R26.R No.39

Discussion in 'Megane Projects' started by Pipe & Slippers, Jul 23, 2013.

  1. I'll try and keep this thread up to date and include a summary of the car's history here for anyone that's interested and also for the benefit of any future owner/s!

    R26.R No.39

    '09 plate

    Delivery Spec:
    • Lunar Grey
    • Roll Cage
    • Red Wheels
    • Toyo R888s
    • Climate Control
    • Electric Folding Mirrors
    • Titanium Exhaust (actually not at delivery, but supplied by Renault shorty afterwards)

    Modifications made by first owner:
    • Alpine iPod stereo with Pioneer speakers in doors
    • Ferodo DS2500 brake pads
    • ITG panel filter

    History:
    2 previous owners & me
    I acquired her in Oct 2012 with 16k on the clock.


    Here's a pic of the car on track with it's first owner:
    [​IMG]

    And posing for the camera:
    [​IMG]

    The second owner wasn't a forum user and had the car less than a year, but kept up the servicing and fitted fresh Toyo 888 tyres.

    I've yet to take the car on track, but drive it regularly (avoiding short journeys) and have put a lot of effort into keeping it in great condition.

    Soon after I collected her she was treated to a professional detail valet by Detailed Car Care in Waterlooville, and had VentureShield 3M protective film applied to the front bumper and bonnet:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG][​IMG]

    Since then, aside from a lot of fantastic drives and plenty of cleaning, I've done the following:


    • Swapped the 5-point harnesses for slightly more convenient 4-point items as I was using the car daily for the first few months. The original items will be going back in shortly as I now have a second car for routine use.
    • Added good quality front and rear mudflaps along with rubber floor mats just to keep everything in top condition
    • Sealed around the speakers in the door to prevent water ingress into door pockets (waterproofed window electrics and applied cavity wax inside doors at same time)
    • Set of nokian winter tyres which I used through the winter but again, as I now have a more practical car to use in bad weather, these might be up for sale in time for next winter.
    • Replaced one of the track-rod ends which was worn and checked alignment at the same time.
    • I have a different, less "personalised" reg. number ready to go on, but am being ridiculously slow about sorting out the DVLA forms.

    The gearbox was never particularly smooth to engage reverse and, after the box temporarily jammed after reversing one day recently, I had it looked at by R-Sport in Wimbledon who were unable to diagnose the problem, and then by a gearbox specialist near Basingstoke who discovered a broken selector fork (cause unknown but seems it had been like that for a long time) and are currently rebuilding the box to good-as-new condition. Box will be filled with Motul Motylgear 75w/80 oil.

    [​IMG]

    An uprated Helix organic clutch kit with solid flywheel is on it's way and will also be fitted, mainly for long term durability (longer lasting that the standard Renault set-up with it's dual-mass flywheel), although the extra clamping force will also be good insurance for any future power upgrades.

    Once this work is done she's due her 4 year service but, as it's the first service since I picked her up, I'll be doing a thorough job and have the following supplies ready to go:


    • Millers Nanodrive CFS 5W/40NT fully synth oil for the engine
    • Renault oil filter
    • New spark plugs (NGK platinum)
    • Motul RBF600 brake fluid
    • HEL Braided brake lines (worthwhile upgrade whilst changing the fluid)
    • Motul antifreeze for the rad
    • Renault cabin filter

    A few other pics, just for the heck of it:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG][​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    That's all for now...
     
  2. The car looks spotless mate and probably my favourite .R colour.

    Was the previous owner steve saunders?
     
  3. Nick

    Nick RSM Moderator

    some good memories there :cool:
     
  4. Yes, Steve Saunders was the first owner.
     
  5. Naith

    Naith RSM Admin

    Been flat out in this round oulton when Steve owned it, don't worry I treated her with respect. Such a good car.
     
  6. Said it before, lovely car - perfect spec too!
     
  7. Daz

    Daz

    Lovely car.

    Are those badges on the edge of the seats? I thought they were rips at first!
     
  8. Little "Sabelt "tags. I remember thinking the same thing when I was first trawling the classifieds for an R and looking at the photos.
     
  9. Nick

    Nick RSM Moderator

    phew :eek: I can see them now
     
  10. Salty

    Salty RSM Moderator

    that is one very nice tidy car, only downside for me is the bloody harnesses :smile:
     
  11. Epic car...soooo much want for one of these, unfortunately they cost a fortune over here :-(
     
  12. Ash87

    Ash87 RSM Moderator

    Lovely colour, i thought they were rips in the seats aswell lol
     
  13. Dan

    Dan

    Nice car..

    I was looking for a Lunar Grey one, but ended up with a Black one #36
     
  14. Think I've just done a sex wee..
     
  15. Love this car, I asked Steve a couple of times to sell me it but the time wasn't right for him.

    On the .R I'm torn between Lunar and Racing Blue :cool:
     
  16. Oil, coolant, filters and spark plugs changed at the weekend. Swapped the airbox out for an "RY04KLY ITG filter" while I was at it, so we'll see how I get on with that.
     
  17. Gray

    Gray RSM Moderator

    Stunning example.
     
  18. Noice, if your selling the Reg, Steve may want it back.
    Ive also been to the ring in this car :smile:
    Lovely example..
     
  19. Lovely car this ... By far the best colour:smile:
     
  20. Cheers guys.
    A big bundle of good quality hose clamps arrived in the post this morning, so new intercooler and pipes will be fitted shortly. That should please my other half, as the front bumper is currently taking pride of place in our living room!
     
