E46 330 to a Clio 182. Will I regret it?
Discussion
I'm currently driving a rather tired manual 330 which I've had for about 6 months.
Prior to this I had an automatic 320 (as it was cheap, and I needed something quickly!)
I bought the 330 with the intention of taking it on track, but I don't think I would trust it on a track, and it would cost a small fortune to get it to a decent state.
As it's on about 145k miles already and has a few bits that need doing, I don't want to start throwing money at it.
Boredom led me to start browsing ebay/classifieds last week, and I've ended up going to see a clio 182.
My thinking is: it'll be cheaper to run, better mpg, similar performance and a great track car.
I do a fair bit of motorway driving, which is likely to be a lot less refined, but I think the trade-off is probably worth it.
Has anybody made the same switch, or gone the opposite way? What do you think?
Prior to this I had an automatic 320 (as it was cheap, and I needed something quickly!)
I bought the 330 with the intention of taking it on track, but I don't think I would trust it on a track, and it would cost a small fortune to get it to a decent state.
As it's on about 145k miles already and has a few bits that need doing, I don't want to start throwing money at it.
Boredom led me to start browsing ebay/classifieds last week, and I've ended up going to see a clio 182.
My thinking is: it'll be cheaper to run, better mpg, similar performance and a great track car.
I do a fair bit of motorway driving, which is likely to be a lot less refined, but I think the trade-off is probably worth it.
Has anybody made the same switch, or gone the opposite way? What do you think?
I went from a 330 to a 197 so quite similar. running costs have been the Same really, although I think 182s are better than 197s on fuel. The clio handles much better and is a lot more fun but feels more gutless low down and drones a bit at motorway speeds which can be quite frustrating compared to the 330.
They are completely different beasts and both great at what they do. I haven't regretted it although neither were my daily drive.
They are completely different beasts and both great at what they do. I haven't regretted it although neither were my daily drive.
Reply based on clio ownership:
Day to day the clio is great, small and inconspicuous enough to blend. I used mine as a motorway machine during the week, it returned over 40mpg, mixed driving with short journeys it rarely went below 35-36mpg. It was relatively cheap to maintain, only significant costs were rear brakes+disc's. Cam belt and dephaser combo wasn't cheap but worth it for the drive ability and peace of mind. I paid £800 all in but the difference after the specialist had their hands on it was unreal, taking it somewhere good is a must!
Mine was modified, and improved over standard I feel but these days i'd be looking for a standard model as there are plenty of cheap/badly modded ones out there.
Loads of useful info on cliosport.net
Day to day the clio is great, small and inconspicuous enough to blend. I used mine as a motorway machine during the week, it returned over 40mpg, mixed driving with short journeys it rarely went below 35-36mpg. It was relatively cheap to maintain, only significant costs were rear brakes+disc's. Cam belt and dephaser combo wasn't cheap but worth it for the drive ability and peace of mind. I paid £800 all in but the difference after the specialist had their hands on it was unreal, taking it somewhere good is a must!
Mine was modified, and improved over standard I feel but these days i'd be looking for a standard model as there are plenty of cheap/badly modded ones out there.
Loads of useful info on cliosport.net
The 182 is good fun to drive and offers good mpg as well. They seem to be very popular on track as well.
The biggest drawback I found with mine was the running costs. It required work every three months. The engines however are strong and the 182 although not having a strong gearbox, does not share the 197s extremely weak one.
The biggest drawback I found with mine was the running costs. It required work every three months. The engines however are strong and the 182 although not having a strong gearbox, does not share the 197s extremely weak one.
Had 172.. Same thing. Now have 330i
Don't do it.
They're better on fuel the 182's but not drastically so..
You could quite easily throw as much money at a 182 as you can your 330.
I'd spend the money on the 330, arguably be better on track as it's correct wheel drive. Parts are plentiful on eBay and breakers etc.
Run it on the cheap as a banger.
Don't do it.
They're better on fuel the 182's but not drastically so..
You could quite easily throw as much money at a 182 as you can your 330.
I'd spend the money on the 330, arguably be better on track as it's correct wheel drive. Parts are plentiful on eBay and breakers etc.
Run it on the cheap as a banger.
Thanks all. As I expected, a mixed response.
I would like to take the 330 on track, but I fear that it might be the end of it
It is a bit of a banger, and although it's had new brakes recently, I think I'd still want to refresh the suspension, and the cooling system is a bit suspect.
Factoring in the cost of tyres and general consumables, a 182 seems a more sensible track/daily car.
MPG wise I'm currently getting about 26 (mixed motorway and town), so anything starting with a 3 would be a nice change!
I would like to take the 330 on track, but I fear that it might be the end of it
It is a bit of a banger, and although it's had new brakes recently, I think I'd still want to refresh the suspension, and the cooling system is a bit suspect.
Factoring in the cost of tyres and general consumables, a 182 seems a more sensible track/daily car.
