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Goodbye Z4, hello R26

Discussion of other cars non-Z4
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Rockford
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Location: South Coast

Goodbye Z4, hello R26

Post by Rockford » Sun Aug 06, 2017 11:56 am

With my Z4 35i sold last month I set about looking for a replacement. Criteria was something polar opposite to the Z4 - manual, light weight, good for track days and with no real interest in the interior or economy I picked up a lovely clean RenaultSport Megane F1 Team 230 R26 (stupidly long name) yesterday.

[IMG]http://i63.tinypic.com/2ev8fn6.jpg[/IMG]

First impression: Its French, it's basic and it looks a bit quirky. It pulls cleanly to the rev limit, decent torque and actually feels a little faster than I expected. It's certainly no match for my remapped 35i on the straights but in the corners my god is this thing good. The LSD just makes it feel like the car has endless levels of grip....it corners flat with sharp accurate steering and feels faster round back roads than anything I've had before.

Will I miss the Z4? Certainly the interior, the looks and that savage acceleration but you know what for sheer fun factor the R26 has it for me!

Will keep popping back to this forum though and I'll be first to take a look at the Z5 when it comes out.
2019 BMW M40i First Edition Frozen Orange
2014 BMW M4 DCT Yas Marina Blue

Previous Zeds:
2010 BMW Z4 35i DCT (Evolve: 360BHP)
2009 BMW Z4 35i DCT
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i manual

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SteveSmith
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Goodbye Z4, hello R26

Post by SteveSmith » Sun Aug 06, 2017 12:01 pm

:thumbsup: love these things! Very tuneable if you want but it's not really about straight line speed!
28i M Sport - Alpine White / Canberra Beige, 19" M359’s, H&R’s / Eibachs, BMS Stage 1 - 271bhp, Front Splitter, CF Rear Lip, Alcantara Steering Wheel and Brembo 4 pots

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Ed Doe
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Goodbye Z4, hello R26

Post by Ed Doe » Sun Aug 06, 2017 3:27 pm

Funnily enough I did the exact opposite - R26 to Z4 (albeit coupe).

Mine was mapped with a short shifter - both worthwhile mods imo, as well as the Cooksport lowering springs and spacers ;)

Oh and a backbox chop is a winning mod too - lovely pops and bangs but no drone as it's turbocharged. I managed to get mine done and the wife never noticed lol!

Enjoy - are you planning on tracking it?
Carbon Black '07 M Coupe: Intrax 1k2 Coilovers, AP-Racing, Raybestos ST45s, Tillets, Schroth, Vibratechnic, Apex EC7, Strongstrut, Eventuri, H&S, RTD, 4.1FD :evil:
Silver Grey '06 3.0si Coupe - SOLD :(

MattHall91
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Goodbye Z4, hello R26

Post by MattHall91 » Sun Aug 06, 2017 3:32 pm

Nice choice.

I have been keeping an eye out on the 260s now they've come down further in price. E86-rivalling pace and a far superior chassis.
Now: Diseasal company cars (for now)
Gone: Z4 Coupe 3.0si - Montego Blue

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Rockford
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Goodbye Z4, hello R26

Post by Rockford » Sun Aug 06, 2017 3:42 pm

I'm hoping it'll keep its value too....its a one owner car with full service history carried out at the same Renault specialist (no less than 20 invoices provided to me). I've never come across a car with such well documented work.

It's actually got the short shift mod already, otherwise it is totally standard. :D

I've read lots of praise for the cooksport springs, is it mainly for looks or is there a handling improvement?

I need to look up this back box chop....if it frees up some sound then I can ditch the milltek idea. Driving it again this morning the girlfriend commented at how quiet and refined it was...it all feels quite grown up and actually doesn't really egg you on too much like my old 182.

Yep hopefully will get some track days in...for the first time I've got a modification friendly specialist insurer and I'm covered for track days and most mods up to a max of 270bhp (probably more than I'll get to anyway). Let the plans commence.
2019 BMW M40i First Edition Frozen Orange
2014 BMW M4 DCT Yas Marina Blue

Previous Zeds:
2010 BMW Z4 35i DCT (Evolve: 360BHP)
2009 BMW Z4 35i DCT
2003 BMW Z4 3.0i manual

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