Renault Clio 172/182 - Anything to look out for?

Renault Clio 172/182 - Anything to look out for?

Author
Discussion

LosingGrip

Original Poster:

7,806 posts

158 months

Saturday 8th August 2020
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I'm looking at a Clio 172/182 as a second car and for some track days.

From what I've found they are a decent choice to use for track days.

Is there anything that I need to be aware of?

I'm 6ft 4...is there going to be any issue with lack of room?

Z4MCSL

544 posts

82 months

Tuesday 11th August 2020
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Get over to cliosport.net for loads of info

Main things I looked for before buying mine were all belts done recently etc and no crunching on the gearbox...

Gearbox can be an expensive fix/replacement/rebuild as I understand it (£900?) And they arent the most robust.

I am assuming mine will go at somepoint but bought one that felt good.

Other than that they suffer from various electrical gremlins, all fixable from what I can tell but a bit of a pain, less so for a track car though.

Are you going to drive it on the road much as well?

LosingGrip

Original Poster:

7,806 posts

158 months

Tuesday 11th August 2020
quotequote all
Thanks!

Im not sure how much it will get used. Will properly be a couple of times a month though smile.

zedx19

2,704 posts

139 months

Tuesday 11th August 2020
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Cliosport is your best bet. I'm 6ft 2, have a phase 1 172, no issues fitting in it. Surprisingly bigger than you think tbh! I've had my 3 kids in it with me as well, complete with car seats.

Things to look out for.

Phase 1 172 - Rot! They seem to rot more than the others, from inner/outer sills and rear arches. Sometimes difficult to tell unless you take the interior door card off and have a look. You can still pick them up cheap though and they are starting to creep up in value. Becoming rarer, parts are more difficult to get hold off so spares expensive, which is helping value. Its also the only one with cable throttle, they are lighter than the phase 2 172 and 182 and personally think they look great, I'm biased though.

All of them suffer gearbox issues, crunching when changing quickly, but you might find one that's already had a rebuild.

Belts - expensive if it needs them, dephaser recommended as well. Find one with it all done, by a specialist, not by a random garage as they won't have timed it properly.

Generally though, solid cars, great fun! I bought mine just for a second car, but find myself using it everyday in this nice weather.

Rowe

311 posts

121 months

Tuesday 11th August 2020
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At 6ft4, doing trackdays with a helmet on, i would say you would definitely need bucket seats with lowered frames.

LukeSi

5,753 posts

160 months

Tuesday 11th August 2020
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Rust with any of them. Sills and fuel filler go. If you can take off the interior trim and take a look down the hole behind the speakers. You can see into the sill and it'll probably be orange.
I've run a few as track cars. I'm 6 foot 7, you'll want Jon Foz VBD subframes as they are as low as you can possibly get the seats.

vx220

2,689 posts

233 months

Wednesday 12th August 2020
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Just wondering, is it possible to lower the standard seats on a 172/182?

Either by cutting and shutting the original subframes or buying new ones? I'd prefer to keep original seats if I bought a 172/182 but do like my seat low...

Anyone tried a foamectomy, like on the MX5?

Deep Thought

35,724 posts

196 months

Wednesday 12th August 2020
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I've had a 172 Cup, 197 FF, Clio 200 Cup.

As others have put -

  • timing belt & dephaser pulley - make sure its been done and documented
  • gearbox - didnt have a problem with the 172 and the 200 but managed to knacker syncro in third gear on the 197 in a matter of weeks.
I'd issues getting the 200 through its first MOT because of suspension wear in the lower arms. Cost quite a bit to sort out and the parts had to come from RenaultSport. That was quite disappointing for such a young / low miles car.

My 172 had some nice kit on it - strut braces front and rear, coilovers, induction kit, decat, decent exhaust. I sold it to a guy who was going to use it for track days. He sent me some subsequent videos and he seemed to be having a wail of a time with it smile

I'd certainly have one again, but they do seem to take a fair bit of money to get "right" if the work hasnt already been done.

Adam91_

108 posts

89 months

Sunday 23rd August 2020
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The gearbox on my 182 was crunching into third, did a gearbox oil change and it's been ok since.....obviously most are deeper issues but yeah I got lucky there!

As for the height issue, I'm just over 6ft and have loads of headroom. There are also spacers underneath the seats that can be removed to make the seat a fair bit lower. Seat bolts are accessed underneath the car though and can be quite crusty.

Galveston

708 posts

198 months

Monday 24th August 2020
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I'm 6'7" and have a standard 172 Cup which I use for hillclimbs, sprints and occasional track days. I've removed the spacers from under the seats and it's fine with a helmet. It doesn't feel small at all.

Mine's been pretty tough, particularly given the abuse it gets. Fab little car, absolutely love it.

RichA35

116 posts

53 months

Monday 24th August 2020
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I had a 172 cup and did around 90k miles in it, the engine mounts snapped/broke at least 5 times, once 2 at once and Renault effectively confiscated the car when I took it in to be looked at because they were concerned the engine may drop out, fair enough really. Still my favourite car I have ever had.

Salamura

522 posts

80 months

Monday 31st August 2020
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I had a 172 non-cup for about 3 years. Crank sensor went (1 hour job to replace, common fault), the backbox mount was changed twice (once again common fault), alternator went (not that common fault). Apart from that, it was a very solid car, surprisingly spacious and easy to live with. Still miss it.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 31st August 2020
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In the 5 years I've owned mine, outside of routine and preventative maintenance, I've had to replace a lambda sensor, 2 injectors and alternator. That's it.

Rust is becoming a bit of an issue with the cars now that they are getting on a bit though. Definitely worth while having a keen eye on that front.

Ben Lowden

5,968 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Monday 7th September 2020
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Our buying guide is well worth a read: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/renau...

I've had three 1*2s and by far the most reliable cars I've ever owned. Rust is becoming an issue now sadly so that's probably one of the key things to look out for now.

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Monday 7th September 2020
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Had my 172 Cup for over 10yrs, hillclimbed it many times.

The gearbox went, a known weakness as above. A couple of minor electrical issues, crank sensor & something else I forget, both common.

The std exhausts are rubbish, as are the rear exhaust hangers.

Dogbone gearbox mounts go, like most others I swapped it for a Powerflex. Engine mounts aren’t great, still not changed mine though!

I’ve had to replace coil pack & leads twice, 1 injector & I think it needs another now.
Other than that it’s been very reliable & more fun than it has any right to be!

Edited by LordHaveMurci on Monday 7th September 20:41

LukeSi

5,753 posts

160 months

Monday 7th September 2020
quotequote all
Ben Lowden said:
Our buying guide is well worth a read: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/renau...

I've had three 1*2s and by far the most reliable cars I've ever owned. Rust is becoming an issue now sadly so that's probably one of the key things to look out for now.
Rust on Clios. I have no idea what you are talking about Ben spinlaugh

Ben Lowden

5,968 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Monday 7th September 2020
quotequote all
LukeSi said:
Rust on Clios. I have no idea what you are talking about Ben spinlaugh
You of all people should know better hehe