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Buying A 250 - Any Known 'problem Areas' I Should Look For?


kdub

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Hi guys,

My first post to the forum - I've been looking at a couple of 250's now and have narrowed it down to one - however it is interstate from me. I'm flying down -one way- in a fortnight (I'm that confident it's the one) to have an inspection, test drive and hopefully take ownership if all is good as it seems. 
Calling on all Renault gurus here to let me know if there are any known -major- issues with 2011 250's after about 60k on the odometer. Apart from the obvious/ visual. If it's of any concern - the model is a Cup Trophee with most options inclusive of the full leather Recaros.  :thanks: 

While I'm here.. It'd be rude not to tell you a little about myself. 
I'm 21, live in Brisbane, LOVE motorsport, namely F1 & V8SC but have more recently been leaning more towards AusGT, WEC, DTM & Lower formulas (Renault, BMW etc.). Also a massive Aviation buff. I got my Pilot licence in High School and was flying a plane by myself before I was even eligible for my (road) Learners  :mrgreen:. I manage a warehouse & operate a Full Size Formula 1 Simulator in Brissy at other times. MASSIVE  Renault Sport fan (duh :hyper:), can't wait to get behind my own after driving a friends' AusGP 250 a few times. Super contagious!!

Anyways, I'm sure I'll get along to the meets and social events to get to know you & your cars once I'm a bona fide RS owner!!  :yes: 
Looking forward to your replies!

Cheers,

Keeley!

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Hi Keeley welcome to the forum. Must be one hell of a deal to go interstate to buy it. Some perfect (even beyond perfect) ones in brissy for sale by members that couldn't be faulted any way.

 

That said the heart wants what it wants and we certainly look forward to seeing you on our drive days. The more the merrier for sure.

 

As for tips to look for have a scout through the tech threads on the Meg 3s as lots of really good info in there.

 

Enjoy your new purchase and see you when you have it. Don't forget pictures....

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All 250s will be due for a cam belt change, so that would be at the top of the list. $1500 to get it done. Many times that if it isn't done and fails. All 250s will also probably be at the end of their brakes disks. Also expensive. Check for a lip on the disks.

 

Things that fail. Clutch Slave cylinders. Engine mounts. Thermostats. These things are less expensive.

 

Beware of Meg 3s wearing cheap rubber. You won't get the full experience unless it's wearing Continental 5P, Michelin PSS or Pirelli P-Zero. These aren't cheap tyres but the Meg needs them. Drive one hard and you'll go through a full set in 20,000kms easily.

 

Good luck. Great car.

Edited by RBH58
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Thanks for the advice guys! 
Yes, I'm aware of the Sales section here Jason, couldn't find anything that matches the one I'm looking at currently! 

 

the heart wants what it wants

 Will definitely posting photos if and hopefully when I get it!!

The front discs & pads have just been replaced, so quite happy with that.

I'll make sure all of these are checked out and all good - thanks!

I saw a few Meganes in my search with tyres I'd never even heard of before. Some even ending in 'hong/ chong'  :44: 
It is fitted with Michelin Pilot 2's.. about 40% left.. Certainly will be replacing them with a fresh set when the time comes - strongly believe in buying the best tyres available. Have driven a car with reeeeally cheap tyres before in the wet. Scary.

Cheers again for the advice. You shall be hearing/ seeing from me hopefully in just over a fortnight with QLD's newest 250 :D



 

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My first post to the forum - I've been looking at a couple of 250's now and have narrowed it down to one - however it is interstate from me.

 

Welcome! And great choice.

 

Is it the one in Doncaster advertised for $20,000 you're looking at? If so, that's cheap. I was going to say that I know of a 265 8:08 expertly cared for (no accident damage) which will be for sale in October but at around $30,000. However, this is a significant price difference.

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There's Mike's better than perfect 250 close to home as well, if someone has not already picked it up.  Well sorted and meticulously cared for...  And FAST...

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A cheaper car can come and bite you in the long run. 

 

It's a buyers market out there. Plenty to choose from around the 25k mark! Also, it seems as though there is little price difference between a Cup and Cup Trophee...

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DOOOOK - Thank you. I can't go past an RS 250. Much prefer the front end over the newer gen 265/ 75!

Not the one in Doncaster for $20k, however that looks great and has very low k's.. Seems odd that it is FS at such a low price and that someone else is selling it for the owner who is O/S..

I'm with apple3337 & STALLED on this one.

 

Jason - is there a link to said 250?

This sounds good.

