2000 Renault Clio Sport 172 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Stevie Mate.

The new Scooby comes today hopefully (Friday). When the 172 goes in I will ask the dealer if they want the Janspeed or not. If they don't and they are going to put the original back on again I will let you know on here and maybe we can sort something out.

Can't remember if I told you, but she is a full de-cat job so you will have to bear that in mind in a couple of years when the MOT comes around.

I will let you know shortly.

Gary.

Cheers Gary.

Just quick question though. Is your 172 a phase 1 or 2? It is just that my Cup has (as you will know), a lower rear bumper than the phase 1 - with the Cup being of the phase 2 variety. And also, what about the tail piece? Twin round 3" or what?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Stevie.

Stevie.

My car is a 2002 phase 2.

I have got me new scooby STI now and the Clio is with the dealer. They are going to make their minds up shortly if they want the exhaust or not. They said if they don't then I can have it back. When I speak to them next I will ask.

The tail pipes are approx twin 3 inch round. To be honest it looks and sounds about 300% better than the standard car. However, if you do loads of motorway driving it could possibly become tiring. You will have to make your own mind up about that though. Remember she is a full de-cat job so it gives around 11 BHP so is illegal when it comes to MOT's.

Oh and by the way me new Scooby is a monster. She has 300 BHP with mods and takes power into a new dimension. I thought the Clio was quick, but get this thing on boost and you still to realise what rea power is all about. 1000 Mile run in period is very very hard though...haha.

Speak to you soon.

Gary.

Guys I need your help, do you know any specialist places that can do proper tracking anywhere in the London area.

The reason I am asking you is because not long ago when it was snowing I hit the front end of the car, everything has been fixed. I don't think they have done the tracking properly, there is too much play and pulling on the steering wheel, even when I brake at slow or high speeds the car pulls. I have told renault about this, but they don't have the equipment to do it. When they track there cars it is done manually. I have the clio cup, there are so many reviews on this site, if anyone can help its you guys, please if you know any specialist places where I can go to any kind of information would be very greatful.

When driving the clio cup I do not know what to expect, renault tell me that it is a rally car it will feel like a rough ride eg hard suspension, wide tyres and you really have to battle the car when putting the pedal to the metal.

Mate,

when you floor the Cup, it will wag its front end under heavy accelaration defintely through 1st + 2nd and depending on the road surface, sometimes in 3rd.

However, it should always feel positive under braking and the front end should sit together when you chuck out the anchor. It sounds like you definitely have a problem with the front end somewhere along the lines. It could either be from camber/tracking etc or it could be something like a goosed shock absorber when you hit the front end. Both of which would give you the symptoms that you are experiencing. There is a fantastic place up here in Scotland called 'Pro grip' (I wouldn't take my car anywhere else - Renault are SH@*E), that would sort out your brief, Falkirk is no where near London!!

Hope this helps buddy.

Stevie Mac.

Yeah if you plant your foot down to hard when pulling away, especially if turning at the same time, the car will try and steer itself - but it's a great involving drive!

I'm getting my cup looked at now, as I said previously it makes a high pitch noise from the front nearside when in 2nd and 3rd gear above 6000rpm.

Anyone else had this problem?

Craig.

Thank you for the advice lads, when braking it does not feel bad, only when the road surface is slightly uneven it tends to pull following the road surface.

The steering wheel isn't lined up dead straight when driving in a straight line, I even drove a new 2003 model clio cup and it done the same thing, the steering wheel looks like you are slightly turning to the right, but is going straight.

By the way get the new addition of Auto car they have got the new clio v6 along with the mini cooper works, new alpha, golf rs32 and the rs focus head to head.

I was reading a comment on renault sport saying that the cup does 0-60 in 6.2 seconds not 6.5. not bad.

Hi all, I've just been looking back at previous comments and I was wondering how Jamie (early January) got on with his LAD 205bhp conversion, I saw their ad' in the April edition of Autocar (page96). Perhaps my CUP needs this now as the Alfa 147 GTA, Cooper works, R32, RS focus and the Pug wrc all look like the next generation of Hot Hatches, i know they all cost more than the Cup, but its still going to p*** me off when they storm past.

