2003 Renaultsport Clio 172 Cup

Highlights

• 63,668 miles on the clock

• Excellent overall condition

• Upgraded half-leather ‘182’ seats (‘172’ fabric items included)

• Comprehensive service history

• Some light mechanical modifications

Overview

“A Clio 172 or 182, please,” is pretty much the standard answer any road tester will give when asked which small hot hatch they’d like as a fun weekend toy or fun daily. There’s a reason for this - they’re really flipping good.

From the iconically French ‘cocked rear wheel’ cornering to the rorty, naturally-aspirated powertrain and minimal kerb-weight, for those in the know, hot Clios are amongst the best driving experiences you can have. Yes, we’re including supercars in that too. Because a 172 or 182 can actually be driven at nine tenths (or even ten tenths), most of the time. Which makes it an incredible amount of fun, even at low speeds. Try doing that in your new supercar and you just end up in a wall, on fire, rethinking your life choices.

The 172 Cup is a real sweet spot too – the engine is powerful, weight is low (barely over a tonne), the handling intuitive and predictable, mechanical grip is high and the centre of gravity is nice and low. Perhaps that’s why so many of them have wound up as track day cars.

This particular example has not been stripped and stickered. However, it has been very well looked after and lightly modified with some careful and well-chosen mechanical upgrades. Resplendent in Mondial Blue and sat on its original Speedline Turini alloy wheels, it’s a great looking little machine too. Clearly, the current and previous owners have gone to some pains to make sure it’s been maintained in tip-top condition – as is borne out by the extensive and comprehensive service record.

At one time, these were a relatively common sight on our roads, but finding one in good condition – and particularly one that hasn’t been ruinously modified or tracked to death – is increasingly difficult. Often mentioned as “one to watch” when it comes to future classics, we think that the 172’s star is very much on the rise now. Make sure you don’t let this cracking little performance gem get away from you…

History and documentation

• First registered 25 June 2003

• Current owner since August 2019, seven former owners

• 63,668 miles on the clock, verified by the service and MOT records

• Dry-stored since 2022

• Recommissioned in mid-2024 @ 63,639 miles

• Stamped service book and invoices that indicate services as follows: 18/05/08 @ 26,040 miles; 26/09/09 @ 30,123 miles (cambelt, auxiliary belt, tensioners); 26/09/09 @ 30,123 miles; 04/01/12 @ 32,104 miles; 30/06/14 @ 33,136 miles; 20/08/15 @ 34,129 miles (cambelt, auxiliary belt, dephaser); 20/08/15 @ 34,129 miles; 05/05/16 @ 41,424 miles; 12/10/16 @ 47,249 miles; 22/05/17 @ 51,025 miles; 23/01/19 @ 55,743 miles; 27/08/19 @ 58,099 miles; 14/02/21 @ 63,100 miles; 01/06/24 @ 63,630 miles (cambelt, auxiliary belt, tensioners, dephaser, water pump); 05/08/24 @ 63,639 miles

• Full document pack, including original Renault Accident Management Pack with disposable camera

• Folder full of history, including numerous invoices for servicing and maintenance work

• List of all servicing and maintenance work undertaken since 2008

• Current MOT expires June 2025

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Car has only one key

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Upgraded half-leather seats from a Clio 182 (the original fabric seats from the 172 are also included)

• The upholstery is in very good condition for its age, with some light wear commensurate with their age, but no rips or significant damage we could see

• Black carpeting with complementary black over-mats is fitted through the cabin, and all appears to be in good order

• The light grey headlining appears to be in great condition, with no sagging or damage on show

• Electric side windows and door mirrors

• Factory-fitted CD/radio system

• The original soft-coated interior plastics have been replaced, so there are no "sticky controls" issues

• Drilled metal pedal set

• Body-coloured dashboard trim

• The leather steering wheel has been retrimmed and looks to be in fine condition

• All of the internal trim and instrumentation presents well, with a light patina, and nothing missing or broken

• We noted a small tear in the driver’s side door seal

• The boot is neatly trimmed with dark grey carpeting and also features a branded black carpet liner

• Underneath the carpet in the boot, there is a full-size spare alloy wheel as well as a full toolkit

• The boot floor and spare wheel well appear to be in excellent condition, with no signs of corrosion or damage

Exterior

• Stunning Mondial Blue paintwork is in excellent condition, with a few of the usual very minor blemishes and stone chips, but no notable marks or damage we could identify

• Similarly, the bodywork shows very well, with clean lines, crisp edges, neat panel gaps and no misalignment, damage, or corrosion apparent

• All 172 Cup models came factory fitted with thinner glass to save weight and lower the centre of gravity – and all of the glass on this car is original

• Factory fitted Cup front splitter and rear spoiler

• The front and rear light lenses are clear and mist free, with no obvious cracks or chips

• All of the unique 172 Cup badging appears to be present, correct and in good order

• The engine undertray is missing, and there is some surface corrosion to the suspension components, but otherwise the underside looks to be in fine fettle

• The car sits on the correct 16-inch Speedline Turini alloy wheels, which present in good condition with no significant damage or marking

• A matched set of Michelin PS3 tyres is fitted, although the vendor notes that the rears appear to have some light age related cracks

Mechanical

• 1,998cc F4R naturally-aspirated four-cylinder

• Front-wheel drive

• Five-speed manual transmission

• 1,011 kg kerb-weight

• Factory performance figures: 170bhp, 147lb-ft, 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds, 138mph top speed

• Usual Cup factory upgrades: modified wishbones for a wider track, stiffer springs all round, uprated dampers

• Power-assisted steering

• As with all 172 Cup models, the car does not features ABS

• The engine bay presents very well, being clean and tidy, with no evidence of leaks or other issues we could see

• We’re told by the vendor that there is a slight oil weep from the gearbox, which they believe to be the selector seal

• Recently serviced by a specialist (August 2024 @ 63,639 miles), including the cambelt, auxiliary belt, dephaser, water pump, sump gasket and rocker cover gasket

• Tasteful and subtle mechanical upgrades include: Gram’s springs, PMS strut brace and top mounts, K-TEC stainless twin box steel stealth exhaust (with catalytic converter still in place) and a set of silicone MTC coolant hoses

• We’re assured by the vendor that the car starts, idles, drives and stops just as it should, with no mechanical issues reported

Summary

Few cars are as universally liked and respected as the hot Clios that Renault produced from the late 1990s until the early 2010s. Widely regarded as lightning in a bottle, they have a deftness, character and ability that’s not really been seen since. 

But more than that, they’re tremendously good fun to drive, are increasingly rare but still have ample parts supply, and are much sought-after when in good condition. Cup cars really are the pick of the bunch too, offering a level of feedback and driver engagement that modern cars simply can’t compete with.

This winsome example has clearly been cherished and is now ready to bring joy to a new owner with its winning blend of outright pace and instinctive handling prowess. If you’re looking for a modern performance classic, one you can enjoy every day, they don’t come much better than this.

Please note: The buyer must collect the car by no later than Wednesday 30th April

Non-concierge cars: To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Bridgwater, Somerset.