RE: Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy: PH Fleet

RE: Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy: PH Fleet

Thursday 23rd April 2015

Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy: PH Fleet

New boy Ben sees the light and chops in a Fabia vRS for a Clio Trophy - here's the story so far



As PH's latest recruit, my previous car ownership was rigorously interrogated on arrival. Having had two Audi TTs and a Caterfield wannabe, I wasn't off to a great start. Some credibility was reclaimed by having a Peugeot 306 as my first car, but that cost me more than it was worth to fix during ownership. In fact I vowed never to buy another Frenchie after the 306...

Capsicum Red still looking fab
Capsicum Red still looking fab
But then I came across the Clio Renaultsport PH Buying Guide. There was a considerable amount of peer pressure from my colleagues too, Mr Trent and Drake in particular. After a number of chats and probably expecting the inevitable, Dan kindly invited me along to the Renaultsport Clio test at Brands Hatch. That turned out to be rather an expensive day.

I simply fell head over heels for the 182 Trophy. The newer RS 200 felt faster, more planted and generally more advanced, but for me it just didn't have the character of the Trophy in both looks and feel. As yet it's an intangible affection, something I can't quite put my finger on. If you have ever faced "Why do you love me?" and struggled to find an answer, that's how I feel about the Trophy.

I've always been a lover of the lightweight cars, and having sold an S2 Lotus Elise 111S recently to build a Caterham Seven I hope that proves it. But more on that another time! The Trophy therefore fits in perfectly, its lithe 1,070kg made to look especially lean compared to that other red hot hatch on the PH Fleet, the 1,476kg (!) Golf R. Throw in a 182hp 2.0-litre engine paired with those very special Sachs remote-reservoir front dampers and the result is, as I'm now discovering, an absolute B-road weapon and one that looks incredibly good value as well.

Clio Trophy and Wales a match made in heaven!
Clio Trophy and Wales a match made in heaven!
Exactly a week after Brands I set off on a 300-mile trip to Truro from Kent in the hope that my new Clio was a real keeper. And damn it is! Owned by a Renault technician for eight years who genuinely wept as I took the keys from his hand, I knew I'd made the right decision. I proceeded to rack up another 550+ miles over the weekend with a trip to Rhayader followed by our Morgan Sunday Service.

Suffice to say I'm besotted but also a tad frustrated that its taken me over 10 years to discover what fast Clios are all about! I'm only a few days into ownership but there's going to be plenty to say about this incredible hot hatch over the coming months. I just need to be careful where I leave the keys in the office...


FACT SHEET
Car:
2005 Renault Clio 182 Trophy
Run by: Ben Lowden
Bought: April 2015
Mileage: 75,163
Last month at a glance: A hot hatch hero joins the PH staff Fleet!







Author
Discussion

Gecko1978

Original Poster:

9,603 posts

156 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
I love these cars and the wright at 1070kg is a huge plus point I could easily see how you might get to 200bhp per ton with some mild tuning maybe a better exhaust (lighter) wheels and a smidge or carbon etc.

I wonder how much a 75k clio costs to buy an insure my guess is not much for a performance bargin with 4 usable seats an a boot

TurboHatchback

4,151 posts

152 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
The best hot hatch ever made IMO. I'm ever more tempted to get myself another 182 at some point, even though it doesn't suit my usage at all I miss mine frown.

Carlique

1,630 posts

163 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
I've wanted one ever since watching Harry Metcalfes video on his own. It must be an impressive little car if it's captured his admiration so much.

Enjoy smile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGyY9V068x4

Feirny

2,500 posts

146 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
I owned a Trophy a few years ago and have recently bought an Elise 111S, the Elise is the closest thing to the Trophy I've driven that feels as special.

I'll almost certainly own another Trophy at some point.

DaveL485

2,758 posts

196 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
As a dedicated Turbo'd car fan, I picked up an RS Clio with a few issues on the cheap in 2011 with the full intention of selling it on at considerable profit after i'd done the required bits and a belt service.

I still have it.

It's not going anywhere.

Alex_6n2

328 posts

198 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
Gecko1978 said:
I love these cars and the wright at 1070kg is a huge plus point I could easily see how you might get to 200bhp per ton with some mild tuning maybe a better exhaust (lighter) wheels and a smidge or carbon etc.

I wonder how much a 75k clio costs to buy an insure my guess is not much for a performance bargin with 4 usable seats an a boot
You'd be surprised how difficult (and expensive) it can be to squeeze a proper 200bhp out of the F4R

197 cams, de-cat, RS2 inlet manifold and a re-map would get you there, but you won't have any change from £2K even when using second hand bits.

Getting another 70KG of weight out of it is tough when there is already no AC, no Xenons up front and the wheels are aleady light.

My advise? Get yourself a Whiteline rear ARB (if it doesn't already have one) and enjoy maximum lift-off oversteer fun!

My PH garage is (mostly) up to date with costs if you're interested. But mine isn't a Trohpy (although I do have the recaros :-) )

Edited by Alex_6n2 on Thursday 23 April 14:06


Edited by Alex_6n2 on Thursday 23 April 14:07

stavers

251 posts

145 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
DaveL485 said:
It's not going anywhere.
Except sideways round every back-road in Warwickshire, Leicestershire & the West Midlands...

