If you are looking at buying a Renault Mégane RS it can be difficult to tell what the difference is between a standard model and one with a “Cup” package.
As Méganes fitted with the Cup package are more desirable and tend to be more valuable, you want to know for sure that you are buying a proper Cup car rather than one that has been incorrectly labelled as so (and there are definitely fake ones out there).
In this article we are going to be looking at the different generations of the Renault Mégane RS and how to tell if they have a Cup package or not. Let’s start with the first version of the Mégane RS.
Table of Contents
Mégane RS Mk2 (2004 to 2009) Cup Differences
First generation versions of the Mégane RS can be a bit of a nightmare when trying to work out whether or not they are a Cup model or not, especially pre-facelift cars (Phase I with the 2005 model year). Post-facelift RS Méganes are known as Phase II cars and are a bit easier to differentiate between a Cup and a standard version.
The most immediate visual changes between Cup and normal RS Méganes are the brakes and wheels. Phase II cars were generally fitted with red Brembo brake calipers and drilled discs. Some early Phase II Méganes did seem to come with silver calipers in some markets, but by the 2008 model year they all came with red. 2005 Phase I Cup models were given silver Brembo calipers with drilled discs, which is really the main reason why they are a bit more difficult to visual differentiate them from the standard car.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it was quite popular with owners to paint the silver calipers on Phase I cars red.
Both early and later models were also given 18-inch Anthracite wheels with a larger number of thinner spokes. However, we wouldn’t rely on the wheels to differentiate between a Cup and a standard model as they can easily be changed(or the car may have been fitted with aftermarket ones).
The suspension on Cup models was different to standard cars, but you probably aren’t going to be able to tell the difference by just looking. The Cup’s suspension is quite a bit stiffer, so if you drive the car and find that it is a bit more harsh it indicates that the vehicle could be a Cup model.
Anthracite wing mirrors are another indicator of a Cup as it seems most Phase II Cups came with them (we believe it was all in the UK, but could be different in other markets). Phase I Cups have wing mirrors that are the same colour as the body, just like the standard car, which makes them a bit more difficult to differentiate.
One of the best ways to work out whether a mk1 Mégane RS is a Cup model or not is via the traction control system (ESP). If you turn the traction control off on a standard car, it will automatically come back on at around 50 km/h (30 mph). You can disable this by physically cutting the wire for the system and installing a switch yourself, or by doing a remap, but this seems to be a fairly rare modification.
Cup models from the factory don’t have a traction control system that automatically reengages, so if you turn the traction control off it will stay off regardless of the vehicle’s speed.
Another indicator of a standard model could be the climate control system. Cup models were generally only given air conditioning from the factory, so if the Mégane RS has climate control it should probably be a standard car. However, Renault did make things even more complicated by giving buyers the option of adding climate control and some other features (like a multi CD changer) if they wanted. This was a result of buyers complaining that they couldn’t get the nice interior of the Trophy model on the first version of the Cup (more on the Trophy, Cup and Cup Chassis later).
Badges/stickers are another thing you can look for. A lot of Cups have a sticker in the doorway that says something like “225 Cup” or “Cup”, so check for that.
Xenon headlights can also indicate a Cup, so be on the lookout for washers and a silver casing on the headlight. However, Xenons were also available on non-Cup cars and they didn’t come on all Cup models, so this isn’t a great indicator.
Another thing to watch out for is a sunroof, or lack thereof. Cup models never came with a sunroof from the factory, whereas it was an option on standard models.
Lastly, the vehicle’s logbook (V5C in the UK) is another place to check. If the car was sold new as a “Cup” model it should be indicated as so in the logbook, but this isn’t always the case, so if the car has all the Cup features but doesn’t have “Cup” in the logbook, don’t assume it isn’t a genuine one. We also recommend that you see if the original receipt/invoice is available as that can also be used to determine whether a particular Mégane is a Cup or not.
Trophy vs Cup vs Cup Chassis Package – What Are They?
Prior to the creation of the Cup versions and packages, Renault introduced another higher spec model, the “Trophy”. This car was created as a result of the bad press that the Mégane RS 225 received when it first launched. The primary complaint about the standard 2004 Mégane RS 225 was its handing, so the Trophy R’s main selling point was its revised suspension. A total of 500 Trophys were produced in a grey/silver colour.
Following on from the Trophy, Renault launched the “Cup” model. This version of the Mégane RS Mk2 introduced the upgrades and changes we talked about above. However, there was a problem. The Cup model wasn’t available with the nicer interior of the Trophy, something that quite a few buyers wanted. To fix this, Renault introduced the “Cup Chassis package”.
The Cup Chassis pack had the same features and upgrades as the Cup model, but it was available with higher-end interior options Buyers could also opt for features such as climate control and a multi cd-changer if they so desired.
What is the Lux Pack?
