No the 182 gearbox isn't exactly a timebomb ala 197 but they do fail when subject to a hard life. If it was me personally I'd go for the 182 as it seems your after a track car that'll occasionally be used on road as opposed to a daily occasionally used on track?
182 = lightweight, more basic, cheaper to upgrade parts, cheaper spare parts.
197 = heavy, comfortable, more refined with (IMO) much duller performance.
Although the 197s brakes are an advantage in their own, a league apart from the 182s.