Ollie's Silver Cup
Hey all, I came across this forum while browsing the 'net for information and advice on buying and running RS clio models; specifically the 172 cup and the 182. So, I thought the best thing to do would be join the site, have a look around the tech threads and ask for some help. 
I've been driving and modifying a SportKa for the past couple of years, which I've been very happy with.
The long-term plan for the car was to drop a bigger more powerful engine in it. The more I looked into it and attempted to budget for it, the more expensive and less desirable it seemed as an option. The car's become pretty impractical tbh, and I'm wanting something I can just get in, have fun in and ultimately enjoy driving.
Which led me to the Clio RS models; can get the performance I want in what appears to be a very drivable and enjoyable little car! I was initially looking at the 182 models (looking for something slightly newer than my SportKa) however, the more I searched and looked, the more I was interested in trying to find a 172 cup.
I understand the cup version had all the 'toys' removed, such as xenons,leather etc and benefited from slightly lower suspension, lighter wheels, etc. Mechanically though, in terms of the engine and other components, are the 172 and 172 cup the same?
Is there anything I should be specifically looking out for when viewing cars? Seems engine mounts wearing is something quite common, but I imagine this would be pretty straight forward to replace anyway and I've seen that uprated replacements are available?
I've found a couple of 172 cups quite local, which I'm hoping to get to view and hopefully drive sometime this week. Both are on 53 plates, which I guess would make them one of the last 172 cups and both are little under 40K miles. Very appealing, my only concern being that at their mileage would a cam-belt change be expected soon?
Any general advice on what's potentially problematic on these would be greatly appreciated, as well as any comments on running costs, maintenance, etc
Cheers in advance,
Olly.
I've been driving and modifying a SportKa for the past couple of years, which I've been very happy with.
The long-term plan for the car was to drop a bigger more powerful engine in it. The more I looked into it and attempted to budget for it, the more expensive and less desirable it seemed as an option. The car's become pretty impractical tbh, and I'm wanting something I can just get in, have fun in and ultimately enjoy driving.
Which led me to the Clio RS models; can get the performance I want in what appears to be a very drivable and enjoyable little car! I was initially looking at the 182 models (looking for something slightly newer than my SportKa) however, the more I searched and looked, the more I was interested in trying to find a 172 cup.
I understand the cup version had all the 'toys' removed, such as xenons,leather etc and benefited from slightly lower suspension, lighter wheels, etc. Mechanically though, in terms of the engine and other components, are the 172 and 172 cup the same?
Is there anything I should be specifically looking out for when viewing cars? Seems engine mounts wearing is something quite common, but I imagine this would be pretty straight forward to replace anyway and I've seen that uprated replacements are available?
I've found a couple of 172 cups quite local, which I'm hoping to get to view and hopefully drive sometime this week. Both are on 53 plates, which I guess would make them one of the last 172 cups and both are little under 40K miles. Very appealing, my only concern being that at their mileage would a cam-belt change be expected soon?
Any general advice on what's potentially problematic on these would be greatly appreciated, as well as any comments on running costs, maintenance, etc
Cheers in advance,
Olly.
