197 cup suspension option?
Discussion
Seems that everyone I've spoken to or read, has raved about the cup suspension option aside from Evo - I wondered if anyone feels that that the standard suspension is the way to go? I mention as the std. 197 got great reviews for its ride and handling (and grip, 1g in Autocar's roadtest) - in particular its ability to oversteer when lifting off the throttle on a circuit. Evo mentioned that the cup suspension makes the 197 less adjustable than the standard package.
I've driven the std. 197 and thought it was great - trying to get a Cup demo organised asap!
I've driven the std. 197 and thought it was great - trying to get a Cup demo organised asap!
Also, I agree with catherine!
The cup only saves 20kg of weight, so once you tick that air con box in the options, you've pretty much just undone most of the weight saving.
Plus you lose all the nice touches and luxuries.
You can get massive discounts from some of the dealers. A normal 197 with cup chassis and recaros won't set you back as much as you'd think, If you go to the right dealers.
The cup only saves 20kg of weight, so once you tick that air con box in the options, you've pretty much just undone most of the weight saving.
Plus you lose all the nice touches and luxuries.
You can get massive discounts from some of the dealers. A normal 197 with cup chassis and recaros won't set you back as much as you'd think, If you go to the right dealers.
dom180 said:
I'm currently leaning towards a Cup although I'd add air and recaros - someone in my village has a blue cup with black wheels which looks really neat. Does the cup get dark wheels as std?
Dom, I would really suggest you go for a regular 197 and add the cup chassis.Personally I think the cup model is a bit on the cheap side and a saving of only 20kgs is a bit disappointing when you consider what equipment has been dropped.
>>It has anthracite ones as standard.
Dark-ish but not black?
Thanks for comments all - I did like the std. 197 when I drove that & liked the comfort factor too so I'll def. think about it.
The problem I think I'll have is that the 197 is so capable in either form that it is too fast for me as an everyday car in the South East!!!!
Dark-ish but not black?
Thanks for comments all - I did like the std. 197 when I drove that & liked the comfort factor too so I'll def. think about it.
The problem I think I'll have is that the 197 is so capable in either form that it is too fast for me as an everyday car in the South East!!!!
I've just bought a 197 Cup as my fun-run-around and I'm loving it! Racing blue with black speedlines, recaros, a/c and carbonfibre spoilers. I read all about the dash being cheaper and lack of steering reach adjustment being a problem but it is perfectly fine for me. Why do you need a soft touch dash, electric wing mirrors etc.? Cracking car and cracking value. If you want a 'luxury' hot hatch with all the gizmos on then yes, get a 197 with the pack etc. If you just want the real deal like me then get a cup! 
Had a Cup demo - in town, some duel carrageway then back (two roundabouts) so I didn't really get to try the cup suspension although it felt quite firm - revy little engine and certainly goes quite well; brakes grabbed a bit and a bit over-servo-ed. - any Renault garages give 24 hr demos?
>>Not sure you will find anyone to lend you one for 24hrs.
Hehe, they've probably got more sense!
I did like it a lot - it looked neat in white with black wheels although I did miss the red stripe on the steering wheel on the cup and the wheel finish was not perforated- didn't notice the dashboard and thought the driving position was fine.
Did you/do you drive your old 197/new 197 + cup susp. on bumpy b-roads fairly enthusiastically? No-one in the press seems to have written any convincing articles comparing the different setups yet!
Hehe, they've probably got more sense!
I did like it a lot - it looked neat in white with black wheels although I did miss the red stripe on the steering wheel on the cup and the wheel finish was not perforated- didn't notice the dashboard and thought the driving position was fine.
Did you/do you drive your old 197/new 197 + cup susp. on bumpy b-roads fairly enthusiastically? No-one in the press seems to have written any convincing articles comparing the different setups yet!
dom180 said:
Did you/do you drive your old 197/new 197 + cup susp. on bumpy b-roads fairly enthusiastically? No-one in the press seems to have written any convincing articles comparing the different setups yet!
Dude just get the Cup suspension and don't be a pussy!
I'd have thought a bumpy b-road was a 197 Cups natural habitat. Can't imagine Renaultsport would have stiffened it up so much it could only handle smooth roads as the UK is the biggest market for these cars.RE the press - IIRC EVO were of the opinion the standard 197 was good, but the 197 F1 Team R27 was even better. The Cup suspension debuted on the R27 and was the only real change to the car.
"Thought"? - Have you owned both?
I didn't find any of Evo's pieces on the 197 (any varient) particularly flattering - in the March 2008 issue, they said that the cup had too much control, and in an ealier piece on the R27, that it was less adjustable, and they all seemed to prefer a mini or corsa - it was Evo who made me question the wisdon of the cup suspension in the first place!
For me on the road, trying to equate speed with visibility, I'm never going to get near 1g's worth of lateral acceleration so it is doubtful whether I will ever utilise any of the cup's extra grip, but the ride might be a pain at all times!
If I were buying a replacement track day car, I'd go for the cup option for sure!
I didn't find any of Evo's pieces on the 197 (any varient) particularly flattering - in the March 2008 issue, they said that the cup had too much control, and in an ealier piece on the R27, that it was less adjustable, and they all seemed to prefer a mini or corsa - it was Evo who made me question the wisdon of the cup suspension in the first place!
For me on the road, trying to equate speed with visibility, I'm never going to get near 1g's worth of lateral acceleration so it is doubtful whether I will ever utilise any of the cup's extra grip, but the ride might be a pain at all times!
If I were buying a replacement track day car, I'd go for the cup option for sure!
dom180 said:
"Thought"? - Have you owned both?
I didn't find any of Evo's pieces on the 197 (any varient) particularly flattering - in the March 2008 issue, they said that the cup had too much control, and in an ealier piece on the R27, that it was less adjustable, and they all seemed to prefer a mini or corsa - it was Evo who made me question the wisdon of the cup suspension in the first place!
For me on the road, trying to equate speed with visibility, I'm never going to get near 1g's worth of lateral acceleration so it is doubtful whether I will ever utilise any of the cup's extra grip, but the ride might be a pain at all times!
If I were buying a replacement track day car, I'd go for the cup option for sure!
Fair comment. I have never owned a 197 nor lived with one day to day, but I have been driven in both a 197 and 197 Cup. Both times on typical British A and B roads. The Cup did not feel excessively stiff or compromised for road use IMO. Obviously your opinion of what ride is acceptable may be different to mine.I didn't find any of Evo's pieces on the 197 (any varient) particularly flattering - in the March 2008 issue, they said that the cup had too much control, and in an ealier piece on the R27, that it was less adjustable, and they all seemed to prefer a mini or corsa - it was Evo who made me question the wisdon of the cup suspension in the first place!
For me on the road, trying to equate speed with visibility, I'm never going to get near 1g's worth of lateral acceleration so it is doubtful whether I will ever utilise any of the cup's extra grip, but the ride might be a pain at all times!
If I were buying a replacement track day car, I'd go for the cup option for sure!
Your view makes more sense to me now seeing you have a track car, whereas I'd like the Clio to play both roles for me.
>>The Cup did not feel excessively stiff or compromised for road use IMO.
Great. I'll push for a second demo - I really liked the car. Worried that I'll find the engine too addictive and drive too fast in it tho'! Some cars seem to encourage you to drive fast - I think the 197 will be like that!
Great. I'll push for a second demo - I really liked the car. Worried that I'll find the engine too addictive and drive too fast in it tho'! Some cars seem to encourage you to drive fast - I think the 197 will be like that!
If you are worried that the cup suspension will be too hard for your daily requirements then I would suggest you go for a standard 197. I have had a cup for 10 days/700 miles now and love it. The ride is very firm and although it rides B roads superbly I would not say it is an especially 'comfortable' ride if thats what you want. It won't jar your teeth like an elise when you hit a pothole!
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