RE: Clio Renaultsport: Market Watch
Discussion
Over the years I have had a 91' clio 16v, a clio 182 cup pack and currently driving a liquid yellow f1, it seems I'm a fan of these cars without really realising it.
All brilliant cars, although the 16v still holds the title for the most unreliable car I have ever owned, no mean feat as i have owned 40cars.
I seem to be in the minority as I prefer my 197 over the 182.
For me part of it is my 182 didn't look at all special, I know that's not what these cars are about but it just looked like a 1.2 clio, inside and out. perhaps that's part of the appeal for some?
I think with the 197 they made a lot more effort with the arches, diffuser, recaros etc.
Having recently done a trackday in the 197, I can confirm that in a strait line (long strait in bedford aerodrome gt) there is nothing in it between a 182 and a 197. however in the corners I personally was able to lap a lot quicker then I ever did in the previous 182.
It's not as 'raw' as the 182, but people saying that they are heavy, numb cars that under steer are way off the mark in my opinion.
One thing I do miss on the 182 is the fuel economy, the 197 is awful in comparison and is no faster than a 182!
All brilliant cars, although the 16v still holds the title for the most unreliable car I have ever owned, no mean feat as i have owned 40cars.
I seem to be in the minority as I prefer my 197 over the 182.
For me part of it is my 182 didn't look at all special, I know that's not what these cars are about but it just looked like a 1.2 clio, inside and out. perhaps that's part of the appeal for some?
I think with the 197 they made a lot more effort with the arches, diffuser, recaros etc.
Having recently done a trackday in the 197, I can confirm that in a strait line (long strait in bedford aerodrome gt) there is nothing in it between a 182 and a 197. however in the corners I personally was able to lap a lot quicker then I ever did in the previous 182.
It's not as 'raw' as the 182, but people saying that they are heavy, numb cars that under steer are way off the mark in my opinion.
One thing I do miss on the 182 is the fuel economy, the 197 is awful in comparison and is no faster than a 182!
wasswole said:
I paid £400 for a nice stainless steel K-TEC one, I think the original one from Renault is something mad like £700-900
I went back to a non-OE standard exhaust, which has lasted 2 years so far with no problems. I wanted to quieten the exhaust down so I could hear the absolutely EPIC induction roar. It sounds SO good.ETA, Centre and backbox for about £150 IIRC. Clutch was £75, rear shocks £90 a pair. Cheap motoring!
TheJimi said:
I'd love a Renultsport Clio, I really would.
I just can't be arsed with the unreliablity aspect and I don't believe the aspect is internet hysteria either.
Shame really.
Mine wasn't unreliable per se; it never stopped me from getting from A to B. But if you take a look at the Cup 172 in my garage, you can see it had a lot of bits to keep it in good condition. It would've run without all the stuff I did to it, but would've fallen into disrepair.I just can't be arsed with the unreliablity aspect and I don't believe the aspect is internet hysteria either.
Shame really.
Not cars for the lazy enthusiast, that's for sure. Unless you are happy to let the condition deteriorate. Maybe that's true of all cars though, and not just these. I loved mine but it took up a lot of weekends of tinkering.
FD3Si said:
Since March:
Clutch explosion (25k miles on it)
Brake pad fell out
Rear bearing failed spontaneously
Speed sensor failed
Dodgy wiring for airbag throwing warning light
Failing to start at random intervals
Key losing ability to lock/unlock, 160 miles from home
Cam cover leak developed
Grumpy idle that seemingly can't be cured
Alarm deciding to sound whilst driving along (as well as randomly going off after unlocking car)
Half of HRW deciding to give up
Stuff I've bolded is just shrugged off by your average RS Clio fan Clutch explosion (25k miles on it)
Brake pad fell out
Rear bearing failed spontaneously
Speed sensor failed
Dodgy wiring for airbag throwing warning light
Failing to start at random intervals
Key losing ability to lock/unlock, 160 miles from home
Cam cover leak developed
Grumpy idle that seemingly can't be cured
Alarm deciding to sound whilst driving along (as well as randomly going off after unlocking car)
Half of HRW deciding to give up
I'm not saying it's okay though. When I owned mine I pretty much took it as par for the course. I just loved the car anyway. They're all really common issues with well documented fixes (from forums). A lot of people will put up with them because the car is so fun, but then a lot of people won't put up with that.But at least the faults don't cost thousands of pounds to fix. The fixes for all of the above are pretty cheap. For example, normally the failure to start issue is a dirty top dead centre sensor. The fix for this is to clean it. 10 minutes with a socket set, and a 5 minute clean of the sensor is all it takes.
They're very infectious cars. People that have owned them generally own more than one! This isn't much the case with other marques of hat-hatches I don't think!
Yes they can be frustrating to live with, but if well maintained and cared for, ownership is simply ear to ear smiling fun.
