Clio 182 - replace with what?

[MachoManRandySavage]

Hi all first time post for me. I have had a Clio 182 FF cup for the 7 years which now acts as a second car and only driven occasionally. I love it but as time goes on it's becoming less and less suitable for normal duties (family etc) so planning to either sell/ if I can't bring myself to do that may stick it in the garage for a hobby/track.
Other car is a barge so looking to replace with something small/fun but a little bit more grown up than the 182. Preference is for:

-4/5 doors (kids)
-great to drive (coming from a 182) everyday - don't want to have to go to a track to have fun with it so thinking smaller/lighter the better
-max 12 years old
-would prefer to have rwd/4wd this time just to be different but would consider fwd again
- prefer 6 cylinders to tick that box but not essential
-prefer na before it's too late but not essential
-not paying £500 road tax out of principle!
I have narrowed it down to a BMW 130 or a golf r32 (early 06 one to pay lower tax), but any thoughts?
Anything I've missed?
Anyone know if the BMW has hydraulic steering/got advice on spec to have? I'd have a 330 but thought 130 be better as a bit lighter? I know real answer is 'go and drive them' but interested in your views....

[Tickle]

FD2 Civic?

Edited with pic:

Edited by Tickle on Saturday 14th January 10:17

[simoid]

I had a 182 too. Ended up switching for an econobox as my mileage was eating through rubber and fuel quite regularly. I did similar research to you about an upgrade, but decided that whatever I bought was likely to be a "downgrade" in terms of nimbleness. Save up for an accompanying daft car is my plan

R32 is a great noise and power delivery - would be a worthy candidate.
Haven't been in a 130, but they're highly regarded it would seem.
330 is more of a cruiser so is very different in terms of experience to the Clio. Great cars though.

What about a Megane RS? Many of the plus points of the Clio 182 - more mature, good equipment levels, performance, although still a 4cyl.

PS I also considered Focus ST.

Edited by simoid on Saturday 14th January 10:17

[MachoManRandySavage]

Cheers for the replies. Unfortunately wife wouldn't be seen in the Honda otherwise a good shout as I understand they have the 182 'raw' factor I don't want to give up- but needs to look more subtle! Thought about a megane although 3dr I think and quite fancy ticking some other boxes having done fwd 4cyl rensport for a good stint - but can see it might be the best blend so I will add to the test drive list, and the St, and an s3.... anymore thoughts do let me know as it willl help pinpoint what I test out.

[swanny71]

Can thoroughly recommend trying a 130i, I enjoy driving mine just as much as the Trophy. Different to the 182 but in my opinion an equally brilliant little car. Just find one that's been properly cared for.

[Hol]

182FF is just one those perfect cars, that seem to please everyone.

Good in all conditions.
Good off the line,
Good on corners
Big enough to just about carry a weeks shopping.

You'll have to compromise at least one thing you like about it.
But, in return you may well find something it lacked, that you hadn't known you needed.


Have you considered a Megane? Same features, but bigger.

[Deutscheblonde]

swanny71 said:

Can thoroughly recommend trying a 130i, I enjoy driving mine just as much as the Trophy. Different to the 182 but in my opinion an equally brilliant little car. Just find one that's been properly cared for.

Echo Swanny's comment. I've had 3 182's and am now on my second 130i. So very different, yet both hugely enjoyable. The 130i does require some handling mods though to get the best out of it.

[MachoManRandySavage]

Thanks for comments guys. Yep totally open minded (mrs is less so)- so meg a contender albeit another Ren seems a bit samey after 7 years - happily have another but not getting any younger and need to expand my experience! Also luckily got the option of hanging on to the 182 if I really want to (only drive at weekends so feels excessive/but only done 60k and got an irrational emotional attachment to it...). Swanny71 would you mind going into a bit more detail please about key relative points 182/130 given you are in a excellent position to comment? Noticed you have a rather tasty other motor on the side too which is on my list but some way off, great taste sir!

[MachoManRandySavage]

Whoops deutscheblond as well! My first post - great to have all this experience to turn to!

[inabox]

The only thing I could think of to replace my 182 ff was a 130i. Lovely engine but the 182 suspension makes the BMWs feel like a tractors. Definitely needs a bit of modding but still a great car.

