RE: PH buying guide: Clio 172/182

RE: PH buying guide: Clio 172/182

Author
Discussion

andySC

1,196 posts

159 months

Wednesday 13th June 2012
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Dons Rose tinted specs...rewind to 2000. Bought a spanker 172 on a "W" reg for the not inconsiderable sum of £16000 (they're about that now aren't they?)....ran it for 18months then flogged it to my brother. He had it for 2 years & then sold it back to me....I kept it for another year then sold it on.

4 1/2 years old & 30k on the odo....a couple of services, front discs & pads, aircon re-gas & that was it. Steering wheel looked manky but other than that it was in rude health.

I remember when I got it in 2000 I was shocked by how much poke it had & remember thinking a car this small shouldn't go this fast....even at 80, a right bootfull would see it pulling like a little silver train. My only grumble were the brakes...seemed far to over assisted to me. Soon got used to it though after about the 18th time I headbutted the screen.

Great motor & fond memories.

tomvcarter

1,091 posts

194 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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Hi, I am looking for a fast hot hatch for commuting and fun, and would love to get into a Clio 200 Cup, but realistically its out of budget for the time being.

What is the next best RS Clio?

The 182 looks like its quite a punchy piece of kit, but i know nothing about the older Clios, and would like to know what people in the know would recommend.

Which RS Clio car is held in highest esteem by the French Bread fraternity?...

(or should i take a loan and go for the 200....)

tyrewrecker

6,419 posts

155 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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tomvcarter said:
Hi, I am looking for a fast hot hatch for commuting and fun, and would love to get into a Clio 200 Cup, but realistically its out of budget for the time being.

What is the next best RS Clio?

The 182 looks like its quite a punchy piece of kit, but i know nothing about the older Clios, and would like to know what people in the know would recommend.

Which RS Clio car is held in highest esteem by the French Bread fraternity?...

(or should i take a loan and go for the 200....)
182 trophy

TameRacingDriver

18,117 posts

273 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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200 is supposed to be the best from what I've read.

Out of the 1*2s I'd probably say the Phase 1 172 (1999-2001), the 172 Cup (2003) and 182 Trophy (2005) were the most sought after.

172 Phase 1 because along with the Cup, its the lightest, but was the original car. 15" wheels, proper cable throttle, aluminium bonnet and different looks are the stand out differences.

172 Cup because its a stripped out Phase 2 model, bringing the some rawness lost from the Phase 2 back, and adding uprated suspension, Turinis etc.

182 Trophy is a 182 Cup but with Recaro seats, Eibach springs, Sachs dampers, unique red paint, V6 style spoiler and Turinis. Dampers are VERY expensive to service/replace though. However, its the best handling 1*2 out of the box.

LordHaveMurci

12,047 posts

170 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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As already said, the 182 Trophy could be your best bet. It would be worth checking the dampers are either in good nick or have been rebuilt, the cambelt has been done & the exhaust isn't falling off! They also suffer a few minor electrical maladies but nothing to worry about.
They are huge fun to drive, look good (IMHO) and the Trophy with it's Recaro seats should be more comfortable. Driven sensibly they can be very economical, driven properly they can keep up with most things on the right road smile
The Trophy also has the possibility of holding on to it's value better.

D15CO D4VE

338 posts

152 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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Iv had 3 there must be a reason for this (would also have another) between myself and 2 other friends we have had 7 between us smile

anonymous-user

55 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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I would also go with a trophy or the newest, but decent 182 you can find. A trophy is seriously tempting to me, I could chop in the 172 cup and get one tomorrow!

broken biscuit

1,633 posts

202 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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Bought a 172 ph2 in May as a replacement for the wife's Laguna she crashed. It was only ever going to be the second car for me to commute in. 1 owner from new, FSH, 110k.

Since then its had a cambelt and dephaser, new backbox, discs and pads front and rear, clutch, service, engine mount, exhaust downpipe gasket, 12 months tax. Stands me at over £1500 since purchase.

However, I've just put a set of cheap 15s on it as I havent got £300 for a set of 16" tyres at the moment following the clutch going last week. Took it out for a 'test' aroun d the backroads. It corners and handles incredibly well, even on bumpy B roads.

now in two minds whether to punt it off or stick with it. I will stand a loss, but don't know what to replace it with if I did. So in the mean time, it stays and brings a smile to my face, and does 35mpg no matter how hard I drive it.

tyrewrecker

6,419 posts

155 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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broken biscuit said:
.

now in two minds whether to punt it off or stick with it. I will stand a loss, but don't know what to replace it with if I did. So in the mean time, it stays and brings a smile to my face, and does 35mpg no matter how hard I drive it.
Try harder

TameRacingDriver

18,117 posts

273 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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My average is nearer 30 MPG. I definitely don't drive for economy though. I have no doubt it would sink to 25 or less on a proper hoon!

LordHaveMurci

12,047 posts

170 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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TameRacingDriver said:
My average is nearer 30 MPG. I definitely don't drive for economy though. I have no doubt it would sink to 25 or less on a proper hoon!
I'm averaging 26.5 in my 172 Cup!

roystinho

3,767 posts

176 months

Thursday 6th September 2012
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Owned the Phase 1, Trophy and 200 with cup chassis. All very good in their own way. Phase 1 is just so raw, the Trophy has great handling and is just a fantastic drive, 200 is just so capable on back roads (never took it on track). I don't have a favourite, love them all but if pressed I think I'd plump for a mint Trophy, has a nice balance of old school hot hatch and devastating pace in the 'twisty stuff'

DaveL485

2,758 posts

198 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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broken biscuit said:
Since then its had a cambelt and dephaser, new backbox, discs and pads front and rear, clutch, service, engine mount, exhaust downpipe gasket, 12 months tax. Stands me at over £1500 since purchase.
My 53 plate has done 134k, it owes me £1300 thereabouts with full belt and tensioner service, front pads, rear shocks, balljoints, polybushes, Steering rack gaiters, exhaust downpipe gasket, a driveshaft gaiter a spare set of OE wheels and good tyres, a new hazard switch and 12 months MOT & 6 months tax.

