Tempted by a Megane RS 265 Cup Premium

[Grumpytroll]

Hi all,

I'm very tempted by a 265 Cup Premium. I'd usually go for a 4/5 door car but love the look and bang for buck of the Meganes. I'm coming from a 2006 Mazda 6 and this will be my first 'fun' car for a while.

I have young kids in child seats but it will be a second car and I'm unlikely to have both of them in at the same time very often, usually just one of them for school drop-off/pick ups. I'll also want to throw a mountain bike in the boot sometimes. Any thoughts from current owners who have gone from a 5 door to a 3 door would be appreciated on how they have found the Megane practicality wise.

Having a look round I like the look of this one in Canberra:

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Renault-Megane-2015/SSE-AD-5720534/?Cr=0

Only thing I'm not sure about is the decals. I've not seen these before on the Cup Premium, would these have been added by the owner, and are they easy enough to remove?

Cheers

[chuckovski]

Hey welcome! Great choice.
The car you've linked isn't a cup premium. Cup premium came with Recaro sportster CS seats. The ones in that car are nice, they're the leather version of those in the cup. And if it's a facelift cup premium it came with Alcantara seats.
They've put awesome tyres on - they're worth probably $1200 so that's a good sign. And they've got the Steevs from the cup premium but again I don't think it is a cup premium.
I agree about the decals, I'm not a fan!
But good luck with the search. What's your budget and we'll all keep an eye out.

[Grumpytroll]

Thanks chuckovski, very interesting about it not being Cup Premium! Through my wanderings on Carsales.com I've seen a few car advertised as 265 Cup Premiums and the seats seem to vary. The ones in that car look more comfy to me than the thinner looking, sportier ones (which I think must be the Recaro ones you mention, which most of them seem to have). So do you think the one I linked is a regular Cup 265 which has had leather seats added as an option?

Looking to spend around 20-30k and wanting something with some warranty left (so a 2015 or 16 model with the 5 year warranty ideally).

Not a fan of Alcantara, especially on a steering wheel, which puts me off the 275 Cup Premium.

[chuckovski]

No worries
By the way yes a facelift cup premium didn't necessarily have Alcantara, that's the 275 as you pointed out.
There are some prefaclift models around with warranty remaining (mine was a 2013 trophy+, would have been perfect for you), so it's worth researching. They would have had to have been purchased after June 2014.
If you're looking at the cup models then be aware that they were used by Hertz (or some rental car company) that were sold off very cheaply after being flogged to death. A way of checking may be looking at the service booklet as I think some have commented it usually specifies it was the company's stamp in it when they serviced them.

Thanks chuckovski, very interesting about it not being Cup Premium! Through my wanderings on Carsales.com I've seen a few car advertised as 265 Cup Premiums and the seats seem to vary. The ones in that car look more comfy to me than the thinner looking, sportier ones (which I think must be the Recaro ones you mention, which most of them seem to have). So do you think the one I linked is a regular Cup 265 which has had leather seats added as an option?
Looking to spend around 20-30k and wanting something with some warranty left (so a 2015 or 16 model with the 5 year warranty ideally).
Not a fan of Alcantara, especially on a steering wheel, which puts me off the 275 Cup Premium.

[Grumpytroll]

Yes I really liked the look of the one you sold recently when I was searching through the classifieds section! I really need to sell one of our current cars before I can justify buying though, so really just window shopping at this stage.

Thanks for the warning about the Hertz ones, I read that somewhere else on the site, it really is a great resource. I've noticed a lot of suspiciously cheap 2016 Cups popping up at dealers in Melbourne, often with stock pictures or 'arriving soon' (for weeks on end) which rang alarm bells so I suspect these were probably ex rental ones.

[Grumpytroll]

Good idea to look at 2013/14 models that were sold later as well, I'll bear that in mind. Is there a summary somewhere on this site (or elsewhere) of all the differences between Cup/Trophy/Trophee/Premium etc because I'm finding the range over the years a little baffling!

