Clio 197????

imprezaworks

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After selling my Racing Blue 182 and looking around at replacenrets, fn2, focus st, Mazda mps, golf Mk5 .I keep coming back to the 197/200. I have a budget of 4500 which falls into the very good 197 category of the hit n miss 200 area.

Anyone gone from a 182 to a 197/200 and been really happy?

Another choice is the R26 but they are thin on the ground sadly. And the really nice ones are close to 250 money.
 
Yeah, I kept getting drawn back to a mk3

2x 197's to 182 then a 200

& before that a FF 225 & a 225 F1 team

In march my 200 will be the longest I've ever owned a car [emoji15]
 
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Is the mpg that bad? All I seen to read is that, gearbox, flexis etc. Every car has their weakpoints I guess

MPG: it really does all depend on how you drive it. At best I got 40mpg out of mine on a long trip to Cornwall from the North. Everyday urban driving, I would get ~26-28. They aren't as economical as the 1*2s.

Gearbox: mine had done over 100k on the original 'box and was slick and smooth as ever. Some cars have had theirs failed several times. This is generally pot luck, however they really aren't as bad as all the horror stories would have you believe. All I would say is budget for the worst case scenario, but don't be put off by it at all.

Flexis: again, over 100k and mine was fine. I highly recommend the powerflex inserts as a preventative measure, which will relieve pressure on the flexis.

All cars have their potential problems and all of the above was in the back of my mind when I was considering a 197. However once you have driven one enthusiastically and seen what they're capable of, the concerns generally do drift away.
 
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Thanks for the detailed reply :smile:.

After owning 7/8 1*2's I do allways think about the 197/200. Like you say with any car they have their issues. At 4500 budget I'm hoping it would be issue free, to a point.
 
Gearbox:

Some cars have had theirs failed several times. This is generally pot luck, however they really aren't as bad as all the horror stories would have you believe. All I would say is budget for the worst case scenario, but don't be put off by it
I highly recommend the powerflex inserts as a preventative measure, which will relieve pressure on the flexis.

However once you have driven one enthusiastically and seen what they're capable of, the concerns generally do drift away.
100% This.
 
Thanks for the detailed reply :smile:.

After owning 7/8 1*2's I do allways think about the 197/200. Like you say with any car they have their issues. At 4500 budget I'm hoping it would be issue free, to a point.

Happy to help :smile:

I think that's a great budget to have, there should be some very good ones for that price. You probably already know this, but just take your time and view a few - that's the best way to tell the difference between a good one and a bad one. Any other questions, ask away: there's so much knowledge on here!
 
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The eBay history shows that I am looking at various cars. Have been offered a focus st 225, think I may need to scratch the MK3 Clio itch......
 
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I bought a 109k Clio 197 'full fat' from a chap about 18 months ago. I paid £3k, had a fairly comprehensive history with it. I wanted toys (Came from a fully loaded M sport e46 3 series) so I wanted one with Recaros, Xenons, Climate control, cruise control, etc.

In my ownership I have had to replace the cambelt and water pump (water pump as a precaution) a few tyres, rear discs, rear pads, 1 x rear stub axle (rusty) both front wishbone with ball joints, swivel joints, front topmounts and a full set of shocks. It needs an aircon radiator after getting a small hole in and new ARB and Anti rotation links as theres play. Lastly, my release bearing is noisy and the car doesnt like going into gear when cold.

Ive opted to do a lot more, Powerflex engine mounts have helped make the car feel much more solid and direct. New speakers, replaced the silver and black trim with later 200 gloss grey, new mats, new bulbs, etc.

These are very characterful cars, each is different. Due to how they are Id opt for one with less mileage. Cup spec with full fat options would be my choice again. Make sure belts have been done properly, dephasers dont go like 182/172 but worth having done along with waterpump for peace of mind. Exhausts are made of cheese so will probably be patched up, alot of people change them. Id estimate that if a car gets above 60k the dreaded gearbox crunch is probably not going to be a problem but again, every one is different. Rear ABS sensor mounts rust causing ABS sensor problems and as far as I am aware, you have to replace the whole stub axle at over £200 a pop from Renault. Front ball joints and swivel joints wear a bit quicker than an average car if you are driving hard.