MPG wise I'm currently getting about 26 (mixed motorway and town), so anything starting with a 3 would be a nice change!
dondan said:
A good money saver with the clios if you are destined to use tyres rapidly is to run 15 inch alloys rather than the stock 16's. Much wider and often cheaper range of tyres available and more sidewall contributed to a better ride to.
Yeah I'll probably get a set of 15's to use on the track.Disparate cars.
Drive the 182 and see what you think.
They're nearly 400kg's lighter than your 330, make great, quick, riotous track tools with some cheap sticky rubber and 20 minutes spent removing seats, spare wheel etc.
Motorway driving? You'll either see it as your buzzy low geared friend or shouty unrelaxing enemy - perspective is all.
I love them, every PH'er should have a Clio RS in their life at least once......
Drive the 182 and see what you think.
They're nearly 400kg's lighter than your 330, make great, quick, riotous track tools with some cheap sticky rubber and 20 minutes spent removing seats, spare wheel etc.
Motorway driving? You'll either see it as your buzzy low geared friend or shouty unrelaxing enemy - perspective is all.
I love them, every PH'er should have a Clio RS in their life at least once......
philmots said:
Had 172.. Same thing. Now have 330i
Don't do it.
They're better on fuel the 182's but not drastically so..
You could quite easily throw as much money at a 182 as you can your 330.
I'd spend the money on the 330, arguably be better on track as it's correct wheel drive. Parts are plentiful on eBay and breakers etc.
Run it on the cheap as a banger.
I highly doubt that.Don't do it.
They're better on fuel the 182's but not drastically so..
You could quite easily throw as much money at a 182 as you can your 330.
I'd spend the money on the 330, arguably be better on track as it's correct wheel drive. Parts are plentiful on eBay and breakers etc.
Run it on the cheap as a banger.
harrisp said:
I disagree I think the clio would be better on track.
I agree, There's a reason almost all Track days are populated by small French hatches 
I've had a BMW 323i and it was fantastic at what it did, but I'd be yearning for the clios turn in and grin factor on a track.
I thought we'd grown out of the whole 'Wrong wheel drive' thing?
There is a reason why Evo magazine labeled the Clio 182 Cup the best hot hatch ever. It is a brilliant car onroad and ontrack. Precise steering, pacey, brakes well, revs well, great handling, pleasantly reliable, good mpg, easy on the eye.
Three must-haves for the Cup (must be a Cup):
1. Fit the best tyres you can afford. The handling is awesome (for its class) on top-end rubber from Michelin etc.;
2. Always run it on super-unleaded. More economical, faster and smoother;
3. Get a dark colour, in black or blue. Suits the shape better.
As far as I know, the 330 has yet to win many awards.
Three must-haves for the Cup (must be a Cup):
1. Fit the best tyres you can afford. The handling is awesome (for its class) on top-end rubber from Michelin etc.;
2. Always run it on super-unleaded. More economical, faster and smoother;
3. Get a dark colour, in black or blue. Suits the shape better.
As far as I know, the 330 has yet to win many awards.
lamboman100]There is a reason why Evo magazine labeled the Clio 182 Cup the best hot hatch ever[.. said:
Three must-haves for the Cup (must be a Cup)[..]
People say "there's no such thing as a 182 Cup" (there is really but it's not much better than a standard 182, or rather not much better than a 182 with both Cup packs, which isn't the same as a 182 Cup, confused yet?). Definitely get one with both Cup packs though (to be sure it's got the Cup suspension you need to measure the bolt spacing at the bottom of the dampers 
)The ultimate though is the 172 Cup and I'm not at all biased
But the 172 Cup has no A/C, no T/C and no ABS which I think makes it that little bit more engaging to drive. Could be wrong but I think the 172 Cup is the stiffest and widest bar the Trophy which has Sachs dampers but demands a premium and they say the dampers need frequent refurbs, plus it still has A/C and A/C is just a stupid thing invented to make your car go slower.
The Cup on the other hand, having no A/C has more power and better fuel economy and cam belt changes are cheaper and I'm reliably informed that the aux belt going on a Cup wont take the timing belt with it like it would on one with A/C.
That said the firmness and the fact that it will beg you to spank it means it'll quickly need just about everything replacing, it just shakes and twists its self to pieces. Parts are considerably cheaper than on the BMW but they'll need replacing. Not saying the build quality is necessarily lower (except for the interior which is stuck down with double sided tape, but who cares?), I think it's just that you really can't just cruise in them, they are mischievous little things and I guess you tend to notice suspension bits wearing on them because there's a lot of feedback. The front wings wont rust though.
Stick some AD08s on it and you'll be grinning like an idiot, despite the mild discomfort.
Oh and if mines anything to go by they run like crap when cold and at the slightest hint of moisture, but on a cool dry day it'll have a fair bit of low end for what is quite a high specific power N/A engine, though it seems to lag to tip in from idle.
Be prepared for 320d, A3 TDI, Leon and BINI drivers talking s**t and constantly trying to race you
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