Clio Mk4 220 Trophy TDC
Discussion
Like a bunch of us here I have come from owning some old Renaults, and some more modern ones, and a host of other performance machinery. Back in 2012 ish the Mk4 Clio 200 launched and it got a load of stick from most of the motoring press. Looking back I see now that many of the press regurgitate
what others in print media say to save themselves the bother of having to actually analyse what they experienced in a car...but that's another story.
Chris Harris liked it.
The standard 200 was lacking a bit apparently, not driven one so I don't know. What I DO know is having run about in a 220 Trophy for a year, it is a bloody decent and very quick car. I think the Trophy had a better gearbox response, more power and slightly different suspension setup.
So, I had to move home, get rid of my garage and on top of that I hit FIFTY years old. I've lost enthusiasm for lying under a car and messing about with exhauasts and jubilee clips to be honest but I wanted a car that is fast, easy to drive, reliable (don't laugh) and does not cost a ton to run.
Enter the Mk4.
Immaculate condition, FSH, decent price.
Sure, it lacks that third pedal that purists cried about, but honestly...I simply don't care about a waving a lever about and attempting to heel and toe (and failing) in this sort of car. I'd rather be able to stick it in full normal auto, get amazing MPG, and smile when I am in massive traffic jams and think of the worn left knee joints of the die-hards. Then, after the jam, stick it in RS Mode or full race and enjoy really good fast auto or manual shifts using the paddles or the stick...with an absolutely addictive flat up shift M16 assault rifle sound 'BAP BAP BAP'.
Handling is excellent, it is electric and some say loses some of the mechanical PS in older Clio's. Nah.
I've fitted Cooksport springs to mine and I have to say although it is abour 30mm lower the car handles bumps better now!? Go figure!?
I have an ITG induction kit and a GT Perfomance exhaust, which really puts a smile on your face. Mine is the full bore straight pipe as I just don't care, but there is a backbox version, which is great too at about £350. Compared to some other exhausts I've fitted to BMW's, that is such a saving.
I've only had to replace one thing, which is a well known fault, that being the lower coolant hose clamp. Very easy.
When these came out I was like...4 door? Less power than my modded Williams? Looks massive? Slow auto box? Totally put me off...but, ignore all that negative press. These are really, really good cars!
what others in print media say to save themselves the bother of having to actually analyse what they experienced in a car...but that's another story.
Chris Harris liked it.
The standard 200 was lacking a bit apparently, not driven one so I don't know. What I DO know is having run about in a 220 Trophy for a year, it is a bloody decent and very quick car. I think the Trophy had a better gearbox response, more power and slightly different suspension setup.
So, I had to move home, get rid of my garage and on top of that I hit FIFTY years old. I've lost enthusiasm for lying under a car and messing about with exhauasts and jubilee clips to be honest but I wanted a car that is fast, easy to drive, reliable (don't laugh) and does not cost a ton to run.
Enter the Mk4.
Immaculate condition, FSH, decent price.
Sure, it lacks that third pedal that purists cried about, but honestly...I simply don't care about a waving a lever about and attempting to heel and toe (and failing) in this sort of car. I'd rather be able to stick it in full normal auto, get amazing MPG, and smile when I am in massive traffic jams and think of the worn left knee joints of the die-hards. Then, after the jam, stick it in RS Mode or full race and enjoy really good fast auto or manual shifts using the paddles or the stick...with an absolutely addictive flat up shift M16 assault rifle sound 'BAP BAP BAP'.
Handling is excellent, it is electric and some say loses some of the mechanical PS in older Clio's. Nah.
I've fitted Cooksport springs to mine and I have to say although it is abour 30mm lower the car handles bumps better now!? Go figure!?
I have an ITG induction kit and a GT Perfomance exhaust, which really puts a smile on your face. Mine is the full bore straight pipe as I just don't care, but there is a backbox version, which is great too at about £350. Compared to some other exhausts I've fitted to BMW's, that is such a saving.
I've only had to replace one thing, which is a well known fault, that being the lower coolant hose clamp. Very easy.
When these came out I was like...4 door? Less power than my modded Williams? Looks massive? Slow auto box? Totally put me off...but, ignore all that negative press. These are really, really good cars!
Spot on.
I’m a huge RenaultSport fan despite never having owned one.