And that includes the cost of buying the car smile

Maybe you should question the charges for the work you're having done because thats a lot of dough!

LordHaveMurci

12,047 posts

170 months

Friday 7th September 2012
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DaveL485 said:
My 53 plate has done 134k, it owes me £1300 thereabouts with full belt and tensioner service, front pads, rear shocks, balljoints, polybushes, Steering rack gaiters, exhaust downpipe gasket, a driveshaft gaiter a spare set of OE wheels and good tyres, a new hazard switch and 12 months MOT & 6 months tax.

And that includes the cost of buying the car smile

Maybe you should question the charges for the work you're having done because thats a lot of dough!
Just out of interest, which polybushes did you fit & do you find the car any harsher as a result? I was advised against fitting them (dogbone already done) by my local Renault specialist as he said the vibrations would be awful. I'm not convinced & as I hillclimb it they seem an obvious (& cheapish) upgrade.

broken biscuit

1,633 posts

202 months

Friday 7th September 2012
quotequote all
DaveL485 said:
broken biscuit said:
Since then its had a cambelt and dephaser £560, new backbox £75, discs and pads front and rear £200, clutch £400 ,service (free), engine mount £20, exhaust downpipe gasket £60, 12 months tax £250. Stands me at over £1500 since purchase. All at specialists / local garages. Don't think i've been massively ripped off on any of those prices, just sods law things have all gone at once.
My 53 plate has done 134k, it owes me £1300 thereabouts with full belt and tensioner service, front pads, rear shocks, balljoints, polybushes, Steering rack gaiters, exhaust downpipe gasket, a driveshaft gaiter a spare set of OE wheels and good tyres, a new hazard switch and 12 months MOT & 6 months tax.

And that includes the cost of buying the car smile

Maybe you should question the charges for the work you're having done because thats a lot of dough!
I've added some prices in above - cambelt was done by a specialist, brakes, exhaust etc done at local place and I supplied parts, clutch at 'Mr Clutch' as cheapest place with warranty.

Unfortunately the car I drove off the forecourt was due a cambelt service, and wanted new brakes all round. The exhaust developed a blow, and then the clutch went out of the blue - bearing collapsed and took out pressure plate and clutch fork. Unlucky, but thats how it goes.

DaveL485

2,758 posts

198 months

Sunday 9th September 2012
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LordHaveMurci said:
DaveL485 said:
My 53 plate has done 134k, it owes me £1300 thereabouts with full belt and tensioner service, front pads, rear shocks, balljoints, polybushes, Steering rack gaiters, exhaust downpipe gasket, a driveshaft gaiter a spare set of OE wheels and good tyres, a new hazard switch and 12 months MOT & 6 months tax.

And that includes the cost of buying the car smile

Maybe you should question the charges for the work you're having done because thats a lot of dough!
Just out of interest, which polybushes did you fit & do you find the car any harsher as a result? I was advised against fitting them (dogbone already done) by my local Renault specialist as he said the vibrations would be awful. I'm not convinced & as I hillclimb it they seem an obvious (& cheapish) upgrade.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-Clio-inc-172-182-Mk2-97-05-POWERFLEX-FRONT-ARB-TO-WISHBONE-BUSHES-23mm-/180966927458?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a22782c62

Powerflex. Difference? None negative IMO.

anonymous-user

55 months

Sunday 9th September 2012
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LordHaveMurci said:
I'm averaging 26.5 in my 172 Cup!
Good effort! Unfortunately on my commute I'm in traffic at 50mph and it's very good on fuel at that speed, so it's at 38mpg usually.

Going to take it down the Fosse this afternoon after F1, it could do with an Italian tune up smile

dryderwalton12

1 posts

140 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
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Guys.

New to the forum, currently have a 1.9 HGT diesel punto and just found out I can insure a Clio 182 for the same price!!!

Whats the verdict? Not bothered about the fuel economy as you can tell, as I'm getting rid of the diesel!

Are the engines quite bullet proof???

Cheers.

anonymous-user

55 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
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Nothing really goes wrong with these engines unless they miss a belt service or don't have the oil and filter done annually (some people do the oil and oil filter every 6 months).

The engines are strong. It will usually be a dead sensor to cause the engine to misbehave.

172ff

3,675 posts

196 months

Sunday 30th September 2012
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dryderwalton12 said:
Guys.

New to the forum, currently have a 1.9 HGT diesel punto and just found out I can insure a Clio 182 for the same price!!!

Whats the verdict? Not bothered about the fuel economy as you can tell, as I'm getting rid of the diesel!

Are the engines quite bullet proof???

Cheers.
Christ on a bike. Read this thread, do some searches and pop over to cliosport.chav

Engine is great if it's looked after. Service every 10k. Belts are the most important thing to look for when buying as they will set you back over £500 to get done or every 5 years 72k. 36k for the aux.

Mine is on 117k miles and on its 3rd cam belt.

I've had my 172 ph2 for 6 years now. Can't get enough of it but after 100k it's starting to bite me in the wallet.