2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup from UK and Ireland - Comments

Hello to everyone. In response to all what has been posted above, I have the following to say:

1. In terms of Cup Vs. Standard Sport: Go for the sport. ABS is very likely to save your behind in a critical situation. I was once driving my 172 on a 4 lane (2 in each direction) highway, with a concrete median. I was doing about 140km/hr in the fast lane when suddenly a guy driving a Toyota Land Cruiser (and talking on the phone) swerved from the right lane half-was into my lane, making it impossible to pass him from either left or right. Let's make it this way, he was no more than 30 meters ahead of me, driving at no more than 40-60km/hr. That is once scenario where ABS saved the day! Without it I probably would not have been here to write this today!

2. In terms of performance modifications: The standard car performs so well, you really don't NEED any mods. But if you are a power junky (like myself) I would recommend an induction kit as a first modification. The standard induction system on the 172 is extremely restrictive and some people have seen as much as 15+HP gains just by installing a cold-air induction kit. Replacing the stock exhaust system is really not worth the money because the stock system is relatively free flowing and HP gains are not spectacular and cost way more $/HP vs. Induction modifications. Also, ECU/software upgraded are very effective in terms of cost and HP gains, but don't do the ECU before doing a cold-air induction kit. The ECU upgrade is twice as effective if you already have the induction kit.

I know someone who has installed a strut-tower brace in the front and in the back. In the back, this can be argued either way, but in the front you are truly wasting your money because although the car lacks this component in stock form, the engine block itself is a laterally stressed memeber and does the job of this brace already.

3. Driving the Sport 172, and being unable to out accelerate other cars is very highly dependent upon your driving technique. The car gets widely varying acceleration curves with different shift points and methods. For example, off the line, a sliding clutch drop from around 2500-3000RPM gives the best results. Less revs will bog down the engine and more revs cause too much traction loss. Never attempt clutchless shifting because the synchromesh is actually quite slow and you may row the gears. In first and second gears, shift around 6750-7000RPM. Don't bother revving past 6500 any higher gears because you will actually lose acceleration. When shifting from first to second, just after you depress the clutch and move the shifter into second, slam the gas and then dump the clutch for best acceleration surge (and make sure you are in a very smooth straight line otherwise you may skid sideways and lose control). If you shift like this, you should be able to hit 100km/hr in the low 6s range and 160km/hr in the low 18s or high 17s. A quarter mile should be completed in about 15.2-15.3s.

Cheers and drive on! And, ALWAYS wear your seat belt :)

I've had my Clio Cup since June 04 and I have to say it's the most thrilling drive I've ever had. I owned a Punto Sporting before hand and for a 1.2 16v engine it was quite fast. But as soon as I got to grips with the Cup the fiat was long forgotten about. I'd say it was the best to drive out of the cars I tested the day I bought it. (Civic Type R, Focus ST170!!! and Mini Cooper S)

Is the 182 sport or the 182 Cup quicker than the 172 Cup??

I've got a 182... from what I've read, the 182 is more or less on par with the 172 Cup, but has all the toys. The 182 Cup is only very marginally quicker because unlike the 172, theres not much difference in weight between the standard one and the cup version.

In reply to the previous posts, that's all rubbish, you do no gain 10-15bhp from an induction kit your lucky to gain 2-3bhp!!!and you Won't get 60bhp from a ecu and induction kit!!! the cup can be abit skid-dish in the wet, but you got to learn how to drive in the current conditions. the 182/182 cup is not as fast as the 172 cup, this is because the 172 cup, even tho its got 10bhp less, still had a better bhp per ton figure than the 182/182 cup!! if you want the extra 10bhp, get a 182 manifold and then a custom performance exhaust system, not any of the peco crap you get at motorman!!

In all the cup is an amazing car, there is little on the road that will touch it for handling and acceleration. you would be hard pushed t get a better performing car for under 14k!!

If you want raw performance ad you don't mind no toys go for the cup, if not get the standard 172!

Iam thinking of buying clio cup, but the car is registered on irish plate and has climate control and is a irish car.Isthere anything else different from uk spec ie. warranty etc is this car classed as an import the car is based in leeds I much need some help.The car is 2003 in blue.

After reading the post about the 172 cup being quicker than the pulsars and scoobys and only being beaten by the porche 911 I had to laugh!

I do own a 172 sport, not cup and my previous car was scooby, and to be honest the 172 doesn't touch the subaru on performance or reliability. But I'm not saying the 172 isn't quick as I wouldn't of purchased it and it is a nice car to drive, but unfortunatly its not in the same league as the subaru, evo, or any other japanese turbo.

Only good around a track. but who races around a track. Not as quick as type-r, astra gsi, rs focus.

Chassis can't handle more than 190bhp any major mods sacrifice handling and reliability.

Help! I moved to Perth, Western Australia 9 months ago from the UK. After a few months I decided to buy a Clio Cup 172. The reviews I read were awesome, in fact the car is awesome apart from one thing. I haven't been able to drive it for the past 6 weeks because there is a problem with the immobilizer! The Renault dealership here in Perth have had the car for the 6 weeks, but have not been able to fix the problem! Has anyone experienced the problem whereby the key does not deactivate the immobilizer? If so, please, could you let me know how the problem was fixed? I'm getting desperate and more broke with everyday that passes!

After reading the comments about the type R being quicker than the clio I had to step in and correct you. The clio cup is faster than the type R. 5K less and quicker. I'm not saying that the Honda is a bad car because I love the styling and looks of the R, but I know for sure its no way quicker than the cup.

Ta ta!!

I would go for the Honda each time. The Type R is a legend amongst hot hatches and you get the Honda build quality. Have you seen the 2006 CTR?

Have to admit the Clio 197 looks good to, but I would definitely stick with the Honda. Some Honda lovers have commented on the forthcoming Type R here: http://www.2talkabout.com/honda.

You all need to join www.cliosport.net and you may learn a few things about the clio etc some decent guys on there kow there stuff :-)

To 16th Jul 2006, 15:40.

What on earth do you think you're talking about saying the Clio is faster than a Type R?

Civic type R 0-60 6.6

Clio 172 0-60 7.2

Clio 182 Cup 0-60 6.9

I used to own a Type R, and it's superior in every way to the french Renault; they shouldn't even be compared together.

If you check Parkers, the 0-60 time is 6.4 for the Type R, which is rapid.

2 of my friends have civic type R's.

At santapod they can only manage 15.6 & 15.8 seconds 1/4 miles.

I doubt you will get the claimed 0-60 of 6.6 seconds let alone the made up figure of 6.4 seconds.

It is hard to get traction in the civic type R's.

And yes I am talking about the EP3.

Well talking of Type Rs, how about the DC2 Integra Type R? The same 197bhp as the Civic, but using a smaller 1.8 engine instead of the 2.0 that deals with 0-60 in 6.2 seconds due mainly to it being lighter than the Civic at only 1060kg for the JDM model, which is the one I have.

And here is the link on Youtube showing not 1 but 2 standard DC2's; one 96 spec, and one 98 spec, completing the standing quarter mile in identical times of 14.207 seconds with proper timing gear, and 2 drivers who know how to use the car.