As the title says, I'm saying goodbye to the VRS.

It's been a truly great car. I bought it 18 months ago on a bit of a whim to fill an immediate need for a 5 door with a bit of poke. I really didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I have done.

 

It's being traded in for a 65 plate Renaultsport Clio 220 Trophy. Having had two rs clios in the past I have a bit of a soft spot for them and after test driving one yesterday I have taken the plunge.

So, if anyones looking for a good VRS, it's being traded in to Renault in Slough, reg is LF14 FSA.

The car's been perfect, hasn't used a drop of oil. No issues mechanically. The only issues I have had are cosmetic ones with my wheels.

I'm getting rid of it for two reasons. Firstly, I fancied a change. Secondly, I have had a few run ins with Skoda customer services/ dealerships recently that have pushed me to the point that I don't want to spend another penny with them.

 

Thanks for being an awesome community.

 

 

-Adam

Nice one - be interested to hear what you think of the 220 after you've had the chance to put it through its paces - now pretty rapid out the stalls following the upgrade from 200 to 220.

Not sure if i've ever spoken to you before but have been beaten by the Renault bug myself in the past when i owned a Clio 172 so had to chime in. 

I'd also be curious as to your thoughts on the new machine.

 

Enjoy it regardless mate! 

Enjoy the clio, should be good! :-)

Had the new car a little over a week.

First impressions - it's a great car.

 

Engine is great, lots of grunt and goes a lot better than the VRS did, even with the tuning box on it. Power delivery is very linear, doesn't kick you the ass but the numbers rack up pretty damn quickly.

Chasis is incredible, very flat in the twisty stuff, it's running on pilot supersports as standard and the two combined means the car doesn't even move an inch in the twisty stuff. But at the same time it's a hell of a lot more comfortable than the VRS was with it's lowering springs. The dampening is just top notch.

 

Gearbox - this was my initial worry given slate reviews of the original 200 edc. But to be honest, I have no issues with the revised box in the 220 trophy. In auto mode it's fine, little bit dim witted at times compared to the DSG box, but it's fine in general. In race mode the gearbox is great. A hell of a lot faster that the DSG is and very smooth.

 

Sounds great - has a nice exhaust note and pops on full throttle shifts every time.

 

In general, I can't fault it. I loved my VRS but this is a much more engaging/ fun hot hatch to me, you can throw it down a backroad with some serious speed (not that I advocate it!).

 

It's already booked in for some development work with a tuning company that I know. I'm going the box route to start off with and keep the warranty as in tact as I can, they are estimating somewhere between 250-260bhp once they have finished. So means I should have Megane RS output, in a smaller/ lighter car.