[chuckovski]

Oh goodness that's a can of worms!
It's half pointless because the people selling them get it wrong so much!@safetyman bought a "cup" which ended up being a trophy+, but priced as a cup, so it's worth looking at all of them and take your pick.
The bottom line is that every different 'model' was the same thing but with varying options such as sat nav, sunroof, wheels, lights, types of seats etc
The best thing to get were the active bixenon lights. They were fantastic. they only came on the trophy+ and I think trophy. Every facelift only ever had projector halogens.

Good idea to look at 2013/14 models that were sold later as well, I'll bear that in mind. Is there a summary somewhere on this site (or elsewhere) of all the differences between Cup/Trophy/Trophee/Premium etc because I'm finding the range over the years a little baffling!

[Grumpytroll]

Ok thanks, so it is really just differences in specs. For some reason I thought the 'Trophy' models were more track focused than the 'Cups', with different suspension and so on, but I might be thinking about the Clios back in the day (182 Cup vs 182 Trophy). The Trophys and Cup Premiums seem to come with 19s which would obviously ride harder and for what I'm wanting 18s would be better (and I see you made the same choice!), but then I'd like a reversing camera and ideally leather, which the standard Cup models don't have. Like you said, just a case of searching until you find something that's right. Apart from carsales.com and this site are there any other places worth searching?

What is great about the bixenons? Really bright for night driving or is it more that they look good on the car, or both?

[tfdpny]

9 minutes ago, chuckovski said:

The best thing to get were the

Recaro seats

37 minutes ago, Grumpytroll said:

The ones in that car look more comfy

That's because it has the "Comfort" package - electric drivers seat, leather, heated front seats, reversing camera. was a $2990 option. There are/have been a few claiming to be "premiums" that are actually "Cup" with Comfort package.

[tfdpny]

2 minutes ago, Grumpytroll said:

 

What is great about the bixenons?

best headlights available on a meg 3. The facelift cars have notably poor lamps and HID not an option (even tho they look like HID).

Edited 18, November 2018 by tfdpny

[Grumpytroll]

Thanks tfdpny, Cup with "Comfort pack" could be the way to go for me then. I don't do much night driving so headlights aren't a big thing for me.

[tfdpny]

 

 

 

Im sure this info lives on this forum somewhere else but here is my guide to oz meganes, made for my own sanity.

 

 

Edited 18, November 2018 by tfdpny
had a few errors..

[chuckovski]

The only model that was not so track focused was the limited edition sport or whatever it was called. It had cloth Recaro sportster CS seats, Silver 18" wheels, but no limited slip differential.

 

IMHO the bixenon headlights in the prefaclift models have a front that is much better looking than the standard lights prefacelift and the facelift model.

 

You could try cars guide and Gumtree also.

 

Ok thanks, so it is really just differences in specs. For some reason I thought the 'Trophy' models were more track focused than the 'Cups', with different suspension and so on, but I might be thinking about the Clios back in the day (182 Cup vs 182 Trophy). The Trophys and Cup Premiums seem to come with 19s which would obviously ride harder and for what I'm wanting 18s would be better (and I see you made the same choice!), but then I'd like a reversing camera and ideally leather, which the standard Cup models don't have. Like you said, just a case of searching until you find something that's right. Apart from carsales.com and this site are there any other places worth searching?

What is great about the bixenons? Really bright for night driving or is it more that they look good on the car, or both?

 

 

 

[chuckovski]

Yes most would say the sportster CS were the option of choice but I never once regretted my decision. Looks only; the standard leather seats were great all rounders.

That's because it has the "Comfort" package - electric drivers seat, leather, heated front seats, reversing camera. was a $2990 option. There are/have been a few claiming to be "premiums" that are actually "Cup" with Comfort package.

[Grumpytroll]

6 minutes ago, tfdpny said:

 

Im sure this info lives on this forum but here is my guide to oz meganes, made for my own sanity.

 

That's gold for any aspiring Meg3 owner, thank you for sharing (again)!

[tfdpny]

Don't quote that version... as soon as i uploaded it I noticed about 10 mistakes! Better version above.

