Renault Clio 197 Cup

[melvster]

Having admired the hot Renault's for a number of years i knew it was a field where i would definitely enter it was just a case of waiting for the finances to improve and me finding my ideal spec car. I knew that from day 1 i had to have the Cup model purely because it features a revised spring/damper set up yet on the second hand market there is virtually no difference in price between a Cup and non Cup model (obviously this is comparing a similar mileage 197 of the same year as the Cup). The Cup is quite a rare model, Renault only built 432 for the UK market of which 79 where finished in my colour, Nimbus Silver (Glacier white and Racing Blue were the other 2 options, 266 and 87 of each were built). Mine does without the optional A/C and Recaro seats which i would have liked but this was a great example i just couldn't turn it down. A viewing was arranged on the 21st April, a quick test drive confirmed my decision. I wanted it and left a deposit that day. 4 days until collection, it was Christmas all over again........... but at my expense.

I collected the car on Friday (25th April) having handed over £6350 i could't help but think i had got an absolute bargain purely because the car was the cheapest 197 Cup in the country with over £600 spent on it in the last 4 months including the dreaded cambelt change. Collection day was a fairly dull process, picking the car up was exciting but the drive home in the pouring rain was fairly dull...... i don't think i managed to take the car past 4.5k rpm and when you have an additional 3000 rpm to play with it was a relatively boring drive.

Saturday loomed, dry day. Perfect. A spirited drive on a local seciton of A road and wow........ it felt absolutely fantastic. The steering, damping and initial turn in just feels sublime. You know exactly where the front end is and exactly what its doing. Coming from a 1.4 Fiat Punto to the Clio is just a revelation (which i did expect) but it really has left a big impression on me. The engine is so eager to rev and after 5k it pulls really hard right to the red line. The gearbox is a talking point amongst the Clio owners for it's reliability but mine feels absolutely spot on... precise and easy to find that next cog when you are really going for it. Lets hope it stays that way

Any criticisms..... nothing at the minute apart from i wish the pedals were positioned level with each other; the accelerator sits a couple of CM further back than the brake pedal so at the minute heel and toeing is a little tricky but i am gradually learning to just roll my foot across to blip the throttle on the down changes. The Punto required me to flick my heel across which once i got used to felt so natural but its a learning curve jumping into a new car and i can't wait to get to know the Clio better.

So anything planned for the car...... at the minute it feels great but the Falken's are looking a little low and once the summer is over they will be well and truly passed their best. Winter will see some AD08R's purchased (all round) in time for the spring. An induction kit is also on the cards and some other little trinkets, mainly OCD related. The front discs are lipped slightly so i think new front discs, pads and DOT51 fluid will be acquired at some point in the near future.

Pics below...

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197 Cup[/url] by Adam Melville, on Flickr

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Rivals[/url] by Adam Melville, on Flickr

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RenaultSport[/url] by Adam Melville, on Flickr

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Rear[/url] by Adam Melville, on Flickr

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Group pose[/url] by Adam Melville, on Flickr

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Relations[/url] by Adam Melville, on Flickr

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Front[/url] by Adam Melville, on Flickr

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Arch[/url] by Adam Melville, on Flickr

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Cup[/url] by Adam Melville, on Flickr

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Brembo[/url] by Adam Melville, on Flickr

[melvster]

Other than the plans listed......... no. I am currently running the standard exhaust which i am finding more than adequate, makes a nice rasp and its not too loud when on the motorway etc....

[melvster]

Chunkychucky said:

Looks nice that Adam! Another step closer in performance terms to an E36 M3

That is still the dream Chuck

[melvster]

I will look into the braking options in more detail but I have read decent reports regarding the mintex and ferodo set ups. Just went for another blast this evening and god it's good in the twisties. So much fun.


Thanks for the positive comments

[melvster]

I was looking at either an R27 or 197 Cup. Most Cups are sitting at £6750 - £7500 and the only cheap(ish) R27 i found was for 6k but had 60k miles on the clock and the Recaro's were shagged. My car was up for £6650 (46k miles and a superb service history), negotiated a deal at £6350 and it was the cheapest in the country at the time of purchase.

