172/182 spot the difference...

[The Hitman]

OK, I have 5k to spend on a new car and am looking at the Clio's as having owned a clio previously know they are good cars. I'm not ill-informed about Clio's, but have a hard time finding any real differance between the 172 mk2 and the 182 except for the visuals (alloy wheels, dual exhausts, etc).

I do think the 182 is a better looking car, but is it better in other departments like handling? And if so, is it so much better to warrant an extra 1.5k over a good example of a 172?

Also, the Cups seem to be regarded as better since they are lighter but is that at the cost of certain equipement, like ABS for example?

[SmoothCriminal]

Head over to cliosport.net mate all the info you could ever need.

[Johnnytheboy]

The disparity in equipment between FF (full fat) and Cup is greater with the 172 than the 182.

The 172 is bereft of quite a bit of kit, like ABS as you say. With the 182 the smart money is to buy a FF with Cup suspension, so you get all the toys and the Cup chassis.

Or go for the win and get a Trophy!

[homerjay]

if you can afford a trophy, get one!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1569102.htm

you wont regret it!

Edited by homerjay on Thursday 1st April 21:20

[Johnnytheboy]

My post didn't make clear that I had one. I've never driven another 1*2 but other owners I met said the Trophy was streets ahead of the normal 182, so buy one if you can afford it (and the damper services now and again).

[dzm]

The 182 has considerably stiffer suspension than the 172. I've got the exact spring rates somewhere but effectively the 172 is the softest of all the mk2 RS Clios. The 172 Cup is stiffer than the 172, but the 182 Cup and Cup Pack equipped 182 is even stiffer. Plus it's got wider bolt spacing on the front struts (stiffer hubs). The Trophy has the stiffest spring rates.