Which Renaultsport Clio?
Discussion
It may be some time before I actually take the plunge, but I'm fairly sure I'm going to get a Clio 182 or 172 of some description as my next purchase and I wondered if I could get a heads up on the differences between them. Budget is quite flexible (could maybe even stretch to a 182 Trophy), but it depends heavily on what I'm getting for my money.
It would be a daily driver, doing a mixture of town and motorway driving with the occasional track day or B-road blast thrown in. I'd be interested to hear are how the different ages and specifications compare to each other in terms of reliability, economy, comfort and refinement.
The last one is a tricky concept, though, as I've had quite staid daily drivers for a few years and I've gone a bit soft - which leads me to believe a full fat 182 might be the way to go. But at the same I miss having something with a bit more sense of occasion as a daily driver, so maybe something a bit more hardcore would hold my interest better.
So, in a nutshell, I'd like to find out a bit more about all of them from the most minimalist 172 to the fullest-spec'd 182.
ETA This looks like a good start: http://www.cliosport.net/content/guides/Renault%20...
Didn't realise the standard 172 had such luxuries as xenons and climate control... Had it in my head that they were rather basic until the 182 came along. Lack of ABS on the 172 Cup is pretty hardcore for a daily driver.
So, is there any difference in sound deadening between the Cup and non-Cup variants of either car? Again, I may be wrong, but I could swear I've heard people say the 182 was more civilised (I assume in ride and sound deadening) than the 172?
It would be a daily driver, doing a mixture of town and motorway driving with the occasional track day or B-road blast thrown in. I'd be interested to hear are how the different ages and specifications compare to each other in terms of reliability, economy, comfort and refinement.
The last one is a tricky concept, though, as I've had quite staid daily drivers for a few years and I've gone a bit soft - which leads me to believe a full fat 182 might be the way to go. But at the same I miss having something with a bit more sense of occasion as a daily driver, so maybe something a bit more hardcore would hold my interest better.
So, in a nutshell, I'd like to find out a bit more about all of them from the most minimalist 172 to the fullest-spec'd 182.
ETA This looks like a good start: http://www.cliosport.net/content/guides/Renault%20...
Didn't realise the standard 172 had such luxuries as xenons and climate control... Had it in my head that they were rather basic until the 182 came along. Lack of ABS on the 172 Cup is pretty hardcore for a daily driver.
So, is there any difference in sound deadening between the Cup and non-Cup variants of either car? Again, I may be wrong, but I could swear I've heard people say the 182 was more civilised (I assume in ride and sound deadening) than the 172?
Edited by Chris71 on Sunday 5th June 16:41
172 Cup has less sound deadening than standard 172. I don't believe there is any difference in sound deadening on the 182 Cup compared to 182 Full Fat (I could be wrong), theres hardly any weight difference in any case.
The 182 Cup suspension actually has stiffer springs than the 172 Cup I believe. How this translates to ride comfort I do not know (never been in one for any length of time). Personally a 182 full fat with both Cup packs (suspension and spoilers) is the pick of the 182 range. Excluding the Trophy of course! The non-Cup 182 wheels in silver look awful IMHO and I would not want to be without the tighter handling.
As far as reliability goes I don't think theres much to choose between any of the 172/182. They are all basically the same with only detail changes. The Trophy dampers seem to have a reputation for expensive re-builds but I suspect this is blown out of proportion somewhat. The 172 Cup has less to go wrong on it without AC/Xenons/ABS!
The 182 Cup suspension actually has stiffer springs than the 172 Cup I believe. How this translates to ride comfort I do not know (never been in one for any length of time). Personally a 182 full fat with both Cup packs (suspension and spoilers) is the pick of the 182 range. Excluding the Trophy of course! The non-Cup 182 wheels in silver look awful IMHO and I would not want to be without the tighter handling.
As far as reliability goes I don't think theres much to choose between any of the 172/182. They are all basically the same with only detail changes. The Trophy dampers seem to have a reputation for expensive re-builds but I suspect this is blown out of proportion somewhat. The 172 Cup has less to go wrong on it without AC/Xenons/ABS!
What are the 172 Cup headlights like? Doing regular miles in all weathers the idea of xenons quite appeals, but I have to confess I've never actually owned a car with them to tell the difference.
I know the ultimate answer is 'try one' but I'm quite curious as to the different levels of sacrifice to live with the various models day-to-day. That said, part of the plan is to sell my current toy and it'll be the first time in quite a few years that I've been without something more leftfield to play with at the weekends, so one of the more extreme models might fill that void a bit better...
I know the ultimate answer is 'try one' but I'm quite curious as to the different levels of sacrifice to live with the various models day-to-day. That said, part of the plan is to sell my current toy and it'll be the first time in quite a few years that I've been without something more leftfield to play with at the weekends, so one of the more extreme models might fill that void a bit better...
