[KadeSdad]

Now the Lotus has gone I wanted a run around for the summer. After a few weeks of looking and testing I opted for a Megane R230 F1. I'd always wanted one from when they came out four years ago.

Managed to source a minter only 5 miles from me. Its a 2007 model with FFSH, 12 months MOT & TAX, one owner from new with 16K on clock and four brand new PS'2s all round. Its also unmolested, well until this Wednesday as it is booked into RSTuning in Leeds for an intercooler, Miltex exhaust and a stage 2 remap.

Well from a standard car the power delivery is very good, the turbo kicks in when it should and there is plenty of torque and the LSD is an absolute dream, without it I guess it would be just 'another car' but it makes masses of difference in the corners, especially when you plant your right foot, it urges out of every bend. The small amount of torque steer is welcome as you get a feel of what the front wheels are doing as its been sometime since I have driven a quick front wheel drive car in anger.
The gear box is quite strange, oddly its like slicing a hot knife through a tub of butter its so smooth, its like there's nothing in the box but thin air. Not sure if I like it like that but somehow it works very well. The rides pretty impressive as it carries the bumps with ease and feels planted in the bends. The brakes are Brembos so they work ok and hold everything together when asked.

So far pretty impressive by its quickness and handling, we'll see what its like after Wednesday as the work will kick it up to around 280hp.

Interior is pants, and I mean shockingly bad in all departments apart from the Recaro seats. But I didn't buy it for its interior and toys, I got it to drive and thats what it does best.

Only one pic as it isn't the nicest looking car in the park! Already removed the side decals and tinted the rears down.

[M3-FAST]

You and your toys Marcus!!

Looks great buddy, and ideal for a practical yet fun car - be interested to see how it performs with the extra performance mods fitted. Should be a beast!

How is the exhaust note stock?

What other plans you got? Wheels/suspension?

[BGM]

i nearly bought one of these a few years ago, in the end decided i didn't like the bum on it though.. or the insurance premiums

come from a 1.8 shitter of a ford focus, this thing was chuffing rapid, and great fun

[hmi1750]

very cool.... let us know how it goes after Wed!

[KadeSdad]

Originally Posted by M3-FAST

You and your toys Marcus!!

Looks great buddy, and ideal for a practical yet fun car - be interested to see how it performs with the extra performance mods fitted. Should be a beast!

How is the exhaust note stock?

What other plans you got? Wheels/suspension?

Cheers Paul. The exhaust note isn't up to much as stock, its a low note which good though, enough to hear the turbo kick. The Miltek apparently adds a degree or two of pitch without being chavvy (I hope).

I'm leaving the wheels as I think they look ok, as for the suspension lowering these cocks the ride up. Its already set up right for the cup cassis that its running on, so I'll leave well alone. To be honest thats all I am planning on doing as I want a return when I come to sell at the end of summer.

Originally Posted by BGM

i nearly bought one of these a few years ago, in the end decided i didn't like the bum on it though.. or the insurance premiums

come from a 1.8 shitter of a ford focus, this thing was chuffing rapid, and great fun

Cheers, insurance isn't much of an issue for me being my age

Originally Posted by hmi1750

very cool.... let us know how it goes after Wed!

Hopefully a bit quicker

[Baby Dave]

Looks good. Like the colour

[Hotcoupe]

Another 'Marcus pocket rocket', looks great

[KadeSdad]

Originally Posted by Baby Dave

Looks good. Like the colour

Cheers Dave, its funny though as this color nearly put me off as I wanted a black one but for the condition and low mileage of this for the asking price swung it for me.

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

Another 'Marcus pocket rocket', looks great

Lets hope so after Wednesday

[Steve A]

Always wanted one still might one day.

[KadeSdad]

Update:

Back from RS Tuning in Leeds and what a difference!

Had a massive forge intercooler fitted, a full Miltek sports exhaust, a couple of nice blue intake pipes and a stage 2 map, all for just £1,400

Torque is raised from 230FtLb to 310FtLB. BHP is raised from 233.5HP to 268.8HP at 6,000rpm.

The power is all low end stuff which is great as that's exactly what I wanted in a point and go run around.

The Miltek sounds good, a nice deep low tone, nothing chavvy about it at all as this was a slight concern.

Through the gears to 4th its a 'proper pocket rocket' and a real wolf in sheep's clothing

[briers]

Saw one of these blast out of tesco's car park in stafford yesterday evening or day before, thought of you

Also like these and the clio variants. I had a clio willy lightyears ago and i really really enjoyed it. It felt at home being hooned round at NSL where as the quicker cars i've had feel more at home at 70 - 120. All in, more enjoyment. I know this is probably a completely different beast, but still, the genes are there.

You should let us know what you think if you take it over to Wales compared to your lotus.

[dxb335d]

Max power at 3500 can't be right!!

[BGM]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Max power at 3500 can't be right!!

lol, i know, careful when you park

[KadeSdad]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Max power at 3500 can't be right!!

LOL! That's me looking at the wrong print out! Amended to 6,000rpm

[KadeSdad]

Originally Posted by briers

You should let us know what you think if you take it over to Wales compared to your lotus.

It does corner and handle very well, mainly thanks to LSD but its not in the Lotus league...still great fun though with bags of character.