It Lives! - 2006 RenaultSport Megane 225

[Alex225]

So, we're in the process of packing up to move house. It's been long overdue but I finally rolled my RS Megane out of the garage after a 10+ year hibernation.

I actually had no idea the condition it would be in. I did aim to store it properly but not for this long but kids, work and then more kids came along so there it sat. But it has to move to the new house and at least be able to move under it's own steam.

The outside had faired quite well to be honest. Plenty of cobwebs under the cover but overall it was fine.

Under the bonnet was a but mucky. Some little furry creature had made it's home in the sound deadening which I popped off the bonnet and ditched as it was knackered.

I had taken the battery out of the car as I didn't have a trickle charger at the time. I also learned the hard way what happens when the battery dies, with the only physical keyhole on the car being on the passenger side, a few inches from the wall! Hence the bonnet was left open during it's storage.

Before I started the car, I had my mechanic out to change the oil and oil filter and install a new battery before trying to start it. It attempted to start but we realised the fuel pump wasn't doing anything so had to sort out a replacement. Whilst he replaced the pump, he also drained and cleaned out the tank. That is one knackered fuel pump!

Once that was installed, it fired up absolutely no problem and by some miracle everything still works, even the air conditioning! You all know me well enough to know the next thing I'm going to do is clean it. So I went over the interior first. Despite it's coma, the interior was fine other than some spots of mould under the mats, very minor but I vacuumed and cleaned the carpets. Wiped the plastics over and cleaned the glass.

Keep in mind I was 23 when I first bought this so it had to have a serious stereo! haha

 

[Alex225]

Next up was the exterior but first getting some proper air in the tyres. They weren't flat but were about 15psi. Thanks goodness I put copper grease on these and didn't over tighten them, all four came off fine.

A few bugs had definitely made this their home over the years.

Incredibly the Dodo Juice Supernatural wax I'd applied to the car was still beading!!

Gave it a gentle wash with Car-Chem Ceramic Suds which tops up the protection anyway.

The black trims were looking their 17 years, so some Chemical Guys New Look Trim Gel sorted them out.

Although the paintwork could do with just a hand polish and re-protect I think it's come up very nicely.

I also gave the engine bay a thorough clean whilst it was still in the garage but another wipe down after the wash and looking fresh.

By some miracle the California Scents airfreshner I'd left in the car still had a scent to it, but replaced it with a new one!

So there we have it, it starts, it moves and it's clean ready to be loaded and make it 120 miles to our new house in just under two weeks.

Also you may be wondering why I haven't just sold the car. Well back in 2005 I started my first London based job, it afforded me the ability to buy the car. But four days into the job, my dad passed away. I ordered the car shortly afterwards and it was something that brightened a sh!tty time so it became sentimental. I will recommission it properly but it will require replacement of the original tyres, brakes, coolant etc. I may then be able to put a few more miles on it.....

 

[StMarks]

Great work.
I have to point out though, it instantly reminds me of those adverts :

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[SpikyMikey]

Great work.
I have to point out though, it instantly reminds me of those adverts :

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HaHa, me too!
For a car stored that long, it looks amazing. Just a shame you had to buy a new Coronado Cherry though. Stuff just doesn't last these days.

 

[91dm]

Very cool to see one in that condition still!

 

[davymead]

Amazing to see it reinstated
Bought a new Trophy in 2005 and loved every bit of driving it. Better car than many of its rivals for sure.

 

[BTB 500]

I will recommission it properly but it will require replacement of the original tyres, brakes, coolant etc.

Top job! As an aside the tyres may actually be fine if they've not gone completely flat and have been kept in the dark - it's exposure to UV light that 'ages' them (which is why unused spares are typically still in pristine condition after many years). I'd want to get the wheels off and give the tyres a *really* thorough check over, but I would replace based on condition rather than purely age/tread wear. I am quite fussy - I binned a set of 3-4 year old tyres with loads of tread that had sailed though an MOT with fine surface cracks on them.

 

[fabes]

That's lovely.
Not your usual 'barn find' or garaged car that the late brake show goes to!

I'd get that insured on agreed value as it's worth 'slightly' more than what Glasses guide will put a nigh on 20 year old French hatchback at - even if you value it in sentimental smiles and miles.

 

[markjay]

Cool seats. And the red seatbelts are a nice touch.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Box fresh, and looking good

 

[W1ghty]

I thought you hadn’t been doing your normal regular car clean pics Alex . Good luck with the move

 

[Alex225]

Top job! As an aside the tyres may actually be fine if they've not gone completely flat and have been kept in the dark - it's exposure to UV light that 'ages' them (which is why unused spares are typically still in pristine condition after many years). I'd want to get the wheels off and give the tyres a *really* thorough check over, but I would replace based on condition rather than purely age/tread wear. I am quite fussy - I binned a set of 3-4 year old tyres with loads of tread that had sailed though an MOT with fine surface cracks on them.

