Big Bens non Clio
- Thread starter Big Ben
- Start date
I agree with most of this but circumstances were slightly different in my case. I’d already had plenty of experience of 200hp trackdays and was getting a little bit bored when my gearbox and engine started playing up. Rather than spend a chunk of money fixing I went with a meglio setup and 280hp. Loved it but missed the Clio “battles”. Then my turbo played up and guess what a big one came up at a silly price so 370hp arrived! I love the extra power tbh but again I’m used to it now and therefore the gloss is wearing off again.
I don’t fancy more money into this car atm as it will really be a big step up to add anything better than what it’s got.
Possibly sounded defensive lol.
As I’ve told most people I’ve met, if I could do it all again I’d stay standard power and do the tighter twistier circuits. But hindsight is a wonderful thing
burrellbloke
Paid Member
God stuff Iain.
I have always liked your approach of having a car that is capable of lapping for long sessions rather than having a car that can beat everything else on track.
I am content in the knowledge that no matter what upgrades I add to the Clio there will always be something faster or more powerful on track. I am also happy to go to a track day and and set a lap time in the morning and try to improve throughout the day. It is always more fun when you have other cars to chase or try to keep in front of. But my measure of success is just improving my own driving at this stage.
I have always liked your approach of having a car that is capable of lapping for long sessions rather than having a car that can beat everything else on track.
I am content in the knowledge that no matter what upgrades I add to the Clio there will always be something faster or more powerful on track. I am also happy to go to a track day and and set a lap time in the morning and try to improve throughout the day. It is always more fun when you have other cars to chase or try to keep in front of. But my measure of success is just improving my own driving at this stage.
jimmybell
Paid Member
FWIW moving up car power categories moves you up in braking/consumable/servicing/brand cost category, and it's not a linear cost line.
To move from a Clio to an E92 M3 (clubsport) you're talking more money for the M3 suspension and brakes alone than the entire clio + 'clubsport' equivalent mods (@R20BTG an edge case here where i suspect you're looking at similar cost, albeit there's much more than 'clubsport' on his clio than the equivalent M3 build cost). Meglio is actually a really cost effective (and probably more fun) option. bigger stuff is more 'serious', your meglio had me giggling like a child.
obviously if you're lucky you can offset some of the chore of a more track focussed car that Nick highlights with a trailer/towpig, but that has a cost too.
I'd be really interested to see how your meglio compares to @RSRowe's Meg. I really got the urge for one after riding in Alex's, but see all of the above as to reasons why i wont
100% agree more than half of the fun comes from the social / group driving element. Sounds like you gotta force yourself to come and get on a group day!
To move from a Clio to an E92 M3 (clubsport) you're talking more money for the M3 suspension and brakes alone than the entire clio + 'clubsport' equivalent mods (@R20BTG an edge case here where i suspect you're looking at similar cost, albeit there's much more than 'clubsport' on his clio than the equivalent M3 build cost). Meglio is actually a really cost effective (and probably more fun) option. bigger stuff is more 'serious', your meglio had me giggling like a child.
obviously if you're lucky you can offset some of the chore of a more track focussed car that Nick highlights with a trailer/towpig, but that has a cost too.
I'd be really interested to see how your meglio compares to @RSRowe's Meg. I really got the urge for one after riding in Alex's, but see all of the above as to reasons why i wont
100% agree more than half of the fun comes from the social / group driving element. Sounds like you gotta force yourself to come and get on a group day!
This is good. Playing devils advocate here but what happens when you can’t break through that 2:18 barrier at Snetterton (plucked that number out my arse!).
You say you’re content with the pace of the Clio but you’ll then go and buy upgrades to make it ultimately faster. Why?
Because you want to see lower lap times?
Plus when you’re in a 200hp car you may be in your comfort/ability zone and be able to wring its neck. But without stepping up to the next horsepower bracket will you really know how good a driver you’ve become?
In a couple more years it wouldn’t surprise me if you or certainly young Ethan are ready for the next step. Look forward to seeing it all develop
Thruxton May 4th or Snetterton May 25thFWIW moving up car power categories moves you up in braking/consumable/servicing/brand cost category, and it's not a linear cost line.
