Looking to buy Clio RS 200 - which one to pick?

[l-murcielago]

Hey guys,

I have decided at last that I want to buy a Renaultsport Clio 200, and I was just wondering if I could please get some help on which spec I should go for?

Please note: this will be my first car at 24 years old. Annual mileage will probably be low (say 3000 miles) as it will be mainly for fun driving, not daily commuting.

Basically, is the Cup chassis and/or Recaro leather seats worth the extra money? The first two options below are very close to me, whereas the third full-fat option is 93 miles away in Bournemouth (K-tec Racing). I don't mind travelling to Bournemouth though if it's worth it.

Standard 1: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Standard 2: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Full-fat: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Which one should I go for (if any)? And are there any key things you would recommend asking/checking when viewing the cars?


Many Thanks for any advice

Edited by l-murcielago on Sunday 19th May 23:10

Edited by l-murcielago on Sunday 19th May 23:12

Edited by l-murcielago on Sunday 19th May 23:34

[NatAsp]

l-murcielago said:

Hey guys,

I have decided at last that I want to buy a Renaultsport Clio 200, and I was just wondering if I could please get some help on which spec I should go for?

Please note: this will be my first car at 24 years old. Annual mileage will probably be low (say 3000 miles) as it will be mainly for fun driving, not daily commuting.

Basically, is the Cup chassis and/or Recaro leather seats worth the extra money? The first two options below are very close to me, whereas the third full-fat option is 93 miles away in Bournemouth (K-tec Racing). I don't mind travelling to Bournemouth though if it's worth it.

Standard 1: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Standard 2: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Full-fat: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Which one should I go for (if any)? And are there any key things you would recommend asking/checking when viewing the cars?


Many Thanks for any advice

It comes down to personal preference. I haven't driven one with non cup suspension but the handling of my cup is like nothing I've ever driven. It's a very harsh ride but I don't mind that too much. I bought mine for exactly the same reason - fun weekend car only.

The recaros sit you higher in the car and add weight so a waste of money in my opinion. Don't care that they look good.

3rd and 4th gear synchro failure is extremely common on these. Check the car goes smoothly into every gear on both the up and down shift. I knowingly bought one with a broken box and got it reconditioned.

[anonymous-user]

Personally I wouldn't buy one without the cup suspension, LSD and Recaro seats. Preferably a loud colour too.

[clarki]

Don't think the 200 ever had an lsd. But cup and recaros are a must. Engines good, check the belts are done. Weak gearboxes, so rebuilds not uncommon. Good brakes.
I remember issues with engine mounts too.
Ktech do seem to know their stuff. Good cars if not that quick. The megane R26 is so much better IMO.

[GreatGranny]

I would drive both versions first.

Even for weekend use the cup suspension may be too harsh for you.

Then you can decide if the extra cost is worth it.

[Butter Face]

Recaros and cup are a must. The cup chassis really isn’t as bad to live with as people think it is, lots of people use them daily and for a few thousand miles a year you’ll be fine.

[cat with a hat]

NatAsp said:

l-murcielago said:

Hey guys,

I have decided at last that I want to buy a Renaultsport Clio 200, and I was just wondering if I could please get some help on which spec I should go for?

Please note: this will be my first car at 24 years old. Annual mileage will probably be low (say 3000 miles) as it will be mainly for fun driving, not daily commuting.

Basically, is the Cup chassis and/or Recaro leather seats worth the extra money? The first two options below are very close to me, whereas the third full-fat option is 93 miles away in Bournemouth (K-tec Racing). I don't mind travelling to Bournemouth though if it's worth it.

Standard 1: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Standard 2: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Full-fat: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Which one should I go for (if any)? And are there any key things you would recommend asking/checking when viewing the cars?


Many Thanks for any advice

The recaros sit you higher in the car and add weight so a waste of money in my opinion.

Really?

[HTP99]

Butter Face said:

Recaros and cup are a must. The cup chassis really isn’t as bad to live with as people think it is, lots of people use them daily and for a few thousand miles a year you’ll be fine.

Agree that the Cup Chassis is a must, however in my view Recaro's are nice but I wouldn't say they are a must as the standard seats are supportive and comfortable enough, plus the Recaro's don't wear particularly well around the base bolster and they can be a bugger to get in and out of as the sides are high and rigid plus if you are a little on the portly side they can be tight.

[BenLowden]

I swear there's a buying guide knocking around here somewhere... https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-gui...

Loving mine, would thoroughly recommend getting one. They do have their issues as highlighted in the buying guide so just be aware of what could go wrong and the potential costs if the issues haven't yet been sorted.

Worn Recaro bolsters can be re-trimmed for around £250 and you can buy lowering mounts for them so not the end of the world if they're worn, just use it for haggling.

[ikonic]

HTP99 said:

Agree that the Cup Chassis is a must, however in my view Recaro's are nice but I wouldn't say they are a must as the standard seats are supportive and comfortable enough, plus the Recaro's don't wear particularly well around the base bolster and they can be a bugger to get in and out of as the sides are high and rigid plus if you are a little on the portly side they can be tight.

Agree totally with this viewpoint. Cup is a must, Recaros are highly desirable although not essential. I had a seat cover for mine to prevent any wear issues but it is a faff.

Given you plan on doing such low mileage a year anyway, I’d be inclined to try and find one with recaros if you do intend on keeping it for a while.

[l-murcielago]

Thanks very much for all your great advice!

It seems that the general consensus is that the Cup chassis is worth it, whilst Recaros are desirable, but not the biggest deal.

My only concern is: would the Cup chassis be too harsh for London roads? If so, then I guess I won't need to bother travelling all the way to Bournemouth to test drive the Cup!

[l-murcielago]

clarki said:

Don't think the 200 ever had an lsd. But cup and recaros are a must. Engines good, check the belts are done. Weak gearboxes, so rebuilds not uncommon. Good brakes.
I remember issues with engine mounts too.
Ktech do seem to know their stuff. Good cars if not that quick. The megane R26 is so much better IMO.

Cheers for the advice @clarki. I wouldn't mind test driving the Megane R26, but it seems there aren't many of them on sale at the moment and I can't find a good mileage one at a decent price too.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go for the full fat version especially with such low miles.

[l-murcielago]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd go for the full fat version especially with such low miles.

Okay cheers

[clarki]

l-murcielago said:

Cheers for the advice @clarki. I wouldn't mind test driving the Megane R26, but it seems there aren't many of them on sale at the moment and I can't find a good mileage one at a decent price too.

They were a massively underrated car, but this is where my money would go. I traded my clio trophy for one as soon as I got a drive. Miles better. Probably a bit more ££ to buy and run but sometimes the extra is worth it. Deffo worth a drive, ktech get the odd one now and then.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...


Don't get me wrong the 200 is a great car, always enjoyed them on track at the renaultsport days, and maybe i'm a bit of an R26 fanboy, but I just think it offers more for your money.

[Red 4]

Full fat.

Cup chassis.

Recaros.

Speedlines.

The Cup is too spartan for my tastes.

Full fat models are a bit better; different dash, climate, auto wipers/ lights, body coloured mouldings, etc.

No difference in performance.

Make sure the belts have been changed. It's a £500+ job.