Renaultsport Clio 200 - Any Good Long Term?
Discussion
I have got a full fat 200 with Cup Chassis and Recaros. I've had it from new, it's just coming up on two years old and 29,000 miles. Some pics of the day I got it here:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
It has not missed a beat or been back to the dealers except for two services so far. The rubber strips on the B-pillars have split, common issue on all Clios, but that will be done under warranty next time it goes in. Various forum reports of bad wear on the Recaro bolsters but mine seem ok so far and I use it every day.
I have read that some use oil. Mine was run in according to the book and the oil changed at 800 and 6000 miles. It used <1 litre between 12k and 24k (forgot to do a 6k change) and it is still on the max mark of the dipstick since the last service. I'll change it again shortly.
Personally, while the ride is firm and it's quite short geared, I find it OK on motorways. Some people say the cup chassis is too hard on badly surfaced B-roads but I don't find that either. It is very well damped and mine doesn't seem to have suffered over nearly 30k.
I average around 30MPG, struggle to get more than that whatever I do. I run roughly one tank of super to three tanks of 95RON unleaded and it goes fine. I get the occasional stutter when cold but nothing like the severe kangarooing issues that some drivers report and that apparently plagued the previous models (the 197).
I've got the Bluetooth stereo but the sound as supplied was rubbish, IMO. Ended up keeping the head unit but adding a small amp and changing the speakers. Made a big difference.
The first set of front tyres lasted 16k, it's still on the original rears but will need 4 new boots soon.
I've never tracked mine but have hired a 200 Cup from RSR Nurburg and had a day on the Nurburgring and at Spa and that was great fun too. Hired one stood up to two days of abuse that I would never have dared to give mine! However, a 20,000km example from RSR that had spent all its life being hammered felt a lot baggier than my relatively cosseted car with 20,000 miles on it. So, drive a new one at a dealer and use that as your benchmark...
They are great value second hand. I say go for it!
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
It has not missed a beat or been back to the dealers except for two services so far. The rubber strips on the B-pillars have split, common issue on all Clios, but that will be done under warranty next time it goes in. Various forum reports of bad wear on the Recaro bolsters but mine seem ok so far and I use it every day.
I have read that some use oil. Mine was run in according to the book and the oil changed at 800 and 6000 miles. It used <1 litre between 12k and 24k (forgot to do a 6k change) and it is still on the max mark of the dipstick since the last service. I'll change it again shortly.
Personally, while the ride is firm and it's quite short geared, I find it OK on motorways. Some people say the cup chassis is too hard on badly surfaced B-roads but I don't find that either. It is very well damped and mine doesn't seem to have suffered over nearly 30k.
I average around 30MPG, struggle to get more than that whatever I do. I run roughly one tank of super to three tanks of 95RON unleaded and it goes fine. I get the occasional stutter when cold but nothing like the severe kangarooing issues that some drivers report and that apparently plagued the previous models (the 197).
I've got the Bluetooth stereo but the sound as supplied was rubbish, IMO. Ended up keeping the head unit but adding a small amp and changing the speakers. Made a big difference.
The first set of front tyres lasted 16k, it's still on the original rears but will need 4 new boots soon.
I've never tracked mine but have hired a 200 Cup from RSR Nurburg and had a day on the Nurburgring and at Spa and that was great fun too. Hired one stood up to two days of abuse that I would never have dared to give mine! However, a 20,000km example from RSR that had spent all its life being hammered felt a lot baggier than my relatively cosseted car with 20,000 miles on it. So, drive a new one at a dealer and use that as your benchmark...
They are great value second hand. I say go for it!
To add to cwinterb's informative post with my own admittedly quite similar experiences of 200 ownership.
I've got a full fat 200 with cup chassis and the standard seats.
1- The suspension is tiring when there are speed bumps around, on long distances it's fine, and motorways too, no complaints whatsoever, people who've been in the back on b roads sometimes moan but for me in the drivers seat it's perfectly comfortable.
2- Had mine 18 months and not a single issue.
3- MPG is a bugbear with me, considerably worse than my two previous 182s, i realise it's essentially the same engine in a heavier car but it still grinds my gears a tad that the more modern car isn't more efficient - As cwinterb says you'd be very lucky to get better than 30 no matter how you drive it, I used super initially but have switched back to standard and it's all good for me, no stuttering whatsoever.
4- Loads of deals around, and to reiterate really good value at the mo.
