182 Ownership - My thoughts

[kev_cav]

Hi All,

I dont post on here much at all mainly read so i thought i would give some thoughts back.....

Owned a 182 for a while now. Was purchased for a winter runabout untill sun comes out again and a summer car can be purchased.

Car spec,,,,,,

2005 Clio 182,
Black Gold,
Xeon Lamps,
Both cup packs,
41k Miles,
Climate control,
etc etc

A little bit about myself.....

I am 25 years old had pritty much every thing within reason over the years from tvr's m3's Loads of Vx220's etc and was on the look out for a winter runabout after my last VX220 sold as the weather was closing in.

The shortlist was pritty much anything with a decent spec and some sort of power so a bit of fun could be had over winter (focus rs, 182,172,Honda CTR, Golf anniversary etc etc etc)
I narrowed the search down to a few Type R's and and the clio. I had never driven the clio before so i took a punt on it and went to collect it after a long discussion with the previous owner (woman).

My thoughts on the car.....

Firstly this is the first french car i have had and run on a regualr basis. Had about 12 106 gti;s (used to buy and sell/break a few) and although an impressive little toy id describe it as a young persons car and the gearbox etc and constant problems with them left a lot to be desired.

I picked the car up and satrted the long Journey home (200 miles).
My first thoughts were not to impressive. Heavy clutch, Typical french car feel, Awkward seating position,suspention quite stiff etc etc etc.

Engine wise i thought it was a bit lacking in power, Nothing really seemed to happen untill 4k revs upwards.

I perseivered with the car as i was stuck with it over the winter now and was no way hunting for another one.

A few more weeks and i have become a little less harsh on the old girl.
Handling which is first found very neutral feeling and didnt know how to take the car i have become used to and its a quite capable little machine.
I have finally found a nice seating position which i am comfertuble with and starting to enjoy the car now.

Final thoughts.......

All is going well at the minute with it and i am quite enjoying it. Love the looks and paint in the sun its a great colour.

Although quite brief i thought i woudl share my thoughts! Does anyone have anything to add???

Pros!!!

Very capable little car,
Quite highly speced for the money,
Good build quality,
Handling is quite capable,
Love the looks of it (no TVR though)
Quite nippy

Cons!!!

Clutch quite heavy but im aware its a Renault thing,
Its french! ha

 

[Rocky_24]

the heavy clutch is one of the best thing about the car

 

[El Marko]

you get used to the heavy clutch and seating position within weeks and then it becomes normal.

 

[kev_cav]

Yes as i have mentioned it has become normal now,

I totally disagree i have had my sports cars and the heavy clutch is not a nice feature in my opinion it offers nothing in the way of anything to the car apart from being a pain,

Its quite snappy which is nice but theres no need for it to be that heavy, my TVR was a competition clutch and felt much nicer but was on hydrolics setup. I take it the 182 is a cable by the weight of it?

 

[davebem]

Every time you go back to another car thats got a light clutch you will be stamping it down to the floor now..

 

[EngineerD]

Good build quality

Not many people say that!! I certainly don't lol

 

[Christopher]

Yeah, it's a cable setup, so not the best. It squeaks in the summer too.

Glad you're enjoying it.

 

[R20 CWH]

Yeah, it's a cable setup, so not the best. It squeaks in the summer too.

Glad you're enjoying it.

farts a bit too if you ask it nicely

 

[172RT]

I find that the heavy clutch gets really annoying when sitting in stop-start traffic, but when on the open road it feels fine to me.
Build quality wise it's no Rolls Royce but I find it acceptable. In a way it's good that they're not well made because if they were they'd no doubt be heavier and worse to drive. I think it's impressive how much kit these cars come with as standard though e.g auto Xenon lights, Climate Control, auto wipers, electric everything.

 

[kev_cav]

Not many people say that!! I certainly don't lol

Where is the quality bad then compared to other hatchbacks,

Unless yours is a bad example????

Mine put together very nicely!

Yeah clutch in traffic is heavy and annoying but fine on open stretchs!