What to replace a 182 with? Suggestions please...
Discussion
Due to a change in circumstances, I'm having to go from 2 cars down to 1. I've just sold my 3.0 Z4 and I'm left with my Clio 182 with Cup packs that I use on track. The Clio has got upgraded brakes, refreshed suspension with a bit of negative camber and a few sets of sticky tyres. It's great fun on track and I love how direct it is but it's getting to the point that I think I'm about as fast in it as I'm ever going to be so I'd like something with a bit more power...
Modifying the Clio would mean either spending a fortune for very little in terms of BHP or changing to coilovers, but when I've compared my car to those on coilovers, there doesn't seem to be a massive difference in pace so I'm putting this down to the original suspension set up being pretty good rather than my godlike driving skills?
Ideally, I'd really like a Megane 250 Cup but it's above my 5k limit of what I'm willing to risk on track without insurance and as I do about 1 track day a month, insuring each of those days would add a fair amount of cost, unless someone knows a road policy that will include track cover at a reasonable price?
So the options I'm now considering...
Megane 250 Cup - above my £5k limit but is pretty much what I'm after
Mini Cooper S - slower than the Clio as standard but a remap/pulley would make it quicker than the Clio?
Focus ST - lots more power with a remap but probably too heavy for track?
Megane R26 - more grown up than the Clio but I think they look a bit dated? LSD is a big plus point though
Clio 197 with Megane engine - I've seen a few of those come up around budget in the past, could be the best of both worlds in terms of chuckability and power together with LSD but it's down to the individual build quality and makes insurance a bit trickier?
MX5 Turbo - similar to above in that it is down to individual build quality
Any thoughts on the above or something that I've not considered?
Modifying the Clio would mean either spending a fortune for very little in terms of BHP or changing to coilovers, but when I've compared my car to those on coilovers, there doesn't seem to be a massive difference in pace so I'm putting this down to the original suspension set up being pretty good rather than my godlike driving skills?
Ideally, I'd really like a Megane 250 Cup but it's above my 5k limit of what I'm willing to risk on track without insurance and as I do about 1 track day a month, insuring each of those days would add a fair amount of cost, unless someone knows a road policy that will include track cover at a reasonable price?
So the options I'm now considering...
Megane 250 Cup - above my £5k limit but is pretty much what I'm after
Mini Cooper S - slower than the Clio as standard but a remap/pulley would make it quicker than the Clio?
Focus ST - lots more power with a remap but probably too heavy for track?
Megane R26 - more grown up than the Clio but I think they look a bit dated? LSD is a big plus point though
Clio 197 with Megane engine - I've seen a few of those come up around budget in the past, could be the best of both worlds in terms of chuckability and power together with LSD but it's down to the individual build quality and makes insurance a bit trickier?
MX5 Turbo - similar to above in that it is down to individual build quality
Any thoughts on the above or something that I've not considered?
Yes you can get road car policies that also cover Trackdays - I got mine through A-Plan. It included five Trackdays a year but if you ask maybe they can cover more.
A megg’d Clio 200 is a wonderful thing - but as you say it does very much depend on the quality of the conversion.
If you are otherwise happy with the 182 why not stick the megane turbo engine in there? It fits - just.
A megg’d Clio 200 is a wonderful thing - but as you say it does very much depend on the quality of the conversion.
If you are otherwise happy with the 182 why not stick the megane turbo engine in there? It fits - just.
The Megane 250's, with the cup pack is what to get. Much stronger than the R26 in terms of reliability, as the engines will take significantly more than standard, as the R26 needs forging above 300hp. The 250's are surprisingly well built, and can handle power quite well.
The standard car is very, very good. I put some newer, lighter wheels with AD08R's on, back seats stripped out (3 bolts) on my relatively standard car (Milltek cat-back, and ITG induction kit) and took it to Castle Combe. I had people in M4's coming up asking what sort of power and mods I was running, as I would pull away in the corners.
Out of the box they're one of the best handling cars I've driven. Brakes are fine, other than needing pads, fluid and lines the standard Brembo calipers can take some serious abuse without issue.
Diff is brilliant, If you go into a corner a little quick, plant the throttle and it drags you around.
Engine's are strong, with a few breathing mods, exhaust, intercooler and remap will see about 320ish hp, and about 360lb/ft. A hybrid turbo will see about 370hp ish and 400+ lb/ft.
Mini Cooper S
Focus ST
Megane R26
Clio 197 with Megane engine
MX5 Turbo
All of these in various guises were at a track day I've done recently.
The Mini, Focus ST, R26, Clio 226 (Clio 200 with R26 engine) and a Turbo MX5 were all there and out on track.
The Mini was a full on track spec car, which I could just about keep up with in the corners (was slightly quicker on straights)
Focus St was a 320HP road car, which although much quicker on the straights struggled with brakes.
R26, the 250 was slightly better most places around circuit - such as braking, initial turn in, acceleration etc. The R26 was on similar tyres.
Clio 226, was naffing quick and had some pretty good battles with it during the track day. The 200 had more grip in the corners due to it's coilovers, something which I'm yet to get.
The MX5 Turbo was quick, but I wasn't on track at the same time, so can't comment.
A full day at Combe, I had to let one car past all day on a pretty standard car. It's a simply sublime car. Yet driving home Radio on, cruise control on and drive home in comfort.
If you're anywhere near Bristol, feel free to PM me and I'll happily show you around mine.
The standard car is very, very good. I put some newer, lighter wheels with AD08R's on, back seats stripped out (3 bolts) on my relatively standard car (Milltek cat-back, and ITG induction kit) and took it to Castle Combe. I had people in M4's coming up asking what sort of power and mods I was running, as I would pull away in the corners.
Out of the box they're one of the best handling cars I've driven. Brakes are fine, other than needing pads, fluid and lines the standard Brembo calipers can take some serious abuse without issue.
Diff is brilliant, If you go into a corner a little quick, plant the throttle and it drags you around.
Engine's are strong, with a few breathing mods, exhaust, intercooler and remap will see about 320ish hp, and about 360lb/ft. A hybrid turbo will see about 370hp ish and 400+ lb/ft.
Mini Cooper S
Focus ST
Megane R26
Clio 197 with Megane engine
MX5 Turbo
All of these in various guises were at a track day I've done recently.
The Mini, Focus ST, R26, Clio 226 (Clio 200 with R26 engine) and a Turbo MX5 were all there and out on track.
The Mini was a full on track spec car, which I could just about keep up with in the corners (was slightly quicker on straights)
Focus St was a 320HP road car, which although much quicker on the straights struggled with brakes.
R26, the 250 was slightly better most places around circuit - such as braking, initial turn in, acceleration etc. The R26 was on similar tyres.
Clio 226, was naffing quick and had some pretty good battles with it during the track day. The 200 had more grip in the corners due to it's coilovers, something which I'm yet to get.
The MX5 Turbo was quick, but I wasn't on track at the same time, so can't comment.
A full day at Combe, I had to let one car past all day on a pretty standard car. It's a simply sublime car. Yet driving home Radio on, cruise control on and drive home in comfort.
If you're anywhere near Bristol, feel free to PM me and I'll happily show you around mine.
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