2003 Renaultsport Clio 172 Cup

Highlights

• A lightly modified 2003 Renaultsport Clio 172 Cup presented in Mondial Blue
• Powered by a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-pot with a five-speed manual, sending 172hp to the front wheels
• Just 62k miles and four previous owners
• Extensive documentation and full-service history
• Thousands spent on servicing, maintenance and upgrades in recent years

Overview

The Renaultsport Clio is regarded as one of the best hot hatches of all time, with no less than five Renaults landing in the PH top 10 hot hatches of the 21st century, with the 172 Cup finishing in fourth place. It may have been a runner up to the 182 Trophy, yet if you want the rawest and most thrilling Clio experience, the 172 Cup is the one to have.

For homologation purposes, Renault stripped out as much weight as possible by removing the ABS, air-conditioning and sound deadening, complemented with thinner glass, simplified halogen headlights, cloth seats and lightweight 16” Turini alloy wheels. The result was the lightest and cheapest Renaultsport Clio you could buy, with a retail price of £12,995 and a kerb weight of just 1,021kg.

Previously owned and written about on PH Fleet by our very own Ben Lowden, this Clio has been well looked after with thousands spent in recent years on servicing, maintenance and upgrades. It has all the original parts supplied with the car to return it to standard if desired, but we think it looks fantastic as it is.

History and documentation

• This 21-year old Clio was registered in 2003 with just four previous owners
• Extensive documentation and full-service history
• The services are as follows: Oct 2005: Oil and filter @ 11,038 miles, Oct 2007: Oil and filter @ 20,321 miles, Oct 2009: Cambelt kit, water pump and coolant –@ 28,017 miles, Sep 2011: Oil and filter @ 33,051 miles, Oct 2013: Oil and filter @ 38,090 miles, Oct 2015: Cambelt kit, aux belt kit @ 48,715 miles, Nov 2015: Oil and filter @ 49,595 miles, Nov 2016: Oil and filter, spark plugs, brake fluid @ 53,897 miles, Sep 2019: Aux belt @ 57,113 miles, Apr 2021: Cambelt kit, dephaser, aux belt kit, waterpump and coolant, spark plugs, oil and filter, gearbox oil and brake fluid @ 57,591 miles, Mar 2023: Oil and filter @ 59,066 miles, Aug 2024: Oil and filter, spark plugs, brake fluid
• All original book packs are provided, including the original disposable camera pack
• Supplied with two keys

Interior

• Corbeau RS2 front seats (original cloth seats supplied), with all seats and carpets all in very good condition
• The gearknob has been replaced with a Richbrook alloy gearknob to improve gear change feel
• The steering wheel has been retrimmed in leather due to the common ‘melting’ that happens on the original steering wheel trim
• Common sticky plastics have been replaced with non-sticky items
• New genuine Renaultsport carpet mats were fitted in 2022
• An aftermarket Kenwood head unit is fitted with Bluetooth connectivity

Exterior

• The car benefitted from a full front end respray in 2023 to the bonnet, wings and bumper to remove minor stone chips and scuffs. The fuel filler cap area had a very minor amount of surface rust, which was treated and painted along with a small hairline crack in the rear roof spoiler
• A brand new genuine front splitter was fitted last year
• There is some minor surface rust underneath the car, with the sills and arches in very good condition
• The 16” Turini alloy wheels were also refurbished last year and are shod in Michelin Pilot 3 tyres
• Overall, a very clean car for the age and we think you’ll struggle to find a better one

Mechanical

• The car comes with an extensive amount of service history and documentation, with the important cambelt, dephaser, aux belt, waterpump and coolant changed 5,000 miles ago in 2021 by a Renaultsport specialist
• The suspension was overhauled in 2023 with new genuine front and rear dampers, top mounts and Eibach Sportline lowering springs (original springs also supplied)
• The braking system was overhauled in 2023 with a new Bosch rear bias valve, handbrake cables, rear calipers and K-Tec braided brake lines
• Brembo High Carbon front discs with Ferodo DS2500 pads and genuine rear discs with Brembo rear pads were fitted at the same time as the overhaul
• A Oneseventwo developments gearlever bush has been fitted to improve gearchange feel
• A new K-Tec induction kit is fitted which sounds fantastic (original airbox supplied)
• The exhaust system has been replaced with a Pure Motorsport silenced stealth exhaust with a decat pipe fitted. A genuine 172 Cup catalytic converter is supplied with the car, which will need to be fitted to pass an MOT and be road compliant
• The car had a Hunter four-wheel alignment carried out in 2023
• The MOT is valid until 7 February 2025

Summary

This homologation lightweight hot hatch is deserving of its iconic status and values are continuing to rise. It would make a smart purchase for someone after the rawest Clio driving experience available without needing to pay the premium the 182 Trophy carries.

20 years on, it proves that light weight and a punchy naturally-aspirated engine are all you need to have fun on the road without risking losing your licence, and will equally be at home on track with the upgraded suspension springs and brakes fitted.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located near Banbury, Oxfordshire.