Well sorted and meticulously cared for... And FAST...

Edited by kdub
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DOOOOK - Thank you. I can't go past an RS 250. Much prefer the front end over the newer gen 265/ 75!

Not the one in Doncaster for $20k, however that looks great and has very low k's.. Seems odd that it is FS at such a low price and that someone else is selling it for the owner who is O/S..

I'm with apple3337 & STALLED on this one.

 

Jason - is there a link to said 250?

This sounds good.

Not sure how to link on this forum but in the cars for sale. Thread started by MikeC90. Cannot fault this car and a few minutes talking with Mike and you will understand how much effort he puts into his vehicles. Maybe PM Mike if you don't see the thread but it is there on the first page as pretty recent listing.

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DOOOOK - Thank you. I can't go past an RS 250. Much prefer the front end over the newer gen 265/ 75!

Not the one in Doncaster for $20k, however that looks great and has very low k's.. Seems odd that it is FS at such a low price and that someone else is selling it for the owner who is O/S..

I'm with apple3337 & STALLED on this one.

 

 

Yeah....could be wrong but sounds like a typical Nigerian scam.    Owner is always overseas and car is offered cheap.  They give links to payment through 'Paypal' & it appears to be legit until you go to pick up the non existent car and then your money and car mysteriously disappears.

 

I was looking at a BMW years ago....very cheap at $8,000 & then I went on carsales.com.au & found the exact same car offered for $30,000 ....the scammers obviously paste the details.so you may find this Renault for sale elsewhere for a higher price.

 

 

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Hey Kdub, did you get your car yet?  MikeC90 reduced the price of his RS250.  Close to a steal and will be hard to find one even like it, let alone better - and saves a trip south...  See his latest post in the For Sale thread

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Hey Kdub, did you get your car yet?  MikeC90 reduced the price of his RS250.  Close to a steal and will be hard to find one even like it, let alone better - and saves a trip south...  See his latest post in the For Sale thread

 

Not yet Jason, but I am still heading down next Friday. I'm stuck on the Black. Same I can't bring myself to buy it in SIlver! Excellent deal there though, very well looked after and some quality mods! I hope he can sell it before he has to drop much more off!!

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Hey Kdub, did you get your car yet?  MikeC90 reduced the price of his RS250.  Close to a steal and will be hard to find one even like it, let alone better - and saves a trip south...  See his latest post in the For Sale thread

 

Not yet Jason, but I am still heading down next Friday. I'm stuck on the Black. Same I can't bring myself to buy it in SIlver! Excellent deal there though, very well looked after and some quality mods! I hope he can sell it before he has to drop much more off!!

 

Fair enough, good luck with it all.  Black does look good.  Mike's is Lunar Grey - much darker than silver btw...

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And FAST...

Not wrong! Now that I do 90% of my driving in the Clio, when I get back in the Megane it feels like a rocket ship haha! Fresh plugs and cold weather has it feeling super spritely too, wheelspin most of the way through 2nd gear in a roll-on situation :shock:

 

Sounds like you've already got your eye set on a particular car Keeley, but certainly if you don't end up purchasing that one, come have a look at mine. In all seriousness you'd be very hard pushed to find a more loved/better kept example, plus she's already had the 3-4k worth of useful mods done that you'll most likely do by the sounds of it... I'd also suggest that you might like the colour scheme in the flesh, it is certainly quite dark in real life and with the black wheels/inserts/interior it's mostly black anyhow :wink:

 

I gather this is the car you're looking at? Inside looks pretty neat, outside maybe not...?

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Renault-Megane-2011/SSE-AD-3489948/?Cr=14

 

In regards to your original post, RBH has pretty well covered everything... But things I'd be looking for if buying:

 

- Seat bolsters, damage here suggests the owner/s aren't too fussed about looking after it - it's easy to get in and out without damaging them

- Gutter rash, same thing + potential suspension damage

- Wheel alignment, should still be spot on (no wobble/pull) with those sort of km's. If it does, might have seen more than it fair share of potholes/gutters

- Tyre condition and pressures. Incorrect tyre pressures once again points out an owner that doesn't care too much

- Oil level, dealers well known to overfill during service, which is a big no no according the owners manual

- Oil temp should by 83 before cracking on, takes about 7-10 minutes to get up to that temp (check using the RSmonitor). If it doesn't get that high under normal driving, thermostat is knackered (easy job)

- Idle should be nice and smooth, if it's popping/fluffing, likely plugs are due for replacement (easy job)

 

Have fun with it anyhow :headbang:

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