I’ve drove an early 200 model and thought it was great. Only negative was to me the Fiesta ST was more fun and Peugeot Sport 208 GTI was better everywhere else and faster especially on track.
Never got the love they deserved!
Also don’t think the Polo GTI gets appreciated enough.
I’m a huge RenaultSport fan despite never having owned one.
I’ve drove an early 200 model and thought it was great. Only negative was to me the Fiesta ST was more fun and Peugeot Sport 208 GTI was better everywhere else and faster especially on track.
Never got the love they deserved!
Also don’t think the Polo GTI gets appreciated enough.
I'm literally on my last day of ownership of my 200 EDC, it's going tomorrow to be replaced with something else.
That being said, it's been a hoot. I've had mine for 3 years, tracked it 4 times, lightly modded including Scorpion catback, ITG, Cooksports, chunkier tyres, Brembo HC discs, Ferodo pads and a few other bits. No issues whatsoever, full reliability and has never let me down.
I've tried to be a bit of an advocate for these cars, very underappreciated in my opinion. I've owned a 172 and a 197 and knew I wanted a go in the MK4 and glad I did. The only regret I have is that I went for a white 200 facelift, I was too impatient but should have waited out for a LY 220!
That being said, it's been a hoot. I've had mine for 3 years, tracked it 4 times, lightly modded including Scorpion catback, ITG, Cooksports, chunkier tyres, Brembo HC discs, Ferodo pads and a few other bits. No issues whatsoever, full reliability and has never let me down.
I've tried to be a bit of an advocate for these cars, very underappreciated in my opinion. I've owned a 172 and a 197 and knew I wanted a go in the MK4 and glad I did. The only regret I have is that I went for a white 200 facelift, I was too impatient but should have waited out for a LY 220!
Can't go too far wrong with a well sorted RenaultSport.
I had a 220 Trophy for 3 years, loved it. Was totally stock with the exception of the mid-box delete to give it a bit more sound without being intrusive.
Handled great, auto-box was spot on, used to take off from standstill far quicker than a pals Fiesta ST, sounded great on full throttle up shifts and a lovely little burble on deceleration downshifts. Insurance was always cheap too.
Prior to that I had a 197 for 3 years which was a totally different sort of car considering they're both Renault Sports. Without a doubt the 197 was more characterful, but not nearly as quick to drive or well equipped as a daily driver.
I look at Megane Trophy's every now and again, but they seem to be holding their prices a little too well.
I had a 220 Trophy for 3 years, loved it. Was totally stock with the exception of the mid-box delete to give it a bit more sound without being intrusive.
Handled great, auto-box was spot on, used to take off from standstill far quicker than a pals Fiesta ST, sounded great on full throttle up shifts and a lovely little burble on deceleration downshifts. Insurance was always cheap too.
Prior to that I had a 197 for 3 years which was a totally different sort of car considering they're both Renault Sports. Without a doubt the 197 was more characterful, but not nearly as quick to drive or well equipped as a daily driver.
I look at Megane Trophy's every now and again, but they seem to be holding their prices a little too well.
Yea. I was really surprised at this car after the negative feedback when they came out. As with any car, the daily grind barely ever excites apart from maybe the noises or children pointing with that expression of 'whaaaa!?' on their little innocent faces.
I've had a think and suspect that the more recent Renaults I've had, coilovers, polybushes and stripped out have probably made the Mk4 feel a lot less raw, that and I don't do many miles and very rarely get the chance to go WOT especially with motorways seemingly permanently 50 MPH and average speed detectors all over them. I really need to head off to some B-roads!
I don't have many pics of the car yet, unusual for me!
A few cheeky pics of the other RS's and cars I've had from over the years. Porsche and Fezza, R8, RS6 are not my cars. You know what it's like after a few beers and waxing lyrical...get a bit carried away.
I've had a think and suspect that the more recent Renaults I've had, coilovers, polybushes and stripped out have probably made the Mk4 feel a lot less raw, that and I don't do many miles and very rarely get the chance to go WOT especially with motorways seemingly permanently 50 MPH and average speed detectors all over them. I really need to head off to some B-roads!
I don't have many pics of the car yet, unusual for me!
A few cheeky pics of the other RS's and cars I've had from over the years. Porsche and Fezza, R8, RS6 are not my cars. You know what it's like after a few beers and waxing lyrical...get a bit carried away.
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