Opinions needed on Renaultsport Clio 197 - got it!

[dario]

I'm on the look for a road / track car.

I use to own a Radical SR3 1500 track car for 4 years and it was lots of fun to own and drive. I doubt i ever got to grips completely with its handling in all the time i owned it, but ultimately when i was made redundant the running costs were just outrageous.

Before that i use to use my E85 on track and that was ok, but thrashing your pride and joy around a track and toasting expensive tyres every 6K miles and the brakes never quite being up to the mark along with the suspension etc, etc……

I have the 35i, but there is no way i want to kill tho car as i want to keep it for some considerable time.

I thinking about the car in the title and would appreciate some views and feedback regarding this model. It looks up to the job with the CUP chassis, but I don't know. Model year 2008-10 is the sort of car i'm thinking of.

Dario

 

[shotbybothsides]

I had a 57 plate 197 non cup from new before the Z,
It's a great chassis, probably the best FWD I have driven, but it needed to be thrashed up to the red line to make any decent progress.
Steering is vague until you get to illegal speeds but that won't be a problem on track, and the standard pads are poor and overheat after a couple of big stops, ie 100mph into hairpins.
Build quality is actually quite good, much better than previous Clios, but I only did 15k, and I heard the Cat converter failed just after I sold it.
As a fun road car it's OK, but It wouldn't be my choice for trackdays but it'll cost a lot less than the radical.
Good luck with the search/choice

 

[NeilP]

e36 m3.

(another incredibly helpful post from me)

 

[dario]

I had a 57 plate 197 non cup from new before the Z,
It's a great chassis, probably the best FWD I have driven, but it needed to be thrashed up to the red line to make any decent progress.
Steering is vague until you get to illegal speeds but that won't be a problem on track, and the standard pads are poor and overheat after a couple of big stops, ie 100mph into hairpins.
Build quality is actually quite good, much better than previous Clios, but I only did 15k, and I heard the Cat converter failed just after I sold it.
As a fun road car it's OK, but It wouldn't be my choice for trackdays but it'll cost a lot less than the radical.
Good luck with the search/choice

Thanks for this opinion

e36 m3.

(another incredibly helpful post from me)

Like the idea, but I don't want that old a car and I just fancy front drive and a hatch back for a change.

Besides i need a front drive car for the snow when it comes as both my RWD cars are just useless in the snow.

Also, after the Radical i swore that i would not have an open car in the UK as a track car. you so need a heater, wipers and i don't want that whole trailer / tow vehicle saga all over again. it was painful.

 

[Rob_benton]

The 182 always comes out better as the drivers car in comparison tests as it's a lighter car. And I believe is quicker.

I would be tempted in that. Or how about a type r ? Bullet proof and you can use the vtec on the track, unlike on the road without breaking the limit.

 

[dario]

The 182 always comes out better as the drivers car in comparison tests as it's a lighter car. And I believe is quicker.

I would be tempted in that. Or how about a type r ? Bullet proof and you can use the vtec on the track, unlike on the road without breaking the limit.

Hmmm Type R. Didn't think of that.

 

[original guvnor]

Is the Megane R26R out of budget?

 

[dario]

Is the Megane R26R out of budget?

I don't know if is out of the budget, but I did fancy one when it first came along. Getting in and out was quite difficult as I am "big boned. Also hips were a real tight squeeze for the standard race seats. Possibly too focussed, but well see.


EDIT… just checked cost or R26R and i don't want to spend that much. max £6-8k would be just fine.

 

[shotbybothsides]

I know trailers are a hassle but have you thought about hillclimb and sprints with a bike engined single seater, OMS etc ?
Relatively cheap on upkeep if you are reasonably practical as you do so few miles in anger, but you're competing, and in a proper racing car with slicks and downforce.

 

[dario]

I know trailers are a hassle but have you thought about hillclimb and sprints with a bike engined single seater, OMS etc ?
Relatively cheap on upkeep if you are reasonably practical as you do so few miles in anger, but you're competing, and in a proper racing car with slicks and downforce.

the trailer route was such a hassle fir me and competition is the tastes way to spend money. I'm involved around the periphery and i've seen first hand what goes on. also, i know from this that in unite a few forms of motorsport time on track is so limited in many formulas.

i just want to have fun and chill a little. its a good idea, but not for me any more.

 

[oli445]

Racing Puma gets my vote!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312270702788/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/radius/1500/quicksearch/true/model/puma/page/1/make/ford/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/bl67hp?logcode=p

Older than you are looking but a great track car. I had one for 5 years and can vouch that the official 0-60 and top speed published figures are not accurate. At launch, they sent a 172, an Integra type R DC2 and a racing puma (FRP) round a track and the FRP comfortably won.

VERY fun car, pops and cracks on lift off, awesome 4 pot alcons (no dirt seals so need maintenance) standard Eibachs and Sparco's, all numbered (500 made and sold for £23k at a loss) and less than 300 left so won't lose money (as long as it's well maintained).

Will have no probs keeping up/going past a 197 but is so much more special :driving:

PS the one in the link looks a dog but it's the only one on autotrader at the moment - £5k should buy a decent one with all the original bits, just takes a bit of patience.

 

[dario]

Racing Puma gets my vote!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312270702788/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/radius/1500/quicksearch/true/model/puma/page/1/make/ford/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/bl67hp?logcode=p

Older than you are looking but a great track car. I had one for 5 years and can vouch that the official 0-60 and top speed published figures are not accurate. At launch, they sent a 172, an Integra type R DC2 and a racing puma (FRP) round a track and the FRP comfortably won.

