RE: Shed of the Week: Renaultsport Clio 182

[Track_Cit]

Maldini35 said:

adam. said:

I firmly believe you cannot have more fun for the money. They are fantastic cars, even got the Clarkson seal of approval, years after the release.

I ran a 172 Cup for 5 years and 50,000 miles. It never once left me stranded, aside from when I ran it out of fuel once.

It could do 50mpg on a run, it could do 50mph around every corner, and cost 50 pence to fix. Relatively speaking.

In the end, it barely had any money off me, it held what little value it had, very very well.


Renault Clio 172 Cup by Adam Lister, on Flickr

That looks the perfect naughty hot hatch.

I love this too. Perfectly styled, a timeless classic!

[BenLowden]

I'm now on my third Clio (Racing Blue 182 Cup) and fifth Renaultsport. Hands down the most reliable cars I've ever owned – far better than anything German. Other than the stiff clutch on these, they're incredible value for money, an absolute riot to drive at sensible speeds and I can't see them being this cheap for long. Plus it does over 40mpg on the commute too

[Johnnytheboy]

What happened to all the flat blue ones with a white stripe over the top - they used to be everywhere, but I haven't seen one that colour in forever.

Loved my Trophy, though the peaky delivery wasn't to my tastes.

[BenLowden]

Johnnytheboy said:

What happened to all the flat blue ones with a white stripe over the top - they used to be everywhere, but I haven't seen one that colour in forever.

Loved my Trophy, though the peaky delivery wasn't to my tastes.

Over here My factory stripes were cracked and knackered, as I expect most have so quite a few people take them off. Renault only made 371 182 Cups in Racing Blue, so they're even rarer than a Trophy.

For anyone that really wants to geek out on the facts and figures, this is a good read: https://www.renaultsportclub.co.uk/forum/renaultsp...

[Koolkat969]

adam. said:

I firmly believe you cannot have more fun for the money. They are fantastic cars, even got the Clarkson seal of approval, years after the release.

I ran a 172 Cup for 5 years and 50,000 miles. It never once left me stranded, aside from when I ran it out of fuel once.

It could do 50mpg on a run, it could do 50mph around every corner, and cost 50 pence to fix. Relatively speaking.

In the end, it barely had any money off me, it held what little value it had, very very well.


Renault Clio 172 Cup by Adam Lister, on Flickr

That looks nice. What was the wheel make/tyre set up on this? Lowering springs?
I could only make out Dunlops from the Flickr pictures.

[dufunk]

So their about 10 bhp down on the factory figure bit disappointing from a 2 litre with vvt even for the time.

[adam.]

sgtBerbatov said:

adam. said:

I firmly believe you cannot have more fun for the money.

Yes you can. Any supermini with ditchfinder tyres on a cold wet morning in Preston will provide hours of fun.

adam. said:

They are fantastic cars, even got the Clarkson seal of approval, years after the release.

That's like saying a political deal is a good deal because Liam Gallagher said so.

Congrats, you completely missed my point. And ditchfinder tyres, more fun, you're deranged. My point re. Clarkson is that here's a chap who's used to driving the very best exotica day in day out, who was very complimentary about the 172/182. Not, that he's a God and we should all bow down and listen.

Maldini35 said:

That looks the perfect naughty hot hatch.

Track_Cit said:

I love this too. Perfectly styled, a timeless classic!

Thanks chaps, it was a riot of a car.

Koolkat969 said:

That looks nice. What was the wheel make/tyre set up on this? Lowering springs?
I could only make out Dunlops from the Flickr pictures.

It was on Speedline 2118 wheels, which afaik were the Clio Cup racing series wheel when this generation was current, back in the day. It was on Bilstein B14's, and Dunlop Direzza 03G's, good eye.

However, the best thing I did to this car was throw away the standard engine mounts, and fit Vibratecnics proper mounts. The difference in wheel hop, engine power transfer, lack of gearstick movement, and a huge improvement in drive positivity was astounding. This was the one thing Renault got catastrophically wrong with the Clio 1*2, the engine mounts.

[Rawhide]

dufunk said:

So their about 10 bhp down on the factory figure bit disappointing from a 2 litre with vvt even for the time.

