Clio 182 - I must be mad!
Discussion
If any of you have seen my previous Readers' cars threads, you'll know i'd bought a seriously cheap Alfa 156 (which as you'll guess, broke, fantastically). So the hunt began for something new, now being only 19, I thought the Alfa portrayed a slightly more mature image, which I didn't want 
. So I began looking back at hot hatchy type stuff. Eventually got the list narrowed down to either: A lupo GTI, An R53 Cooper S or some kind of Renaultsport Clio. All the Lupo's I looked at had been "dubbed" with stupid wheels and extreme lowering, not quite my cup of tea. Mint standard ones were fetching far too much money than I wanted to spend, so that was off the list.
Didn't even get around to looking at any mini's, my dad scared me off. "Ooh they need the 'chargers re-built every week" "Really un-economical for what they are" Still don't know if he was lying, but that doesn't matter now. So, Clio it was then. A friend of mine convinced me I wanted a 172 cup (conveniently he was selling not one, but two) And after looking at one, yeah it's a lovely car, but I preferred the idea of cruise control, half leather, air con, ABS etc that a 182 was offering. Not forgetting the cheeky dual exhausts
So I looked at a few, none of which blew me away. And then did the un-thinkable, found one on ebay, and bidded on it having not been to look at it!!!
Good god it was cheap, but it has got a few miles up it. It was advertised with the famous "full service history" line (what isn't?) but I was prepared for just a few stamps in the book. Went to collect, exterior and interior were as advertised, very good condition. And it had genuine proper service history, i'm over the moon.
So then, the only picture i've had time to take, been thoroughly enjoying driving the thing!
The yellow badges have been changed, back to the OE silver. Will be giving it a proper clean today or tomorrow and will get plenty more pictures up very soon.
It needs some work, which I'll be doing myself:
- Exhaust backbox (thinking about a cat-back stainless steel Scorpion RS192, not too loud, lifetime warranty etc and cheaper than OE back box)
- Due a service (filters, fluids, plugs and front pads)
- Wheels could do with a re-furb, but i'll wait until it needs new tyres and get this all done together
- Gavin needs to inject his special resin into my windscreen
- Steering wheel re-trim, common fault of them melting on these clio's
Thanks for looking, might even keep this thread updated!
. So I began looking back at hot hatchy type stuff. Eventually got the list narrowed down to either: A lupo GTI, An R53 Cooper S or some kind of Renaultsport Clio. All the Lupo's I looked at had been "dubbed" with stupid wheels and extreme lowering, not quite my cup of tea. Mint standard ones were fetching far too much money than I wanted to spend, so that was off the list. Didn't even get around to looking at any mini's, my dad scared me off. "Ooh they need the 'chargers re-built every week" "Really un-economical for what they are" Still don't know if he was lying, but that doesn't matter now. So, Clio it was then. A friend of mine convinced me I wanted a 172 cup (conveniently he was selling not one, but two) And after looking at one, yeah it's a lovely car, but I preferred the idea of cruise control, half leather, air con, ABS etc that a 182 was offering. Not forgetting the cheeky dual exhausts
So I looked at a few, none of which blew me away. And then did the un-thinkable, found one on ebay, and bidded on it having not been to look at it!!!
Good god it was cheap, but it has got a few miles up it. It was advertised with the famous "full service history" line (what isn't?) but I was prepared for just a few stamps in the book. Went to collect, exterior and interior were as advertised, very good condition. And it had genuine proper service history, i'm over the moon.
So then, the only picture i've had time to take, been thoroughly enjoying driving the thing!
The yellow badges have been changed, back to the OE silver. Will be giving it a proper clean today or tomorrow and will get plenty more pictures up very soon.
It needs some work, which I'll be doing myself:
- Exhaust backbox (thinking about a cat-back stainless steel Scorpion RS192, not too loud, lifetime warranty etc and cheaper than OE back box)
- Due a service (filters, fluids, plugs and front pads)
- Wheels could do with a re-furb, but i'll wait until it needs new tyres and get this all done together
- Gavin needs to inject his special resin into my windscreen
- Steering wheel re-trim, common fault of them melting on these clio's
Thanks for looking, might even keep this thread updated!
Great cars - I had a 51plate 172 in black some years ago - loved the alcantara /leather, Xenons and climate, loads of kit packed into a fantastically balanced and quick motor. Only thing I added was a BMC Carbon can intake - worth doing as the induction sound is amplified to just the right level! Happy motoring.
ha haT16OLE said:
Have a look at my Thread which shows my 182 which I have re-trimmed, cost £140 but was well worth it
That is exactly as i'd like mine done, signed up to Cliosport, is it worth paying to get the full membership? As the forum so far has brought me plenty of advice, just wondering if i'll get much more than I already am from it? Gave the inside a quick clean today, weather's a bit horrible so wasn't perfect to spend some time on the outside:
The seat bolster isn't showing anywhere near as much wear as a 100k+ car should, and the famous melted steering wheel (far from the worst i've seen):
Also, found an option extra in the glovebox, not sure they'll ever get used, never know if someone mean has pinned the box
Excuse the state of the garage and the poor quality (iPhone) pictures!
The seat bolster isn't showing anywhere near as much wear as a 100k+ car should, and the famous melted steering wheel (far from the worst i've seen):
Also, found an option extra in the glovebox, not sure they'll ever get used, never know if someone mean has pinned the box
Excuse the state of the garage and the poor quality (iPhone) pictures!
rix said:
out of morbid curiosity whats insurance like as a sprightly 19 year old?
I'm lucky enough to be on a joint traders policy with my father, as we're in business together, i'm his apprentice if you like! Although the addition of me to the policy (covering me on any vehicle for business use and a named car for S,D&P etc) was still plenty cheaper than if I were to insure pretty much anything else on my own at my age. So I do count myself VERY lucky. 
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