It really is insanely fun to drive enthusiastically, so if you're keen on doing that plenty whilst retaining a little practicality i'd say go for it, having driven most of the current hot hatches before I made the purchase it's by far the most fun in my opinion - But if you're looking to do a whole bunch of miles and will be watching the fuel gauge closely there may be better options in the sector.
I've got a full fat 200 with cup chassis and the standard seats.
1- The suspension is tiring when there are speed bumps around, on long distances it's fine, and motorways too, no complaints whatsoever, people who've been in the back on b roads sometimes moan but for me in the drivers seat it's perfectly comfortable.
2- Had mine 18 months and not a single issue.
3- MPG is a bugbear with me, considerably worse than my two previous 182s, i realise it's essentially the same engine in a heavier car but it still grinds my gears a tad that the more modern car isn't more efficient - As cwinterb says you'd be very lucky to get better than 30 no matter how you drive it, I used super initially but have switched back to standard and it's all good for me, no stuttering whatsoever.
4- Loads of deals around, and to reiterate really good value at the mo.
It really is insanely fun to drive enthusiastically, so if you're keen on doing that plenty whilst retaining a little practicality i'd say go for it, having driven most of the current hot hatches before I made the purchase it's by far the most fun in my opinion - But if you're looking to do a whole bunch of miles and will be watching the fuel gauge closely there may be better options in the sector.
Andy20vt,
I fitted a Vibe Liteair Stereo 4 amp. Just fits under the passenger seat although I don't think they make them any more. The main downside of it is the slightly noisy fan but I probably should give it a clean-up and and lubricate it. I also ended up fitting a PAC OEM 2 adaptor between the head unit and the amp, mainly to avoid the speakers popping on switch-on.
The speakers are Rainbow SLC 230s in the front and SL 130s in the back, with a bit of Dynamat Xtreme. It could do with a sub but I've never got round to it.
TBH it was all a bit of an impulse purchase when I popped into a car stereo emporium one day, but it all sounds pretty good.
I've just fitted an Alpine head unit and a KTP-445 Head Unit Power Pack, with some Focal co-axial speakers to my other car, a mk1 MX5. I like the Focals and the KTP-445 is a really small unit. It certainly overcomes the racket in the MX5. If I was doing the Clio again I'd be tempted to buy one, chop the Alpine connectors off it and wire it in to boost the output of the head-unit instead of a bigger amp. You could easily find a home for it on the bulkhead behind the glovebox.
Hope that helps.
I fitted a Vibe Liteair Stereo 4 amp. Just fits under the passenger seat although I don't think they make them any more. The main downside of it is the slightly noisy fan but I probably should give it a clean-up and and lubricate it. I also ended up fitting a PAC OEM 2 adaptor between the head unit and the amp, mainly to avoid the speakers popping on switch-on.
The speakers are Rainbow SLC 230s in the front and SL 130s in the back, with a bit of Dynamat Xtreme. It could do with a sub but I've never got round to it.
TBH it was all a bit of an impulse purchase when I popped into a car stereo emporium one day, but it all sounds pretty good.
I've just fitted an Alpine head unit and a KTP-445 Head Unit Power Pack, with some Focal co-axial speakers to my other car, a mk1 MX5. I like the Focals and the KTP-445 is a really small unit. It certainly overcomes the racket in the MX5. If I was doing the Clio again I'd be tempted to buy one, chop the Alpine connectors off it and wire it in to boost the output of the head-unit instead of a bigger amp. You could easily find a home for it on the bulkhead behind the glovebox.
Hope that helps.
To add to the good reviews...
I'm 13 months into ownership from new on a 200 cup. Was a big decision for me at first moving from my DC2 but I haven't regretted it at all. Car is prefectly civilised around town and great fun on b roads. My girlfriend commented that the ride was harsher than the DC2 at first but hasn't complained since and we've been on 1000 mile road trips in it. I have the recaros which I find to be excellent. Very supportive and comfy even on long journeys. I haven't had any issues other than the odd squeek or rattle here and there but they have come and gone. The cup interior is fairly basic but not a problem coming from the DC2. I mainly use it for fun so I can live without cruise control etc.
Economy hasn't been great for me, I average around 26mpg most of the time. Managed 32mpg out of my last tank on a 300 mile B road round trip. Would have been less if it wasn't so wet
I was expecting better economy after my DC2 averaged 32 for the same kind of driving. It was lighter of course but the 200 has 10 years of engine development on its side!
I would definitely recommend one as a fun car that is still practical. I regularly fit two mountain bikes in the back!