They are not as advanced as say a Honda VTEC system but they also have a decent torque curve and low down shove. There was a flatspot but it was easily tuned out with a cheap remap. It netted no extra power but did smooth out the curve.

In a light car it makes a big difference. My Clio RS 200 (supposed 197hp) feels slower than my 182 due to the extra weight but outright power and straight line pace is missing the point in these cars.

[J4CKO]

Anyone gone from a Clio 172/182 to a Fiesta ST, interested in the comparison, the Fiesta is sort of the nearest similar package nowadays, I know there is a Clio stlll but its bigger and more expensive, plus its an auto, like the Fiesta, these were everywhere, Motorpoint were knocking them out for like 12 grand and they sold really well, rare to see a sporty Clio now, or I dont notice them.

[Robmarriott]

BenLowden said:

Johnnytheboy said:

What happened to all the flat blue ones with a white stripe over the top - they used to be everywhere, but I haven't seen one that colour in forever.

Loved my Trophy, though the peaky delivery wasn't to my tastes.

Over here My factory stripes were cracked and knackered, as I expect most have so quite a few people take them off. Renault only made 371 182 Cups in Racing Blue, so they're even rarer than a Trophy.

For anyone that really wants to geek out on the facts and figures, this is a good read: https://www.renaultsportclub.co.uk/forum/renaultsp...

And here. I’ve had two (still own one plus all the mechanical stuff from the other). Wouldn’t have one any other colour. Considered one as a daily but I’ve had two bargains so I doubt I’d find another in Racing Blue.

[rjfp1962]

I had a 2005 "54" plate 182 a few years ago. I bought it when the dealership I worked at became a Renault franchise dealer. This guy brought in the 182 to sell it to the dealership when he got a company car. The dealership didn't buy, so I leapt on it - Cambelt/dephaser etc just been done, nice K&N on it and less than 30k miles!
I have never enjoyed a car more in the 2 or so years I owned it! On top of regular servicing, just added a K-Tec single box cat-back exhaust (Sounded great!) and their top-mount front suspension kit and it was sorted! Great fun, not bad on fuel and very reliable!

Edited by rjfp1962 on Saturday 17th November 13:10

[Koolkat969]

adam. said:

It was on Speedline 2118 wheels, which afaik were the Clio Cup racing series wheel when this generation was current, back in the day. It was on Bilstein B14's, and Dunlop Direzza 03G's, good eye.

However, the best thing I did to this car was throw away the standard engine mounts, and fit Vibratecnics proper mounts. The difference in wheel hop, engine power transfer, lack of gearstick movement, and a huge improvement in drive positivity was astounding. This was the one thing Renault got catastrophically wrong with the Clio 1*2, the engine mounts.

Cool!!! Thanks for the reply and the additional info. Cheers

[F4R]

dufunk said:

So their about 10 bhp down on the factory figure bit disappointing from a 2 litre with vvt even for the time.

The power outputs can vary somewhat depending on how well it's been looked after, and if the timing has been done correctly.

My 172 cup made 179bhp at Surrey Rolling Road from just a stainless steel exhaust and induction kit. This was with 114k miles on it!

[sgtBerbatov]

adam. said:

sgtBerbatov said:

adam. said:

I firmly believe you cannot have more fun for the money.

Yes you can. Any supermini with ditchfinder tyres on a cold wet morning in Preston will provide hours of fun.

adam. said:

They are fantastic cars, even got the Clarkson seal of approval, years after the release.

That's like saying a political deal is a good deal because Liam Gallagher said so.

Congrats, you completely missed my point. And ditchfinder tyres, more fun, you're deranged. My point re. Clarkson is that here's a chap who's used to driving the very best exotica day in day out, who was very complimentary about the 172/182. Not, that he's a God and we should all bow down and listen.

According to him Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, have never made a bad car. And that, quite frankly, is bks.

[Robmarriott]

F4R said:

dufunk said:

So their about 10 bhp down on the factory figure bit disappointing from a 2 litre with vvt even for the time.

The power outputs can vary somewhat depending on how well it's been looked after, and if the timing has been done correctly.

My 172 cup made 179bhp at Surrey Rolling Road from just a stainless steel exhaust and induction kit. This was with 114k miles on it!

