cs_rich's RS250 Megane

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Just got back from my first track day in the Megane at Snetterton. Had a really great time and had (IMHO) fantastic weather. Really wet to start with and lots of standing water but (barring one red flag downpour) it dried progressively through the day I got the chance to experience wet, damp and dry driving. I'd been concerned about hard driving showing up mechanical faults but it stood up to it without a single complaint and everything felt nice and tight all day.
I definitely wasn't the fastest driver their but the car was absolutely amazing and I'd like to think I kept some of the drivers of the faster cars honest at least. Spent most of the afternoon session with my indicator nearly permanently on letting Caterhams past, but I managed to keep pace with a lot of other stuff, including a Mclaren 720s (who was admittedly on his cooldown lap...).
At Jamie's recommendation I had some PF Z pads fitted and they didn't fade or give me any issues all day, though presumably the lighter braking duty in the rain helped. Tyres (PS4) were good too and just had endless grip in the dry. Given how competent it was in basically standard trim I'm thinking it'll be pretty bloody quick with a few choice upgrades over the next year.
My 67yo dad even came with me, in spite of having a leg in plaster following foot surgery. Reckons he had a great time, but that might just be the painkillers he's on.
Some decent photos too:

Snetterton Day Session - 25.6.19 - 0298 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr

Snetterton Day Session - 25.6.19 - 0559 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr

Snetterton Day Session - 25.6.19 - 1266 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr

Snetterton Day Session - 25.6.19 - 0593 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr

Snetterton Day Session - 25.6.19 - 0786 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr

Snetterton Day Session - 25.6.19 - 0970 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr

Snetterton Day Session - 25.6.19 - 1109 by Javelin Trackdays, on Flickr

 

[imprezaworks]

Looks awesome

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Nice!

I'm not surprised it was wet, it absolutely chucked it down this morning, so much so that it woke me up.

Still miss my 265.

 

[Clio_fool]

Sounds like a good day, and a great opportunity to learn more about the car in all conditions.

 

[Gally]

I don't think a car has ever grown on me as much as the 250 megane. Some of the comments I made upon their release don't come close to what I think about them now.

Apart from that serious sewing machine engine and noise they are brilliant. I think they look great. The 265 even mre so. And I don't find them expensive for what you are getting essentially.

Good buy and I don't mind the stripes!

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I don't think a car has ever grown on me as much as the 250 megane. Some of the comments I made upon their release don't come close to what I think about them now.

Apart from that serious sewing machine engine and noise they are brilliant. I think they look great. The 265 even mre so. And I don't find them expensive for what you are getting essentially.

Good buy and I don't mind the stripes!

I know what you mean. At the time they came out I was utterly disinterested in them, preferring Golfs and even the Focus but just in the last year I've changed my mind.

 

[imprezaworks]

They vary (like most things) in price, most of the time dependant on what they need etc. Some are like 7k upto 9 ish.

Lot of car for the money.

 

[Toby]

Seen this at Snett yesterday, went well!

 

[cat171]

I really like it the stripes look great!! The 250's really grown on me!

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Seen this at Snett yesterday, went well!

I did wonder if anyone from the club would be there! I'd forgotten to post beforehand.

Were you driving or just spectating?

 

[JB21]

The 250 will 100% be my next track toy once i'm bored with the MR2, they kill it at every day I've been to!

 

[Toby]

I was in the Black Cayman GTS (driving) and the White Holden V8 with the signwriting (passenger).

You were right about the weather, I liked the mix of wet and dry. Was my first time round snetterton.

McLaren was beautiful and the race spec Golf we had in the garage next to us was very impressive!

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I was in the Black Cayman GTS (driving) and the White Holden V8 with the signwriting (passenger).

You were right about the weather, I liked the mix of wet and dry. Was my first time round snetterton.

McLaren was beautiful and the race spec Golf we had in the garage next to us was very impressive!

Think I let you round me on Corum in the Cayman then (or was there another blue one there?)

Yeah, that TCR Golf was pretty special too. Cornering speeds on it just looked unreal.

 

[Toby]

Might not have been me driving at that point, as I probably would have let you past me! That's the problem sharing a car with an ex karting champion.

Its a Cayman S not GTS, like a dark blue nearly black.

Any more trackdays planned? We are off to Oulton and Anglesey 9th and 10th July.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Might not have been me driving at that point, as I probably would have let you past me! That's the problem sharing a car with an ex karting champion.

Its a Cayman S not GTS, like a dark blue nearly black.

Any more trackdays planned? We are off to Oulton and Anglesey 9th and 10th July.

No worries, the Cayman was definitely faster than me so I was happy to pull in. Gives me more time to set up for the final corner without worrying about anyone breathing down my neck!

Am hoping to do Snetterton evening in July with the wife as she's never been on a track-day before and I figured a shorter session would be ideal if she hates it.

After that not sure, depends on time / money etc. but I quite fancy Cadwell Park.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I tried to get used to it, but in the end I just couldn't hack the Alcantara wheel any longer. Great with driving gloves on, but felt really slippy / sketchy without. I may live in Norfolk but I'm not Alan Partridge, so wearing track gloves all year-round wasn't an option.

Thankfully, Royal Steering Wheels to the rescue:

 

[Stay Puft]

I’m really on the hunt for one now.. what’s your opinion of it?

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

I’m really on the hunt for one now.. what’s your opinion of it?

Great car.

