This looks interesting: Megane RS wagon

[itsnotagsr]

Saw a white one of these on the weekend. Looked pretty good. Don't think I'd want to own one long term though!

[Captiva Fan]

If I read the 5-year unlimited-km warranty bit right, they're kinda covering the definition of "long term" for most new car buyers, though ...

[Aaron]

If I read the 5-year unlimited-km warranty bit right, they're kinda covering the definition of "long term" for most new car buyers, though ...

Only three years on Renaultsport cars.

However I delude myself with the idea that all the stuff in the car except the engine is the same as the 5year unlimited km warrantied cars and won't go wrong.

[id]

I went to check out a GT-line on the weekend.

Fucking dual clutch only and gutless as fuck. Same engine as the base model. The quickest is a mid 10 0-100 which is fucking slow.

[Captiva Fan]

Oh - a GT220 is officially a RenaultSport car?
I'd thought it was somehow "backdoored" as a non-RS.

Same engine as the base model.

Aren't there a few specs amount the GT Line range? ie. if you're driving the one with the same engine as the base model all you're getting is a few suspension tweaks ... ?
The GT220 is also part of the GT Line range, isn't it?

[Aaron]

Nah GT220 was used in AU as a hero car for the introduction of the 2013.5 Megane range here. But because they're a worldwide 1-off (2000 in total and Australia got the largest allocation with 220 cars) each country markets them differently. Germany only got black apparently! They are a full RenaultSport effort though.

A GT-Line is the "Top Spec" kind of meaning all the features and the sporty suspension, but one step less harsh than the GT220 which is basically RS265 spring and dampers applied to non-Perfohub bits..

I was pretty sure you could have a GT-Line with the N/A 2.0L which in non-RS trim must be as enticing as a SR20 in an N14 Pulsar, and it's definitely available with a manual elsewhere if not here. The F4R is NOT the smoothest thing around, but there are heaps of tweaks and tunes available in Europe if you want to play...

[Captiva Fan]

If what id says about the GT-Line's performance is true, an SR20DE N14 would smash the GT-Line absolutely stupid ... mid 8 second 0-100 versus mid 10s 0-100 is a pretty big difference.
I don't know if you remember, but a SR20DE N14 was actually surprisingly good performance in the early 90's; 205 and Golf GTI's were good in the twisties, but a hatch that could straight-line keep up with a manual moo & be faster than a slushbox one was something of a novelty!

[id]

If what id says about the GT-Line's performance is true, an SR20DE N14 would smash the GT-Line absolutely stupid ... mid 8 second 0-100 versus mid 10s 0-100 is a pretty big difference.
I don't know if you remember, but a SR20DE N14 was actually surprisingly good performance in the early 90's; 205 and Golf GTI's were good in the twisties, but a hatch that could straight-line keep up with a manual moo & be faster than a slushbox one was something of a novelty!

And that's a best case:
http://www.carsales.com.au/demo/deta.../?Cr=6&sdmvc=1 10.3 0-100

diesel
http://www.carsales.com.au/demo/deta.../?Cr=7&sdmvc=1 11.7 0-100

I went to check out the diesel hoping for something like the VW Golf GTD. It's a slug. So much so that I am no longer looking at the brand. It's just a badge package. Like a Sportivo Camry.

Agree on the SSS as well. Good little car.

[Captiva Fan]

It's just a badge package. Like a Sportivo Camry.

Isn't more like the Camry Touring in the Baluga Whale body-shape (ie. the first one they intro'd the 3L V6 here)?
I thought the GT-Line has a considerably more sophisticated chassis & better suspension tune, although apparently still running the same engines as before?

[id]

Isn't more like the Camry Touring in the Baluga Whale body-shape (ie. the first one they intro'd the 3L V6 here)?
I thought the GT-Line has a considerably more sophisticated chassis & better suspension tune, although apparently still running the same engines as before?

Possibly. They make sense as a base model (same engine, different suspension) at 20k driveaway on 0% finance. They make sense as the RS in either wagon or hatch. I just felt the GT line was overpriced and massively under performing.

I drove the 125kw Alfa Giuletta just before it, and it was a much better car all round, at a lower price.

[Aaron]

I was just saying that a F4R (2.0 Renault N/A) is like a SR20 in terms of sounding like tractor. The poor Megane probably has to haul a real world 500kg more around too...

[rj_astra]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/297944/r...and-gt-models/
http://www.caradvice.com.au/298241/2...all-car-range/

GT220 Hatch added to range.

[Aaron]

Yeah, they're not quite as awesome now compared to the Limited edition cars - no limited edition build plate ... Small differences in spec like no HIDs (projector beam, but just halogen), you get RS Monitor 2.0 in the "Premium" Spec which is a plus.

Suspension is apparently slightly tweaked again - not as hard supposedly - and no black accents on the exterior, the only things that identify the GT220 is the "GT 220" badge on the B pillars.

Still no LSD or Perfohub or Brembos.

Mines over a year old and been great, very happy with it. Not stressed that it's now a mainstream model, in fact it's probably going to make it retain value a little better because it'll be less of an "odd duck". http://excesstext.com/2014/07/11/1-y...-megane-gt220/ for my 1-year review.

I rate the wagon over the 5-door only because it has a lot more rear legroom thanks to a longer wheelbase. It's not a huge wagon, but it's very useable. The "Premium" black and white leather interior has a caveat compared to the cloth trim versions though, you cannot lie the front passenger seat flat to get a full length of cabin load in. Apparently the cloth seats do - must be a different mechanism. You do feel the extra wheel base in the handling and as one review said it gives a little more roll, honestly, in mine, it's not a hinderance, although if the new ones are that bit "softer" then it may be the case. I'd generally say, the extra roll is worth it for the 1% of the time you notice versus the 100% of the time your rear seat passengers feel more comfortable.

As for costs of ownership - you can buy the genuine service kits out of the UK quite cheaply - front brakes are shared with the Koleos soft roader so there's actually a range of pads and rotors available in the aftermarket - TomTom charges up to $99/year for Satnav update subscription, but I just paid $49 to renew mine and only $69 last year as TomTom is pretty good at throwing deals at you. The RS Monitor 2.0 thing isn't as awesome for some people it seems, but hey it's better than the unit I have

The only "gotcha" is the timing belt change at 4 years intervals, and to be honest it's not a difficult task, so you could DIY or just use a competent mechanic/specialist. I would think lending a mechanic the Cam-lock tools and handing them the Genuine (or aftermarket) Belt-change service kit would make it very cost effective and easy.

They do like to use "special" oil, but it's just stuff with a RN710 certification (http://excesstext.com/renaultsport-engine-oils/) which is common enough to give you choices beyond the $90 at Dealer price Elf. The oil filters like every recent car are expensive at $25 a go, or buy in a service kit from the UK via Amazon/eBay etc etc)

You change the pollen filter by removing the clutch pedal, but it's not hard, just weird, but will add more labour to the cost of the service when it's done.

In short, worth a look if you like manual cars that can actually be "comfortable" yet fun to drive and are quick point to point without needing to win traffic light drags (needs LSD)

[rj_astra]

They have also increase the warranty period on the RS models to the full 5 yrs.