I've had four over the last 8 years and I think I can safely say i'll always in one form or other have a Clio RS.
One of the last of the great 'N/A heros' I reckon..
Yes they can be frustrating to live with, but if well maintained and cared for, ownership is simply ear to ear smiling fun.
I've had four over the last 8 years and I think I can safely say i'll always in one form or other have a Clio RS.
One of the last of the great 'N/A heros' I reckon..
PunterCam said:
Christ!! You forget that a cup chassis, 170bhp hot renault was just 12 grand new, only a decade ago... What the f
k happened.
I've been watching the 197/200 prices for a while - it's what I'd buy next if I were changing cars... Well, in another year or two. Always loved the recaros and the general look of those cars...
Everyone moaned they were cheap so now you have to pay at least £20k k happened. I've been watching the 197/200 prices for a while - it's what I'd buy next if I were changing cars... Well, in another year or two. Always loved the recaros and the general look of those cars...
The best Clio with the RenaultSport badge is the one that never gets a mention in the motoring press, the early 172mk1 (w-y plate). It was just more raw to drive, more rare, had smaller wheels, better gear ratios, and was lighter (similar to 172cup). But best of all it had a cable throttle, the slightest twitch of your right foot and you were rewarded with instant allied response. It also had basic un-sensitive abs with progressive brakes, no other diving aids and simple on/off button for the air con, thats all you need. They could even achieve over 40mpg and were slightly cheaper to tax..
The new generation of RS clios just dont feel as special anymore compared to the normal clios. I beleive they are not made in the old Alpine RS factory in Dieppe anymore which is a shame, it shouldnt make a difference, but it somehow just does, the older 172/182 RS clios were just made better somehow not just because they came off a different production line, but because in a way they were the last of the old school hot hatches, before they got too big and heavy..
The new generation of RS clios just dont feel as special anymore compared to the normal clios. I beleive they are not made in the old Alpine RS factory in Dieppe anymore which is a shame, it shouldnt make a difference, but it somehow just does, the older 172/182 RS clios were just made better somehow not just because they came off a different production line, but because in a way they were the last of the old school hot hatches, before they got too big and heavy..
Edited by davebem on Tuesday 20th January 20:30
davebem said:
The best Clio with the RenaultSport badge is the one that never gets a mention in the motoring press, the early 172mk1 (w-y plate). It was just more raw to drive, more rare, had smaller wheels, better gear ratios, and was lighter (similar to 172cup). But best of all it had a cable throttle, the slightest twitch of your right foot and you were rewarded with instant allied response. It also had basic un-sensitive abs with progressive brakes, no other diving aids and simple on/off button for the air con, thats all you need. They could even achieve over 40mpg and were slightly cheaper to tax..
The new generation of RS clios just dont feel as special anymore compared to the normal clios. I beleive they are not made in the old Alpine RS factory in Dieppe anymore which is a shame, it shouldnt make a difference, but it somehow just does, the older 172/182 RS clios were just made better somehow not just because they came off a different production line, but because in a way they were the last of the old school hot hatches, before they got too big and heavy..
Clio mk3 Renaultsports made in Dieppe, and I think the new mk4 also is.The new generation of RS clios just dont feel as special anymore compared to the normal clios. I beleive they are not made in the old Alpine RS factory in Dieppe anymore which is a shame, it shouldnt make a difference, but it somehow just does, the older 172/182 RS clios were just made better somehow not just because they came off a different production line, but because in a way they were the last of the old school hot hatches, before they got too big and heavy..
Edited by davebem on Tuesday 20th January 20:30
I've had my 08 197 Lux for a year now not missed a beat fantastic little car! I've had faster cars but the handling is great never fails to put a smile on my face! The unreliability thing is boring I mean you would just never buy any car if you were put off by everything you read on the internet, nearly every car has it's weaknesses and faults there cars ffs!! They go wrong!
9mm said:
Don't they all end up the same way ten tears after production:
a) scrap
b) worth £500
c) 'mint' and worth £20K
d) SORNed in the hope of c) whilst being in reality a) or b)
They seem to be great cars for the first three years of their life then it's downhill all the way.
A slightly harsh statement, but one that does tend to hold true. But then again, the same could be fairly said for many cars. Not just Renaults. However, many folks think that French hot hatches in general fall into this category. Especially more recent models. I still think the 5 GT Turbo looks nicer than any generations of the Clio, likewise I find the 205Gti is more appealing than later equivalents (even though I'd readily accept that more modern/recent Renault and Peugeot modeals are actually better. a) scrap
b) worth £500
c) 'mint' and worth £20K
d) SORNed in the hope of c) whilst being in reality a) or b)
They seem to be great cars for the first three years of their life then it's downhill all the way.
Edited by 9mm on Tuesday 20th January 10:49
The old cars just seemed to have more soul.
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