  21. Driving NY Moors

    A few pics from an incredible weekend in Yorkshire driving some cracking roads over the moors.
    Purists will be pleased to hear that, since the Meggy isn't my daily drive at the moment, I've removed the after-market stereo and re-fitted the 5-point harness. Happy days.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
  22. Which michelin tyres are you running

    rich
     
  23. Just put Super Sports on (225 40 18). Very impressed so far.
     
  24. Thanks for your reply

    rich
     
  25. very nice indeed, I think I know the roads you were on also

    next time your in Yorkshire we'll have to get some shots
     
  26. How are you finding the supersports?

    I'm away to purchase a set aswell
     
  27. Hi Rich, only just seen your post. I'm very pleased with the Super Sports - had a good run up to Wales for Rally GB at the weekend and they were very predictable on the cold and greasy roads.
     
  28. Tempted by the supersports for my 225 next. How much did you pick up a set for?
     
  29. Well, it's been a while but I think it's about time I updated this thread...

    I've made a few "tried and tested" improvements to #39 over the last year, and also been getting out on track courtesy of CAT driver training at Millbrook and several sessions at Curborough sprint course.

    Current mileage: 26,500 - so a nice, steady 5,000 ish per year.

    Brakes:

    • KTR big brake kit (i.e. Performance Friction 330mm rotors and alloy bells)
    • CL RC5+ brake pads front and rear
    • Calipers serviced with new seals and stainless brake pad retaining pins
    • HEL stainless braided brake lines front & rear
    • Motul RBF600 DOT4 brake fluid

    Under the bonnet:

    • The usual diet of V-Power and Millers Nanotech oil
    • NGK Platinum sparkplugs
    • Forge recirc valve
    • Forge actuator
    • Forge aluminium intercooler
    • Forge aluminium radiator (with Millers Inugel coolant)
    • Forge silicone hoses
    • Forge hard-pipe kit
    • ITG air filter (low mounted)
    • RS Tuning stainless steel sports cat and downpipe.
    • Bosch 630cc injectors (flow-matched)
    • RS Tuning dyno remap with all new parts installed: 280bhp and capped at 300lbft torque
    • Forge vacuum and boost sensor retaining clamps
    • Heat-reflective foil to underside of bonnet

    Other bits:

    • Purchased a spare set of wheels in black for track use
    • Switched to Osram Nightbreaker Plus dipped and main bulbs
    • Added Streamline carbon wing mirrors, B-pillar and side-bullets

    I know there's an argument for keeping these cars exactly as they left the factory but I can honestly say that, for me at least, it feels a better overall package with the upgrades - the chassis handles the extra grunt easily - no issues with traction or torque-steer (remembering the throttle is not a binary on/off switch), it pulls smoothly all the way through the range and stops on a sixpence time and again with no fading. Simply brilliant! Anyway, I've kept all of the original parts just in case a future owner ever feels the need to downgrade in the name of originality.

    In other news, despite loving the car to bits, I might consider swapping her for something else this year... Family "expansion" is on the horizon, plus I've got a classic car itch that needs to be scratched i.e. something older, slower, less grippy and no doubt less reliable... Either I'm mad, or I've been spending too long watching the Goodwood live-feed and browsing www.carandclassic.co.uk...

    She's due her 6yr service so I think I'll get that done, maybe enjoy a couple more track outings, and then see if I still feel the same way.

    In the meantime, here's a few recent pics:

    oxDH3Sl.jpg RdwkOQ1.jpg 3X2Pi4G.jpg 8D6RvIl.jpg aMNRkxg.jpg

    Happy motoring everyone!
     
  30. Feirny

    Feirny RSM Admin

    Awesome car, I remember following you down the M1 once in my Fabia a few years ago now.
     
  31. Cheers - yes, I remember you mentioning that you'd spotted me!


    Side note:
    Back in an earlier post I mentioned that I was thinking of fitting a Helix Organic clutch. Well, I do have one sat on a shelf in the garage (along with loads of other spare parts I've collected and never needed) but, since the standard item is still going strong, and showing no signs of fading, I decided "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" - so it's still in it's box.
     
  32. awesome car, only bettered by the modifications
     
  33. If you ever wish to sell it let me know
     
  34. -Jamie-

    -Jamie- RSM Moderator

    This is the best colour combo on the .R IMO.

    Good choice of upgrades as well, It winds me up when people go on about a car that they are perfect out the box, They don't need anything yada yada when this just isn't true. Nothing is optimised for pure performance, there is always a compromise in terms on on road comfort/driveablity. Same applies for the Mk3 RS. That is in regards for out and out performance mind you as well as track work. I guess for road only and those that are not serious about TD's then it probably is true but for those who drive their cars hard and used them on track a lot then a road car is always going to have its flaws.
     
  35. Wow such a nice car, if i got the chance for sure mods on
     
  36. Nice update and some choice modifications. If you do decide to sell I think you should let me have first dibs lol. I provisionally bought this before you if you remember :wink:.
     
  37. Great looking car and well judged modifications, must go well with 280 horses, nice pic's
     
  38. That's pretty awesome, and a great selection of mods - just right.

    Each to their own and everything, but I think you'd be mad to sell that.
     
  39. Very similar to mine, but putting a radio in it is simply criminal :wink:
     

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