VERY fun car, pops and cracks on lift off, awesome 4 pot alcons (no dirt seals so need maintenance) standard Eibachs and Sparco's, all numbered (500 made and sold for £23k at a loss) and less than 300 left so won't lose money (as long as it's well maintained).

Will have no probs keeping up/going past a 197 but is so much more special :driving:

PS the one in the link looks a dog but it's the only one on autotrader at the moment - £5k should buy a decent one with all the original bits, just takes a bit of patience.

Hmmm not heard of a racing puma before. It could be a possibility, but additional maintenance is not what i want at this stage. The radical could not be left alone, so would prefer a car something like a GT3. Take it to the shops, drive it to and from the track, turn your back on it and is a car that behaves itself. PS not GT3 budget.

 

[FunkyMunky]

Gearboxes are known to be an issue on the 197/200 - the 08 cars have revised gear ratios, whereas the earlier ones have ratios that mean you are always wanting to change gear due to their high revvy nature.

Handling wise, much more planted and stable than a 182 - but a 182 is more fun and raw/involving in my opinion - I've had 3 182s and a 197, going back to 182s at various points in time owing to them being such value and fun.

Consumables on a 197 will be slightly more - bigger tyres, brembo brakes. 182 with a set of 15's fitted is even more fun!

 

[dario]

Gearboxes are known to be an issue on the 197/200 - the 08 cars have revised gear ratios, whereas the earlier ones have ratios that mean you are always wanting to change gear due to their high revvy nature.

Handling wise, much more planted and stable than a 182 - but a 182 is more fun and raw/involving in my opinion - I've had 3 182s and a 197, going back to 182s at various points in time owing to them being such value and fun.

Consumables on a 197 will be slightly more - bigger tyres, brembo brakes. 182 with a set of 15's fitted is even more fun!

Thats very useful information. Thanks

 

[oli445]

Racing Puma gets my vote!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312270702788/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/radius/1500/quicksearch/true/model/puma/page/1/make/ford/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/bl67hp?logcode=p

Older than you are looking but a great track car. I had one for 5 years and can vouch that the official 0-60 and top speed published figures are not accurate. At launch, they sent a 172, an Integra type R DC2 and a racing puma (FRP) round a track and the FRP comfortably won.

VERY fun car, pops and cracks on lift off, awesome 4 pot alcons (no dirt seals so need maintenance) standard Eibachs and Sparco's, all numbered (500 made and sold for £23k at a loss) and less than 300 left so won't lose money (as long as it's well maintained).

Will have no probs keeping up/going past a 197 but is so much more special :driving:

PS the one in the link looks a dog but it's the only one on autotrader at the moment - £5k should buy a decent one with all the original bits, just takes a bit of patience.

Hmmm not heard of a racing puma before. It could be a possibility, but additional maintenance is not what i want at this stage. The radical could not be left alone, so would prefer a car something like a GT3. Take it to the shops, drive it to and from the track, turn your back on it and is a car that behaves itself. PS not GT3 budget.

When I said the brakes needed to be maintained, I meant be weary of one that hasn't had them serviced - once every 10k is fine for track use.

There is a site called pumapeople.com that is a bit like here but hardly any members - there is a guy on their called Eldooderino that will sort the brakes out as good as new for a couple of hundred ££ - and fit nitrous with a progressive controller for not much more.

I covered 30,000 in my FRP, they don't need any more maintenance than any other car I have owned

Ps - I had an FRP when I did a track day in a 182 cup. In the Clio I just wished I was driving the FRP.

Drive one and you will buy it :driving:

Ps Ps - the guy that bought mine was going to purely track it - his daily driver was a 911

 

[oli445]

Missing mine now!



It was for sale (cheap) recently -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-RACING-PUMA-1-7-16V-2000-NUMBER-445-OF-500-/321169351225?nma=true&si=vEfl80qkazp5eP%252BQYAG1r4wBlG4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

One thing about low number productions means you can track them down easily!

 

[James button]

I had a fiesta zetec s with a frp lump and gear box in, was such good fun! used to pop and bang in overun everytime i let off!

 

[Stuart Truman]

Have you had dealings with Jonathan Palmer through your business? They were running new Clio Cups as a part of their track fleet and they are huge fun.

As said, they need hammering to get the best out of them but being a regular car on the Palmersport fleet is a good ad for them

 

[dario]

Have you had dealings with Jonathan Palmer through your business? They were running new Clio Cups as a part of their track fleet and they are huge fun.

As said, they need hammering to get the best out of them but being a regular car on the Palmersport fleet is a good ad for them

Cheers for this Stuart. I don't have any connection with Palmer sport as they have all their in-car filming done in house.

I'm now trying to see if it might be a 200 with a cup chassis to get the more modern car and all of the nice to have goodies.

Still have to drive one before making any sort of decision.

 

[Mowflow]

I would buy something that someone had spent a bit of money on converting for track use but was still road legal so there was no need to trailer. My reasoning is that £8K spent on a hot hatch that is still factory will not only be a compromise in the fun stakes but will also be money down the drain. Think about it.... would you buy a used Renault for say, £5K that had been someone's track slag?

Failing that I'd go for a much cheaper older car. But then, tinkering with the oily bits is my idea of fun.