RENAULT MEGANE RS265 (2012) / Cheap fast fun. Yes he actually bought it. 

Get Matt to install a downpipe. It becomes another beast altogether. Sport button also gives 265ps vs 250 on normal mode. Also found turning esc off completely allows the LSD to work to its full potential.

Eibach proline springs fix the ride despite 25mm drop at the front and 15mm at the back. They're progressive so still pretty stiff for good handling but very good at smoothing out the small bumps making the ride much less jiggly. Non-cup dampers improve the ride hugely as well. And removing the center box makes the exhaust note much better without making it louder.

I reckon your bang for buck scale is spot on. I've got a remapped RS 250, upgraded discs and pads, PS4S's, res delete and that's it. Love the car. It's far better than my abilities and can really get going. After weaving through some twisties and rowing between second third and fourth I have to just sit in awe. It's a keeper for me. Good mix of modern conveniences and old analogue feel. Your review is pretty much how I feel though I don't mind the stiffness.

Love the review - I purchased an RS250 Trophy 2 years ago; primarily a track day car (cost $13.5k with 120k km, full history and one doctor owner). What a steal considering fantastic chassis, brakes, LSD and bullet proof engine & g/box. Couple of comments regarding your great review: - RS250/265/275 was fitted with recirc valve not a blow off (aftermarket fitment on yours) - 3 modes not 2 - normal, sport (with stability control), sport (no ESC); and "sport" modes not only changes throttle response (configurable) but on the RS265, brings power up from 250 in "normal" mode to 265HP, and on the RS275, brings power up from 250 to 275HP - rev limiter early at 6000rpm is a sign of a faulty thermostat as the ECU won't allow engine to redline when not up to full temp (had the same problem and symptom). Also check your rpm "beep" (not rev limiter) setting is not set on 500rpm or so (subtract this from redline when beep goes off; but beep is also further reduced if not up to temp). Don't you just love the French logic! - other issues to look out for apart from thermostat (which is very very common) are expansion tank hair-line cracks/weeping, aircon compressor and engine mounts. Also if you want more info/help with the car this forum is brilliant www.ozrenaultsport.com/

Missed my RS265... Watched the video just to reminisce about the good times! I might add that these cars are very reliable and nothing had gone wrong during my three years of ownership despite the (unfounded) French reputation. Btw I think the car has the obligatory resonator deleted already, that's the only way you can hear all the boy racer pops and cracks on lift off.

Have an 8.08 version , absolutely love driving it

Megane > i30N from a drivers experience. Superior double axis enhanced strut on the Meg similar to the FK8 & FL5 CTRs, new i30N with basic strut sharpened by running a fair negative camber at a cost of high tyre wear rate. I think the 18" mid range PS4 tyre you've got fitted here might not be sharp enough if you think the new i30N better to steer.

5 years owner of a RS265 (facelift) premium, the only issue I had was 1 ABS sensor and 1 boot release button . As for the harsh ride , it actually smooth out when you really push . ( Having said that around town I hate the 19" but love the look especially because I had shortened springs )

Great to see older cars been reviewed and for most people who are not Race drivers 6.1 0-100 is more than enough. Only thing is the noise it makes on the rd. 😊🇦🇺

Nice review, as ever - I much prefer these "everyday" interesting, older cars than the kind of aspirational stuff most of us will never own. Admittedly I am mildly biased as a fan of Renault cars (currently driving a Clio 172), and as a fan of several defunct brands (Saab, Lancia). It's a sad reflection that so many enthusiast cars come with the "you'll need to find a specialist mechanic" point - if I can do the timing belt on my 172, surely a professional mechanic should be more than capable! But I echo that - there are great RenaultSport experts around Australia if you need one, and the OZRS forum is a fantastic resource if you want advice or to get hands on. I suspect Mark may have found useful advice there while deciding which of the multitude Megane models to plump for! Most will say "one with Recaro's!" Finally - and as you may expect given I own a Clio - I quite like that new graph!

Thanks guys this has helped me decide on whether to purchase this a Megane, I also have a budget of $20k and as well like cars that have a bit of querk so needless to say I’m SOLD!

Since most of the obvious things are already in the comments, I'll add a trivial one about the glovebox: These (like many other cars) were designed for the steering wheel to be on the left side, so when you swap it over to the right there isn't much room like it would in, let's say, the French version of the car.

Great review. I hated ps4 tyres on the megane. TheGoodyear eagle f1 super sports are what you want in 18inch. They can actually allow you to attack the corners properly - get them from Tempe. Ps4 are too mushy to get the potential out of the car. Also one of my favourite upgrades was to bilstein b14 coilovers. An improvement in every way with better dampening/ less harshness. I wished I did it earlier - especially given the suspension is 10 years old now, it would give it a refresh.

My I30N DCT has a blown gearbox (not even a year old) Hyundai is buying the car back and I have decided to get one of these instead. Picking up an RS 265 next week!

Love these on track.

Moo. 😂 Not sure that the cow liked the yellow seat belts either lol. I can see the attraction and agree that life is too short to drive boring cars, but never really liked FWD ones (other than the original Minis and the early CRX). Good to see heel/toe work rather than silly paddle things

Ive got a 2015 RS thats stock (as far as i know) and its a tonne of fun. Its almost worth the speeding fines and bi-monthly chats with NSW highway patrol 😅

nice listening to older dudes rather than some 27yr old yelling at me

I assume this is in NSW? These roads look amazing, mind if you share the spot?

Does this car hold up well after 10 years? Got my eyes on a 2013 rs 265 cup with 114km for $17k seems not bad

What happened to the GT4RS video?

I’ve owned an i30n Fastback and a megane 265 and I reckon the megane is much more engaging and corners better. What are your thoughts? It’s an interesting comparison. 😊

Is there any benefit to a blown off valve, I got the same car I like the sound of the blow off but I heard it causes issues long term.

When you buy a car and you think the wastegate sound is stock 😅

hardly cheap fun if you have to come up with $2,500 to $3,000 for extra servicing every 5 years for cam belt and water pumps...