Clio 182- talk to me!

Author
Discussion

Swerve17

Original Poster:

55 posts

148 months

Thursday 15th March 2012
quotequote all
A while ago I made a thread about buying an ep3 Civic type R. I found one I like, was about to go view it when the oh talked me out of it. Thinking about it, I knew she was right, I mean I could afford it, but then I wouldn't be able to afford anything else for the next 6 months. So, my car buying sniper scope has settled on a RenaultSport Clio.

With my 4500ish budget, there's plenty of them about, but me being me I want the rarest colour, highest spec ect. So my question to you is-

What are they like to own? Seeing as I could afford a cup one, are they worth it? Do you think there cool, or chav cars? Whats the rarest thing to find on one that was on the orginal spec list?

All views appreciated, free internets to anyone with something worthwhile to contribute wink

Defcon5

6,186 posts

192 months

Thursday 15th March 2012
quotequote all
The 182 Cup isnt as good as the 172 Cup IIRC.

If you want rare and high spec then you want the Trophy

chris182

4,162 posts

154 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
They are fabulous to own, or at least mine has been so far. The cup model is pointless, it is just the normal one without a few toys as almost every normal one bought had the cup chassis specified as an option.

Performance is very good, handling is sublime for a fwd car, fuel economy is excellent for something of that sort of performance and mine hasn't broken yet so I'm pretty pleased with the reliability!

CurvaParabolica

6,724 posts

185 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
Half of the responses are going to say they are the best thing since sliced bread, the other half will say they are wonky unreliable french tat and their "mates" examples all spent months in garages just to get light bulbs changed or bits trim reattached.

I happen to like them, having had a family member have a 172 and 182 that were a hoot to drive. If the search function is working I'd recommend running one; there have been quite a few threads about their pros and cons.

swifthobo

869 posts

171 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
I will be the first I don't really them, They handle very well but I don't like how the power comes in. having said that the missus is in the market for one and I am interested in point's of view as I have heard stories of engine mounts gearbox mounts bushing melting steering wheels etc.

silvagod

1,053 posts

161 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
My name is not Clio 182...do you mean me?... if so what do you want me to talk to you about? furious

That phrase really pisses me off...

...goes back to the Shiraz

and breathe...

v15ben

15,800 posts

242 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
I had a 182 with both cup packs. The 182 Cup model isn't really worth it to be honest as it isn't a patch on the 172 Cup and lacks things like cruise control, xenons etc that come on the normal 182.

I had a real love hate relationship with mine. It was fantastic to drive, looked pretty good for a shopping cart (mine was Racing Blue) and gave me decent MPG (34 over 20k miles.) I drove around the Alps and all around Scotland in it which were probably the best driving trips of my life.

On the other hand, my particular example was shockingly unreliable. I bought it at 59k miles and had various major things go wrong including the exhaust dropping apart, various bits rattling themselves off and some interesting electrical issues that meant it would barely accelerate for a few days which was fun!

I'd say go for a 182 with both cup packs, with the all important 5 year/60k mile cambelt and aux belt change done, a good service history and probably a non-standard exhaust as the standard ones are abysmal quality compared to many aftermarket ones which also sound a little better. Colour wise I'd say racing blue or liquid yellow, but to be honest, buy on condition and history rather than colour.

You might get a Trophy in your 4.5k budget and they are truly fantastic cars. These do hold their money well though and many people seem to over estimate what they can get come sale time. However you'll be able to get an awesome example of a standard 182 well within your budget. There are plenty out there so be choosy!

Head over to the forums at www.cliosport.net and there are endless info threads, buying guides, classifieds and a decent community too smile

THE arch stanton

34 posts

179 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
my doris has a 172 cup, great fun as an better fun for a thrash than my 335i but crap build quality and a bit annoying when your not having fun, but then again i'm getting old an miss R4 on DAB too much. For the price they can be had for they are a good giggle

christofmccracke

881 posts

201 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
swifthobo said:
I will be the first I don't really them, They handle very well but I don't like how the power comes in. having said that the missus is in the market for one and I am interested in point's of view as I have heard stories of engine mounts gearbox mounts bushing melting steering wheels etc.
I have an 05 Clio as a run around done just under 101k and when I bought it a year ago at 80k the steering wheel was melted now it looks awful

FloppyRaccoon

1,916 posts

167 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
Why isn't 4.5k enough for an EP3?

Swerve17

Original Poster:

55 posts

148 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for all the great replies! I'm rubbish at multi quoting....