To move from a Clio to an E92 M3 (clubsport) you're talking more money for the M3 suspension and brakes alone than the entire clio + 'clubsport' equivalent mods (@R20BTG an edge case here where i suspect you're looking at similar cost, albeit there's much more than 'clubsport' on his clio than the equivalent M3 build cost). Meglio is actually a really cost effective (and probably more fun) option. bigger stuff is more 'serious', your meglio had me giggling like a child.
obviously if you're lucky you can offset some of the chore of a more track focussed car that Nick highlights with a trailer/towpig, but that has a cost too.
I'd be really interested to see how your meglio compares to @RSRowe's Meg. I really got the urge for one after riding in Alex's, but see all of the above as to reasons why i wont
100% agree more than half of the fun comes from the social / group driving element. Sounds like you gotta force yourself to come and get on a group day!
RSRowe
Paid Member
This is definitely very true, and it's something I've only recently come to realise.
Going flat out everywhere turns out is quite easy in comparison to using the throttle as a progressive thing as opposed to an on/off switch
Helpimonfire
Paid Member
Listen... Wes isn't gunna come to Snetterton so you'll be needing your big boy pants there!
jimmybell
Paid Member
see you at snetterton!
i'll be driving past thruxton (sadly, twice) on 3rd/4th, might pop in if the wife/time/track security allow it.
i'll be driving past thruxton (sadly, twice) on 3rd/4th, might pop in if the wife/time/track security allow it.
Beany
Platinum Member
That’s what I was trying to say but I’m shit with the old wordsThis is definitely very true, and it's something I've only recently come to realise.
Going flat out everywhere turns out is quite easy in comparison to using the throttle as a progressive thing as opposed to an on/off switch
Thing is, power rarely gets you round corners faster than without power, it just gets you to the corners quicker with a bigger bill for fuel and brakes. Corners tend to be more fun that straights.
Sad update
I’ve sold the Clio.
Had a terrible few weeks with my father in law dying quite quickly and my wife going mental.
Decided I’d had enough of the Clio and sold it cheap. I hate selling stuff so always err on the side of quick sale over maximum return but I think I was way low seeing the ridiculous amounts of messages I received off the hordes on Facebook!
I’m not going to lose sleep over a couple of grand. In the whole scheme of things it’s a drop in ocean.
I’ve had a great albeit expensive 8yrs of owning
the car but it was time to part ways. No regrets so far and currently don’t have an itch to get another car in any shape and size. Will bide my time, get my personal life sorted and then see where I’m at.
I’ll still be checking in regularly looking at all the nice threads and posts. Friends in here that I’ve made will still be friends.
I won’t close the thread as you never know but content will be reduced from now on!!
Thanks for everyone whose looked, replied and liked any of my posts. Appreciate your time.
Ben
I’ve sold the Clio.
Had a terrible few weeks with my father in law dying quite quickly and my wife going mental.
Decided I’d had enough of the Clio and sold it cheap. I hate selling stuff so always err on the side of quick sale over maximum return but I think I was way low seeing the ridiculous amounts of messages I received off the hordes on Facebook!
I’m not going to lose sleep over a couple of grand. In the whole scheme of things it’s a drop in ocean.
I’ve had a great albeit expensive 8yrs of owning
the car but it was time to part ways. No regrets so far and currently don’t have an itch to get another car in any shape and size. Will bide my time, get my personal life sorted and then see where I’m at.
I’ll still be checking in regularly looking at all the nice threads and posts. Friends in here that I’ve made will still be friends.
I won’t close the thread as you never know but content will be reduced from now on!!
Thanks for everyone whose looked, replied and liked any of my posts. Appreciate your time.
Ben
burrellbloke
Paid Member
I hope things get better soon for you.
I will see you back here when you have bought yourself another Clio.
I will see you back here when you have bought yourself another Clio.
Helpimonfire
Paid Member
One of us, one of us!
Sad to see the car go Ben as I said to you but life comes first. You always know you can turn up to a trackday with a helmet and come for a blast, you'll always be welcome even if you just come and get some videos from the pit wall.
Marsch
Paid Member
I'm sad to hear that, Ben. But you know what's best for you at this point of time. Keep your head up!
One of us, one of the chosen!
One of us, one of the chosen!
