Not really getting on with my Clio 172 Cup
Discussion
Hi,
I bought a Clio 172 Cup to commute a short distance in to work, but also to use on the odd track day and hopefully get in to some hill climbs, slaloms and auto tests. It's a nice little car, and is certainly pretty quick, but I'm not really gelling with it.
I think the main concern is the seating and steering wheel position. It's a little too much French hatchback, and not enough sports car. I love the driving position in the TVR, sat down low with the steering wheel vertical in front of me, but in the Clio the pedals are far too close so I end up sitting with the seat a long way back, which results in me not being able to reach the steering wheel!! I hate having to reach forwards to properly grip the wheel. I've tried driving with the seat close to the steering wheel, but I get an awful pain in my knee from sitting too close to the pedals.
In my girlfriend's Golf GTI I can adjust the reach of the steering wheel, but no such luck in the Clio. I also find it too far raked back, so I can't reach the top of the steering wheel. This problem is exaggerated by the fact it has quite a slow rack in comparison to the TVR. I really struggle with it when pushing on.
I'm thinking of replacing the steering wheel with a new one with a bit of a dish. What do you reckon? Is it worth changing the seats too? It has the Cup seats which I think are pretty light.
Anyone else finding the same in their Clio? Perhaps I have long legs and short arms!!
I bought a Clio 172 Cup to commute a short distance in to work, but also to use on the odd track day and hopefully get in to some hill climbs, slaloms and auto tests. It's a nice little car, and is certainly pretty quick, but I'm not really gelling with it.
I think the main concern is the seating and steering wheel position. It's a little too much French hatchback, and not enough sports car. I love the driving position in the TVR, sat down low with the steering wheel vertical in front of me, but in the Clio the pedals are far too close so I end up sitting with the seat a long way back, which results in me not being able to reach the steering wheel!! I hate having to reach forwards to properly grip the wheel. I've tried driving with the seat close to the steering wheel, but I get an awful pain in my knee from sitting too close to the pedals.
In my girlfriend's Golf GTI I can adjust the reach of the steering wheel, but no such luck in the Clio. I also find it too far raked back, so I can't reach the top of the steering wheel. This problem is exaggerated by the fact it has quite a slow rack in comparison to the TVR. I really struggle with it when pushing on.
I'm thinking of replacing the steering wheel with a new one with a bit of a dish. What do you reckon? Is it worth changing the seats too? It has the Cup seats which I think are pretty light.
Anyone else finding the same in their Clio? Perhaps I have long legs and short arms!!
You can't come on here slating a Clio cup the rank file members will have your guts for garters. I am not a big fan of any of the clip cups.
Drove a 182 and found the ride completely unrefined and harsh. Offset pedal box is pants and didn't like the steering either.
Haven't driven the latest gen rs drove the first gen 197 and wasn't a fan at all only fast Renault I like was the Megane rs but even then not enough to ever own one.
Although I like the fat range the mk5/mk6 golf Gti very nice around hatch and no flimsy frenchness to it. Probably have one of those if I was in the market for a hot hatch.
Drove a 182 and found the ride completely unrefined and harsh. Offset pedal box is pants and didn't like the steering either.
Haven't driven the latest gen rs drove the first gen 197 and wasn't a fan at all only fast Renault I like was the Megane rs but even then not enough to ever own one.
Although I like the fat range the mk5/mk6 golf Gti very nice around hatch and no flimsy frenchness to it. Probably have one of those if I was in the market for a hot hatch.
The seating arrangement is a little "unconventional" in these - the megane is much better in that respect.
I found opting to sit quite upright and close - rally driver style if you will - was a lot more comfortable than trying to recline. The only real issue then is being too close to the pedals and it being a little awkward to get off the clutch.
You get used to it and theyre such fun little cars its worth persisting
I found opting to sit quite upright and close - rally driver style if you will - was a lot more comfortable than trying to recline. The only real issue then is being too close to the pedals and it being a little awkward to get off the clutch.
You get used to it and theyre such fun little cars its worth persisting
Patrick Bateman said:
I'm keeping an eye out for a Trophy but hope this doesn't put me off. I remember driving my sisters Clio for a week or two and needing to have my arm at near enough full stretch to get it into third gear.
Trophy has the recaro seats which are lower and helps sort the driving position 
Patrick Bateman said:
Also zed, in terms of enjoyment going out for a blast, how does the wee clio compare with the Z4M you had?
I'm not really sure how to answer that as they're such different cars, and the Z4M was about a year ago. I don't really enjoy driving the Clio much, I don't feel very confident in it and I certainly don't feel very comfortable in it. The Clio is quick, but I don't feel like driving it fast much of the time. The Z4M is about as perfect a car as I've driven. Really well balanced, powerful, incredibly well built and I loved it. It always prompted me to drive fast, and I loved going out for a blast. I will always miss my Z4M, one day I will have another! I really just use the Clio to commute in and will end up doing the odd Motorsport event in it, the TVR is my fun car now. zed4
Like yourself, I have a Chimaera as a 'fun' car, but have a MR2 Mk3 as an everyday drive-to-work hack. It sounds like the antidote to your Renault! Sit on the floor, TVR-esque driving position, very direct steering, short-throw gearchange, sharp throttle-response, very keen to change direction with little chassis inertia, rev counter directly in front as the master instrument... As much fun as the TVR when out for a blast, just with less performance and without the apocalyptic noise. Certainly more direct than the Chim to drive, and I just love the TVR.
Despite the lack of boot there's a decent amount of room in the lockers behind the seats.
Like yourself, I have a Chimaera as a 'fun' car, but have a MR2 Mk3 as an everyday drive-to-work hack. It sounds like the antidote to your Renault! Sit on the floor, TVR-esque driving position, very direct steering, short-throw gearchange, sharp throttle-response, very keen to change direction with little chassis inertia, rev counter directly in front as the master instrument... As much fun as the TVR when out for a blast, just with less performance and without the apocalyptic noise. Certainly more direct than the Chim to drive, and I just love the TVR.
Despite the lack of boot there's a decent amount of room in the lockers behind the seats.
I don't think it's safe to fit a non-airbag steering wheel unless you're wearing a proper racing harness. I think you could put a spacer between the standard wheel and the column though and that may solve your problem? I've been told the rack in most TVRs is relatively quick so I think you're just not used to a slower rack. When you get used to it the TVR will feel too quick and you'll moan about that. 
I had the same problem in an old Fiesta I owned but I just sat with my feet a bit too close to the pedals. Sometimes on long journeys I'd get slight knee or ankle ache. I'm guessing you're taller than 6ft as the Clio 182 I drove seemed ok for me after a short drive.
I had the same problem in an old Fiesta I owned but I just sat with my feet a bit too close to the pedals. Sometimes on long journeys I'd get slight knee or ankle ache. I'm guessing you're taller than 6ft as the Clio 182 I drove seemed ok for me after a short drive.
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