My brother had a 172 for a few months last year as a replacement for his 1.4 clio. Both were pretty reliable cars, and yes the steering wheel had melted too wink

By the sounds of it holding out for a cup version isn't going to be worth my time? I'm in a situation where my current car is a good one, and I can run it till I find a new car thats right for me.

Thanks v15ben, I've just signed up over there and it looks very interesting. I really like the idea of both cup packs because they seem to be a bit rarer than the normal 182/172's, and similar a similar price?? I would love a trophy, but I can't justify the extra 300 on insurance they cost...

And finally, I kinda need a low mileage car. I mentioned this on the old thread, and got lampooned by people saying mileage doesn't matter but I've done about 20k this year, so I need something I can sell on without moon mileage. And EP3 I can afford will have 80k plus miles, plus the insurance is about 500 more expensive than a clio.

LordHaveMurci

12,045 posts

170 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
I have owned a 172 Cup for two years, yes there are known problems but what car doesn't have some? They are great fun if a little crude, mine is a 2nd car bought to hillclimb with. Would I recommend them? Yes, definitely as long as you know what you're buying.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

191 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
Swerve17 said:
A while ago I made a thread about buying an ep3 Civic type R. I found one I like, was about to go view it when the oh talked me out of it. Thinking about it, I knew she was right, I mean I could afford it, but then I wouldn't be able to afford anything else for the next 6 months. So, my car buying sniper scope has settled on a RenaultSport Clio.

With my 4500ish budget, there's plenty of them about, but me being me I want the rarest colour, highest spec ect. So my question to you is-

What are they like to own? Seeing as I could afford a cup one, are they worth it? Do you think there cool, or chav cars? Whats the rarest thing to find on one that was on the orginal spec list?

All views appreciated, free internets to anyone with something worthwhile to contribute wink
Not really sure any fwd hatch of mass produced origins can really be all that cool tbh.

It's a nice car with descent performance though, so certainly deserves respect. As for chav, well no I don't think so, but it somewhat a young persons car, i.e. teenager (even if they can't afford the insurance on one). But it will have high appeal to that age category.

As for ownership, well it's a pretty normal mass produced hatchback designed for going to shops and being used in the city or extra urban areas. It'll be perfectly fine.

It won't be the biggest inside, or the most comfy though, nor the most relaxing. But it is unlikely to be doing anything terrible wrong - very average day to day but with the bonus of some ok speed and nimble handling when you on roads to so exploit it. At all other times it'll feel and look like any other Clio or 1.0 litre hatchback.

irob

121 posts

151 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
The main thing that annoyed me about my old 172 was the steering wheel. It feels at too big for the car.

eldar

21,799 posts

197 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
I had a 182 for a couple of years. Good performance, handling and brakes. Reasonable economy. Didn't break down and bits didn't fall off, even the steering wheel didn't melt.

The gear ratios were wrong, top was too low, so it revved too much on motorways, and the other ratios just seemed slightly wrong.

I'd have one again, but I carry passengers too often, and it is a bit cramped in the back.

Worth driving one.

PinkFatBunny

779 posts

182 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
Owned a 182 with the Cup options for 2 years prior to getting the 350Z.
Loved the car. Fantastic on a B-road. Yes the build quality is poor and things will go wrong - but this happens with all cars if you get unlucky.

For the sheer enjoyment of driving they are very good value. Even more fun on some roads then my Zed is! Try one and see for yourself.

Adam

barker22

1,037 posts

168 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
doogz said:
Don't like.

Steering is too slow, wheel is off a bus, gear throw is far too long, seating position is appalling, brakes are crap.

Handles well, spring rates feel about right, but too much roll for my liking.
I wouldn't say so at all. The standard brakes are decent enough for many hard laps of a track without cooking. For 160 you can get a pretty awesome set up with Brembo HC discs and DS2500 pads. Braided lines also. You will find that most you would want to buy will have these already as these are the ones from club members that have been looked after.
Steering melting is a big issue, standard exhausts don't last and the ones to go for are the ones with the belt history done by a specialist. 500-700 job with dephaser(advisable to get changed).


DanDC5

18,807 posts

168 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
4.5k will buy you a nice EP3 if you look round a bit. Do it.

swifthobo

869 posts

171 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
4.5k will get you something miles better than a clio or an ep3 aswell

Defcon5

6,186 posts

192 months

Friday 16th March 2012
quotequote all
such as...