Used car buying guide: Renault Mégane RS

For an even harsher set-up (the harshest, in fact), look no further than the RS 275 Trophy-R. This was designed for track use, so its Öhlins suspension isn’t forgiving in the slightest. You will be bounced and thrown around on a rough B-road. While some will call this annoying, others will call it the hardcore edge of one of the most exciting hot hatches ever made. 

Like the RS 265 Trophy that came before it, the RS 275 Trophy-R raised the bar for front-wheel-drive cars at the Nürburgring. In 2014, it set a time of 7min 54.36sec. To add to its already legendary status, Renault only ever brought 30 examples to the UK, making it a rare (and thus expensive) creation. 

In 2016, the second generation of the Renault Mégane RS said farewell, being followed two years later by the fivedoor RS 280 Sport, RS 280 Cup and RS 300 Trophy. 

The Mk2 certainly had a good run, setting two Nürburgring lap records and thrilling drivers on both public roads and tracks. 

There are a good number of hot hatches that are much more practical and relaxing than this Mégane RS, but few are so quick and so entertaining for the money.

What we said then

13 January 2010: “Even in Cup form, this is a more mature, less brutish hot hatch than the old R26. And on initial inspection, it’s easy to confuse this maturity for a lack of soul. But that would be a mistake. Because get it on the right road (or better still a track) and the maturity melts away to reveal a hot hatch that is intimate, confidence inspiring and exceptionally talented.”

An expert's view

Matthew Ashmore, Select Motorsport: “It really does a great job of keeping alive the RS spirit – the kind you get with some of the older, rawer models – while offering some comfort and good low-down torque to help with everyday driving. This is the main attraction to these cars, because they make good daily-drivers. And with a few light modifications, they go extremely well on track. We work with them most days, taking them from standard road cars to modified track/race cars. Cambelts are pretty labour-intensive and it really pays to take them to a garage that’s familiar with them. It’s all too common to see timing issues resulting in lower power and economy/efficiency.”

Buyer beware

Engine: Check the cambelt and water pump were changed when the car turned six years old or hit 75,000 miles. An RS needs 5W-40 fully synthetic oil, and make sure you look for oil leaks around the rocker and sump covers. 

Transmission: The gearbox can suffer from noisy bearings, which is a costly issue to fix. On cars with more 60,000 miles, the dual-mass flywheel can develop a faint clicking or tapping. If you hear it, be warned that it only gets worse. Interior: Make sure the underfloor storage cubbies aren’t damp. Look for any splits and cracks in the driver’s seat bolsters. And when you start the car, check that the warning lights go out. 

Suspension: The anti-roll-bar drop links can wear and the rubber top-mount bushes can split. The former can be identified by a slight knock. These are minor issues compared with worn lower swivel joints, signalled by a slight knocking noise that can turn into cracking on full lock. This will render the car undriveable, because the bottom of the suspension will try to pull itself outwards under acceleration and inwards under braking. 

Brakes and tyres: Examine the edges of the discs for heavy lipping. With the front wheels at full lock, check the tyres’ inner shoulders for excessive wear. It’s best if the tyres are from a premium brand. 

Body: Check the windscreen scuttle drains for blockages. The rear wheel arches attract stone chips and require attention before corrosion sets in.

Also worth knowing

For the 2012 facelift, Renault upped the power of the standard Mégane RS to 261bhp. However, this figure is only accessible when you press the ESP button; you have 247bhp in the car’s default mode. Holding down the ESP button turns off the stability aids. If you’re looking at buying a facelifted Megané RS, it’s worth checking this all works when you go for a test drive. 

For Formula 1 fans, there was the Red Bull RB8 limited edition, which marked the Renault-engined team’s 2012 title wins with Sebastian Vettel.

How much to spend

£6000–£7999: Early RS 250s with around 100,000 miles on them, most sold privately. Their conditions are questionable.

£8000–£10,999: More RS 250s but some with the Cup chassis, as well as some fully fledged Cup cars. Mileages dip towards 50,000 at the top end of this budget.