Would I regret buying a Clio 182?
Discussion
Friend had a 182 track car he build from a low mileage car and loved it. Test drove a 197 to see if he could live with one and never went back to the 197 he hated it felt a lot slower and less raw.
His 182 only ever had 1 issue which was the PAS pump going bang on the Nurburgring but otherwise was a great car and upset a lot of things. He is currently looking to buy another after selling all his cars but is finding it hard to find one to his spec
His 182 only ever had 1 issue which was the PAS pump going bang on the Nurburgring but otherwise was a great car and upset a lot of things. He is currently looking to buy another after selling all his cars but is finding it hard to find one to his spec
if you get a 182, whatever you do never... NEVER goto the pure motorsport website/shop.
that's how the drug habit starts.. soon you'll be speccing your new gearbox, buying the mandatory shifter and buying all the subframe components you can fit in the shopping cart... it's a den of french fancies..
fyi -
quaife diff for the road/track
gripper diff for the track/race
that's how the drug habit starts.. soon you'll be speccing your new gearbox, buying the mandatory shifter and buying all the subframe components you can fit in the shopping cart... it's a den of french fancies..
fyi -
quaife diff for the road/track
gripper diff for the track/race
I didn't carefully read all of the previous replies, but in case anyone hasn't asked - why don't you track the Z4M?! I had a 3.0si for a few years which was a hoot on track, now I have a sorted M for track/sunny day duties and a cheap economical daily for winter/boring trips into town etc.
The Z4 is a fantastic challenge on track - not as progressive at the limit as the e46 m3 but so so capable.
Obviously a clio would be a cracking little track toy but just thought I'd throw the alternative scenario of cheap daily and 2 seater track toy out there
The Z4 is a fantastic challenge on track - not as progressive at the limit as the e46 m3 but so so capable.
Obviously a clio would be a cracking little track toy but just thought I'd throw the alternative scenario of cheap daily and 2 seater track toy out there
The Z4M is a jointly owned car that doesnt get out much to be honest, I love it but would be scared to take it on track as I am a pretty crap driver and sure I would manage to spin it into a wall on the first lap?!
I also actually have a Z43.0si Coupe which I did think about tracking but again I would worry about crashing it and its my daily driver
If I were to crash a clio 182 I think I would be upset and devastated but in a much more manageable way. Also I feel like starting with a FWD car probably makes sense as hopefully more predictable and easier to learn with?
I do also have an old c70 t5 manual which I did think about tracking but I think it would need a lot doing to it to get it round a corner nicely and everything on those cars is stupidly expensive. I have had many chats with Don at Kalmar Union when I was thinking about tracking it (I took the seats out, did a load of polybushing, strut bar etc) but just came to the conclusion it wouldnt be a good car to start with.
I also like the idea of having something I can take 4 adults in when necessary, as well as put the skis in
I also actually have a Z43.0si Coupe which I did think about tracking but again I would worry about crashing it and its my daily driver
If I were to crash a clio 182 I think I would be upset and devastated but in a much more manageable way. Also I feel like starting with a FWD car probably makes sense as hopefully more predictable and easier to learn with?
I do also have an old c70 t5 manual which I did think about tracking but I think it would need a lot doing to it to get it round a corner nicely and everything on those cars is stupidly expensive. I have had many chats with Don at Kalmar Union when I was thinking about tracking it (I took the seats out, did a load of polybushing, strut bar etc) but just came to the conclusion it wouldnt be a good car to start with.
I also like the idea of having something I can take 4 adults in when necessary, as well as put the skis in
If you’re struggling for a Clio 182 you could consider a Twingo 133. Which is what I have got and am using on track. I’ve kept mine standard bar upgraded brake fluid and it seems to be able to take the punishment having done two track days and over 400 miles on track. Personally whatever car you get I’d keep it standard bar brake fluid. The standard stuff will take the abuse just change the oil regularly.
I have looked at them, actually a bit more expensive as far as I can tell.
Hesitations would be
1. That it wont really stand up as an occasional 4 seater
2. Do you get frustrated with the power? I know it is not all about straight line speed but it is really down there on the power front? at that size I would start thinking about e.g. a 106gti?
Hesitations would be
1. That it wont really stand up as an occasional 4 seater
2. Do you get frustrated with the power? I know it is not all about straight line speed but it is really down there on the power front? at that size I would start thinking about e.g. a 106gti?
