m0rk's 2003 Renault Sport Clio Cup 172 WN52 PCU

[m0rk]

Well after a job shift & having to drive into central Portsmouth every day I decided that the MX5 needs to be relegated to weekend summer duty.

So I need a sensible commuting car for my 15 mile drive in to work.

So being almost 30 insurance is no longer an issue, and because I like a slightly nippy car I decided that it 'must' be a hot hatch. Lots of cars were considered, but I settled my mind on a Clio 172.

Then as luck would have it, an SCN'er posted one up on Friday night, and it was mine before lunch on Saturday

Love it, had an awesome drive home last night (even laden up with the interior & various 'bits' wedged in around the half rear cage)

Today I've debadged the 'sport' and 'Cup 172' from the car, and refitted the rear seat backrest, and parcel shelf, but left the cage in place. So I can chuck things in the boot, but also helps with NVH.

It's been lowered on eibach springs, which vastly improve the ride over the standard 172 I drove on Friday at a stealer, and apart from a noisey/loose bit of tin plate heat shield it's spot on

trip computer is showing 36mpg, even after a sustained beasting - so it's coming to Germany in 2.5 weeks for it's first outing.

Hope you all rip into me about build quality... but coming from a 19yr old MX5 this is a Rolls Royce.

 

[AlpineWhite]

Fun little cars, nice choice.

Is it with or without ABS? Remember a hairy moment in a phase 1 on a damp lane once!

 

[ZBOYD]

papa!

 

[Willie]

Yup good fun little cars, I had a Pug 106 GTI and still would have another one.
These are fun to drive where bigger cars never really can be called 'fun'

Is it a proper cage or a show cage?
What the potential like on these?
Read a post of someone saying they had a 220BHP one, now that would be fun.

 

[crezz]

a damn sight better than the mx5

 

[m0rk]

Fun little cars, nice choice.

Is it with or without ABS? Remember a hairy moment in a phase 1 on a damp lane once!

Yeah, no ABS, AC or HID.. but Wider track & 1011kg vs 1100kg

papa!

piss off

Yup good fun little cars, I had a Pug 106 GTI and still would have another one.
These are fun to drive where bigger cars never really can be called 'fun'

Is it a proper cage or a show cage?
What the potential like on these?
Read a post of someone saying they had a 220BHP one, now that would be fun.

Proper 'Caged' half cage, bolt in (and if I butcher a rear base I can get it around the cage)

There's a few on Cliosport with >210bhp on ITB's, turbo's Superchargers etc.. but I think I would **** my pants with that.

 

[ZBOYD]

piss off

You know I like it though.

 

[m0rk]

a damn sight better than the mx5

Don't knock it... I'm keeping it still both are very capable cars... just not what I need everyday right now

 

[crezz]

i aint knocking mazda's at all but its just a damn sight more to my liking then the mobile hairdressing machine

 

[chungster]

give them both a bit of booooooooost!

turns the MX5 into a totally different animal!

Nice colour tho that Clio.

happy motoring!

 

[F2 Stu]

Oh la la la, Va va Voom!

 

[jenk]

I like your sensible bud

No problems with the lack of space in the peddle area?

 

[m0rk]

I like your sensible bud

No problems with the lack of space in the peddle area?

it's tight down there, but since the MX5 I've had to learn heel and toe, and the pedals fit me perfectly for that - which is handy since I have size 13's.

I'm actually pretty comfy in it, with the seat right back & fairly upright (how I like to be)

 

[jenk]

In the same boat as you, blessed with inappropriate feet. Sounds like I need to learn how to use the peddles better, you can get lazy with these VAG cars.

A mate had one of the early ones running ITB's, wild cam, head work etc. It was mental and sounded soo nice, just a shame it struggled to idle. Think it was built by prima.

 

[Willie]

it's tight down there, but since the MX5 I've had to learn heel and toe, and the pedals fit me perfectly for that - which is handy since I have size 13's.

I'm actually pretty comfy in it, with the seat right back & fairly upright (how I like to be)

Feckin hell, size 13's, you must have big....................................socks, lol

 

[Nev_LCR]

awesome mate, i really miss mine, got mine running 212BHP at the end,

alot of fun on track, im still thinking of getting one for track use only as you can pic up a bargin.

 

[Altech]

Looks like fun...really nice colour too.

I thought the Sports came with the twin centre exit exhausts?

 

[Willie]

Think that was the 182 onwards, but i'm sure some one will correct me

 

[Nev_LCR]

this was mine

 

[hughes86]

the cup 172 only comes in blue, the one with the twin exhaust is the clio 182 slightly newer. love the cup 172s though great fun to drive. nice motor