The Motor Forum

Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject: Megane R26R

We have just purchased Evo magazines R26R, it turned up a few days ago so it would've been rude not to give it a quick go up the road.

It's got the role cage and six point harness and originally had the Toyo tyres but they have been replaced by more sensible road going Dunlops, Numbus silver, red alloys and the stickers.

First off visually the red alloys and stickers look far better in the flesh, less toy car if you like.

Inside the fixed carbon fibre bucket seats are sensational to look at but you do need a bit of practice entering and exiting gracefully, they could do with being reclined a few more degrees too as after 10 minutes I started to feel a bit hunched up, but they are comfortable and extremely supportive although anyone who is a bit more on the lardy side will find them extremely uncomfortable. The six point harness is a bit of a faff to put on but is a must if you have that sort of car.

The performance is in a different league to the R26 and I can quite believe that they are putting out a good 20 bhp more than the R26, and the ride is phenominal for such a track focussed car, it rides far better than a standard Megane.

I only took it out for 15 minutes so that's all I can really say about the handling ride etc.

One thing that did strike me, it is a car of contradictions, a track focussed car with no radio, or the wiring for one, poly carbonate rear windows, no rear wiper, carbon fibre bonnet but it has climate control, electric folding mirrors and electric windows, whats all that about!?

Anyway a fantastic car and one to add to my colection of a MkII Clio V6 and a 182 Trophy, when I win the lottery.
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Mummy, Daddy, Sissy, Sassy Baby.

Jasper · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 1:40 pm Post subject:

How much are you asking for the car?

One careless owner, no radio, it's gotta be cheap.
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simonp · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:41 pm Post subject:

20 grand, I heard.

Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject:

TimR · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:13 pm Post subject:

How does that compare with any other used R26Rs that there may be?

simonp · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:11 pm Post subject:

That's top money. You can get a same spec car for less buying privately.

Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:14 pm Post subject:

I can only find one other, 09 plate 4000 miles, roll cage, £18995 so that makes ours expensive.
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Mummy, Daddy, Sissy, Sassy Baby.

TimR · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject:

Hmmm £20k for an ex-magazine car that's been thrashed all over Europe by a variety of drivers all knowing that at the end of 6 months it'll go back to whoever supplied it with no consuquence for any bits that may need replaced.

I'll pass thanks.

Nice Guy Eddie · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:59 pm Post subject:

Interesting stuff, I saw a few R26Rs on Sunday and all of them had a stereo installed, so it seems a daft thing for Renault to have left off. I would 100% install some inertia reel belts as well. I've used harnesses in a road car and their the biggest pain in the arse going.

Whats your opinion on the normal R26? This car is really gettig under my skin and I've been reading a load of old road tests.
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Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject:

Intertia belts are standard but if you had opted for the roll cage option a six point harness replaced the intertia belts and you also got the Toyo 888 tyres which are really only meant for dry track use.

The six point harness is fun to begin with but I can imagine it is a pain in the arse if the car was used for primarily day to day use.

The standard R26 is a fantastic car, I have driven a Focus ST and Astra VXR and I much prefer the R26, the Focus seemed to me just a little bit too normal and not that fast and the VXR just plain lairy, the shape of the Megane also makes a very attractive fast version of a car.

The 225 version is along the lines of the VXR, quick but doesn't do it very well, whereas the R26 sorts out the lairynes and makes the application better, especially in quick corners as the diff just enables the R26 to accelerate and not give up grip, a good quick corner is amazing in an R26.

If you get one though make sure it has the optional leather as if you don't the front Recaro's won't match the rear seats, looks a bit cheap and a cost cutting excercise.
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Mummy, Daddy, Sissy, Sassy Baby.

simonp · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:27 pm Post subject:

The tuned Megane in Redline looks a bit of a beast. Does 0-60 in the mid 5s and 0-100 in low 13s. It'd be on my list if the boot was bigger.

Gurney · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:59 am Post subject:

Still have a lot of love for the R26, until the GTA popped up out of nowhere it was very high on my shortlist.

It would, of course have been a far more sensible and economical choice that's for sure.

As a 2 seater the R would be a non starter, still prefer it to the Focus though.
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:05 am Post subject:

The incredibly dull and unattractive new Megane serves to highlight how good the old one looked, especially in big wheel 'sport trim.

Blarno · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:59 pm Post subject:

I'd have an R26R, but without dayglo wheels, climate and 'leccy windows. Proper masochist spec.
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"him" · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject:

They would charge you more though... and if you opted for 'steelies', then we are talking £300 a corner...
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Blarno · Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject:

Not if you find your own!
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

Turbonutter · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 10:43 am Post subject:

How many did they actually sell in the end? I hope it doesn't put them off doing more stuff like it in the future

ALF · Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:17 am Post subject:

Evo themselves list it at a value (trade-in presumably) of £16500 in their article, meaning a big hit in a short time...

franki68 · Petrolhead Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 2379

Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 8:58 am Post subject:

Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 9:00 am Post subject:

gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:58 am Post subject:

Jasper · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject:

Aah. That's where he's got to.
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Nice Guy Eddie · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:41 pm Post subject:

Why would they sell it not on warranty just because its been a press car? It still has the new warranty valid and If the car keeps coming in for warranty work thats what the dealer wants. Its all money into their coffers.

I do think its a risky buy but guess the sales manager/GM wants something to blast around in. Your in the right area to get an impulse purchaser though. I bet alot of purchasers of R26Rs probably have something far more exotic in their garage to keep it company.
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gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject:

Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 1:56 pm Post subject:

It comes with the remainder of the warranty, 2 years left.

There is a bit of spilt oppinion on the the car, some think it will sell fairly quickly and probably over the phone to someone who has seen it on the internet, we sell many cars this way and some think that it is a disaster and we'll be stuck with it.

NGE it is in the showroom and only two of us have driven it, myself and my colleague, it's not going to be taxed until sold so it hasn't been bought for the Sales Manager to have a fun few weeks in it until sold.

I personally think it'll be a thorn up our backside and we'll be stuck with it but then all it needs is some rich bloke with 20k to spare and an itch to scratch, and believe me there are plenty of those type of people about.
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Mummy, Daddy, Sissy, Sassy Baby.