[Vyse]

MPS3 MKII

[neil-935ql]

Predictably I replace my Clio 182 with a reanaultsport Megane 2008 as I needed 4 doors for child , I tried a BMW 335i but did not get on with that it lacked the involvement and character of the reanaultsports , it's a great car still standard 225 bhp and most times this is enough power , it hasn't even got an lsd and puts down the power ok , BMW is a good shout just not for everyone

[culpz]

MachoManRandySavage said:

Hi all first time post for me. I have had a Clio 182 FF cup for the 7 years which now acts as a second car and only driven occasionally. I love it but as time goes on it's becoming less and less suitable for normal duties (family etc) so planning to either sell/ if I can't bring myself to do that may stick it in the garage for a hobby/track.
Other car is a barge so looking to replace with something small/fun but a little bit more grown up than the 182. Preference is for:

-4/5 doors (kids)
-great to drive (coming from a 182) everyday - don't want to have to go to a track to have fun with it so thinking smaller/lighter the better
-max 12 years old
-would prefer to have rwd/4wd this time just to be different but would consider fwd again
- prefer 6 cylinders to tick that box but not essential
-prefer na before it's too late but not essential
-not paying £500 road tax out of principle!
I have narrowed it down to a BMW 130 or a golf r32 (early 06 one to pay lower tax), but any thoughts?
Anything I've missed?
Anyone know if the BMW has hydraulic steering/got advice on spec to have? I'd have a 330 but thought 130 be better as a bit lighter? I know real answer is 'go and drive them' but interested in your views....

We really need to know your price range/budget for a start.

Both the 130i and Golf R32 are a good pair to choose from. It would have to be the Golf for me definitely but that's probably because i've lusted after one for some time now. That noise is just exquisite for such an ordinary car. Saying that, the BMW has character of it's own.

If i was in your shoes, i wouldn't consider any proper saloons/coupes like the 330i. After the 182 i think you'd miss something that's quite chuckable. The hatchbacks you're considering are already fairly bigger than your current Clio.

Natural progression would lead you onto a Renaultsport Megane of some sort. I'd recommend a 250/265 as they seem much more reliable and dependable compared to the 225/230's. The problem with this is that you're failing to tick quite a few of your preferences.

I'd go for the Golf. You could also consider an Edition 30 as another Golf-contender. Quieter and FWD but quicker and more competent.

[hondansx]

I personally would try to keep the 182 regardless of what other car you get; they are the last of the what i consider a true hot hatch. May as well keep the one you know the history of.

[PorkRind]

Id look at the 130 personally, especially if you're after something involving. Theyre quite heavy and aren't that torquey though - wont be as nimble as the Clio.. The R32 might sound great, but theyre, imo, a dull drive, all that weight over the front and the pretty average haldex. They're great off the line but dull in the corners.

I'd look at a Renaultsport Megane !

Edited by PorkRind on Monday 16th January 11:42

[Harrison-91xcg]

I had a 182 FF.

Now I have an E90 330i.

I considered a 130i, but after reviewing the boot size, well its tiny, not fit for kids.

Nothing is as chuck-able as a 182, and granted a 130i will be more chuck-able than a 330i because its lighter.

But the balance of the car is the better than the 130i (and any other shape 3 series of that era) so it feels fantastic.

Just make sure you get the manual. The automatic is good in the 330i, but it saps the life out of the high revving NA engine. The engine is superb, almost instant torque from 800RPM (Thanks to Valvetronic). You can literally keep it in 6th from 40mph and still have more than enough torque to make normal pace. However the car is extremely long geared, so 3rd will see you to 100MPH. This is why its key to have the manual because if you need to overtake suddenly, or fancy a quick blast then you'll want to shift from 6th to 2nd or 3rd which can be cumbersome with the auto.

[rockford22]

When I read the thread I did immediately think of a 130i also. Lots of praise for the car on the owner's forums!

[MachoManRandySavage]

Thanks all, appreciate your views. Budget is £5-10K, can't justify more given it won't get driven that much. Some age is ok - indeed actually prefer something that isnt precious and feel happy to drive hard/leave in a car park etc. I am 6'3"/15+ stone so one concern is cabin space (driving the 182 with kids in the back is a real squeeze but rarely need to do this as also have a Mondeo). Boot space not really an issue though as can just about get away without a pram these days. One thing I love about the 182 is how much fun you can have at legal speeds - last thing I want is something you can only enjoy for 3 seconds when joining a motorway!

[HJMS123]

I think that's where the 130i may be an issue, it's gearing is long so chasing the redline with that engine in 3rd you'll be doing illegal speeds.