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Megane RS 280 sport VS cup VS Trophy



  Renault Clio
Hi everyone. I posted a while back about your opinions on different cars - I’ve decided (I think) that I’m going to stick with Renault and go for a 280 but with the normal ‘sport’ chassis - anyone got any experience with these? I did have a look for a Megane RS website but they seemed pretty dead.
Anyway, from my research, I think that although softer and obviously not as quick as the 300 - a 280 without the Cup chassis is going to be best for me - I need a bigger car than my current 220 Clio Trophy. Do you think I will regret not have 300bhp and the stiff chassis? The car I’m getting is a 19 plate with about 6k miles so fairly new. Some decent specs and 19 inch wheels. Any thoughts and opinions would be welcomed.
 

Clio_fool

ClioSport Club Member
There were a few reviews that said the sport chassis was better on road than the stiffer Cup set up. Power wise I wouldn't worry either, a remap is only a few £££ away. I test drove 280 and thrphy both cup packed and pace wise they were both far too fast compared to my 182😂.
 

Ricardos

ClioSport Club Member
  LY 200 EDC
I had the 280 cup chassis, this gives you the red Brembo calipers, LSD, 10% stiffer dampers. As I knew it was going on track I wanted the Cup chassis. Apparently it's not as forgiving out on the road but with my history of modded cars it wasn't a deal breaker. Mapped saw it to 330bhp and 360ft/lbs.

I've also driven a Trophy 300, the biggest difference was the exhaust, it just sounds so much nicer. From the cold start fire up to the slightly more pronounced crackles it just makes you smile and let you know what you have but not in an over the top and ASBO way. I have to say though you won't go far wrong with a 280 with options ticked. Renault for what they are gives you a decent all rounder.... These will be the last of the petrol Renaultsport cars.

If you do buy it, ditch the Bridgestone tyres. The ONLY components that let the chassis down, no real feedback, they really are that bad. I went to Michelin and the difference even half a mile up the road from fitting spoke volumes.
DSC_0896~3-01.jpeg
 

GiT

ClioSport Club Member
  Shit little Yaris...
I've gone from a hard Clio 200 FF, to a soft Mondeo ST220, to a new Golf R, to 2 rock hard Pug 208 GTi BPS's to the Megane 280 Cup... it's hardish, but soft compared to the 208's.

I'd have another without a doubt.
 

Martin_172

ClioSport Club Member
cup chassis would be a must for me purely due to the LSD. Both for performance and resale, surely keen drivers looking for a hot hatch don't buy these without an LSD????
 

Darren S

ClioSport Club Member
I had the 280 cup chassis, this gives you the red Brembo calipers, LSD, 10% stiffer dampers. As I knew it was going on track I wanted the Cup chassis. Apparently it's not as forgiving out on the road but with my history of modded cars it wasn't a deal breaker. Mapped saw it to 330bhp and 360ft/lbs.

I've also driven a Trophy 300, the biggest difference was the exhaust, it just sounds so much nicer. From the cold start fire up to the slightly more pronounced crackles it just makes you smile and let you know what you have but not in an over the top and ASBO way. I have to say though you won't go far wrong with a 280 with options ticked. Renault for what they are gives you a decent all rounder.... These will be the last of the petrol Renaultsport cars.

If you do buy it, ditch the Bridgestone tyres. The ONLY components that let the chassis down, no real feedback, they really are that bad. I went to Michelin and the difference even half a mile up the road from fitting spoke volumes.
View attachment 1542933
I think these look great - pretty rare sight on the roads too.

Any idea of the numbers registered in the UK?
 
  Renault Clio
Thanks for all your feedback - I think I read that article and it does suggest that the Sport chassis is better for roads. I do know what you mean about the resale though - at first, I wasn’t even entertaining the 280s; let alone one without the cup chassis. I just don’t want to be underwhelmed after having the Clio Trophy but I am hoping the extra 60hp makes up for that. It’s got Bose, heated seats, reverse camera and 19 inch black wheels - not sure if it’s got anything else. Ricardos - that car looks mint! Suppose I could get it mapped. The difference in price between 280 standard and Trophy seems about 3/4K but a lot of that is because of the age I think.
Hope you are all good!
 

Steve

ClioSport Club Member
  ST3 8.5
I have the identical car to GiT, my mate has the Trophy but he pays a lot more a month for it.
Also had the Clio Trophy for three years when they were fresh in 2006, Meg has the tech to come out on top, just ridiculous speeds without noticing.

8F28357C-D125-4EEF-911A-F6F62EAAF726.jpeg
 
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Darren S

ClioSport Club Member
I have the identical car to GiT, my mate has the Trophy but he pays a lot more a month for it.
Also had the Clio Trophy for three years when they were fresh in 2006, Meg has the tech to come out on top, just ridiculous speeds without noticing.

View attachment 1542970
Bit of silly question given the obvious size difference - but does the Meg feel much bigger from behind the wheel, compared to the Clio Trophy?
 

gambit

ClioSport Club Member
  182 Trophy
What’s people options of the latest trophy 300? Worthwhile over the older trophy 300?
 


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