Chris71 said:
What are the 172 Cup headlights like? Doing regular miles in all weathers the idea of xenons quite appeals, but I have to confess I've never actually owned a car with them to tell the difference.
I know the ultimate answer is 'try one' but I'm quite curious as to the different levels of sacrifice to live with the various models day-to-day. That said, part of the plan is to sell my current toy and it'll be the first time in quite a few years that I've been without something more leftfield to play with at the weekends, so one of the more extreme models might fill that void a bit better...
172 Cup headlights are fine. Its a modern car I know the ultimate answer is 'try one' but I'm quite curious as to the different levels of sacrifice to live with the various models day-to-day. That said, part of the plan is to sell my current toy and it'll be the first time in quite a few years that I've been without something more leftfield to play with at the weekends, so one of the more extreme models might fill that void a bit better...
The biggest day to day sacrifice you can make is probably running a 172 Cup, as most come without AC. Up to you if that matters. Didn't bother me too much but I didn't commute in it - I imagine if I was spending an hour a day in it it would have got annoying.
The very first 172 (Phase 1) does some pretty horrid interior plastics too. They are getting a bit long in the tooth to consider anyway.
Ride comfort is very subjective. Depends just how soft you have become I suppose!?
Chilliman said:
Chris, just being going over some old posts and found the MGB GT daily driver thread 
Checked your profile to see if you got one... (I've got a BGT and a Chim) Guess it was a no go ???? Best, R.
Still window shopping to the same requirement. Checked your profile to see if you got one... (I've got a BGT and a Chim) Guess it was a no go ???? Best, R.I've got a few expensive activities on the horizon so I need to economise from the TVR at some point. I've also got a bit bored of spending most of my time in a very dull daily driver, so I want to combine both cars into something entertaining, economical and practical... I have indeed flirted with the idea of an MG B or an MX5 (or a 924/944), but realistically I think I need the practicality of a hot hatch. Of those, the Clio is one of the most appealing and also seems to be notably fuel efficient if you drive it gently.
Coincidentally, the Tiv has been off the road for a couple of months following a major engine failure, so that's rather changed the perspective on things.
I tested a few. I prefer the minimilistic vibe to the 172 cup. Also less to go wrong, Renault sunroofs are a total nightmare that even Renault aren't interested in trying to repair. I went for the 172 cup with the climate control (hard to find though). The climate/air con makes it a comfortable car year round. They look better than the standard 172, it's the best colour, nicest wheels. You will never regret buying a good 172 cup. Plus they havn't got that naff twin exit exhaust hanging out the back like a half born calf.
My advice would be to search for one like mine. Or just email me as I'm thinking of moving mine on and its a minter.
My advice would be to search for one like mine. Or just email me as I'm thinking of moving mine on and its a minter.
John D. said:
None of the 172/182 have sunroofs as far as I'm aware.
Agree there is less to go wrong on the 172 Cup. Cambelt service is cheaper too without the AC.
ETA - Notice you didn't buy the proper one!
Ha, depends how you look at it. But yes, I suppose a true cup shouldn't have the air con. Lets chat in August though. lol.Agree there is less to go wrong on the 172 Cup. Cambelt service is cheaper too without the AC.
ETA - Notice you didn't buy the proper one!
Edited by John D. on Friday 10th June 17:40
I had a ph2 172 sport, a 51 plate so it didnt have traction control, while it was a nice car it did feel dull after a 106 gti. The reason I got a sport rather than cup was because of the cheap cup seats but really the seats in the sport were crap anyway. Although I did really like the monaco blue. But looking back I wish id had a cup, weather it would feel anymore entertaining I dont know. Maby a ph1 172 might feel a bit more entertaining on its 15s?
I've owned every variant (bar the 172cup). There's genuinely very little between a phase 2 172 and a 182 with the cup packs. The 172's are cheaper for effectively the same car, so that's a no brained for me!
If a suspension upgrade is a possibility in the future, avoid the 182cup/182 with cup suspension. Bolt spacing is different from the others, and there are less options as a consequence.
The Trophy is a special little car, and if the budget allows it's the one to go for. You get the recaro's as standard, you still get ac and cruise, and the demons are an easy retro fit. Ignore those that say the suspension breaks and costs thousands, a refurb is under £500, similar money as replacing the far less sophisticated 182/172 dampers.
If a suspension upgrade is a possibility in the future, avoid the 182cup/182 with cup suspension. Bolt spacing is different from the others, and there are less options as a consequence.
The Trophy is a special little car, and if the budget allows it's the one to go for. You get the recaro's as standard, you still get ac and cruise, and the demons are an easy retro fit. Ignore those that say the suspension breaks and costs thousands, a refurb is under £500, similar money as replacing the far less sophisticated 182/172 dampers.
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