Twingo RS... Cup or no Cup?

[Haighermeister]

I worked for Renault, drove a 133 Cup shortly after launch and was thoroughly underwhelmed by it. Really had to throttle it to get anywhere (and I drive VTEC powered Civics) and the chassis/brakes weren't as good as the hype.

I'd rather have a 6 year old 182 cup Tbh...

[CarlT]

Haighermeister said:

I worked for Renault, drove a 133 Cup shortly after launch and was thoroughly underwhelmed by it. Really had to throttle it to get anywhere (and I drive VTEC powered Civics) and the chassis/brakes weren't as good as the hype.

I'd rather have a 6 year old 182 cup Tbh...

The press seem to love it though - perhaps it was you

[Haighermeister]

CarlT said:

The press seem to love it though - perhaps it was you

Ah yes, I forgot that the motoring press always know best and my own opinion counts for nowt



Mirage grey (primer) is a pretty rank colour too.

I stick by my 182 comment.

[doodles19]

Haighermeister said:

I worked for Renault, drove a 133 Cup shortly after launch and was thoroughly underwhelmed by it. Really had to throttle it to get anywhere (and I drive VTEC powered Civics) and the chassis/brakes weren't as good as the hype.


I'd rather have a 6 year old 182 cup Tbh...

Ohhh go and troll off somewhere else.

[Haighermeister]

doodles19 said:

Ohhh go and troll off somewhere else.

Think you have mistaken me for a troll, I'm actually giving a subjective opinion on the car being discussed, from the perspective of someone who drove (and sold) Renaultsports for a living.

Trolololololol etc etc

[Haighermeister]

What colour have you gone for BTW? Any options? I'm sure you'll enjoy it

[doodles19]

Haighermeister said:

What colour have you gone for BTW? Any options? I'm sure you'll enjoy it

Got a silver one, really liked the contrast between the graphite rims and the paintwork and it doesn't show dirt/scratches so badly. Didn't want a black one either, as they do tend to show every single imperfection, the waiting list for the other colours would also have been a fair few months apparently as there is a deficit of RS Twingos about.

I'm massively chuffed with it, went for a 45min test drive and loved every second, coming from a 1.2 n/a wobbly clio II, it is somewhat slightly more entertaining.

Waugh-terfall said:

Ordered..?

What spec?

Well, put a deposit on it, should be coming in the next month or so. It's a 133 with the cup chassis, so esp/tc/air-con, 17" rims, lower ride height and stiffer suspension etc.

[Haighermeister]

As said, I'm sure you'll enjoy it (Especially coming from a 1.2 Clio :P )

You'll near bankrupt yourself the first few weeks whilst ragging it to get the power out of it

[doodles19]

Haighermeister said:

As said, I'm sure you'll enjoy it (Especially coming from a 1.2 Clio :P )

You'll near bankrupt yourself the first few weeks whilst ragging it to get the power out of it

Will be running it in for the first 1000 miles I'm afraid!

[carmonk]

Haighermeister said:

I worked for Renault, drove a 133 Cup shortly after launch and was thoroughly underwhelmed by it. Really had to throttle it to get anywhere (and I drive VTEC powered Civics) and the chassis/brakes weren't as good as the hype.

I'd rather have a 6 year old 182 cup Tbh...

They're very different cars, I can't imagine it being a choice between one or the other.

Must say, if I lived in the city I'd be tempted by one of those nifty little things.

[doodles19]

carmonk said:

They're very different cars, I can't imagine it being a choice between one or the other.

Must say, if I lived in the city I'd be tempted by one of those nifty little things.

Being 20 and compared to the 1.slow Clio I'm currently in... Its a rocket ship.

[Haighermeister]

carmonk said:

They're very different cars, I can't imagine it being a choice between one or the other.

Must say, if I lived in the city I'd be tempted by one of those nifty little things.

They're really not.

Both have similar chassis/space/interior/spec (bar the engine) but the 182 Cup is a lot more capable, better handling (IMO) The Clio can be had for less money, no depreciation (as such) to worry about.

These are just my personal opinions, not endorsed by Renault, Renaultsport, Gordini, Pistonheads, Evo Mag or indeed Top Gear.

Remember, I'm not saying the Twingo is crap, horses for courses, caveat emptor, don't upset the apple cart and all that jazz..