You may have also heard of the “Lux Package”. This option included the following upgrades and changes:
- Keyless entry
- Full leather front and back
- Leather door cards and armrest
- Anti dazzle rear view mirror
- Extra plastic trim on the glovebox
- Piece of felt in front of the gear shifter
In Summary
If the car has most or all of the following, it is probably a Cup model:
- Silver Brembo brake calipers with drilled discs at the front (probably a Phase I Cup)
- Red Brembo brake calipers with drilled discs at the front (probably a Phase II Cup)
- 18-inch Anthracite wheels
- Anthracite wing mirrors on Phase II Cups
- Traction control system that stays off once you get over around 50 km/h (30 mph)
- Stickers or badges that say “Cup” or “225 Cup” – the sticker is usually located in the doorway
- “Cup” written in the logbook/V5C
- Stiffer suspension that produces a harsher ride
- No sunroof (Renault didn’t make Cups with a sunroof)
- Xenon headlights, but this isn’t a great one as both standard and Cup cars could be optioned with them
- Original receipt or invoice that states that the car is a Cup when it was sold by Renault
Mégane RS Mk3 (2010 to 2016) Cup Differences
While differentiating between a Cup/Cup Chassis and a standard/Sport version of the 2010 to 2016 Mégane RS is a bit less of a minefield than the previous generation, it can still be quite confusing.
Like with the Mk2 car, the most immediate visual change is the brake calipers. Cup models feature red Brembo brake calipers whereas standard models only ever came with silver/grey ones. An important thing to keep in mind is that some owners have painted the brakes on standard cars red, so keep this in mind as this can cause confusion. One more difference when it comes to the brakes is that the discs are grooved on Cup models.
Another visual thing you can check is the wheels and tyres. Méganes equipped with the Cup package were given black coloured AX-L 18-inch wheels and 235 tyres. The standard Mégane RS Mk3 featured slightly different 18-inch wheels and 225 tyres as standard. However, these can obviously be changed quite easily (especially the tyres as 225 and 235 fit on both rims), so it isn’t the best way to distinguish between a Cup and a standard/Sport model. Additionally, buyers had the option of upgrading to 19-inch wheels, so if that was done it negates this point.
Cup badges and stickers indicate that the car has the Cup package. However, this was a dealership fit, so not all cars received the stickers/badges.
All Cup Mk3 RS Méganes came with a limited slip differential (LSD), which you should be able to feel when driving. No standard/Sport models came with an LSD, so if you notice a slight jump on full lock it is probably a Cup model with a limited slip differential (or one of the other special edition models that came with an LSD). You can also usually feel the limited slip differential working when doing something like pulling hard out of a corner or roundabout in second gear.
Another difference on Cup models is that they have a slightly lower ride height and revised suspension that is a bit stiffer. The front springs also have green, purple and blue dots on them, but we can’t confirm this.
A lot of Cup models were also fitted with Renault’s RS Monitor system, but this was an optional extra, so you can’t really rely on this.
Perhaps the best way to determine whether or not a Mégane RS Mk3 is a Cup or not is by using the VIN. If you can get hold of the VIN and check with Renault they should be able to tell you if the car was a Cup model or not. Additionally, the receipt/invoice for the car when it was sold new should indicate whether or not the car came supplied with the Cup chassis.
What is a Full Fat Mégane RS?
Full fat is a term that is often used by Mégane RS owners to indicate that a car has all the bells and whistles, such as dual zone climate control, leather seats or Recaro seats, etc.
In Summary
If the car has most or all of the following, it is probably a Cup model:
- Red Brembo brake calipers with grooved discs (remember some owners have painted standard ones red)
- black coloured AX-L 18-inch wheels and 235 tyres
- A limited slip differential that should be noticeable in tight corners or accelerating hard out of a corner
- Cup badges and stickers
- Slightly lower ride height and stiffer suspension
- Front springs with green, purple and blue dots on them
- VIN check with Renault indicates that the car was supplied with the Cup package
- Original receipt or invoice that states that the car is a Cup when it was sold by Renault
Mégane RS Mk4 (2017 onwards) Cup Differences
Renault simplified things for the third version of the Mégane RS. They offered three different trim levels, the 280 Sport, 280 Cup and 300 Trophy.
The 280 Cup was given red Brembo calipers like previous versions of the Cup, so check for those. The brakes also adopted an alloy hub to reduce weight, but this is obviously something that will be a little more difficult to check for. Cup models also came with different 19-inch wheels.
Just like the previous generation Cup, the limited slip differential is probably the biggest upgrade and you should be able to feel it during tight cornering and hard corner exits. The Sport version of the car relies on a special traction control system to tame the wheels, so it is a bit different.
Another difference between Cup and Sport models is the suspension setup. The Cup has a 10% stiffer setup, which will translate to a slightly harsher ride.
Once again, the best way to tell if the car is a Cup or not is to get the VIN and check with Renault. Additionally, check the original receipt or invoice as it should say whether it is a 280 Cup or one of the other two models (280 Sport or 300 Trophy).
In Summary
If the car has most or all of the following, it is probably a Cup model:
- Red Brembo brake calipers with lightweight alloy hubs
- Cup 19-inch wheels
- A limited slip differential that should be noticeable in tight corners or accelerating hard out of a corner
- Cup badges and stickers
- Slightly lower ride height and stiffer suspension
- VIN check with Renault indicates that the car was supplied with the Cup package
- Original receipt or invoice that states that the car is a Cup when it was sold by Renault
