Tuesday 20th January 2015

Clio Renaultsport: Market Watch

Class of the hot hatch field for over two decades here's our cross generational guide to fast Clios

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Renault has always made proper hot hatches. Claiming a heritage that goes right back to the seminal 5 Gordini of 1976, what Renault doesn't know about making hatchbacks fast, fun and affordable isn't worth knowing. And it is motorsport input - above all else - that's driven the success of Renault's mini marvels, especially the Renault 5 Gordini's spiritual successors - the Renaultsport Clios.

Fast, fun and cheap for more than 20 years

As hot Clios have evolved over four generations, their characters have inevitably been different. But that visceral motorsport influence has never diminished. Renault's Clio Cup one-make racing series have been held in various countries since 2004, with the Renault UK Clio Cup influential in developing the careers of racing drivers Andy Priaulx and Jason Plato among others. And throughout the Clio's long lifetime Renault has always stayed true to its tenet of providing accessible performance for all, through its roadgoing RS Clios.

However, over the last 39 years not every carrier of Renault's hot hatch baton has received quite the same level of acclaim. Whilst some RS Clios have already become automotive legends, others have found it somewhat harder to achieve cult status. But nearly all come with laughably low price tags.

So which incarnations of Renault's hot Clios will go on to become collectors' items in the future, and which are more likely to rust slowly away? And of most interest to PHers - which RS Clios make the best buys right now?

Introduction
Clio 16V and Williams (1991-1998)
Clio Renaultsport 172/182 (1999-2005)
Clio Renaultsport 197/200 (2006-2012)
Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo (2013- )

Many thanks to www.cliosport.net, Paul Murray at RS Tuning Limited, Rob Donaldson at Glass's and David at K-Tec Racing for their help with this feature. New Clio 200 pic by Roo Fowler.

[phast]

I had a 182 (gordini stripes) back in 2005 and loved it, it got tracked within an inch of it's life and never skipped a beat. It would chase down and surprise so many "proper" sports cars and the brakes were just amazing.
Having just sold my M3 and needing a runabout I stumbled on a well cared for 60k mile 172 for £1900, mechanically its spot on but the Renault build quality has taken its toll on the now rattly interior.
It is a rough and ready driving experience but it is so much fun down the lanes on my commute to work I don't miss the beemer at all (well maybe a little bit)
Just get one now while they are cheap as chips!

[zerovira]

My absolute favourite is the v6, but as these seem out of my range, I have to say that my fwd favourite clio is the early 172. Cracking little car, I think it has all about right to be the perfeft hot hatchback: fast (compared to the average car), fun (very!), cheap to buy and run, and pretty (beauty is in the eyes of the beholder).

I like the williams, but as with the v6, there are more collectors items than drivers cars nowadays.

Also in spain they are all much more expensive.

[madmatteo]

I had a full fat Clio 182 with cup backs from 2008 to 2010 and had the pleasure of doing a little over 20,000 miles in it during that time. It was faultless during my ownership other than a headlight washer which was leaking and had to be replaced. I loved the car and have struggled to find another car which I enjoy as much. In fact, my Megane R26, Clio 200 (turbo and non-turbo) have all failed to capture the "fun" which could be had from the little 182. It really was (and is) a cracking little car.

Ironically, I now have a new Fiesta ST which is the closest I have come to finding a car which is as fun as the 182. Both car feel small, light, nimble and powerful. They also both feel tourquey which makes them great for driving in the real world. The Fiesta is definitely better equipped and is probably quicker in general day-to-day driving but not by much. It is also funny that Ford (and Renault) along with other manufacturers are trying to downsize their engines to increase economy and, yet, my 182 could easily achieve 38-40mpg on a run whereas my Fiesta is currently hovering around 36-37mpg. So maybe a 2 litre engine isn't so bad after all.

Great cars and I would definitely have another but the Fiesta makes for an interesting modern day alternative.

[SteveSteveson]

No mention of the Clio V6? It will be the one that will be a true classic.

[Falsey]

Sometimes I think I must be the only one who doesnt worship at the altar of Clio. Had a Mk1 as my learner car and never liked it, and a couple of years ago had a test out in a 200 Cup and found it hugely underwhelming. I was expecting a buzzy go kart kind of thing, instead I got a cheap empty box with nothing in it that didnt seem to go anywhere fast unless you were trying to drive the wheels off it.

Plus it doesnt help that every one you look at has something falling off or broken.

Edited by Falsey on Tuesday 20th January 10:22

[Feirny]

I've had three now, they really get under your skin. I'd have another Trophy as that thing was ridiculous, and I'd love to own a V6 at some point.

The MK1 in the images above is an RSi, not a Williams. 1.8 8v.