[carmonk]

doodles19 said:

carmonk said:

They're very different cars, I can't imagine it being a choice between one or the other.

Must say, if I lived in the city I'd be tempted by one of those nifty little things.

Being 20 and compared to the 1.slow Clio I'm currently in... Its a rocket ship.

Damn right it will be. When I was 20 it was a year before I got a car, and then it had... 58bhp

[AshRS250]

doodles19 said:

Judging by your screen name I presume you have a Megane 250r (cup?) do you not find it slightly too stiff for bumpy backroads and potholed B roads?

Yes i do. Cup suspension is fine for everyday use. B roads especially. RenaultSport have done a great job setting the suspension up for UK roads. Stiff enough to give you that sporty in corner feeling but with enough softness to take away the bumps and holes in the road so not to disrupt the car.

[Haighermeister]

AshRS250 said:

Yes i do. Cup suspension is fine for everyday use. B roads especially. RenaultSport have done a great job setting the suspension up for UK roads. Stiff enough to give you that sporty in corner feeling but with enough softness to take away the bumps and holes in the road so not to disrupt the car.

I love the 250 cup, have you driven the R26 that went before it? I find the diff in the 250 to be a bit more visceral but as a drivers car the 250 is a lot better. Build quality is a lot better and overall a lot better car...

[matty_doh]

Missed this thread first time around.

Cup is excellent, though as mentioned it can occasionally be skittish around bends (There's one in particular on my commute that throws it off a bit) but it is not so bad unless you're driving on something not dissimilar to the surface of the moon.

Regarding the 195/40/17 tyres - you can easily go to 205/40/17 for slightly cheaper tyres and a bit more sidewall protection (Plenty on the owners club have done, myself included.)

Fantastically entertaining to drive, I've had mine 18 months so far and it still puts a smile on my face.

Anything you need any information on, feel free to ask myself or on twingo133.net - they're a helpful bunch!

Edited by matty_doh on Friday 15th April 21:50

[poing]

doodles19 said:

Will be running it in for the first 1000 miles I'm afraid!

Ours is on PCP so will only be keeping it for 3 years, as such it was picked up showing 6 miles on the clock and has lived with the rev needle stuck in the red zone from the second it left (complete with some wheelspin) the dealers forecourt. No running in performed here! If we were keeping it then perhaps we would be more careful.

Good choice, I'm certain it's what we will be replacing hers with when the time is due. She's never loved a car like she does her little Twingo. I met her at the supermarket tonight after work so we drove home in 2 cars which meant a slightly impromptu race, both grinning like idiots once we got to the driveway.

[AshRS250]

Haighermeister said:

I love the 250 cup, have you driven the R26 that went before it? I find the diff in the 250 to be a bit more visceral but as a drivers car the 250 is a lot better. Build quality is a lot better and overall a lot better car...

No not tried the R26 but the 250 is a load of fun to drive. makes my commute to work enjoyable.

[doodles19]

matty_doh said:

Missed this thread first time around.

Cup is excellent, though as mentioned it can occasionally be skittish around bends (There's one in particular on my commute that throws it off a bit) but it is not so bad unless you're driving on something not dissimilar to the surface of the moon.

Regarding the 195/40/17 tyres - you can easily go to 205/40/17 for slightly cheaper tyres and a bit more sidewall protection (Plenty on the owners club have done, myself included.)

Fantastically entertaining to drive, I've had mine 18 months so far and it still puts a smile on my face.

Anything you need any information on, feel free to ask myself or on twingo133.net - they're a helpful bunch!

Edited by matty_doh on Friday 15th April 21:50

Ocasional skittish-ness I can deal with, I was just worried that it was going to be bouncing all over the place and horrible to control, I've seen far too many slammed euro hatches literally bouncing down the road which was why it worried me.

Ahh excellent news about the 205/40/17 tyres!

Cheers for the info , absolutely cant wait to get in it now!!



ETA: One other thing, did you take the rubber bung out? I've herd it makes it sound better, much more induction noise at the expense of allowing hot/warm air from the engine bay into the airbox.

[snowy slopes]

This was my choice for the next car, until i checked out the boot size. Now i know the seats move forward, but even so, that is one miniscule boot. So, Mrs Slopes, she say no