How good is a Clio 197???

[L9wul]

Hi, I've been looking at getting another fun, weekend car and am really keen on the looks and the reviews of the 197, albeit I have yet to drive one. I have recently had a few interesting cars, m3's, imprezas, and notably a megane R26. Now having a couple of kids the family cars have taken budget priority but me and my brother already share a boxster S (986) and are looking to add a hot hatch.
I really liked the R26, especially on track, and this is where I think the desire for a 197 is coming from, plus they seem almost iresistable value. We will also be planning to track the hot hatch and it will hopefully get used fairly regularly, more so than the boxster as this only comes out on nice days.
Has anyone opinions/experience of 197's? Is a Clio 200 that much better than a 197 to warrant the extra cost? Any other thoughts/experiences on hot hatches?
Just to add, the budget is penned in at between £4 and £5k but could be extended if a car warrants, and also I do intend to test drive prior to purchase of any particular model but just after some peoples thoughts etc.

Cheers

[cheddar]

I really like 197's, much prefer the hidden exhaust stealth look compared to the 200's big twin exhausts but nearly everything I read came across as the 197 being a very good but 'nearly there' car and the 200 being significantly better to drive. Gearboxes gave trouble on early cars (2006ish) so make sure it's been replaced under warranty.

Check Clio 197 forums, lots of great advice here:

http://www.clio197.net/forum/index.php?s=9e9041738...

Have you googled the reviews and buyers guides?

EVO 197/200 buyers guide:

http://www.evo.co.uk/buying/buyingguide/287599/ren...

Autocar 197 Cup review:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/renault/clio/f...

Car mag 197/200 buyers guide:

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results...

EVO mag long term test Clio 197 (8 monthly reviews):

http://www.evo.co.uk/search/?make=&model_store...

HTH.

Edited by cheddar on Monday 7th April 21:32

[L9wul]

I have yes, they seem mixed and as you mention most compare it to a 200. I am just a little concerned as to whether the extra few k is worth spending on a 200 for what will essentially be used as a weekend blast car and the occasional tracker. There seemed to be enough in the reviews to suggest that the 197 will be more than enough for that and at prices less than £5k really appeals from that angle, just interested in other phers thoughts really...

Thanks for the reply, all advice is good in my opinion......

[kayzee]

£5k is slightly on the lower end of the scale for a top 197 I think... have you considered a Trophy? Certainly the more track-orientated car!

[Swervin_Mervin]

Gearboxes were a problem throughout the life of the 197/200 so there is no age where you're "safe". The level of problem is something that's discussed ad infinitum on the 'net and it's hard to pick out the true picture.

[Rs2oo]

Swervin_Mervin said:

Gearboxes were a problem throughout the life of the 197/200 so there is no age where you're "safe". The level of problem is something that's discussed ad infinitum on the 'net and it's hard to pick out the true picture.

Cant comment on the 197 but I know 3 other people who have a 200 and none of them have had a single problem with their gearboxes, mileages ranging from 11,000 to 32,000, two done track days. Mine has done 21,000. They are quite stiff when cold but warm the car up properly and they are fine. I have heard of people having trouble but it wouldn't put me off buying one.

[Tree200]

I've got a 200 and a absolutely love it! Tbh if you're going to using it for what you say a 197 will be more than suitable. Cup chassis would be a good option for you being a little lower an stiffer. Recaros are a desirable option but will you be stripping it and put buckets in? If this is the case then seats don't matter. With regards to gearboxes, as has been said it doesn't matter what age. Mines a 59 plate an my 4th syncro has going on its second box which is only 18 months old. But despite this I still love it!

[Tree200]

Would say test drive one an see what you think. Box only crunches when changing over 4.5k so you could try that on the test drive.

[thatsprettyshady]

I've got a 82,000 mile Clio R27 as a second car and if you'd told me how much fun they were before I drove it I wouldn't have believed you! Excellent fun and great to chuck about paid 5k for mine and it's tight as a drum. Like you I considered the extra few K for the 200 but I went for the 197 and in no way regret it.

[Martin_M]

I bought one new in 2007 and kept it for a couple of years. Great handling and had some oomph but you really need to drive it hard to get the best out of it! Don't see many about any more!

[Swervin_Mervin]

Rs2oo said:

Swervin_Mervin said:

Gearboxes were a problem throughout the life of the 197/200 so there is no age where you're "safe". The level of problem is something that's discussed ad infinitum on the 'net and it's hard to pick out the true picture.