In contrast, mine made 182bhp at RS Tuning with a phase 1 172 airbox, ported inlets, sports cat, janspeed cat back and a remap. They’re definitely pretty varied on outputs!

[Track_Cit]

sgtBerbatov said:

adam. said:

sgtBerbatov said:

adam. said:

I firmly believe you cannot have more fun for the money.

Yes you can. Any supermini with ditchfinder tyres on a cold wet morning in Preston will provide hours of fun.

adam. said:

They are fantastic cars, even got the Clarkson seal of approval, years after the release.

That's like saying a political deal is a good deal because Liam Gallagher said so.

Congrats, you completely missed my point. And ditchfinder tyres, more fun, you're deranged. My point re. Clarkson is that here's a chap who's used to driving the very best exotica day in day out, who was very complimentary about the 172/182. Not, that he's a God and we should all bow down and listen.

According to him Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, have never made a bad car. And that, quite frankly, is bks.

I think the point Adam is trying to make is that the Clio 172/182 is regarded as a well sorted vehicle by people who have spent most of their lives driving performace cars, therefore it must be accepted that their opinions are of relevance when considering the credence of a hot hatch, in this case the 182, as their experiences denote they are able to have a balanced and accurate view.

With regard to the Fiesta ST, they are a fast little car too, although I had one trying to burn me up last week and I quickly dispatched him. There's no replacement for displacement!

[adam.]

Track_Cit said:

I think the point Adam is trying to make is that the Clio 172/182 is regarded as a well sorted vehicle by people who have spent most of their lives driving performace cars, therefore it must be accepted that their opinions are of relevance when considering the credence of a hot hatch, in this case the 182, as their experiences denote they are able to have a balanced and accurate view.

Thank you, Sir.

[J4CKO]

Track_Cit said:

sgtBerbatov said:

adam. said:

sgtBerbatov said:

adam. said:

I firmly believe you cannot have more fun for the money.

Yes you can. Any supermini with ditchfinder tyres on a cold wet morning in Preston will provide hours of fun.

adam. said:

They are fantastic cars, even got the Clarkson seal of approval, years after the release.

That's like saying a political deal is a good deal because Liam Gallagher said so.

Congrats, you completely missed my point. And ditchfinder tyres, more fun, you're deranged. My point re. Clarkson is that here's a chap who's used to driving the very best exotica day in day out, who was very complimentary about the 172/182. Not, that he's a God and we should all bow down and listen.

According to him Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, have never made a bad car. And that, quite frankly, is bks.

With regard to the Fiesta ST, they are a fast little car too, although I had one trying to burn me up last week and I quickly dispatched him. There's no replacement for displacement!

Dispatched him in what ?

[heisthegaffer]

Late to the thread, 12 owners in 14 years makes you wonder but it's only a cheap car.

I've said before how much I loved mine... Fantastic little things. Punch above their weight.

[SidewaysSi]

Track_Cit said:

sgtBerbatov said:

adam. said:

sgtBerbatov said:

adam. said:

I firmly believe you cannot have more fun for the money.

Yes you can. Any supermini with ditchfinder tyres on a cold wet morning in Preston will provide hours of fun.

adam. said:

They are fantastic cars, even got the Clarkson seal of approval, years after the release.

That's like saying a political deal is a good deal because Liam Gallagher said so.

Congrats, you completely missed my point. And ditchfinder tyres, more fun, you're deranged. My point re. Clarkson is that here's a chap who's used to driving the very best exotica day in day out, who was very complimentary about the 172/182. Not, that he's a God and we should all bow down and listen.

According to him Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, have never made a bad car. And that, quite frankly, is bks.

I think the point Adam is trying to make is that the Clio 172/182 is regarded as a well sorted vehicle by people who have spent most of their lives driving performace cars, therefore it must be accepted that their opinions are of relevance when considering the credence of a hot hatch, in this case the 182, as their experiences denote they are able to have a balanced and accurate view.

With regard to the Fiesta ST, they are a fast little car too, although I had one trying to burn me up last week and I quickly dispatched him. There's no replacement for displacement!

Did he use matches or a lighter? Set fire to your clothes, hair or ass?