Renault Clio RS - Advice please

[rdb85]

So I am thinking of buying a little Renault Clio RS. Now I am better for a daily driver buying the Renault Sport Cup or just the Renault Clio I have found http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Butter Face]

It depends on what you want? No aircon in that car which would be a no-no for me.

I'd prefer to have a 'Full fat' car with the cup chassis and recaros, then you get climate and keyless entry.

That is a nice looking car though, wear on the bolsters as expected but looks tidy enough.

[rdb85]

Butter Face said:

It depends on what you want? No aircon in that car which would be a no-no for me.

I'd prefer to have a 'Full fat' car with the cup chassis and recaros, then you get climate and keyless entry.

That is a nice looking car though, wear on the bolsters as expected but looks tidy enough.

That is true, what would you recommend, get a Renault Clio, just not the Cup?

[SarGara]

rdb85 said:

That is true, what would you recommend, get a Renault Clio, just not the Cup?

Its not that clear cut rdb85 as air conditioning was an option on Cups. So by all means look at both models but as the other posted pointed out, I would buy on spec rather than model varient.

[rdb85]

Found:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-62-Renault-Clio-RS-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-10-Renault-Clio-RS-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-10-RENAULT-CLIO-2-0...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-RENAULT-CLIO-2-0-VV...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-60-RENAULT-CLIO-2-0...

[Butter Face]

All look reasonable, the second one (Alien green) would be my choice (because of the colour ) but no recaros is a bit annoying.

[hondansx]

I'd be bang up for Alien Green if i was younger, but not sure i could stomach it on a hatch at 32.

I personally prefer the look of the 197. But I did hear they had very short gearing and the 200 was better from that perspective?

[rdb85]

hondansx said:

I'd be bang up for Alien Green if i was younger, but not sure i could stomach it on a hatch at 32.

I personally prefer the look of the 197. But I did hear they had very short gearing and the 200 was better from that perspective?

I will be 32 this year, the green one does look good, can you get recaro seats on a non cup version?

[Butter Face]

rdb85 said:

hondansx said:

I'd be bang up for Alien Green if i was younger, but not sure i could stomach it on a hatch at 32.

I personally prefer the look of the 197. But I did hear they had very short gearing and the 200 was better from that perspective?

I will be 32 this year, the green one does look good, can you get recaro seats on a non cup version?

Yes.

[rdb85]

Its like a rock and a hard place, so what is the difference between the two, bare in mind I want to use it daily.

[Butter Face]

rdb85 said:

Its like a rock and a hard place, so what is the difference between the two, bare in mind I want to use it daily.

Off the top of my head, the 'full fat' (normal car) got Climate, keyless and Auto lights/wipers as well as colour coded exterior parts (this is all the 200 anyway)

You had to add Cup chassis.

The Cup went without the above but had cup chassis standard and was cheaper to buy.

You can spec recaros in either.

Ideal spec is a 200 with Cup and Recaros added IMO.

[rdb85]

Butter Face said:

Off the top of my head, the 'full fat' (normal car) got Climate, keyless and Auto lights/wipers as well as colour coded exterior parts (this is all the 200 anyway)

You had to add Cup chassis.

The Cup went without the above but had cup chassis standard and was cheaper to buy.

You can spec recaros in either.

Ideal spec is a 200 with Cup and Recaros added IMO.

Okay thanks for that. I would imagine they are hard to get hold of.

[rdb85]

So which would you go for? I dont think recaro seats on a daily driver would be too harsh. But that blue on with recaro is not that far so may have a look at that, see what its like. As I have never had a car with them in.

[daemon]

rdb85 said:

Butter Face said:

Off the top of my head, the 'full fat' (normal car) got Climate, keyless and Auto lights/wipers as well as colour coded exterior parts (this is all the 200 anyway)

You had to add Cup chassis.

The Cup went without the above but had cup chassis standard and was cheaper to buy.

You can spec recaros in either.

Ideal spec is a 200 with Cup and Recaros added IMO.

Okay thanks for that. I would imagine they are hard to get hold of.

My son runs a 2012 Clio RS Cup. I ran a Clio 197 last year and a Clio 172 the year before that.

One thing i would absolutely flag is that the timing belt interval is 60,000 miles or every 5 years whichever comes first.

That 2012 car will require a belt doing. We've just had his done (inc water pump and ancilliary belt) for £400 by a Renault Sport specialist. Renault will be looking twice that.

MAKE SURE whatever car you buy has had it done and there in unrefutable supporting evidence of it being done, or negotiate accordingly on price.

We also spent £600 getting the fking thing through MOT this year. Suspension joint wear but it took an arm and a hub cradle (and something else) to sort it out. All the bits for that sort of stuff are Renault Sport only and cost two fortunes. Also on "normal" cars you can buy a suspension joint, with these things you're in for a whole arm.

Dont underestimate the bespoke nature of the car - it looks a lot like a Clio, however shares very little with it in real terms. This can mean anything you go to touch will be pricey.

The Recaro seat upgrade - great to look at. Quite narrow apparently and the bolsters wear through. Might not be ideal for a day to day car.

They are sore on fuel. Expect 25mpg around town, 31-32mpg on a run.

Yes, "optimum" spec is a Clio RS FF with cup pack and recaros, however thats what everyone thinks they want so cars with that spec tend to be priced accordingly.

Negotiate hard on price when you buy. They do not resell easily and its common for them to sit for months, so make sure you buy at the right price.

[daemon]

rdb85 said:

Its like a rock and a hard place, so what is the difference between the two, bare in mind I want to use it daily.

If you use / are used to aircon, then get a car with it fitted. My sons doesnt have it and it is missed (he'd previously a 120d M Sport with climate)

Try a car with Recaros. They are - as i've said - pretty to look at but not necessarily easy to live with on a daily driver.

I'd either have a FF with cup suspension or a Cup with aircon.

[daemon]

rdb85 said:

I dont think recaro seats on a daily driver would be too harsh.

Its not that they are necessarily too harsh in isolation, its that, combined with Cup suspension (very firm anyway) can become harsh. And i'd rather have Cup suspension than Recaros.

Also, its not just the driving in them, its the climbing in and out and damage to the bolster that occurs.

[rdb85]

So out of that list which would you have? Looking at it best leave the recaros I think

[daemon]

rdb85 said:

So out of that list which would you have? Looking at it best leave the recaros I think

It'll all depend on your budgetary constraints (if any)

I'd probably aim for as young a car as possible, as low a mileage as possible, a FF with Cup suspension or a Cup (with aircon if you think you require it). ALSO, either make sure it has either had the belt done if its 5 years old or greater, OR you are allowing for it in your purchase price. DONT not do it based on some salesman saying "it'll be ok, it doesnt really need it".

Personally, i think they suit the "sporty" colours and the dark wheels (which you get with the Cup car / pack anyway), so i'd be in for the bright blue, the bright green or white. Not a fan of the red.

My 197 was that slightly off silver colour they do. Didnt like it at all. Too subtle.

My sons 200 is a 2012 white Cup. Looks fantastic.

[egor110]

Have a think what you actually want to use it for.

I had a cup and whilst it was awesome on b roads i had a very short commute to work and it rarely went on motorways , if i had to do decent mileage i'd imagine i'd go of it pretty quick.

[egor110]

egor110 said:

Have a think what you actually want to use it for.

I had a cup and whilst it was awesome on b roads i had a very short commute to work and it rarely went on motorways , if i had to do decent mileage i'd imagine i'd go of it pretty quick.

Also don't over look the 172/182's there cheaper and get better mpg .