2003 Renault Clio Sport 172 from UK and Ireland - Comments

The exterior passenger door handle wasn't flush with the bodywork.

The drivers side interior door trim had a damaged clip so wasn't in properly.

The drivers car mat has a hole in.

Everything was sorted under warranty and Renault replaced all of the mats, not just the drivers.

Love it. Looks smart, especially in Flame Red. The engine doesn't have much pulling power lower down the rev range, but when it hits 4000rpm the car thrusts forward. It will happily cruise above the legal motorway limit and still return about 45mpg, with power in reserve.

The interior is very comfortable with the alcantara and leather. The climate control is very handy in the summer. The xenons are excellent. Not keen on the auto wipers though. The brakes are very strong with ABS and traction control as standard.

The first service (12000 miles) I got at 11750miles and was cheaper than for my old Fiat Cinq Sporting. It cost £148 which I think is very good for a 2litre car. The Renault dealer I use are also very helpful and friendly.

My car has had an Ecotek valve and a K&N induction kit fitted to provide a it more power and they really do. Modifications also don't invalidate the warranty, but the parts you have had fitted obviously won't be covered.

Originally I was going to get the Mini Cooper S, but that would have come close to £20k to spec up to what the 172 has.

Am well pleased.

Just want to know if anyone out there is battling with the same question as I am..?

I'm undecided as to which clio to go for. Either the standard 172 or the specialist 172 Cup?

Is there a major difference between the two in terms of the driving experience? I'm fully aware that the Cup is a stripped out version - that I can live with. My concerns really are to do with the braking of the 172. I've got a 106 GTI at the moment, and constantly depend on the ABS brakes, so it would seem that id go for the 172. But then, the Cup looks 10 times better than a 'normal' 172...but it doesn't have the ABS. Whats it like in the wet for example?

Any help whatsoever would be appreciated, as I know that you really are the only guys out there that know (apart from the sales people are who are more £££ orientated!)

In response to the above re what Clio to buy, I bought the 'standard' 172 because of the extra safety and comfort. ABS and ESP (traction control) make the car handle very well especially in the wet. It also comes with 4 airbags. If you go for the Cup, you will not get these. You will also not notice any difference in performance between the two unless maybe you took them out on to a track.

Go for the non-Cup. You'll not regret it.

The best way to find out what peope think of their 172/Cup is to visit www.cliosport.net and join the discussion forum everyone there is v. helpful and the site is generally very informative.

The cup can be a little jumpy in the wet and you'll have problems taking off from junctions if you try to do it quickly whilst it's damp under foot.

Cups look so muck better than the normal 172s and you'll not miss the ABS, I've not managed to lock the wheels up. I think if you do you're really driving way too fast. Having never had any equipment on my old car I don't miss it not having air con etc. If you're old car was specced up to the eyeballs I think you should opt for the 172.

If you constantly rely on your current ABS system then you will struggle to cope with the Clio Cup. It can be a bit of a handful if you not used to driving performance cars. The Clio Sport is by far the better choice. It is far more comfortable on day to day driving and you have the extra safety feature of ABS. Whichever one you do go for though, be careful, as if you currently rely on ABS, you will end up crashing or in jail for speeding, or breaking to late and hitting the car in front.

Great cars though. My brother has the sport. Only complaint is typical Renault-rattling of interior and strange grinding noise at low revs which I cannot ascertain at the moment. Renault dealers are no help what so ever!

Have fun.

Hello. I own a 172 Cup and I am having problems with rear left brake. It does not seem to be working. Failed first MOT for low reading. Rear right seems to be binding now.