I'm 13 months into ownership from new on a 200 cup. Was a big decision for me at first moving from my DC2 but I haven't regretted it at all. Car is prefectly civilised around town and great fun on b roads. My girlfriend commented that the ride was harsher than the DC2 at first but hasn't complained since and we've been on 1000 mile road trips in it. I have the recaros which I find to be excellent. Very supportive and comfy even on long journeys. I haven't had any issues other than the odd squeek or rattle here and there but they have come and gone. The cup interior is fairly basic but not a problem coming from the DC2. I mainly use it for fun so I can live without cruise control etc.
Economy hasn't been great for me, I average around 26mpg most of the time. Managed 32mpg out of my last tank on a 300 mile B road round trip. Would have been less if it wasn't so wet
I was expecting better economy after my DC2 averaged 32 for the same kind of driving. It was lighter of course but the 200 has 10 years of engine development on its side!I would definitely recommend one as a fun car that is still practical. I regularly fit two mountain bikes in the back!
I've been looking at 197/200s, for a fun run around.
As you say, plenty for sale, just a case of finding the right colour/spec/etc close to where you live.
They seem to lose a lot of money initially, then settle - most private owner 200s seem to be in the £11-12k band, but I've seen some sell for £9-10k. Those without Air Con are even cheaper.
Dealer cars are often advertised a lot higher, but their prices include big margins for negotiation, part ex allowance, etc.
Everything seems to be moving slowly at the moment, so all sellers need to be realistic.
As you say, plenty for sale, just a case of finding the right colour/spec/etc close to where you live.
They seem to lose a lot of money initially, then settle - most private owner 200s seem to be in the £11-12k band, but I've seen some sell for £9-10k. Those without Air Con are even cheaper.
Dealer cars are often advertised a lot higher, but their prices include big margins for negotiation, part ex allowance, etc.
Everything seems to be moving slowly at the moment, so all sellers need to be realistic.
Andy20vt said:
Just out of interest, I've not phoned around yet but does anyone know roughly what the lowest price new from a Renault dealer might be? Don't need the finance, would be a cash sale. Looking for Cup suspension and Recaro's.
Around 19k at the mo by the looks of it, seems like the best deals Renault were offering have now expired. Give a few a call, be interesting to see what deals they can come up with. 19K for a Clio is silly money though,can't see them shifting many at that sort of coin.http://www.clio197.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1588...
Had mine over a year now and managed to somehow put 17k miles on it so far (had to use it to commute a bit at first), it's still french so there may be a few squeeks and rattles but usually for a reason (they're often my fault).
The engine is solid, the gearboxes are a bit hit and miss there have been a fair few replaced under warranty sadly they didn't source the gearbox from nissan.
I got mine to replace my bike (Street Triple R) and it succeeds in that. I've done a few track days and they punch far above their weight the chassis is excellent, it's toned back slightly to the point that lift off oversteer is for the most part a rarity but loose enough.
They never fail to surprise people, even a GT3RS owner was a little annoyed he couldnt catch it up until we got to a straight.
The best bit though isn't just the handling but the brakes, like hitting a brick wall.
The Cup suspension is a bit harsh but fine on the motorway and roads that aren't pot marked.
MPG wise errrr depends how you drive but 30mpg is do-able, I tend to get 25mpg though that is mainly urban driving so probably not that bad.
I'd advise running on super but they run fine on supermarket jungle juice, might find it feels a bit under powered or hesitant to rev if you get the chance to compare.
If you're buying one second hand you might want to get in on http://clio197.net/forum/ and see what's up for sale, you'll find most of them well looked after
The engine is solid, the gearboxes are a bit hit and miss there have been a fair few replaced under warranty sadly they didn't source the gearbox from nissan.
I got mine to replace my bike (Street Triple R) and it succeeds in that. I've done a few track days and they punch far above their weight the chassis is excellent, it's toned back slightly to the point that lift off oversteer is for the most part a rarity but loose enough.
They never fail to surprise people, even a GT3RS owner was a little annoyed he couldnt catch it up until we got to a straight.
The best bit though isn't just the handling but the brakes, like hitting a brick wall.
The Cup suspension is a bit harsh but fine on the motorway and roads that aren't pot marked.
MPG wise errrr depends how you drive but 30mpg is do-able, I tend to get 25mpg though that is mainly urban driving so probably not that bad.
I'd advise running on super but they run fine on supermarket jungle juice, might find it feels a bit under powered or hesitant to rev if you get the chance to compare.
If you're buying one second hand you might want to get in on http://clio197.net/forum/ and see what's up for sale, you'll find most of them well looked after
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