Cant comment on the 197 but I know 3 other people who have a 200 and none of them have had a single problem with their gearboxes, mileages ranging from 11,000 to 32,000, two done track days. Mine has done 21,000. They are quite stiff when cold but warm the car up properly and they are fine. I have heard of people having trouble but it wouldn't put me off buying one.

No but then when I was sat waiting at the service desk to see the dealer manager to discuss who was going to pay for a new box on mine, someone's dad had come in with his son's 200 on a trailer because the box had given up the ghost at only 11k. Like I say, the extent of the problem is/was hard to properly judge, but it's absolutely the case that the problem was never resolved during the period the Clio 3 was in production.

[Soupie69uk]

Do people just put in the same box again or is there any sort of fix through rebuilding the box?

Like people have suggested I would have a gander at Trophy 182's. The 197s do look like mini touring cars though with the pumped up arches.

[Swervin_Mervin]

I've no idea anymore as I sold mine a couple of years ago. Mine was rebuilt though, at 25% cost to me.

When I went out with the head technician for him to confirm the fault he told me at the other local dealer where he used to work the standard policy was to replace with new. But at the one I took mine to the policy was to rebuild.

I'm pretty sure though that the only cars that didn't seem to suffer an issue were the early ones, prior to them changing the ratios in late '07/'08 (they got a longer 5/6th). The ratios on 1-3 then changed on the 200.

[Martin_M]

I just logged into Cliosport.net after 5 years away to find some pics I took back in 2007 when I bought my new clio 197 from Motorpoint! I always loved the nimbus!

[Goodsteed]

I've been running mine that I picked up for £4200 back in November. Thoroughly recommended, better value than a trophy, and probably a bit quicker on track.

Worn syncro is a bit of an overdone cliche. Bit like the IMS failers on your Boxster. Can't think of another hot hatch that'll get close for the money.

[MDT48]

I ran a Clio 197 F1 R27 for just over a year in between my Focus ST and Mk2 Focus RS (which I still have).

The R27 was the first 197 to get the Cup chassis, but it also got the Recaro interior and all the other goodies like keyless entry, climate etc.

I absolutely loved that car, and still miss it occasionally. I remember embarrassing one or two Porsche Boxster drivers in it, because you could carry so much speed into the bends. It reminded me a lot of my Mk1 Focus RS - very agile, and could just carve through the twisties.

I had a 997 Carrera S at the same time, and I can honestly say that I enjoyed the Clio 197 on the road more often than the Porsche, because I could wring its neck without doing ridiculous speeds. I can't say I was even disappointed with it on track.

The only downside was that the Cup chassis has a very firm ride, and even though the Clio was meant to be my "sensible" car, it wasn't something that my family really wanted to be in for long journeys, even if I was enjoying myself :-)

I was thinking about switching back to Renault and picking up one of the last Megane 265 models, since they're going for a song, and my Focus RS is worth pretty much what I paid for it five years ago! But given how well it's holding it's value, I'll probably hang onto it and treat it to a Mountune MR375 makeover instead :-)

Edited by MDT48 on Tuesday 29th April 10:40

[Rezonator]

Hi I know this post is a few years old, but in case anyone reads it now I thought I'd add my opinion. My mate has had a 197 F1 for several years now and can't give it up. He's kindly let me drive it several times and I love it too. I've not had as much fun on good country roads since I owned a cut down 1982 mini with no roof or doors many years ago ( now that was a road go cart that was only just over 500kg). The clios handling is brilliant, the throttle response is awesome (although you need to put proper performance inductionwair filter and exhaust and map to fix low rpm lag and slighy mid flat spot) With these simple mods you can release the beast that lurks within!! Engine sounds evil with a new roar and hiss from tonnes of extra air that you can hear being sucked in!! Brembo brakes embarrass not just poor impreza brakes but almost anything around. Nice comfy seats that hold you in place brilliantly are a thankful addition considering the corner speeds/change of direction that you can reach. I'm 6'3" and like the driving position ( and more than most cars I've driven) , the interior is nice without adding loads of weight and the six disc single DIN in dash cd changer is great idea and sounds great for a non aftermarket or extremely expensive special option (Bose/Harmon Kardon/ Bang and Olafson etc)
And to top it off my mate bought it from a fool of a second hand car dealership that didn't know it was special and a limited edition. Low mileage when bought has meant value has only ever gone upwards. Only major parts needed to be replaced in all the many years owned are front springs. Going easy on brakes 95% of the time makes em last ridiculously long time. ( You don't need em much anyway except for tight 90° or hairpins or idiots on road) FIND ANYTHING SAME AGE AND PRICE BETTER!! We've been looking for years and cant!!