[chuckovski]

Doesn't download in good res through Tapatalk

Don't quote that version... as soon as i uploaded it I noticed about 10 mistakes! Better version above.

[tfdpny]

1 minute ago, chuckovski said:

Tapatalk

I didnt realise people still used that.

[chuckovski]

How do you access it on your phone? Browser?

I didnt realise people still used that.

[tfdpny]

Hmm I tend to use OZRS mainly at work or home and so I use a computer. Forums dont lend themselves neatly to mobile. But yeah Ive used it in Chrome on Android and it works nicely.

[chuckovski]

Yep works fine on duck duck go

Nice spreadsheet! 

[Matt205]

Personally I think if you are talking about a part time fun car you'll kick yourself for not picking up a car with Recaro's,  ingress egress issues aside (and you have to be pretty soft to complain about that) I find them very comfortable even on my regular Sydney-Canberra run. As for Alcantara, assume the concern is around wear n tear? I had a wheel trimmed in Alcantara 2 years ago and it still looks great, I have cleaned it once with warm soapy water, a light bristled brush and it comes up looking new again. If you just don't like the look of it then that's a whole other thing.

Blatant shout out to the 275 Trophy that @camsmyth has for sale on here at the moment, stonking value and more likely to retain value than any 265.

[Grumpytroll]

Not keen on the look, and wear and tear would also concern me (although sounds like you've managed fine with yours) but more that I don't like the feel of it, not that I've ever had it on a steering wheel before, just prefer the feel of leather. I think it would work well for seat inserts though and those Recaros do look the business!

[Matt205]

Fair enough, just an FYI a steering wheel re-trim is ~250 from my experience....

[KeepItLow]

OP I so agree with you regarding choosing leather interior for better tear and wear, I also picked a '15 RS265 Cup Premium because its the only facelift model that comes with full leather interior and also prefer the touch/feel of leather for everyday use over alcantara as well..

Earlier this year I sold my Meg with 25,000km on the clock and a lot of trackdays, the interior still looked brand new. I only used Mother's 3in1 leather cleaner/conditioner every 2 month during my ownership on the leather interior surfaces 

[Honest Gaza]

On 18/11/2018 at 8:21 PM, Grumpytroll said:

Hi all,

I'm very tempted by a 265 Cup Premium. I'd usually go for a 4/5 door car but love the look and bang for buck of the Meganes. I'm coming from a 2006 Mazda 6 and this will be my first 'fun' car for a while........Any thoughts from current owners who have gone from a 5 door to a 3 door would be appreciated on how they have found the Megane practicality wise.

 

Cheers

Ahhhh...this takes me back a few Years.  Like you, I went from a Mazda 6 Luxury Sports Hatch (2008) to an RS250 (2011).

Obviously 2 completely different cars.  The Mazda I had was refined and very comfortable and the Bose Stereo was brilliant.
By comparison, the RS250 was plain inside (although the Recaro Seats really gave it some wow factor)...and thoughts on the Stereo are best left unsaid.  The Mazda 6 could best be described as a "nice" car with very practical uses (it was perfect for picking up Ikea Furniture). 

The RS250 was not practical at all.  But boy...was it fun to drive.  I have to admit that I enjoyed the attention that it got from all the "looken-peepers"...it was/is an exciting looking car.

Do I have any regrets about buying it ?  I was unfortunate enough to have an accident a few Months ago after having the RS250 for nearly 7 Years...and it was written off.  I had no hesitation in looking for another RS250/RS265 replacement and now have a 2015 RS265.  It's still not a practical car...thoughts on the Stereo are still better left unsaid...but boy, is it still fun to drive, and there are still plenty of admiring looks from all the "looken-peepers".

Edited 19, November 2018 by Honest Gaza

[Grumpytroll]

Honest Gaza that's exactly the sort of experience I'm wanting to hear about. I have the Luxury Sports model as well and it's been a good car, handles nicely for a family car and has been super reliable, I just wish it had a bit more oomph, and even if it did, I've got the point where I want something a bit more interesting/exciting. The wife isn't keen on the Meg (or Fiesta ST which I'm also considering) as she dislikes the 3 doors and also thinks its a 'look at me' car! I'm not an attention seeker at all but I think I could live with a few admiring glances.