That's interesting actually and makes sense. UV is a bit of a pain on most things car related. I'd be intrigued to see the paintwork against another inferno 225 just to see if there's a difference.

I'll keep that in mind on the tyres. I meant admittedly, they'd be an easy part of an MOT as the cambelt and water pump on these is a pig to do and expensive. So I'd be getting that done before putting it back on the road anyway haha.

That's lovely.
Not your usual 'barn find' or garaged car that the late brake show goes to!

I'd get that insured on agreed value as it's worth 'slightly' more than what Glasses guide will put a nigh on 20 year old French hatchback at - even if you value it in sentimental smiles and miles.

I actually do have an agreed valuation on this albeit for £6k. The value that came up on my insurance renewal a few years back was £1,800 so I opted for an agreed valuation. Looking at prices of these now though, I could probably insure closer to £10k now.

Cool seats. And the red seatbelts are a nice touch.

They're actually orange although can't quite see from the photo. The interior, regardless of what you chose on the outside had orange touches. So orange stitching on the seats, orange seat belts, orange perforations in the leather etc. Went well with most of the colours but I had to have the paint to match.

I thought you hadn’t been doing your normal regular car clean pics Alex . Good luck with the move

I haven't. I mean I've kept the cars clean but last couple of weeks have been more frantic. We're moving 120 miles to Gloucestershire so gearing up everything for that. Hopefully this week, I'll drive the CL down whilst my mate transports the Megane. Then will have the same friend transport my Twingo 133 and CLS63. I'll have the two Renaults, Saab, CL and ML at our new property. The CLS is going to a very plush storage facility.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

That's interesting actually and makes sense. UV is a bit of a pain on most things car related. I'd be intrigued to see the paintwork against another inferno 225 just to see if there's a difference.

I'll keep that in mind on the tyres. I meant admittedly, they'd be an easy part of an MOT as the cambelt and water pump on these is a pig to do and expensive. So I'd be getting that done before putting it back on the road anyway haha.


I actually do have an agreed valuation on this albeit for £6k. The value that came up on my insurance renewal a few years back was £1,800 so I opted for an agreed valuation. Looking at prices of these now though, I could probably insure closer to £10k now.


They're actually orange although can't quite see from the photo. The interior, regardless of what you chose on the outside had orange touches. So orange stitching on the seats, orange seat belts, orange perforations in the leather etc. Went well with most of the colours but I had to have the paint to match.

I haven't. I mean I've kept the cars clean but last couple of weeks have been more frantic. We're moving 120 miles to Gloucestershire so gearing up everything for that. Hopefully this week, I'll drive the CL down whilst my mate transports the Megane. Then will have the same friend transport my Twingo 133 and CLS63. I'll have the two Renaults, Saab, CL and ML at our new property. The CLS is going to a very plush storage facility.

Sounds like a nice set up at your new place. Wishing you the very best for the move

 

[Alex225]

Thank you mate, that's very much appreciated!

It's a great set up and part of the appeal of the house for me. Double garage at the back of the property, with parking for about 4-5 cars. Potentially more if I parked off the gravel haha. Money goes a lot further down there than in Surrey.

 

[SmartAmg]

Lovely motor, Alex, it's looking good!

 

[W1ghty]

I could drive the CLS or CL if you are a man down for any reason

 

[Alex225]

I could drive the CLS or CL if you are a man down for any reason

Haha awfully kind of you mate!

I need an MOT and service on the CLS. The place I have lined up to store it is pretty epic though. It has a turn table in the middle which had a convertible Lambo of some description waiting to be picked up. Lifts to move cars to the upper level etc. Pretty epic.

 

[Mactech]

Very nice! and extremely....err....French! I'm glad it has come back to life with the minimum of hassle.

 

[Alex225]

It's super French isn't it haha

To be fair to them, they know how to make a good hot hatch. Well, certainly the last 20 years RenaultSport has done. Not sure where it'll go now with the brand being dropped in favour of Alpine. That said the A110 is an epic little car but not sure if they'll release any 'hot' electric hatches.

You definitely don't buy one for it's refinement, for which I'll stuck to Mercs!

 

[SpikyMikey]

It's super French isn't it haha

To be fair to them, they know how to make a good hot hatch. Well, certainly the last 20 years RenaultSport has done. Not sure where it'll go now with the brand being dropped in favour of Alpine. That said the A110 is an epic little car but not sure if they'll release any 'hot' electric hatches.

You definitely don't buy one for it's refinement, for which I'll stuck to Mercs!

How about this subtle little number?
Alpine A110 Tour de Corse 75