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RBH58, no I didn't drive it up any mountain roads, as I can't ask someone to take their car for a couple hours while I go for a drive - I was limited to roundabouts and 80 zones. That's it exactly hamstrung - each to their own and at the end of the day it's your car and you've got to love it

Well I've now driven an RS265 and I have to say I wasn't that impressed! I'm not going into much detail as I don't want to start a sh*t slinging festival aimed at me, but I will say that the grin factor just wasn't there for me, it might be for others, but not me. There was no urge to own one like there was after driving the BRZ or the 135i. Thanks again to those to weighed in with comments, much appreciated, but as you said it was going to be the drive that gave me all the answers.

Been a while mate! Haha, it might just be R.S. time. Warm hatch, 4WD, sleeper turbo AWD, sports coupe - I see my logic even if no one else does

Hi Trent! Remember me - Red Polo GTI, about 8 years ago Didn't realise you still had the Clio! Jon

Mate, you've answered the question and every other possible thought I had. Awesome post - thanks so much for all that info! Needless to say, the wife and I are headed to Renault tomorrow morning to window shop Thanks for your input. I agree, there are a lot of 'features' fitted to cars today that are pure marketing ploys and I'd much rather have the raw experience put a smile on my face than a car that parks itself.

Thanks so much for your reply Mike! I actually don't mind a bit of torque steer, I think it adds to the character of the car, but great to know it's well controlled. Yeah the lower torque link is what I'm referring too - sorry it's known by many different names! So the remainder of the mounts are upgraded for the Meg 3, all years? I'm looking at late models anyway due to my desire for a special edition, so I was presuming that would iron out any kinks too. More engaging you say? Maybe it is worth a look, particularly once I've driven a Meg. It sounds like the RS250/265's have the chassis I'm after and after watching a few videos they have an interesting exhaust note! It's no You guys seem to be very knowledgeable so I'll ask one more question to you - build quality, what are they like? I'm motivated enough I may just pop down to the local used yard which has a standard RS250 there and have a look today.

Thanks for your input It's funny, because I made the very same remarks after I sold my GTI - never FWD again!! I notice Hertz actually hires them as part of their Adrenaline range so we may take one away for a weekend soon. And yes, I love the dark blue on the RB8 Could not agree with you more - 2% of the time it's absolutely amazing and the grin factor is huge; the other 98% is pure frustration, being out-accelerated by a diesel Discovery is rather embarrassing... I too would love a RWD BMW, I've seriously considered a 2010-on 135i manual a number of times, but they are a bit out of the budget this time around. Those 228i's look like a fantastic option though Here's my BRZ;

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome It does look great in photos! I'd like to see the yellow in person, but it also means no Sat Nav vs the RB8. If I do get one, you'll definitely see me around! Looking used, but trying to keep to 2013/2014 models. What's the difference between the RB7 and RB8? All the special editions drive me nuts haha. Could be interested so I will keep my eye out for the ad. I did notice your signature while I was lurking and was looking forward to your input RBH58. May I ask why you went RS Megane to BRZ? My MPS was actually a Mazda6, so just about anything is a chassis improvement haha. It was tuned and the goal is definitely to find a car that has the torque shove of the MPS, the practicality of a Golf GTI and the handling of the BRZ - with a bit of personality thrown in (so no Golf R's!!). The BRZ with sticky tyres, I feel, is very easy to drive quickly so I'm very very interested to drive an RS265 now! It surely ticks the boxes on paper Mike and from the the reviews I've watched and read their comments echo what you say about the amazing FWD chassis. Is there much torque steer at all? Would receive a few decent modifications that's for sure and nearly 300hp in a hatch sounds glorious haha. Are engine mount upgrades required to keep the increased power on the ground? I know the past GTI's and MPS I've owned all needed a stiffer rear engine mount to keep the extra 50hp planted. Unfortunately the Clio does very little to excite me - I think without a turbocharged engine, it just feels like a BRZ hatch? I'm definitely after that torque shove again. Also no sat nav, xenons or proximity entry...

Hi all, Thought I'd introduce myself briefly - I'm in the market to replace my 2 year old BRZ with something quicker and a little more practical, but without losing the excitement, amazing handling and steering feel that made me trade my MPS for it. Amongst a couple of Jap imports, the R.S Megane RB8 is currently winning the battle - even the wife loves it - so I'll be spending a bit of time here researching and asking questions. Plenty of info and inspiration here, plus I spent a bit of time at Metro Nissan Service and got to see a bit of the Renault side as well. Hopefully you'll see me in one soon! Cheers, Jon