172’s

[Matt16v]

I know a fair old bit about MK1 Clios but I know bugger all about MK 2s!

What are the 172s like in terms of performance, how do the phase 1 and phase 2s differ?

What are the comfort levels like - what sort of standard equipment do they come with? I have never even been in one or found one to try and race with!

Thinking that if I get a payrise sometime this year I might get a phase 1 172.

Only thing that concerns me is that my valver really is a good drivers car and I have heard that the 172 has less personality and feel.

Any one owned both - I know Yozza said he prefered driving his valver.

 

[Weeman]

Well, Ive done 30,000+ in a year in mine, and its comfortable enough, equipment wise its got everything you need, and more than most. Performance is great, not as much fun to drive as our kids old willy 3, or my old valver, not quite the same personality, you get with older cars, but still best car Ive had imo.

 

[Matt16v]

When you say it lacks the fun of the valver/willy is that just because the 172 has become more refined or because its not as good at being chucked around?

Thats the most fun I get from mine, the fact that last week I flew past an M3 at silly speeds on a round-about that he could only dream of!

Also - how are 172s to modify - do larger wheels go strait on? IE the valver archs are easily big enough to put large wheels on to.

Is the rear suspension a torsion bar like mine or is it proper suspension with springs on?

Does the engine respond well to light modification?

And why the hell are 99.99999% of all phase 1 172s in bloody silver!

(No offence to any one with a silver 172 - I just hate silver cars!!)

 

[Daipac]

It is not as raw as the older cars, it is much more refined. I prefer newer cars so the 172 is what I went for.

17s go on with no problems if they are the correct offset. 18s can also go on but then you lose the performance.

The rear suspension is a proper suspension with springs.

As for engine mods..... an exhaust, de-cat, IK and R-Sport ECU (or similar) will see some good improvements for around £750.

Hope this helps.

 

[telford_mike]

!7" go straight on no problems. Its springs all round on the Clio 2 - no torsion bars! Engine responds well to exhuast & chip (e.g. Rsport ECU).

 

[George16v]

The silver aint too bad mate - I am not keen on Silver cars but when I saw mine in the flesh it had like a blue tinge to it.

Any way - they are springs all round and big wheels go in easily. Mines lowered45mm and I have 17s on. Dont get scraping even with 5 people and luggage in there.

Would go for the mk1 172, if you want fun. I had the cup and IMO it wasnt as fun as my current car which is a mk1 172.

Responsed quite well ti IKs as long as you go for the right one, ofcourse and the noise is excellent.

Exhausts also sound lovely on the 172 get a lovely burble from them when there warmed up.

Remaps dont make too much difference to performance increase in terms of power but the torque increase is wicked!

These are all the bits I have done to mine, so not sure about other stuff mate.

Good luck - I m sure if you go for it, you wont be disappointed

 

[Matt16v]

Am I right in thinking the backbox is disquised behind the bumper on the 172s?

Do aftermarket pipes require modification of the bumper to get the visable?

Any one got anything bad to say about them.

George - as much as I hate silver I know what you mean - it does suit the car. I also hate yellow but after seeing some pics of the new 182 in yellow it looks awsome.

 

[KDF]

Yes it is hidden as standard

No you dont have to cut, a lot of people have their exhaust slung under the bumper.

Too much bodyroll as standard but nothing some eibachs wont sort out.

Silver is the best colour.

 

[George16v]

Yeah,

that is growing on me. quite an aggressive yellow which helps

Here are a couple of pics of mine so you can check out the rear with an exhaust

http://www.boltlightning.co.uk/lemanstrip/images/Y1161.jpg

http://www.boltlightning.co.uk/lemanstrip/images/Y1164.jpg

It has a few more mods since these pics. like colour coding and splitters etc.

Have to colour code the side bits IMO - I have put the silver mk2 side strips on now.

Also you see what I mean about lowering with big wheels, absolutely fine

 

[Matt16v]

Have to wait and see what I get on terms of payrise and then take one for a test drive I think.

Seen a few MK1s going for £5 - £5.5k which is alot of car for the money.

Reckon I could get £2k plus for mine, if I sold it with the ICE then perhaps alot more.

Which brings me to another question - the standard stereo - is it any good on the newer Clios? Wouldnt want to let mine go then find that Im gonna have to spend another small fortune on ICE.

The old ones were awful 4w grammar phone style things I think!

Thanks for your opinions guys by the way.

 

[m_darby]

does the 172 Mk 1 come with a CD changer as standard and the heat reflective windscreen (purple in appearance)?

 

[telford_mike]

yes and no.

 

[telford_mike]

Quote: Originally posted by Matt16v on 10 May 2004


Which brings me to another question - the standard stereo - is it any good on the newer Clios? Wouldnt want to let mine go then find that Im gonna have to spend another small fortune on ICE.

The old ones were awful 4w grammar phone style things I think!

if you are into your sounds youll find the standard one is poo unfortunately.

 

[Matt16v]

/\ bummer to the sounds!

No ones mentioned the actual differences between phase 1s and phase 2s?

Is it mechanically the same? Is the interior any different?

I wouldnt mind some more pics (phase 1s) if any ones bored, espcially in colours other than silver as I dont see many.

George - yours looks nice mate, not keen on Lex but each to their own!

 

[m_darby]

I test drove a mark 1, mark 2, a cup and a 182 cup. On normal test drives I could not tell the difference in perfomance. In the end it came down to cash. do i buy a cup/ 172 mkII for 9k, a new 182 for 13k or a MkI for a bit less than a cup/mkII 172.

Eventually I bought a low mileage MkI with 15k on the clock for around 7k. I Repaired the altinator and gave it a major service. Not looked back since. Goes like stink but I do prefer the MkII look as i own a dCi mkII.

 

[telford_mike]

Mechanically very similar. Mk2 has more toys - auto Xenons, auto wipers, 16" wheels, climate control. Mk1 has nicer seats (IMO - coloured stitching on the logo), proper OZ wheels (15").

A lot of it comes down to which one you think looks nicer.

 

[m_darby]

it comes down to cost, age, mileage and condition. I think people on here argue over niggling points which are irelavant. They are after all-- all clios

 

[Matt16v]

Think the MK2 looks nicer but out of my price range.

Could only go to say £6k at a push as would have to borrow the difference from what mine could sell for.

Thats all dependent on how much of a pay rise I get (knowing this place Ill get a pay cut)

 

[Matt16v]

Also what other cars would come in to that price range that wouldnt be overly extravegent to insure?

Id like a scooby or a saphire cossie but the insurance is outrageous!

Ill be 23 soon with 2yncb.

 

[KDF]

More than 50% of the parts were changed/improved between the mk1 172 and the mk2 172.

 

[m_darby]

i was also looking at evos or importing a jap car but it would be much older, more expensive to fix cos it is beyond my capabilites and at 23 myself more to insure.