O/T - looking through the service history today and the car had a replacement gearbox and clutch fitted at 34k miles in July 2012, a total sum of just over £1100. Ouch although its nice to know it has been replaced fairly recently.

[melvster]

TobyLaRohne said:

Love these cars, at one point I will make sure I have one as a toy.

Just a point regarding your criticism, the pedals are correctly set up for heel-toe, the reason the accelerator sits a couple of inches lower than the brake is so that when you're braking the accelerator is level with a depressed brake pedal making it possible to slide your heel over the accelerator to blip the throttle as you brake.

If you're finding the accelerator isn't level or higher than the brake pedal when you're trying to brake then you're not braking hard enough.

I am gradually getting used to it, it just feels different that's all.

Basil Hume said:

Nice car.

I had a full fat 197 (before Cups were available) from 2007-9 - see my Garage review. I had the gearbox crunch problem within the first month and had the post-September '07 'box fitted under warranty, which had longer gear ratios in 5th / 6th I believe.

I remember that the car's exhaust sounded better after the first 10k miles or so had passed - and that if you take the top off the air filter housing (just pops off) then the induction noise is much nicer.

There is a pipe presently missing from the engine bay (see pic below), the replacement has been sent out to me from the dealer. Is this the pipe you are referring to ?

[melvster]

Thanks just took off the top cover so will go out for a play and see what's what

[melvster]

Will do Once i have sold my Punto i will have some cash left over for the brakes etc.....

I am guessing its this bit to remove ?

[melvster]

Cheers as i said on the phone, nice purchase; awesome piece of kit.

[melvster]

Buff Mchugelarge said:

The bit you've circled is the bit you want.
There's two tabs on the sides, pop those off and you'll see the filter inside. If you're going to leave the lid off make sure the filter is properly attached inside it's box.
(you'll see what I mean when you see it! )

Yep done it, the filter is fixed although it isn't difficult to move it out of place. It should stay secure.

[melvster]

Mahoon said:

Great looking car! I was looking to buy one myself at some point but ended up getting fiesta st.

Is it faster than the new fiesta ST?

My good friend had a new Fiesta ST2, is it as quick....... I am not sure but I don't think there is much in it. Despite peak power being towards the top end of the rev range the Clio is very keen to rev and feels pretty quick. I think the Clio has a firmer ride than the fiesta ST.

[melvster]

TorqueR said:

That looks nice, it tempting me consider upgrading sooner that I initially thought.

Enjoy those back roads!

Will do. Do you have your eye on anything special ?

[melvster]

Ok, an update regarding the air box cover. Took it off and went for a spirited drive this evening........below 3.5k the car sounds dreadful, more like an exhaust blow but after 4k it sounds quite impressive, a much deeper tone than previously.

[melvster]

2 new additions arrived today, finally got round to removing the evans halshaw dealer tat.

[melvster]

Cheers for the invite John, great day out and the car felt mega when pressing on. I will let you know when i am next out to Wales

[melvster]

Hi John, yes wanted one for a long long time...... was originally thinking of a Trophy but test drove one and wasn't all that convinced, dampers had no evidence of a rebuild and i didn't like the lofty driving position.

See you have still got the A610, hope its still treating you well. I spy an Esprit too A spin out in a friend's 200 Cup sealed my decision to buy a 197/200 Cup.

[melvster]

Well 900 miles in and the car feels great, nothing to update presently although the car is booked in today to have the geo sorted. Looking forward to piling on the miles.

[melvster]

Great car

Done over 1000 miles in mine now and still loving it, although i kerbed the rear wheel yesterday gutted.

[melvster]

Well me being an idiot i clipped a kerb exiting the Arndale car park in Manchester on Saturday, rear right wheel is a mess however i am not really keen on the satin paint finish, it never looks clean so its an excuse to have all 4 refurbished right ? Presently its a toss up between Gloss Black or Anthracite. Hoping to have the work done in the next few weeks after pay day arrives.

1200 miles done now..... managed to achieve a record 37 mpg

[melvster]

I don't like the satin at all so it has to go...... Gloss Black will contrast nicely against Silver exterior as you say