The £1k Clio 172 Cup
Discussion
Following Ben Lowden's Clio Trophy and 172 Cup articles I couldn't resist this car which appeared on Cliosport locally around the time. I had a bit of a dash to get there before 2 or 3 other viewers but made it and bagged a bargain for my runabout. The previous owner had it for 7 years and was only getting rid as his misses had forced him following the purchase of an E92 M3.
I had previously been an Impreza fanboy, eventually owning a P1 for a few years before marriage, kids and mortgages took priority. My brother had an R26 so I got an eye for what a comparitive bargain Renaults are in the performance world.
This car was on 114k and needed belts hence the price but the engine, brakes and handling were fantastic.
I've had it almost 3 years now and it's sitting on 126k. I had hoped to upgrade to a Megane 275 this year but another house move put pay to that and I've decided to maximise and enjoy what I've got.
Steering was feeling a little dead and it was understeering and bouncing a little at the rear when pushed. Last week I booked it in for a suspension and steering refresh, Cup dampers, lower arms, ball joints, bushes, track rod end kit. Wow, what a difference. Back to the pointy, direct and responsive car I loved. Not bad for £400 in parts. I didn't fancy having those sensations diluted by a steering wheel which was melting away in my hands so got Jack at Royal Wheels to do a nice retrim for me.
Loving the car and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering one. These cars are definitely a little bit special. Here's my spec:
Eibach sportline springs with Cup dampers
Powerflex dogbone mount
KTEC engine mount
KTEC sports cat
Magnecor leads
Michelin PS3 tyres
RS Tuner 98 map
Clio R3 airbox
Phase 1 / V6 gear knob
Wheel retrim in perforated, nappa and alcantara
Brembo HC discs
Mintex 1144 pads
Goodridge braided brake lines
Thanks for reading!
I had previously been an Impreza fanboy, eventually owning a P1 for a few years before marriage, kids and mortgages took priority. My brother had an R26 so I got an eye for what a comparitive bargain Renaults are in the performance world.
This car was on 114k and needed belts hence the price but the engine, brakes and handling were fantastic.
I've had it almost 3 years now and it's sitting on 126k. I had hoped to upgrade to a Megane 275 this year but another house move put pay to that and I've decided to maximise and enjoy what I've got.
Steering was feeling a little dead and it was understeering and bouncing a little at the rear when pushed. Last week I booked it in for a suspension and steering refresh, Cup dampers, lower arms, ball joints, bushes, track rod end kit. Wow, what a difference. Back to the pointy, direct and responsive car I loved. Not bad for £400 in parts. I didn't fancy having those sensations diluted by a steering wheel which was melting away in my hands so got Jack at Royal Wheels to do a nice retrim for me.
Loving the car and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering one. These cars are definitely a little bit special. Here's my spec:
Eibach sportline springs with Cup dampers
Powerflex dogbone mount
KTEC engine mount
KTEC sports cat
Magnecor leads
Michelin PS3 tyres
RS Tuner 98 map
Clio R3 airbox
Phase 1 / V6 gear knob
Wheel retrim in perforated, nappa and alcantara
Brembo HC discs
Mintex 1144 pads
Goodridge braided brake lines
Thanks for reading!
Kosy said:
Butter Face said:
Cool car.
I sold one to a mate of mine in 2007, he paid loads for it, barried it up and eventually killed it. Superb cars though.
Thanks, I was sorely tempted with getting a Cup-S from you a year ago!I sold one to a mate of mine in 2007, he paid loads for it, barried it up and eventually killed it. Superb cars though.
DoubleTime said:
They are fantastic little chuckable things aren't they? I don't plan on ever parting with mine now.
Yours looks nice and clean. Definitely a bargain picking that up for 1K if the bodywork is as tidy as the pics make out.
Absolutely. This is a keeper too. Eventually it will get upgraded but kept in the garage for the odd run out. A great antidote to modern, heavy, ridiculously powerful and expensive cars.Yours looks nice and clean. Definitely a bargain picking that up for 1K if the bodywork is as tidy as the pics make out.
Bodywork is good but that's it's best side! I've got some lacquer peel and a scuff on the offside rear 1/4 to sort.
Butter Face said:
Kosy said:
Butter Face said:
Cool car.
I sold one to a mate of mine in 2007, he paid loads for it, barried it up and eventually killed it. Superb cars though.
Thanks, I was sorely tempted with getting a Cup-S from you a year ago!I sold one to a mate of mine in 2007, he paid loads for it, barried it up and eventually killed it. Superb cars though.
Ruskie said:
I’m in the minority here but I hated my 172 Cup. Maybe I didn’t appreciate it when I had it but it was solid mechanically but body work and electrics might as well have been made from cheese.
What electrical problems did you have ?My cup kept flashing the seatbelt warning light then on the day of it's mot it turned off for 24 hours , next morning and the things lit up again .
egor110 said:
Ruskie said:
I’m in the minority here but I hated my 172 Cup. Maybe I didn’t appreciate it when I had it but it was solid mechanically but body work and electrics might as well have been made from cheese.
What electrical problems did you have ?My cup kept flashing the seatbelt warning light then on the day of it's mot it turned off for 24 hours , next morning and the things lit up again .
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff