Clio 182 best choice for 5k?
Discussion
Trying to help my brother in his search for a new car. He has around 5k to spend and ideally wants a hot hatch or maybe something like an rx8 with under 50k miles on the clock (not sure why that is). Insurance isn't too much of an issue but nothing higher than group 16.
He's had his eye on a few Clio 182s. Do you reckon this is his best option given the low prices these seem to go for? Or is there something out there that we may not have thought of that may sway his mind away from a 182?
He's had his eye on a few Clio 182s. Do you reckon this is his best option given the low prices these seem to go for? Or is there something out there that we may not have thought of that may sway his mind away from a 182?
Get a 182! Although I'm slightly biased. Servicing isn't very expensive there is only one expensive job - cam and aux belts every 5 years. Or 72k and 36k miles respectively.
Costs anything from £350 ish to £800 ish depending if you go to indy specialist or renault dealer. But do only take it to a known renaultsport specialist or a dealership. Majority of garages don't have the right locking tools to hold the cams properly and theres no end of stories of timing being out after getting it done on the cheap at random garages.
Costs anything from £350 ish to £800 ish depending if you go to indy specialist or renault dealer. But do only take it to a known renaultsport specialist or a dealership. Majority of garages don't have the right locking tools to hold the cams properly and theres no end of stories of timing being out after getting it done on the cheap at random garages.
172cup / 182 / 182cup are a fantastic choice , I've been looking into them in great detail as i'm planning to purchase one around June .......bring on the Three wheeled cornering 
for 5K you won't have as much fun unless you go old and high mileage like a really early E36 M3.
Have you considered old school ? ..... as in the Clio Williams ?

for 5K you won't have as much fun unless you go old and high mileage like a really early E36 M3.
Have you considered old school ? ..... as in the Clio Williams ?
wackojacko said:
172cup / 182 / 182cup are a fantastic choice , I've been looking into them in great detail as i'm planning to purchase one around June .......bring on the Three wheeled cornering 
for 5K you won't have as much fun unless you go old and high mileage like a really early E36 M3.
Have you considered old school ? ..... as in the Clio Williams ?
I've been reading around a bit on the varios clio's. Seems the 182cup was a bit of a pointless car really. Don't think he will be overly interested in the two cup packs, so most likely will be looking for just a 182 which hasn't been modified and has had the cam belt changed already
for 5K you won't have as much fun unless you go old and high mileage like a really early E36 M3.
Have you considered old school ? ..... as in the Clio Williams ?
John D. said:
andye30m3 said:
for £2-3k the clios are great but ay £5 i'd be looking at integra type R's and E36 M3's
Vastly different running costs on the M3 I would expect.Good option though , as said above they're obviously 2 very different cars .......
I have a clio 182 paid £3100, on 99k full Renault history, owned by head mechanic at Renault dealership, it had all the belts done, fully serviced, new tyres, shocks, discs & pads all replaced before I bought it.
I had the steering wheel re-trimmed as the old when had literally melted. Mine has been perfect apart from a shock absorber which has started leaking recently, its upto 108k now.
Really fun little cars, I`ve had what maybe considered better cars in the past 530d, Audi TT, and drive a 60 plate 320d M sport or EOS in work, the Clio`s handling is superb it just seems to just hold on the grip is phenomenal.
I use it mainly for work and will easily do 40mpg if sticking to the speed limit on the motorway, it averages between about 30mpg and 35mpg depending on how you drive it.
Its also got a good spec, with cruise, xenons, cd multichanger, climate control, half leather.
However driving position is odd to say the least and I suppose saying you have a clio does give much kudos.
Main things to watch for, exhaust and belts I`m lead to believe

Saying that I would prefer a 330ci M Sport for £5k
I had the steering wheel re-trimmed as the old when had literally melted. Mine has been perfect apart from a shock absorber which has started leaking recently, its upto 108k now.
Really fun little cars, I`ve had what maybe considered better cars in the past 530d, Audi TT, and drive a 60 plate 320d M sport or EOS in work, the Clio`s handling is superb it just seems to just hold on the grip is phenomenal.
I use it mainly for work and will easily do 40mpg if sticking to the speed limit on the motorway, it averages between about 30mpg and 35mpg depending on how you drive it.
Its also got a good spec, with cruise, xenons, cd multichanger, climate control, half leather.
However driving position is odd to say the least and I suppose saying you have a clio does give much kudos.
Main things to watch for, exhaust and belts I`m lead to believe

Saying that I would prefer a 330ci M Sport for £5k
wackojacko said:
Certainly plus a 5k M3 would be slightly leggy, parts to replace and servicing would be far more than a CLio or CTR.
Good option though , as said above they're obviously 2 very different cars .......
Parts are more expensive but less likely to need things doing, consumables are more expensive such as tyres and brakes although the 16 inch pilot exalto's on the clios aren't exactly cheap. Good option though , as said above they're obviously 2 very different cars .......
With some E46 M's approaching £7-8k the E36's are good value and can be picked up for £2.5 - 3k so at £5k I'd have thought you could find a reasonable one.
servicing other than the inspection 2 isn't too bad, no expensive belt service like the clio and I expect the M3 to hold it's value, where as a £5k clio is likely to continue devaluing for a few years yet.
I had a 172 which i paid £2300 for and at that money it was the best car for me and I really enjoyed owning it overall. But when I had a bit more cash I went for the integra which IMHO in a superior car, more reliable , like the M3 seams fairly devaluation proof and was very cheap to run as noting ever broke on it & serving was cheap, brakes reasonably priced, 15 inch tyres in 195/50 were also good value .
Edited by andye30m3 on Saturday 5th February 15:51
TameRacingDriver said:
John D. said:
Vastly different running costs on the M3 I would expect.
Integra Type-R does not cost any more to run than a Clio 182 IME.An M3 would cost more, but then its a vastly better car in every way.

Not convinced the M3 is better in every way but each to their own.
lord-of-creation said:
Seems the 182cup was a bit of a pointless car really.
I'll try not to be offended! 
lord-of-creation said:
Don't think he will be overly interested in the two cup packs
Non-cupped 182s are fairly rare, it seems almost everyone opted for both the packs on the full fat versions. There isn't much demand for non cupped ones so I'd highly recommend just going for one with the packs. It won't be any more expensive but it will be much easier to find and has slightly better suspension and ever so slightly better looking body work(bigger rear spoiler and front splitter) and anthracite wheels. andye30m3 said:
wackojacko said:
Certainly plus a 5k M3 would be slightly leggy, parts to replace and servicing would be far more than a CLio or CTR.
Good option though , as said above they're obviously 2 very different cars .......
Parts are more expensive but less likely to need things doing, consumables are more expensive such as tyres and brakes although the 16 inch pilot exalto's on the clios aren't exactly cheap. Good option though , as said above they're obviously 2 very different cars .......
With some E46 M's approaching £7-8k the E36's are good value and can be picked up for £2.5 - 3k so at £5k I'd have thought you could find a reasonable one.
servicing other than the inspection 2 isn't too bad, no expensive belt service like the clio and I expect the M3 to hold it's value, where as a £5k clio is likely to continue devaluing for a few years yet.
I had a 172 which i paid £2300 for and at that money it was the best car for me and I really enjoyed owning it overall. But when I had a bit more cash I went for the integra which IMHO in a superior car, more reliable , like the M3 seams fairly devaluation proof and was very cheap to run as noting ever broke on it & serving was cheap, brakes reasonably priced, 15 inch tyres in 195/50 were also good value .
Edited by andye30m3 on Saturday 5th February 15:51

You do make a good point that a 5k example is perhaps likely to be in reasonable condition and hold its value from now on if maintained. The 2.5k M3s just shout money pit to me!
John D. said:
andye30m3 said:
wackojacko said:
Certainly plus a 5k M3 would be slightly leggy, parts to replace and servicing would be far more than a CLio or CTR.
Good option though , as said above they're obviously 2 very different cars .......
Parts are more expensive but less likely to need things doing, consumables are more expensive such as tyres and brakes although the 16 inch pilot exalto's on the clios aren't exactly cheap. Good option though , as said above they're obviously 2 very different cars .......
With some E46 M's approaching £7-8k the E36's are good value and can be picked up for £2.5 - 3k so at £5k I'd have thought you could find a reasonable one.
servicing other than the inspection 2 isn't too bad, no expensive belt service like the clio and I expect the M3 to hold it's value, where as a £5k clio is likely to continue devaluing for a few years yet.
I had a 172 which i paid £2300 for and at that money it was the best car for me and I really enjoyed owning it overall. But when I had a bit more cash I went for the integra which IMHO in a superior car, more reliable , like the M3 seams fairly devaluation proof and was very cheap to run as noting ever broke on it & serving was cheap, brakes reasonably priced, 15 inch tyres in 195/50 were also good value .
Edited by andye30m3 on Saturday 5th February 15:51

You do make a good point that a 5k example is perhaps likely to be in reasonable condition and hold its value from now on if maintained. The 2.5k M3s just shout money pit to me!
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