Tommoooo Posted 29, May 2014 Report Share Posted 29, May 2014 Hey all, I've driven pretty much every hot hatch on the market and got my heart set on a Megane 250. Just wondering whether there are any common problems I need to look for (probably been asked elsewhere so feel free to redirect me to other threads). Also, does anyone have recommendations for a mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection in Sydney (preferably north side)? I've been using European Autotech in Mona Vale on my VW and been happy with them, and they said they have had a few Renaults through, but was wondering whether someone with a bit more focus on Renaults would be better. Cheers Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBH58 Posted 29, May 2014 Report Share Posted 29, May 2014 Hey all, I've driven pretty much every hot hatch on the market and got my heart set on a Megane 250. Just wondering whether there are any common problems I need to look for (probably been asked elsewhere so feel free to redirect me to other threads). Also, does anyone have recommendations for a mechanic to do a pre-purchase inspection in Sydney (preferably north side)? I've been using European Autotech in Mona Vale on my VW and been happy with them, and they said they have had a few Renaults through, but was wondering whether someone with a bit more focus on Renaults would be better. Only issues I had (and I wasn't totally alone) were clutch slave cylinder and thermostat failures (both warranty jobs). Although they may be "weak areas", neither terribly expensive to fix. Other than that, mine was pretty bulletproof. They are quite hard on brakes and tyres. You need to check the condition of the disks and pads (a RS250...depending on age) may be coming to the end of it's disks...and they're not that cheap to replace. This is not a car to skimp on good rubber with either, and it's going to set you back at least $350-$400 a corner. Bear in mind also that at 4 years/100,000kms, you are going to need a timing belt change which you skip that at your own risk (I wouldn't advise skipping it)...Cost....at least $1500. Go in with your eyes open and expectations realistic. Cracking car though. I'm sure other will advise of Sydney inspection locations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimMelb Posted 29, May 2014 Report Share Posted 29, May 2014 Get it looked at. Be aware of the extras you will likely be up for and then use it to negotiate the price. If its thru a dealer at least youl have 3mth backup. If you feel theres anything wrong with it walk away. There will always be another one. Take it for a drive with radio off and see whether you can hear any strange noises. Find a highway to take it at speed for the same. Just do your checks as you would any car. Rbh has some good tips for the 250. The engines are solid. Good luck on your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommoooo Posted 29, May 2014 Author Report Share Posted 29, May 2014 Thanks guys, did a quick search on tyres at that size so was pretty aware of the cost. With the timing belt, is the $1500 a dealer price? I recall being quoted $1500 for the job on my Golf but had a VW specialist mechanic do it for $800. That said, I am obviously factoring in an increase in running costs, it is a performance car after all. I am in no hurry to buy so I am perfectly happy to walk away if I'm not completely satisfied with the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBH58 Posted 30, May 2014 Report Share Posted 30, May 2014 Thanks guys, did a quick search on tyres at that size so was pretty aware of the cost. With the timing belt, is the $1500 a dealer price? I recall being quoted $1500 for the job on my Golf but had a VW specialist mechanic do it for $800. That said, I am obviously factoring in an increase in running costs, it is a performance car after all. I am in no hurry to buy so I am perfectly happy to walk away if I'm not completely satisfied with the car. I guess I was trying to give you a conservative budget. I don't think you'd get out of the timing belt for less than a $1k even with shopping around. As you obviously know though, it's a service item that you don't skip and most RS250's are going to be within 12-18 months of it needing to be done. You can read the tyre thread on here. A briskly driven RS250 is going to lunch a full set of tyres every 20,000kms (and there are people on here that have done it in half that). You cannot put "average" rubber on one of these cars. Nothing less than the very best (Michelin PS2/PSS, P-Zero, Conti 5P, RE050 etc etc) will do and they're all upwards of $350 each if you shop around. You should be able to pick up a top spec (leather, Recaros, xenons) RS250 for mid to high $20k's with less than 50k kms on it and, at that price they are an absolute bargain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommoooo Posted 30, May 2014 Author Report Share Posted 30, May 2014 Thanks guys, did a quick search on tyres at that