As you say, completely different cars and I realise that, and it's good to know that despite the drawbacks you've gone back to another one after the accident. My gut is telling me I'd be the same. My sensible side tells me to get a Golf Gti or R with 5 doors, ergonomics, cup holders that actually work, rear air vents etc but although I'm sure it would be a massive upgrade on the Mazda I just feel like I want something a bit special, a bit different and I see a few few Golfs on the road (more Rs actually than Gtis here in Canberra). They are also a lot more expensive to get one still under warranty. I also like the look of the i30N but don't want to buy new, so that might have to wait a couple of years, so thinking I'll dip a toe into the fantastic handling 3 door market and see how I find it in the meantime.

[Grumpytroll]

KeepItlow that is a very smart interior for a well used car. Nice choice of vehicles as well, there is a blue M2 at work which I drool over every time I walk past!

[Honest Gaza]

16 minutes ago, Grumpytroll said:

...I just wish it had a bit more oomph, and even if it did, I've got the point where I want something a bit more interesting/exciting.

I was also lucky that we had a second car that could still be used as a "Family" car...Ford XR6 (which was later replaced with an FPV GT).

Cars have their own personalities :

• I had an XR6T which was like Mariah Carey....man could that car hit the high notes
• My FPV GT is more like Adele....low rumbling voice and then stand back as the volume increases
• The RS250/265...well that's Jennifer Lopez...forget the singing and just look at that ass

Edited 19, November 2018 by Honest Gaza

[Matt205]

Pretty sure there's a spare leather steering wheel that could be thrown in to the deal on that 275 Trophy..........just sayin 😉......

I actually find the Meg to be quite practical, good sized boot, seats that fold easily, plus with the seats folded my Akra exhaust sounds like the ducks nuts!

[chuckovski]

Seconded - the Megane is quite practical. Looks impractical, which is important (can't have anything too sensible), but it's a bit of a TARDIS.

[Grumpytroll]

Pretty sure there's a spare leather steering wheel that could be thrown in to the deal on that 275 Trophy..........just sayin [emoji6]......

Haha I'll bear that in mind [emoji1]

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[chuckovski]

Don't write off the RB8
This looks amazing for the price. The guy who bought mine said the belts weren't done though (ducks for cover)

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Megane-RS-265-Red-Bull-RB8-Manual/SSE-AD-5349943

[Grumpytroll]

plus with the seats folded my Akra exhaust sounds like the ducks nuts!

Have to admit those Akra exhausts look and sound awesome on Youtube

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[Grumpytroll]

17 minutes ago, chuckovski said:

Seconded - the Megane is quite practical. Looks impractical, which is important (can't have anything too sensible), but it's a bit of a TARDIS.

Couldn't agree more, looks more coupe than hatch, and I like that.

[Grumpytroll]

8 minutes ago, chuckovski said:

Don't write off the RB8
This looks amazing for the price. The guy who bought mine said the belts weren't done though (ducks for cover)

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Megane-RS-265-Red-Bull-RB8-Manual/SSE-AD-5349943

You're not wrong, could be a good deal for someone, I'm just not keen on the look of the RB models. Thanks for the heads up though!

[RedMistVIP]

21 minutes ago, Grumpytroll said:

You're not wrong, could be a good deal for someone, I'm just not keen on the look of the RB models. Thanks for the heads up though!

That RB8 has been for sale for the better part of 8 months or more. Started at 30k and has slowly dropped down. Be careful. It would have been snapped up quickly if all checked out.

[bondy112]

Something to think about is that there's quite a bit of cash to be saved by opting for a RS250 instead, you can get a cup trophee with similar km's to the RS265 you're looking at for $17k. 

[KeepItLow]

Being end of 2018 already, used Megane RS has come down even further as you would expect with Renault depreciations..

Consider a friend of my picked up a 2012 RS265 8:08 with 38k km for 18k a few months ago, so there's definitely bargains to be had if you look around!

