meta7gear Posted 9, February 2021 Report Share Posted 9, February 2021 Hi all, glad to find this forum and see that there's an active and helpful community. I'm thinking about purchasing a 2011 Megane RS250 Monaco GP, it has done 90,000 km - What do I need to know in terms of major upcoming services or any particular problems that are likely to arise for a Megane with this age/mileage? - Are servicing costs super high compared to something more common like a Ford Focus Sport? Insurance? - From the test drive the first thing I noticed (as some reviews point out) is the awkward angle of the speedometer. Do you ever get used to this, or just constantly have to live with it? - Any other advice of what to look for before going ahead with the purchase? Thanks in advance! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S2K Posted 9, February 2021 Report Share Posted 9, February 2021 The timing belt is the costly service on these cars, and it's necessary to have them changed at recommended intervals otherwise risk catastrophic engine failure if it breaks. There are other common issues but they're generally not serious and I have found both Renaultsports I have owned to be reliable (Clio 182 and Megane 265) Servicing I guess isn't too far off other performance brands, I perform services on my car, parts are very reasonable and quick to ship from Europe if required Insurance depends on age/history/location/use/garaging/mods etc etc. Grab an online quote and see from RAA or insurer of your choice. Mine Meg 265 is circa $700 p.a. Speedo is awkward angle but I don't notice it Check for prior accident history and when timing belt was done. Factor into negotiation price if it's due soon. Review service history documentation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roblee8g Posted 9, February 2021 Report Share Posted 9, February 2021 Speedo at an awkward angle? Never noticed it. Difficulty in removing oil filter without making a bit mess, now that's annoying. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xrsism Posted 9, February 2021 Report Share Posted 9, February 2021 (edited) Yeah just check the service book. There is a separate section for timing belt servicing. Make sure it's up to date. My belt and water pump etc was $1200 to renew. Water pump and other stuff needs to be done at the same time. Every 4 yrs recommended here in Oz by most...6yrs in the UK. Mine lasted 10 with previous owner as the Renault service dept went off kms instead of yrs. Wouldn't recommend going this far though. Edited 9, February 2021 by Xrsism Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt205 Posted 10, February 2021 Report Share Posted 10, February 2021 3 hours ago, roblee8g said: Speedo at an awkward angle? Never noticed it. Was going to same, is it really? So the 'expensive' timing belt service is not just a thing with these, every car with a timing belt requires changing, many mainstream boring cars have a lower mileage threshold with a similar expense. I really wish people would stop intimating this is a Renault exclusive thing and that it's "expensive" it really is no more than any other belt drive twin cam. Only comment here would be that you need someone with the correct tools to do it, but again most modern belt driven cars have specific tools to do the job correctly. The issue is exacerbated by many workshops having nothing but pure unfounded disdain for anything French. Find a friendly knowledgeable tech or specialist and you won't be greeted with the raised eybrow and snigger when you say Renault. Plenty of good people on here in Rads that can probably point you to the right shops. Honestly for the what you get performance and driver satisfaction wise, maintenance is cheap in my opinion. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xrsism Posted 10, February 2021 Report Share Posted 10, February 2021 Agree....the Alfa Romeo 156 I think had 50,000km or two yrs for it's cambelt. We are doing pretty well and even the recommended 4 yrs is probably a bit conservative. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cairnsy Posted 10, February 2021 Report Share Posted 10, February 2021 1 hour ago, Matt205 said: Was going to same, is it really? So the 'expensive' timing belt service is not just a thing with these, every car with a timing belt requires changing, many mainstream boring cars have a lower mileage threshold with a similar expense. I really wish people would stop intimating this is a Renault exclusive thing and that it's "expensive" it really is no more than any other belt drive twin cam. Only comment here would be that you need someone with the correct tools to do it, but again most modern belt driven cars have specific tools to do the job correctly. The issue is exacerbated by many workshops having nothing but pure unfounded disdain for anything French. Find a friendly knowledgeable tech or specialist and you won't be greeted with the raised eybrow and snigger when you say Renault. Plenty of good people on here in Rads that can probably point you to the right shops. Honestly for the what you get performance and driver satisfaction wise, maintenance is cheap in my opinion. Agree !!! As Miles, at Renotech, explained to me once, we don't think twice about paying comprehensive car insurance to cover ourselves for accidents. How often do we actually utilise the 'benefits' of that? Belts are just another expense in driving our great cars. If you can't do them yourself, at least RenoTech know what they are doing. AND do it at a good price. I'd suggest if you have a problem with with that. 'Build a bridge and get over it'. IMHO. 😁🤣 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S2K Posted 10, February 2021 Report Share Posted 10, February 2021 I think the belt change intervals have to be conservative in order to avoid engines lunching themselves. I don't understand the rationale behind why interference engines exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt205 Posted 10, February 2021 Report Share Posted 10, February 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, S2K said: I don't understand the rationale behind why interference engines exist. Performance/emissions/economy Edited 10, February 2021 by Matt205 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEEWIZZ Posted 10, February 2021 Report Share Posted 10, February 2021 My timing belt was just changed - 10 years old, still on the original (albeit ~80km). From what I'm told it would've lasted a few years yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deet Posted 10, February 2021 Report Share Posted 10, February 2021 11 hours ago, GEEWIZZ said: My timing belt was just changed - 10 years old, still on the original (albeit ~80km). From what I'm told it would've lasted a few years yet. As someone that has had a timing belt fail (NOT in a Renault), this is not a risk you want to take Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cairnsy Posted 10, February 2021 Report Share Posted 10, February 2021 (edited) 33 minutes ago, Deet said: As someone that has had a timing belt fail (NOT in a Renault), this is not a risk you want to take This !!!! I know what fun is, and don’t think that would be it. It comes back to what was said in a movie once. 'Are you feeling lucky today' (punk)? OR 'some such' quote. For me, I don't seem to have that sort of luck. More likely, that mine would break, the day after it was due. ☹ Edited 10, February 2021 by cairnsy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S2K Posted 10, February 2021 Report Share Posted 10, February 2021 14 hours ago, Matt205 said: Performance/emissions/economy It seems Toyota managed to make non-interference performance engines like 2JZ Twin Turbo Supra's, the 3SGTE range, 5 valve per cylinder high revving 4AGE's. Perhaps it's down to emissions/economy as they're older engines, but then again F4R isn't exactly new either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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