She goes today...

[DrDx]

After a fantastic year of ownership (with only a few 'glitches' in the recent cold weather) my 197 goes today! I will miss her terribly but I needed something better suited to long distance cruising. 2 hours on the M4 is a bloody nightmare!!!

Don't hate me but I collect a rather nice low mileage BMW 325ci M Sport coupe later today... Have you seen how well built those things are? The Clio is shocking in comparison and Renault should take note!

As a former Scooby owner I have had lots more fun than I expected and I wish someone could have benefited from my wheels and KTR exhaust before trading (see my for sale posts) but it was not to be.... I'll stick around on here for a while but thanks to everyone for helping the 197 experience be such great fun!!

 

[BenW]

I hope you enjoy the BMW, they're lovely cars, just a little boring in comparison but that's to be expected I guess

 

[chris87]

he bmw is a nice car tho

 

[197-F1]

Haha ive come the other way. BMW was a great car, but just too dull after a while, and SILLY running costs!. Its good to experience as many cars as you can get your mitts on anyway! Hope you enjoy

 

[clio200cup]

the thing i don't like about german cars, is how they are just sort of accepted as being a nice car. audi/bmw/vw etc. but they are just dull, and you just blend in with the rest of the crowd.

of course, nearly all car manufacturers have their exceptions, but i am generalising here.
and as i spend 80% of my time in germany, i know how common they are here.

stu.

 

[Foxspeed]

bit of a price difference between a 325 and a 197/200 !

and when they go wrong....get the cheque book ready :nope:

 

[chris87]

yep will be expensive

 

[DrDx]

My RS197 was hardly cheap to run to be honest! The brakes cost a fortune to put right when the pads seized in the calipers earlier this year and a (totally needless thanks to crap OEM build quality) wheel refurbishment and new tyres after 12 months was not cheap either.... An I had a list of pretty expensive things to put right including a couple of oil leaks, a warped front bumper and knackered door seals!

I got 35.9mpg on standard 95RON fuel on the way home from West Sussex. The Clio did 32.1mpg on the way down there.. Shame on you Renault!!

 

[DrDx]

Oh! And the Clio was running on Shell V-Power...!!

 

[clio200cup]

lol as said, two very different cars.
very well made those german cars! which year 325 is it?
glad you got the ci rather than saloon though

 

[DrDx]

It is a 2003 (2004 model year) 325Ci M Sport with low mileage and thousands of pounds worth of extras including a factory sunroof, full nappa leather interior, 18" MV-2 wheels, brand new Bridgestone Potenzas, upgraded stereo with CD changer etc, etc...

I miss the incredible, gravity-defying agility of the RS197 around town and on the B-roads and country lanes. But I love the Ci when I get on the open road and stick the cruise on...not a car to drive late at night when tired; what would keep me awake apart from the meaty thrum of that straight-six engine?

 

[clio200cup]

very nice mate. what are they worth then??

 

[DrDx]

I got it cheap in a 'end of month' used car sale at a main dealer in Sussex; £7250 with a tank of gas, a full service, a new MoT and 12 months tax!! And I got a decent p/x for the RS197 too considering the state of the market for fast, expensive to run cars!

 

[clio200cup]

very nice price mate. a bargain. parts aren't cheap for beemers, but you shouldn't need anything more than servicing parts

stu.

 

[Roy]

enjoy your new motor mate
all the best

 

[Arran]

My old man's just bought a beema, bloody expensive! lol!