Something like this would be a better pick if the car is legit, you won't be butthurt later on with depreciation when selling

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Renault-Megane-2013/SSE-AD-2446379/?Cr=10

[404173]

On 18/11/2018 at 8:21 PM, Grumpytroll said:

I'll also want to throw a mountain bike in the boot sometimes. Any thoughts from current owners who have gone from a 5 door to a 3 door would be appreciated on how they have found the Megane practicality wise.

Im pretty happy with the space in the megane, considering its a 3 door hatch. Im able to fit my mountain bike in the back by taking the front wheel off and folding the rear seats down. 

My megane also came with 19 inch standard wheels, which I've replaced with aftermarket. Not sure if interested in modifications or not? You could always try find some standard renault wheels in 18inch to swap with later on

[ttimbo]

Well, if space is an issue...get a Trophy-R. No rear seat, so you can throw lots of gear in the back [emoji15]

[No152]

12 hours ago, KeepItLow said:

Being end of 2018 already, used Megane RS has come down even further as you would expect with Renault depreciations..

Consider a friend of my picked up a 2012 RS265 8:08 with 38k km for 18k a few months ago, so there's definitely bargains to be had if you look around!

Something like this would be a better pick if the car is legit, you won't be butthurt later on with depreciation when selling

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Renault-Megane-2013/SSE-AD-2446379/?Cr=10

Or this...

https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Renault-Megane-2012/SSE-AD-5732201/?Cr=3

Member on here I believe?

[Grumpytroll]

Hmmm thanks all for the suggestions, certainly food for thought. My concern with buying an older model would be a higher chance of things going wrong, I'd be using it as my daily driver and just want to get out and enjoy the car. I'm not mechanically minded and don't have the time to do any work on it myself if things do go wrong.

Not really into modding but if the exhaust isn't loud enough then resonator delete sounds like it is worth doing.

[KeepItLow]

From my experience, warranty is pretty much useless when it comes to Renault..

Dealership services are quite poor and almost cannot fully fix a problem when it occurs, which result in you wasting time taking your car back again and again

If I had known I would of bought a cheapest one I can find and any issues I'll just take it to reputable Renault mechanics to get it fixed, better than buying a more expensive one thinking it still has warranty left.

[Grumpytroll]

From my experience, warranty is pretty much useless when it comes to Renault..
Dealership services are quite poor and almost cannot fully fix a problem when it occurs, which result in you wasting time taking your car back again and again [emoji20]
If I had known I would of bought a cheapest one I can find and any issues I'll just take it to reputable Renault mechanics to get it fixed, better than buying a more expensive one thinking it still has warranty left.

That's worth knowing and I was just thinking the $10k saved in depreciation could be used towards repair bills.

Not sure if there are any decent RS specialists in Canberra though (probably one for a separate post I guess)

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[Grumpytroll]

Also later year cars of the same model tend to have less issues as known issues have often been addressed by then. Not sure if that's the case with the Megs?

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[chuckovski]

If cared for, the Megane III is bulletproof in my mind. There was a place in the Can that was run by an ex RenaultSport engineer. Sadly he sold the business! It was in Belconnen.

Also later year cars of the same model tend to have less issues as known issues have often been addressed by then. Not sure if that's the case with the Megs?

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[Grumpytroll]

If cared for, the Megane III is bulletproof in my mind. There was a place in the Can that was run by an ex RenaultSport engineer. Sadly he sold the business! It was in Belconnen.

That's a real pity, Belconnen would have been perfect for me! "If cared for" is the key thing with any car and especially a performance car. I haven't heard many bad things about the Meg RS which has surprised me based on my previous (probably outdated and misguided) opinion of French cars!

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[ttimbo]

If cared for, the Megane III is bulletproof in my mind. There was a place in the Can that was run by an ex RenaultSport engineer. Sadly he sold the business! It was in Belconnen.

Who was that, Chuck?

[chuckovski]

@pokinacha will have to step in here (the other Canberra Tim - I've obviously got his username wrong)

Who was that, Chuck?