On average, the work I have done I would expect to do on any car at the mileage its done. Suspension and associated handling parts is everything on this car, keeping it running right is more expensive than an average car but its more than an average car.
 
I bought a 109k Clio 197 'full fat' from a chap about 18 months ago. I paid £3k, had a fairly comprehensive history with it. I wanted toys (Came from a fully loaded M sport e46 3 series) so I wanted one with Recaros, Xenons, Climate control, cruise control, etc.

In my ownership I have had to replace the cambelt and water pump (water pump as a precaution) a few tyres, rear discs, rear pads, 1 x rear stub axle (rusty) both front wishbone with ball joints, swivel joints, front topmounts and a full set of shocks. It needs an aircon radiator after getting a small hole in and new ARB and Anti rotation links as theres play. Lastly, my release bearing is noisy and the car doesnt like going into gear when cold.

Ive opted to do a lot more, Powerflex engine mounts have helped make the car feel much more solid and direct. New speakers, replaced the silver and black trim with later 200 gloss grey, new mats, new bulbs, etc.

These are very characterful cars, each is different. Due to how they are Id opt for one with less mileage. Cup spec with full fat options would be my choice again. Make sure belts have been done properly, dephasers dont go like 182/172 but worth having done along with waterpump for peace of mind. Exhausts are made of cheese so will probably be patched up, alot of people change them. Id estimate that if a car gets above 60k the dreaded gearbox crunch is probably not going to be a problem but again, every one is different. Rear ABS sensor mounts rust causing ABS sensor problems and as far as I am aware, you have to replace the whole stub axle at over £200 a pop from Renault. Front ball joints and swivel joints wear a bit quicker than an average car if you are driving hard.

On average, the work I have done I would expect to do on any car at the mileage its done. Suspension and associated handling parts is everything on this car, keeping it running right is more expensive than an average car but its more than an average car.

Superb post, and for me sums up what maintenance is most likely on these cars. It's generally wear and tear, especially as the mileage racks up, but no more than you would expect from a run of the mill motor. But yes, parts are more expensive, but they're special cars so you can't expect to run them on the cheap.

Higher mileage doesn't mean you're more likely to have spend this money though - with a comprehensive history, there is always the chance that some of the work has been done already in its life.
 
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You keep coming back to them Dan.
@imprezaworks

Your 182 is back up for sale at a few quid more on facebook!

I love mine but it is turbo'd. Surprising how well it takes the conversion.
 
Yeah have been told its back up for sale .wants a rwd car.

How much is it?

£3200 saw it on facebook last night.

Any preference on 197 colour? I know you wanted a white 200.

You wanted recaro's too. I believe it's more difficult to get in the back with a car seat if you wanted to?
 
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He may get that for it, I felt comfortable in what I got tbh.

No preference on colour really. The silver/grey is nice. would still be after the recaros tbh.
 
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I have both, well my 172 is a turbo, i also have a ph1 225 with a r26 box,

I bought the 197 because after the 172 got boost and the supporting mods it's was as useable day to day, the harsh ride and drone at 70 plus it breaks every 5 mins, the 197 is just as much fun as a normal 1*2 but it's alot more grown up and easy to live with.

You are going to regret selling yours.
The megane isn't as fun as either Clio, mine hasn't moved since i got the 197, i will never part with it thou,

They are all different cars, i would say if i could only have one it would be the megane really because it being bigger.

I also have a daily diesel so the rs cars are my toys.

When I'm asked why so many I say to them why you got more than one pair of underwear or shoes... you can only wear one pair at a time....

Also get asked why I don't sell them all and buy something new like a m car or s audi. .. same thing better to have a choice one car would be boring... plus renualts are cheap as chips nowadays and i have 9 years no claims insurance not an issue....

Buy back your 182 is my advice
 
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Never understood the big deal with rwd, my daily is rwd and yeah in snow and rain it's fun to get the back end out and every so often a childish donut or burnout gives me a chuckle but I don't see the big deal over fwd,
I had a awd tt and I hated it, felt heavy and clumsy quick in a straight line thou...

Maybe I'm biased...

The 197 is best looking renualt I would say well apart from the 250 Im after one of them next year maybe
 
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Think it's just what he's been used to tbh.

I wouldn't be interested in buying it back, time to move on :smile:

197,200, R26. Whichever nice one turns up tbh.