Also who can tell me a good place (preferbly in Scotland) to get a new down pipe section in place of the CAT. One last thing, another car to add to the list of tried, but failed is the Hyundai GT 2.5 V6 manual, coming across from Gleneagles to home @ Dunfermline through the Glendevon I came behind one pressing hard, the look on the guys face as I passed him going up hill. Keep the comments coming Ian.

Renault say that the cup does it in 6.8 auto express have had it down to 6.5, depends on the conditions I suppose.

Its craig by the way with the high pitch whine on the car.

It makes the noise in 2nd 3rd and 4th above 5500rpm, so I'm getting it looked at pronto. Luckily I'm not doing many miles at the moment so hopefully, any potential damage is kept to a minimum.

Should get fixed under warranty. Will report back.

GUYS!

I posted on here about a year back when I first bought my mk.1 172. I've been very pleased with it and it's gotten better and better with more miles (28,000+ now). You seem to have created a small community. I'm wondering if you've located this fine website that I frequent www.cliosport.net? it has a free discussion forum and it's very addictive. There's around 700 members, with about 60%+ being 172 owners. We share stories like you guys and chat about general clio stuff! I'm not advertising or anything by the way. It's free! I've been posting on there for over a year (about 2000 posts so far...). I can't believe you lot haven't seen it?

For those of you asking about clio clubs. This seems to be the one to join. They're currently on a europe trip, and have many 'meets' and track days. Frequenting santapod for 'comparisons', and there's lots of friendly rivalry between models of clios! particularly 16v, Williams and 172s!!! hehe.

Got a clio phase 2 172 sport. Beaten 2 new civic type Rs. One race was at southend and he ended blowing his head gasket trying to keep up, other was near dartford crossing. Been beaten by an S3, they are awesome. Beaten 2 clio cups and got stuffed by a stripped out clio cup that was running 250ish BHP. Mine has a special custom filter and runs on optimax, planning chip and prototype cam, then power boost valve to even the air to fuel flows. Gonna keep standard exhaust, but get a free flow cat pipe (not decat, legal, but cost 250).

Sounds like a Glendevon Challenge is on!

Ian, good to hear a man who know a good road one when he sees one. I used to drive the Yetts to Gleneagles everyday in my race prepared XR2. Took out a couple of big powered motors on the bends, and also scared my mate into the bargain!

I've got a Cup now, but unfortunately changed jobs. My daily run to work (and back), often ends up in a boring 130mph for 15miles or so. Miss the fun on the bends at 6am though!

Take it easy mate!

Mac.

To Gary: Any word about that exhaust yet mate?

You beat 2 clio cups, and blew away a civic type are and lost to an Audi S3. I own a clio cup and have beaten an S3 from stand still upto 120mph. I think that the clio cups were not giving it any, because the clio cup is half a second quicker to 60mph and around a second and a half upto 100mph than the phase 2 clio 172 sport. just read the figures in any magazine. Without a doubt the standard 172 is quick, but the cup is quicker and you can feel it. Handling is better, and so is the acceleration. The car weight 90kg's lighter unless the cup owner had 4 people in his car and you were in your car alone you might have a chance. Civic type r's are just as quick to 100mph like the cup and have a higher top speed of 146mph. I love the 172 but bought the cup because it was quicker, and better priced.

Stevie.

The dealer has my clio with the exhaust on at the moment. He is trying to sell it like that, but if he can't and it has to come off he is going to give me a ring. If he does we can sort something out. Don't worry mate you are first in the queue.

Gary.

To the comment about the cup 'v' the standard 172.

Not sure about your comment saying you will beat a standard 172 with a cup unless the cup has 4 people in it. I think the weight difference is only 90KG, everything else is the same. So ignoring the driver that means your other 3 cup passengers weigh 30 KG each. Where do you come from mate little people country?

Sorry couldnt resist that.

Gary.