size so was pretty aware of the cost. With the timing belt, is the $1500 a dealer price? I recall being quoted $1500 for the job on my Golf but had a VW specialist mechanic do it for $800. That said, I am obviously factoring in an increase in running costs, it is a performance car after all. I am in no hurry to buy so I am perfectly happy to walk away if I'm not completely satisfied with the car. I guess I was trying to give you a conservative budget. I don't think you'd get out of the timing belt for less than a $1k even with shopping around. As you obviously know though, it's a service item that you don't skip and most RS250's are going to be within 12-18 months of it needing to be done. You can read the tyre thread on here. A briskly driven RS250 is going to lunch a full set of tyres every 20,000kms (and there are people on here that have done it in half that). You cannot put "average" rubber on one of these cars. Nothing less than the very best (Michelin PS2/PSS, P-Zero, Conti 5P, RE050 etc etc) will do and they're all upwards of $350 each if you shop around. You should be able to pick up a top spec (leather, Recaros, xenons) RS250 for mid to high $20k's with less than 50k kms on it and, at that price they are an absolute bargain. Yeah all of that sounds pretty good. I am perfectly happy to pay $1k or so for a timing belt as it isn't much more than the same job on a Golf 2.0 which is about as far from a performance car as you can get...Tyres are a good point, I always walk away from a car when I see no name tyres on it, as far as I'm concerned, tyres are about the most important item on a car, and if an owner has skimped on them, its a fair bet that they have skimped elsewhere. I ride into work anyway so I'm not going to be putting huge mileage on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBH58 Posted 30, May 2014 Report Share Posted 30, May 2014 Thanks guys, did a quick search on tyres at that size so was pretty aware of the cost. With the timing belt, is the $1500 a dealer price? I recall being quoted $1500 for the job on my Golf but had a VW specialist mechanic do it for $800. That said, I am obviously factoring in an increase in running costs, it is a performance car after all. I am in no hurry to buy so I am perfectly happy to walk away if I'm not completely satisfied with the car. I guess I was trying to give you a conservative budget. I don't think you'd get out of the timing belt for less than a $1k even with shopping around. As you obviously know though, it's a service item that you don't skip and most RS250's are going to be within 12-18 months of it needing to be done. You can read the tyre thread on here. A briskly driven RS250 is going to lunch a full set of tyres every 20,000kms (and there are people on here that have done it in half that). You cannot put "average" rubber on one of these cars. Nothing less than the very best (Michelin PS2/PSS, P-Zero, Conti 5P, RE050 etc etc) will do and they're all upwards of $350 each if you shop around. You should be able to pick up a top spec (leather, Recaros, xenons) RS250 for mid to high $20k's with less than 50k kms on it and, at that price they are an absolute bargain. Yeah all of that sounds pretty good. I am perfectly happy to pay $1k or so for a timing belt as it isn't much more than the same job on a Golf 2.0 which is about as far from a performance car as you can get...Tyres are a good point, I always walk away from a car when I see no name tyres on it, as far as I'm concerned, tyres are about the most important item on a car, and if an owner has skimped on them, its a fair bet that they have skimped elsewhere. I ride into work anyway so I'm not going to be putting huge mileage on it. Perfect. DO IT! Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommoooo Posted 19, July 2022 Author Report Share Posted 19, July 2022 (edited) So...life got in the way of my original plan to buy an RS250 all those years ago. But - picked myself up an RS275 Cup Premium in the last few weeks. Absolutely loving it so far. Edited 19, July 2022 by Tommoooo 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip808 Posted 19, July 2022 Report Share Posted 19, July 2022 lol .........8 years later ......brilliant, enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt205 Posted 19, July 2022 Report Share Posted 19, July 2022 Holy thread digs! Welcome.......back? I know that spot, bad time of year to be doing that run with the Tour-de-France try-hards out in force.....😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xevman Posted 20, July 2022 Report Share Posted 20, July 2022 On 19/7/2022 at 12:27 PM, Tommoooo said: So...life got in the way of my original plan to buy an RS250 all those years ago. But - picked myself up an RS275 Cup Premium in the last few weeks. Absolutely loving it so far. Saw this one on carsales. Nice car, don’t mind the decal on the side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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