"Owning a Megane never crossed my mind!"
After losing his Mk2 MR2 to the dreaded rust issues they are notorious for, Jamie was on the hunt for a suitable replacement - "Ideally something RWD or AWD" - neither of which the Megane is! It IS however turbocharged, which, to Jamie, was definitely an attractive buying point. Jamie is also no stranger to the french side of the modified community; His first car was a 1.2 Twingo GT, so it seems only natural that a Renault would once again find its way into his ownership.
After losing his Mk2 MR2 to the dreaded rust issues they are notorious for, Jamie was on the hunt for a suitable replacement - "Ideally something RWD or AWD" - neither of which the Megane is! It IS however turbocharged, which, to Jamie, was definitely an attractive buying point. Jamie is also no stranger to the french side of the modified community; His first car was a 1.2 Twingo GT, so it seems only natural that a Renault would once again find its way into his ownership.
"I was soon on my way to Brighton to view the car!"
After some browsing through the RenaultSport range, the Liquid Yellow colour and the throaty roar of the engine had Jamie hooked, driving down to Brighton to view this example he was hooked, and was soon the proud owner of an R26 Megane - with factory Cup package nonetheless. The choice of a megane was partly due to Jamies' history with Renaults, and partly due to his ambition to always have something different - not to have the typical cars that you see at meets or shows - and that's exactly what he's achieved in owning an R26.
After some browsing through the RenaultSport range, the Liquid Yellow colour and the throaty roar of the engine had Jamie hooked, driving down to Brighton to view this example he was hooked, and was soon the proud owner of an R26 Megane - with factory Cup package nonetheless. The choice of a megane was partly due to Jamies' history with Renaults, and partly due to his ambition to always have something different - not to have the typical cars that you see at meets or shows - and that's exactly what he's achieved in owning an R26.
"My first modification was a Stage 1.5 remap"
Power and drivability has definitely been more of a priority with this car - possibly due to the fact the paintwork and lines of the car look so good from factory. First up was a Stage 1.5 remap; This took the car from 0.9 to 1.2 bar of boost and from 230 to 280bhp, as well as importantly making the power delivery more linear and usable - important seeing as this is Jamies' daily driver! Next up was a Forge intercooler and dump valve to support the remap, alone with a K-tec intake kit, opening up the sound of the engine and making the turbo flutter noise nice and loud. Finally, a 3" stainless-steel cat back was purchased from K-tec racing, amplifying the roar of the engine and creating some awesome over-run pops and crackles out the back of the car.
Power and drivability has definitely been more of a priority with this car - possibly due to the fact the paintwork and lines of the car look so good from factory. First up was a Stage 1.5 remap; This took the car from 0.9 to 1.2 bar of boost and from 230 to 280bhp, as well as importantly making the power delivery more linear and usable - important seeing as this is Jamies' daily driver! Next up was a Forge intercooler and dump valve to support the remap, alone with a K-tec intake kit, opening up the sound of the engine and making the turbo flutter noise nice and loud. Finally, a 3" stainless-steel cat back was purchased from K-tec racing, amplifying the roar of the engine and creating some awesome over-run pops and crackles out the back of the car.
"I had to have a boost gauge - because they're just cool!"
The addition of a simple boost gauge is far from the extent of the work done to the interior of the R26. Most noticeably the rear seats have been removed and replaced with a bolt-in half rollcage (in yellow, naturally) which really stands out, even against the yellow paintwork of the car. The original factory wheel has been taken out, and replaced with a Turn One model with yellow centre mark (you can see a theme here!). Custom-made mats with yellow edging also help to add some contrast to the otherwise bland, grey interior. Finally this is all finished off with... a yellow tree air freshener. For real. (I've never actually sen the car without one!)
The addition of a simple boost gauge is far from the extent of the work done to the interior of the R26. Most noticeably the rear seats have been removed and replaced with a bolt-in half rollcage (in yellow, naturally) which really stands out, even against the yellow paintwork of the car. The original factory wheel has been taken out, and replaced with a Turn One model with yellow centre mark (you can see a theme here!). Custom-made mats with yellow edging also help to add some contrast to the otherwise bland, grey interior. Finally this is all finished off with... a yellow tree air freshener. For real. (I've never actually sen the car without one!)
"The best modification I've made is the Federal 959RSR Tyres"
The car came from factory with the Cup kit, meaning it has Eibach coilovers on the front, along with Eibach coils and dampers on the back. This created an ideal handling setup, which helped the R26 lap the Nordschleiffe faster than a Cayman S. With no need to improve on perfection, Jamie simply added a set of 5mm spacers. Longing for more grip and ease in putting the power down, a set of Federal 959RSR Semi-Slick tyres were installed, unlocking the full potential of the power and handling setup. Whilst not cheap at nearly £100 per corner, the improvements to the car means Jamie would happily use them again and again.
The car came from factory with the Cup kit, meaning it has Eibach coilovers on the front, along with Eibach coils and dampers on the back. This created an ideal handling setup, which helped the R26 lap the Nordschleiffe faster than a Cayman S. With no need to improve on perfection, Jamie simply added a set of 5mm spacers. Longing for more grip and ease in putting the power down, a set of Federal 959RSR Semi-Slick tyres were installed, unlocking the full potential of the power and handling setup. Whilst not cheap at nearly £100 per corner, the improvements to the car means Jamie would happily use them again and again.
"Its time for the car to go!"
With his sights set on returning to the JDM world in the form of a MK1 MR2sc, the Megane will soon be up for sale! As much fun as it may be, it's not filling the RWD requirement for Jamie. Watch this space - I'm sure whatever supercedes the Megane will be just as well-built and executed.
With his sights set on returning to the JDM world in the form of a MK1 MR2sc, the Megane will soon be up for sale! As much fun as it may be, it's not filling the RWD requirement for Jamie. Watch this space - I'm sure whatever supercedes the Megane will be just as well-built and executed.
Specification:
Exterior:
5mm Spacers
Federal 959RSR Semi-Slick Tyres
Interior:
Boost Gauge
Rear Seat Delete
K-Tec Bolt-In Half Rollcage
Turn One Steering Wheel
Custom-Made Mats
Cargo Net
Engine:
Stage 1.5 Remap to 1.2Bar Boost / 280hp
Forge Dump Valve
Forge FMIC
K-Tec Racing Intake
K-Tec 3" Stainless Steel Cat-Back
Exterior:
5mm Spacers
Federal 959RSR Semi-Slick Tyres
Interior:
Boost Gauge
Rear Seat Delete
K-Tec Bolt-In Half Rollcage
Turn One Steering Wheel
Custom-Made Mats
Cargo Net
Engine:
Stage 1.5 Remap to 1.2Bar Boost / 280hp
Forge Dump Valve
Forge FMIC
K-Tec Racing Intake
K-Tec 3" Stainless Steel Cat-Back
Photography: Kieran Bicknell
Words: Kieran Bicknell.
Words: Kieran Bicknell.