Would love a proper little hot hatch but unfortunately I need more space!
Nowhere near the same league I know but my wife had a 206cc with the 2.0l N/A in it. I know people slate the 206 but compared to most modern cars it was actually fun to drive - the induction noise with the roof down was intoxicating!

aml1003

1 posts

107 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
A great first article. Looking forward to many more.
Andrew

BenLowden

5,968 posts

176 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
Feirny said:
I owned a Trophy a few years ago and have recently bought an Elise 111S, the Elise is the closest thing to the Trophy I've driven that feels as special.

I'll almost certainly own another Trophy at some point.
I'll agree with you there, although I'd actually say I'm more confident in the Trophy than I was in my 111S. I was probably being more precious with the Elise, whereas the Clio feels more capable as I'm prepared to play with it a lot more! Both fantastic cars I have to say and would recommend to anyone.

Axionknight

8,505 posts

134 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
A good article and a good car, a very very good car yes

Feirny

2,500 posts

146 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
BenLowden said:
I'll agree with you there, although I'd actually say I'm more confident in the Trophy than I was in my 111S. I was probably being more precious with the Elise, whereas the Clio feels more capable as I'm prepared to play with it a lot more! Both fantastic cars I have to say and would recommend to anyone.
I've only had the Elise less than two weeks, so confidence is still low. However I feel like a certified racing driver in the Trophy, it inspires confidence.

Here it is with it's old best mate in the foreground.

Renault Sport Clio Trophy by feirny, on Flickr

Happyjap

382 posts

108 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
We have an old Japanese proverb "Icefish and women are not to be eaten after they breed", basically what it means is this is a woman car and in Japan it would be shameful to be behind the wheel!

SmartVenom

462 posts

168 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
Awesome car, I'm sure your going to love every minute of it. The only frustrating thing will be having to listen to the annoying idiots who tell you it's a girls car.

I had a 182 with cup packs and it was a great drive, yes it had the odd foible but nothing too bad and certainly nothing unforgivable. It was unfortunately stolen off the driveway when I left it at my mums. Since then I'd almost forgotten how good they were. However, having just taken a new job that requires I drive 110+ miles a day, on the m25 and m4, and seeing as I have a golf r on lease so can't do that kind of mileage I just bought myself a 172 phase 2.

I'm now busy reacquainting myself with just how good cliosports are. Unbelievably cheap at the moment as well. Everyone should get one while they can.

Happyjap

382 posts

108 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
SmartVenom said:
Awesome car, I'm sure your going to love every minute of it. The only frustrating thing will be having to listen to the annoying idiots who tell you it's a girls car.

I had a 182 with cup packs and it was a great drive, yes it had the odd foible but nothing too bad and certainly nothing unforgivable. It was unfortunately stolen off the driveway when I left it at my mums. Since then I'd almost forgotten how good they were. However, having just taken a new job that requires I drive 110+ miles a day, on the m25 and m4, and seeing as I have a golf r on lease so can't do that kind of mileage I just bought myself a 172 phase 2.

I'm now busy reacquainting myself with just how good cliosports are. Unbelievably cheap at the moment as well. Everyone should get one while they can.
Apologies please Mr Smart Venom, I mean you no ill respect, but just as in Japan some of the Train and Subway cars can only be occupied by woman (it is the rules) so is some cars only for the woman, we have a proverb for this in Japan "Women's' toilet and ones circle of friends are best kept small" so please forgive me for any ignorance.

PK0001

347 posts

176 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
I also had a Clio 182 with the cup packs. Bought it new and only kept it for 3 months.

I was doing around 800 miles a week and in that short time, while in parts it was fun, I was convinced I needed something more comfortable, economical, quieter and better built. Went for a Golf Ed30.

No tears when I sold the 182 and I don't miss it one bit.

Kept the Ed30 for 3 years and really miss that though.

TurboHatchback

4,151 posts

152 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
PK0001 said:
I also had a Clio 182 with the cup packs. Bought it new and only kept it for 3 months.

I was doing around 800 miles a week and in that short time, while in parts it was fun, I was convinced I needed something more comfortable, economical, quieter and better built. Went for a Golf Ed30.

No tears when I sold the 182 and I don't miss it one bit.

Kept the Ed30 for 3 years and really miss that though.
I had a Mk5 GTI a while after my 182. It was very effective but I don't miss it at all, no emotional connection whatsoever. I do miss my 182 though frown, each to their own. That said I wouldn't want to drive it 800 miles a week, I don't think my ears or my left leg could take it.

Patch888

701 posts

127 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
I drove a 182 a while back and it was great fun, I've just got hold of a twingo RS and it reminded me of the Clio, superb handling, fun to drive, the twingo just lacks the 182 power.

PK0001

347 posts

176 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
TurboHatchback said:
I had a Mk5 GTI a while after my 182. It was very effective but I don't miss it at all, no emotional connection whatsoever. I do miss my 182 though frown, each to their own. That said I wouldn't want to drive it 800 miles a week, I don't think my ears or my left leg could take it.
Did you find that everyone would try and race you in your 182 ?

It would be a daily occurrence for me, white vans, reps in diesels etc always up my chuff or desperate to overtake.

Became very tiresome.

Same journey in the ED30 and I was totally ignored.

Butter Face

30,191 posts

159 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
Truro you say?

I'd be interested to know who the ex-owner was if he was a Renault tech as he doesn't work where I do hehe

Motorrad

6,811 posts

186 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
What did you pay for it? Or did I miss that bit?

Wouldn't normally ask that question but you're PH staff and I'd like to know how the market is doing for these great little cars.