I don't do huge miles, but it does well for everything. Practical enough for the kids / shopping, but properly involving if you get a chance to pedal it. Plenty of power as standard to enjoy it, but lots of headroom for tuning as well.

Radio / multimedia is pretty s**t but I don't really bother with that nowadays anyway.

 

[Stay Puft]

Great car.

I don't do huge miles, but it does well for everything. Practical enough for the kids / shopping, but properly involving if you get a chance to pedal it. Plenty of power as standard to enjoy it, but lots of headroom for tuning as well.

Radio / multimedia is pretty s**t but I don't really bother with that nowadays anyway.

Thanks.
I missed out on a lovely red one.. just waiting for one with a decent spec and low-ish miles to pop up.

 

[Gaz_]

Had mine nearly 5 years now

Good around package, now running a smidge under 320 bhp from efi

Just need an updated intercooler really, but fine for what I use it for. Really capable, nothing can beat them for the money imo 👍

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Had mine nearly 5 years now

View attachment 1434673

Good around package, now running a smidge under 320 bhp from efi

Just need an updated intercooler really, but fine for what I use it for. Really capable, nothing can beat them for the money imo 👍

They do look lovely in red, though I am biased obviously

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Bit of an update. Booked myself into Engine Dynamics today to have an intercooler fitted and a mapping session on the dyno. Had been hoping for about 300bhp and about the same in torque. It's a bit of a drive for me (2hrs) so set off nice and early to give Andy plenty of time to get everything sorted.

Unfortunately a local deer, not more than 5 miles from my house, decided to save me the journey....

Car's been recovered but the insurer reckons it'll be written off. Just waiting for details now....

 

[Short Norman]

gutted for you (and the deer), glad your ok though.

did a bit of poo come out.....

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

gutted for you (and the deer), glad your ok though.

did a bit of poo come out.....

It was so quick I didn't have time to unclench.

 

[imprezaworks]

Sad times x2

 

[_Tom]

Christ that's some damage.

On the plus side, venison for tea.

 

[KermitTheDog]

Oh deer.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Christ that's some damage.

On the plus side, venison for tea.

I was too slow. We pulled up on the side of the road about 400yds down from the deer. Within 10 minutes a land rover had pulled up next to the deer for a look. 5 minutes later another land rover appears and the two of them lob it in the back.

 

[alexessex_7]

Bit of an update. Booked myself into Engine Dynamics today to have an intercooler fitted and a mapping session on the dyno. Had been hoping for about 300bhp and about the same in torque. It's a bit of a drive for me (2hrs) so set off nice and early to give Andy plenty of time to get everything sorted.

Unfortunately a local deer, not more than 5 miles from my house, decided to save me the journey....

View attachment 1438315

View attachment 1438316

Car's been recovered but the insurer reckons it'll be written off. Just waiting for details now....

Sorry to hear the news. Gutted for you. At least it wasnt on the way home once you'd paid for the map etc. Are you planning on getting another megane?

 

[Rojer]

Could be worth repairing, doesn't look too bad.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Sorry to hear the news. Gutted for you. At least it wasnt on the way home once you'd paid for the map etc. Are you planning on getting another megane?

Don't know yet, trying not to make any decisions today.

That said, I've always taken the view that as won't end up owning all that many cars in my life, there's probably no point having the same one twice.

Currently giving some thought to a Fiesta ST...

 

[Louis]

I was too slow. We pulled up on the side of the road about 400yds down from the deer. Within 10 minutes a land rover had pulled up next to the deer for a look. 5 minutes later another land rover appears and the two of them lob it in the back.

Hit and run eh! Hope you got his insurance details.

 

[rich_h]

What a shame, was a lovely example. At least you're okay!

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Sorry to see this Rich, looked a nice motor.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Sorry to see this Rich, looked a nice motor.

Yeah, me too. Given that you (and others) told me to buy this last time, any suggestions this time around?

 

[Stay Puft]

Ah gutted!

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Yeah, me too. Given that you (and others) told me to buy this last time, any suggestions this time around?

Buy another one? 😂

A replacement is difficult. I test drove so many of the hot hatches of this era and always ended up coming back to the Megane. The MK3 Focus ST was a bit of a disappointment, Golf GTI I would hold out for a MK7. The only one that I liked almost as much as the Megane was, weirdly, the Astra J VXR. Not sure I could recommend a Vauxhall to anyone though

Fiesta ST is probably a good shout if you don't need the bigger car.

 

[The Psychedelic Socialist]

Buy another one? 😂

A replacement is difficult. I test drove so many of the hot hatches of this era and always ended up coming back to the Megane. The MK3 Focus ST was a bit of a disappointment, Golf GTI I would hold out for a MK7. The only one that I liked almost as much as the Megane was, weirdly, the Astra J VXR. Not sure I could recommend a Vauxhall to anyone though

Fiesta ST is probably a good shout if you don't need the bigger car.

Yeah, i'm in a similar boat.

Don't really like the Mk3 Focus and coming from a Golf 7R I don't know I'd go for a 6GTI or early 7GTI. Really not a big fan of the Astra, so as you say you're kind of back to the Fiesta...

 

[Rojer]

@cs_rich You don't fancy repairing or breaking?

Tried a MK2 RS?

 

[alexessex_7]

Don't know yet, trying not to make any decisions today.

That said, I've always taken the view that as won't end up owning all that many cars in my life, there's probably no point having the same one twice.

Currently giving some thought to a Fiesta ST...

Get a 275