I have a 106 race car as well. They are now very old. I don’t get frustrated by the lack of power in a Twingo it’s the opposite actually as instead of being held up all the time you are holding people up so a bit of of careful rear view mirror watching and you can do more uninterrupted laps than if you had a Mclaren. Also my pug is a race car it’s about 10’secs a lap quicker which makes it one of the faster cars over a lap, but still not fast enough to overtake down the straight which makes it more frustrating as Porsche drivers won’t let you pass unless you scare them out of the way. Finally with your lack of experience any car you get you will be one of the slowest on track initially. The difference in lap time with you driving a clio or Twingo will be about 1s which is not enough to make a difference.
Had mine about a month now although I haven't taken it on track yet, it's very good fun on decent roads. It's got more aggressive cams, Bilstein B14 coilovers a big CAI and a fully decatted exhaust. Doesnt feel like it's lacking in power at all to me although this may change on track.
The weight, noise, feel through the steering and how close you are to the ground all make it feel like your going way faster than you actually are anyway.
P.S still debating on removing the stickers, thought they might grow on me but they haven't yet.
The weight, noise, feel through the steering and how close you are to the ground all make it feel like your going way faster than you actually are anyway.
P.S still debating on removing the stickers, thought they might grow on me but they haven't yet.
illmonkey said:
I'm north Oxford, so a bit of a trek.
Yea, stock is fine. I'd not fettle with the engine really, it's powerful enough, although some chase every BHP for huge costs. I've done a few tweaks like lowering, spacers, camber, poly mounts, brembo calipers, air filter etc. It's still a daily, so don't want to do much more, and it is a lot better than stock without stripping it out etc. All over the time I've owned it, so it's got better over the time.
I actually bought it to learn on, I'd done repairs and swapped parts out before, but nothing big. This car I've got more involved, it's been a great learning experience. It's worked for me. Just didn't have the balls to drop the gearbox and repair it!
I can send you a spreadsheet if you want, but you might regret it
I'd also be interested in seeing the spreadsheet if you'd be happy to send me it over Yea, stock is fine. I'd not fettle with the engine really, it's powerful enough, although some chase every BHP for huge costs. I've done a few tweaks like lowering, spacers, camber, poly mounts, brembo calipers, air filter etc. It's still a daily, so don't want to do much more, and it is a lot better than stock without stripping it out etc. All over the time I've owned it, so it's got better over the time.
I actually bought it to learn on, I'd done repairs and swapped parts out before, but nothing big. This car I've got more involved, it's been a great learning experience. It's worked for me. Just didn't have the balls to drop the gearbox and repair it!
I can send you a spreadsheet if you want, but you might regret it
They are a great track day cars.
As I understand it, the 182 gearbox has a slight improvement (circlip?) which makes them a little more reliable. I imagine once refurbished they are all the same. I will say though that my 'chocolate' gearboxed 182 Trophy is on the original gearbox AND clutch after over 120,000 miles. Learn to heel and toe...
I have a rear cage because my partner insisted on it (she does track days with me), otherwise I wouldn't have bothered and kept the rear seats.
In terms of speed, I have custom Pure Motorsport B14 coilovers and - in combination with track day tyres - have made it far quicker but you lose the adjustability. Depends if you want to have fun, and be overtaken, or have less fun but be more of a giant killer.
I'd pay more for a well maintained car, less abused car. They are getting on a bit and I would argue reliability is less to do with the car and more to do with how they have been treated, both physically and financially.
There are loads of 'track day' cars where people have stripped them out to go two tenths quicker and look all 'motorsport', and then sell them because they've run out of money. Makes me wonder if they had the funds to maintain them properly at all (after all, it costs nothing to strip an interior).
As I understand it, the 182 gearbox has a slight improvement (circlip?) which makes them a little more reliable. I imagine once refurbished they are all the same. I will say though that my 'chocolate' gearboxed 182 Trophy is on the original gearbox AND clutch after over 120,000 miles. Learn to heel and toe...
I have a rear cage because my partner insisted on it (she does track days with me), otherwise I wouldn't have bothered and kept the rear seats.
In terms of speed, I have custom Pure Motorsport B14 coilovers and - in combination with track day tyres - have made it far quicker but you lose the adjustability. Depends if you want to have fun, and be overtaken, or have less fun but be more of a giant killer.
I'd pay more for a well maintained car, less abused car. They are getting on a bit and I would argue reliability is less to do with the car and more to do with how they have been treated, both physically and financially.
There are loads of 'track day' cars where people have stripped them out to go two tenths quicker and look all 'motorsport', and then sell them because they've run out of money. Makes me wonder if they had the funds to maintain them properly at all (after all, it costs nothing to strip an interior).
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