Edited by Feirny on Tuesday 20th January 10:31

[M@1975]

I'd agree, I was seriously underwhelmed by the Clio 200 I test drove, there was me trying to be sensible and get a modern car with decent economy but it was just not even vaguely exciting and quite understeery.

[billy939]

The Clio 182 I had was unfortunately not the best example, it was the slowest of the 3 that me and my friends had at the time with the 182 Cup in Racing Blue being the quickest whilst looking the best too!

I could see the potential for a really great car but I bought it on 4 brand new Accelera Tyres and it wasn't economical to replace them all for better rubber, this was probably my first mistake as I think the tyres ruined the handling of what was a good car.

I would definitely consider a 172 as a fun/track car though, especially in Monaco Blue.

[9mm]

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.

Edited by 9mm on Tuesday 20th January 10:49

[parabolica]

I'd recommend viewing Harry M's video on his Clio Trophy on his Youtube channel; it gives a real insight into the hype around these cars (esp the 182) and how things started to go off the boil a little with the Mk3 (197 onwards).

[crosseyedlion]

Falsey said:

Sometimes I think I must be the only one who doesnt worship at the altar of Clio. Had a Mk1 as my learner car and never liked it, and a couple of years ago had a test out in a 200 Cup and found it hugely underwhelming. I was expecting a buzzy go kart kind of thing, instead I got a cheap empty box with nothing in it that didnt seem to go anywhere fast unless you were trying to drive the wheels off it.

Plus it doesnt help that every one you look at has something falling off or broken.

Edited by Falsey on Tuesday 20th January 10:22

You are not the only one. I'm bored of trying to explain my disdain for them after a brief spell of ownership.

[TheJimi]

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.

[Claudia Skies]

Seems to be a marmite car. Me? I like marmite.

Johnny Frenchman really is quite good at these small cars and I'm a bit of a fan. I've no reason to believe the overall running costs are in any way "out of order" but haven't looked at the hard statistics.

As with all these things, price depends on condition and how many buyers are in the frame at the particular moment.

[PunterCam]

Christ!! You forget that a cup chassis, 170bhp hot renault was just 12 grand new, only a decade ago... What the fk 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...

[nickboazracing]

I've had a 172 cup and later a Trophy.

Both awesome cars but I don't think, personally, the Trophy is worth the extra cash unless you just want the badge.

The Cup was a brilliant drive.

I think you have to look at them for what they are: Cheap, (12,995 NEW for the cup), french, fast. You should't expect 10+ years on for them to all be mint, they will have all been thrashed and have mileage. Yes, they'll be ropey. But they are not meant to be a rolls royce.

The 197 on are known for being much watered down so while I have no experience, I'm not surprised by the comments here about them.

[iphonedyou]

I wasn't overwhelmed with the 200 I drove. But I (genuinely) don't know if that's because I went to the test drive in what was then my Stage 1 DC5, which might have been unfair.

The Clio felt quite slow.

[A Scotsman]

I still have a 182 with Cup chassis and my son has a 182 Cup. Mine has done 62k miles and my son's has done about 50k. Both cars have been incredibly reliable only needing standard maintenance. Both have now been fitted with Eibach springs and a s/s exhaust. Otherwise they're entirely standard.

I'd have another one like a shot. Their handling and general performance makes me smile every time I take mine out.

[Rob669]

I also still have my 172 phase 1, plus an Impreza. People have expectations about the RS Clio being a fast car, they're not particularly fast and to get the best means driving at 9 or even 10/10ths - which can be a bit tiresome. But it's the way they feel on the right road or track that makes them special and has kept me hanging on to it for over nine years. They are cars for people who are prepared to get stuck in, find solutions and fix things when they wear out. Isn't that what being a PHer is about? Renault has gone off track with the later Clios, but one day they'll make another good one.

[FD3Si]

My 172 Cup (MK2) - Brilliant to drive, rubbish to own. I spent a long time finding a cared for example with belts done by a reputable garage, low mileage, all 'looked after' boxes ticked, etc etc, and stacks of receipts. In the 10 months I've owned it it's been the most unreliable car I've ever owned. Not all major things (although the clutch implosion on the way to get a specialist to look at the dodgy clutch was a low point), just little things here and there.

And that makes me hate it. Even though it drives a bit like my other half's old DC2.

EDIT: That reminds me, I've got to go out at lunch and get a ne battery for it, to see if it resolves some of the array of electrical issues it currently has.

[RacingBlue]

I loved my Racing Blue 182 (hence the forum name!). I only kept it just over a year, but I had no reliability issue at all. Such a fun car with a superb ride/handling balance.

Annoyingly, it was one of these PH Renaultsport Clio articles that led to my 182, and I'm seriously considering another. Superb cars