to fit them if you decide to go down this path)

$80? That would be a pair of 20mm spacers + 10x low profile wheel bolts. Cost me $120

I've fitted 20mm spacers front and rear on my car Front 20mm spacers Rear 20mm spacers 20mm spacers on the rear are perfect. 20mm on the front is a bit too aggressive. I've actually removed the spacers at the moment (took them off for the RenoTech track day) and have not yet refitted them. I'll refit the rear 20mm spacers. On the front i'll look to install 10mm spacers. You interested in a pair of 20mm spacers and low profile wheel bolts to suit? (I dont need 2 sets of them)

I'd suggest you do a thorough Google search and look for posts about unreliability/people buying 'lemons' when it comes to the Mégane rs250/265/275. The truth is, you won't find any. The same cant be said VW's, Audi's, BMW's, Merc's, Ford etc (even my old 2015 Subaru WRX STI people were having problems). For all the people that praise the reliability of these cars, you can also find stacks of horror stories. I can't recall any horror story/bad ownership experience on Mégane 3 ownership here in Australia or over there in Europe even. Obviously, everyone on this forum will be biased and say Renault's are the best (...they are!). But truth be told, you find me a post anywhere on the internet that complains about having a bad mechanical ownership experience with the Mégane 3 RS's, then post it up here. Like I said, I don't think you'll find one.

Based on what Mark has said. If these wheels clear the rear caliper, then clearance on the front on standard calipers wont be an issue (the stock rear caliper hangs out further than the fronts). If the rear wheels slightly touch the rear calipers.... an angle grinder will help. Its what i did

Hi Fergo 6 degrees of separation here, but I think my mate's boss (who's an insurance broker) is your mate. I lent them my French racing blue Clio 182 for a spirited 'test' drive... Congrats on the purchase. You'll love it!

Actually just re-read what i attached. Thats the not method i used. You can follow most of whats in the attached however. If you want to completely remove the gearbox its either engine out or drop the sub-frame (which is what i did). If you are looking to replace the clutch only, then you dont need to remove the gearbox completely. You loosen the subframe bolts (leaving one in, but that too is loose) and bend the subframe down. There will be enough room to slide the gearbox out of the way to change the clutch.

Here you go. I took this from Cliosport.net when i was a paid member. New change gearbox _ clutch guide _ ClioSport.pdf

It's commonly said that they have more horsepower the older they get haha The Kms is not what would scare when choosing the car. A car with a known history and service record is what matters most. For reference, my Clio is at 237,000kms and it's a track toy. I go to the track regularly (I drive the car to and from the track also) and the car has been nothing but reliable. My older Clio that I sold to my mate is now at 270,000kms and that too had been nothing but bullet proof also.

Lots of people on here are going to race spec track day. Don't think about it... Do it!!

As said before also, I agree the ones that are sort after ones are 182's in French racing blue or sunburnt orange (but getting orange very rare). If it's a fast daily that you would keep clean, then go one of those. It has nicecities like cruise control, esp and the 16" wheels which look better. If every you sell it will hold value better I think. If it's going to be track toy, then go 172. Its not only cheaper, but will be just as fast as a 182. I've broken my own rule here as my FRB 182 I've molested and not kept clean/original.. ive probably cheapened it. But I'm not looking to sell it haha

Yes. But very marginal. 182 cup came with upgraded suspension from factory. When they were new, no doubt there would have been a noticeable difference. But most cars floating around now I'd guess would be running on old stock suspension and would be tired/need a replacement by now anyway. In that case, going new suspension nuls the pont of having the cup As said previously, it's easier to find used suspension parts for the 172/182 sport. I haven't seen any bits floating around for the 182 cup (it's why I had to buy brand new coilovers direct from supplier for my 182 cup)