Clio RS - 197 or 200? Cup or non? or Megane 230 R26

[Corranga]

Anyone have experience of the regular RS Megane 225, non-R26..?

[cla5h]

From the little I've read, I believe the differences are 5hp, Recaros, uprated suspension, better sounding exhaust, and LSD - the latter apparently most useful if re-mapping is a consideration. Apart from that, same car.

[Doc883]

Anyone have experience of the regular RS Megane 225, non-R26..?

I had 2 Megane 225's, a 54 reg non-Cup version (Full Fat) followed by a 2006 Limited Edition 225 F1, bright blue, black alloys, stickers and Cup Chassis. The 1st was more of a grand cruiser, fast, well equipped and comfortable but in order to 'sort ' the handling I had Eibach springs fitted which transformed the car. The 225 F1 was a big improvement dynamically and was much sharper in every respect. I didn't get a chance to upgrade to the R26 as traded for a Clio 197 F1 but it moved the game on significantly. On paper there were not that many changes over a Cup spec 225 but the LSD transformed the car and pushed it to the top of the Hot Hatch League. If I were buying today I'd avoid the 225 and be looking for a good R26

[Corranga]

The r26 doesn't come with back doors though, in fact very few budget spec hot hatches do..

[Doc883]

The r26 doesn't come with back doors though, in fact very few budget spec hot hatches do..

The 225 did however plus there was the RS diesel version that pushed out 175bhp for performance and economy
http://www.gumtree.com/renault/uk/megane+225+5+door

[Corranga]

The r26 doesn't come with back doors though, in fact very few budget spec hot hatches do..

The 225 did however plus there was the RS diesel version that pushed out 175bhp for performance and economy
http://www.gumtree.com/renault/uk/megane+225+5+door

Didn't realise there was a diesel one too, but was looking at 5 door 225's already.

Cheers,
Chris

[Martin]

I bought a new 197 back in 2007 which I kept for a couple of years. It was the standard model and needed to be driven hard to get the best out of it. As has been mentioned, the gearing was all wrong in the earlier cars but overall it was a capable fast car. Was never really keen on the megane sports and less so with the newest offering (although the R26 R is rather nice). Currently running a corsa vxr which has a much higher quality interior than the 197 and different power delivery what with the turbo. However, the looks are a bit boy racerish which I've grown to like less and less.