Clio 182 Track Prep costs?
Discussion
I know its how long is a piece of string !
But my son has a 182 which is just sitting doing nothing as was too costly to run for his job ( lots of miles)
It dosent have an MOT now and I know it needs and exhaust at a minimum to pass.
On top of this what would be the minimum I would need to take it on trackdays or can it be used just straight out the box and then put things like cage etc in at a later stage ?
Am I better using this as a base car or selling as is? question is whats it worth? 04 plate 80k miles to then but something already track focussed.
Im not useless with spanners but am not a mechanic.
Any feedback greatly appreciated
But my son has a 182 which is just sitting doing nothing as was too costly to run for his job ( lots of miles)
It dosent have an MOT now and I know it needs and exhaust at a minimum to pass.
On top of this what would be the minimum I would need to take it on trackdays or can it be used just straight out the box and then put things like cage etc in at a later stage ?
Am I better using this as a base car or selling as is? question is whats it worth? 04 plate 80k miles to then but something already track focussed.
Im not useless with spanners but am not a mechanic.
Any feedback greatly appreciated
I don't think a rollcage is necessary for a track day.
If it were me, I'd get it through an MOT and sell it as they're bringing decent prices at the moment.
Then just buy an already track ready 172 or 182 (plenty available) and then you'll have a track prepped car and also be quids in
If it were me, I'd get it through an MOT and sell it as they're bringing decent prices at the moment.
Then just buy an already track ready 172 or 182 (plenty available) and then you'll have a track prepped car and also be quids in

You are always going to get better value buying a car that has been built than building it yourself - as a PH'er I'm sure you are aware that you never really get the money back out that you put in to building up a car.
However if you know your car, and know its reliable etc, then the peace of mind may make it worthwhile sticking with what you have.
Regarding getting it track ready, be sure you have suitable tyres and brakes for your first track day and then go from there addressing any weak points that become apparent. You don't need a roll cage but as you build a car to produce more power/grip it may start to make more sense to fit one to be sure of roll over protection.
However if you know your car, and know its reliable etc, then the peace of mind may make it worthwhile sticking with what you have.
Regarding getting it track ready, be sure you have suitable tyres and brakes for your first track day and then go from there addressing any weak points that become apparent. You don't need a roll cage but as you build a car to produce more power/grip it may start to make more sense to fit one to be sure of roll over protection.
I run a Twingo as a track slag. All I've done to it is a service and change all the fluids, discs and pads.. I have upgraded the brake fluid to DOT5, which I think is essential, but everything else is standard.
I can't see why you'd want to do anything else to it. All you'll end up doing is adding unreliability. A Clio 182, well driven, will not be an embarrassment on track and will be quick enough to keep you entertained, it handles well and has enough power. Just change the oil regularly.
I can't see why you'd want to do anything else to it. All you'll end up doing is adding unreliability. A Clio 182, well driven, will not be an embarrassment on track and will be quick enough to keep you entertained, it handles well and has enough power. Just change the oil regularly.
I’ve spent more than I care to divulge on mine but you don’t need to, I’ve been on track days with nearly standard cars and they’ve been having a lot of fun, my mate has a 172 Cup with road tyres. (On 15” wheels) and cheap lowering springs, stripped out with a bucket seat and it’s great.
My only suggestion would be some decent front pads as a necessity, everything else is something you could do further down the line.
Edit - arguably, the less money you spend, the more fun it is because you’re not as scared of the bill if it goes wrong.
My only suggestion would be some decent front pads as a necessity, everything else is something you could do further down the line.
Edit - arguably, the less money you spend, the more fun it is because you’re not as scared of the bill if it goes wrong.
Jonny_gti said:
Those little clios don't need much to be great on track. I would start with the exhaust (aftermarket) then MOT and a service, then perhaps fresh some suspension components, semi slick tires and betters brakes and that your lot.
Completely the opposite way around to this.Brakes first, then tyres.
Then suspension.
Then strip the interior and pretend it's a race car somewhere later down the line.
Jerry Can said:
I run a Twingo as a track slag. All I've done to it is a service and change all the fluids, discs and pads.. I have upgraded the brake fluid to DOT5, which I think is essential, but everything else is standard.
I can't see why you'd want to do anything else to it. All you'll end up doing is adding unreliability. A Clio 182, well driven, will not be an embarrassment on track and will be quick enough to keep you entertained, it handles well and has enough power. Just change the oil regularly.
What's your Twingo 133 like on track? I can't see why you'd want to do anything else to it. All you'll end up doing is adding unreliability. A Clio 182, well driven, will not be an embarrassment on track and will be quick enough to keep you entertained, it handles well and has enough power. Just change the oil regularly.
I'm thinking of getting one as insurance is very affordable on these.
konster296 said:
What's your Twingo 133 like on track?
I'm thinking of getting one as insurance is very affordable on these.
so far very good. I am Silverstone tomorrow for another day, so that'll be 2 in 2 weeks. I bought it off the auction, and gave it a service. It's only needed pads so far and has been surprisingly reliable.I'm thinking of getting one as insurance is very affordable on these.
plan is for 225-250 miles of track tomorrow.
it is good on track, it handles well, is nippy, but you have to keep the momentum up to get it to do the lap times. It won't be the slowest driver and car combo on track and I was able to battle a focus st and civic type r. If you do your research and choose a well maintained one you should be fine. ( I took a massive risk and bought it unseen - just for s

Another thing to consider is actual running costs too.
I have a Ph1 Clio 172 I use for track days and it's a very cheap car to run as one (in comparison to other cars). Genuine parts a cheap, smaller wheels (try and go for 15") means cheaper tires. I also use just over one and a half tanks of fuel on the day, where as some of my friends cars with bigger engines can use a considerable amount more.
Also standard brakes on the Clio are more than up to the job for track days, just get some good trackday pads.
Food for thought
I have a Ph1 Clio 172 I use for track days and it's a very cheap car to run as one (in comparison to other cars). Genuine parts a cheap, smaller wheels (try and go for 15") means cheaper tires. I also use just over one and a half tanks of fuel on the day, where as some of my friends cars with bigger engines can use a considerable amount more.
Also standard brakes on the Clio are more than up to the job for track days, just get some good trackday pads.
Food for thought

I don't do many track days but my 172 Cup copes very well.
I run it on 15" wheels for the cheap R888Rs and bung in some M1155 pads, but otherwise it's bog-standard. It's fun and more than fast enough not to be embarrassed (or more importantly, spend all the time moving over for faster cars).
I run it on 15" wheels for the cheap R888Rs and bung in some M1155 pads, but otherwise it's bog-standard. It's fun and more than fast enough not to be embarrassed (or more importantly, spend all the time moving over for faster cars).
As everyone has said before - you don’t need to spend much and start with the brakes.
In terms of cost I reckon:
Braided brake hoses £90
Updated front pads £120
Dot 5 brake fluid £20
Oil change (oil & filter) £60
In total: £290 and you are good to go.
Just remember to take everything out of the car (spare wheel, jack, rear parcel shelf, empty glove box and door cars) and check under seats for lost sunglasses or old coke cans which could shoot forward into your pedals under braking etc.
Don’t ask me how I know about the last point...
If you want some 15” Clio track wheels with grippy tyres (road legal) I have a set you can have for £200. Barely used so plenty of life left.
They make a big difference to your lap time but more importantly you don’t knacker your road tyres for the drive home.
Good luck
In terms of cost I reckon:
Braided brake hoses £90
Updated front pads £120
Dot 5 brake fluid £20
Oil change (oil & filter) £60
In total: £290 and you are good to go.
Just remember to take everything out of the car (spare wheel, jack, rear parcel shelf, empty glove box and door cars) and check under seats for lost sunglasses or old coke cans which could shoot forward into your pedals under braking etc.
Don’t ask me how I know about the last point...
If you want some 15” Clio track wheels with grippy tyres (road legal) I have a set you can have for £200. Barely used so plenty of life left.
They make a big difference to your lap time but more importantly you don’t knacker your road tyres for the drive home.
Good luck
When I had my last 182 I picked up a Scorpion RS192 exhaust for £100 and took me probably half an hour to swap over. These cars are incredibly easy to work on for brakes/suspension and are so capable out of the box. As others have already said, I would sort brakes, then tyres then suspension.
There are loads and loads of used parts out there, you can probably pick up a set of barely used front DS2500 pads for £70/80. I kept OEM pads in the back on mine and only ever used uprated pads in the front. Let us know how you get on!
There are loads and loads of used parts out there, you can probably pick up a set of barely used front DS2500 pads for £70/80. I kept OEM pads in the back on mine and only ever used uprated pads in the front. Let us know how you get on!
If just starting out into track days , you won't need to do a lot to it. Decent brake pads and fluid, 4 x matching tyres (15 inch wheels often come up for sale with semi slick type tyres on second hand) , a good service and once over and you're away. They're great cars to get into track days with, and then can add parts accordingly if you want down the line
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff