197 Road Presence

[LIL B]

200 and 197 are the same width?

 

[Munson]

200 and 197 are the same width?

Yeah. They're the same car but with ruined styling for the facelift.

 

[LIL B]

:approve:

 

[Gally]

There is a standard Albi Blue one local to me. Looks so good.

 

[Jcs]

Picked mine up yesterday, was exepecting it to look tiny next to my mates leon

But obviously not <3

 

[Sir_Dave]

Picked mine up yesterday, was exepecting it to look tiny next to my mates leon

Unfortunately i guess thats why they are soo slow/thirsty?! They really need the engine from the Megane to make any sense really ...

 

[Jcs]

Defo. As with all or most small cars these days, they are now medium size and pretty heavy.

For an every day car, it suits me well though, so I'm happy enough.

 

[Gaz_]

But they're not slow? They are on par....

Few years ago in my albi I had a wee tussel with a 172 cup and had the legs on it. Wasnt trying?? He came on here and said fair play the 197 had the legs on it. (ill dig out the link after if i remember) Granted, they are more thirsty, I average 30mpg.


Like all Renaultsports, you get good and bad ones, and your trophy is/was modded/worn smooth is it not?

Que the yeahbutno brigade

 

[Jcs]

I look forward to having road legal tyres on mine. Then I can tell if it's quick or not.

 

[Gaz_]

Decent ones, no ditchfinder 2000's, stick to Conti imo

 

[Sir_Dave]

But they're not slow? They are on par....

On a par with a car designed 5 years previously, wheres the progress

I just found mine lacked any type of movment below 4-5k - cant remember which exactly, & strangely seemed to have far less torque than the 1*2's ive had. Weight will have a part to play in that though im sure. I'll be honest, i was absolutely gutted with mine, cant stand the look of the R26, so i thought the 197/200 would be an ideal replacement for the T & M3.

It just wasnt

Maybe ill try again with a red 200 in the future (when they get down to £6k or so), but just make sure its cammed, or turbo'd ...

 

[Munson]

They're not slow. I was just trolling with my comment. But IMO they do suffer from a very noticeable lack of poke. They feel slow (slower than a 182), which is more important to me than the outcome of some charvery 'race'.

 

[philmots]

They don't half need some stirring to get going, but they're not slow! I'd say similar to a standard Megane when in the right gear.

I'm averaging about 33-34mpg out of mine. They're crap on the motorway as they rev stupidly high (hence why the M3 will of done better MPG's) but pottering about it's pretty efficient IMO.

Do agree the 197 looks better, though!

 

[MarkCup]

But they're not slow? They are on par....

Got to say my experience across several trackdays comparing against 172s, 182s, Tropy's etc. is that there's nothing to separate my 200 from any of them in a straight line.

I don't doubt a MkII would 'launch' quicker and they're definitely a little more nimble through the really tight 2nd gear corners, but beyond that, the pace is near enough identical.

Slow they're definitely not slow so long as you work them hard.

 

[Jcs]

Decent ones, no ditchfinder 2000's, stick to Conti imo

Came with hero's all round. Any tyre made by cadbury isn't good.

A pair of hancook v12s on the way. See how I get on.

 

[banderson]

I loved how 'wide' my 197 was - loved looking in the side mirrors and seeing the rear three quarters bulging outwards.

I loved this on my old valver! When polished up, seeing the horizon bending around the arch in the reflection of my mirror! Lol was such a tiny car in comparison to 'small hatches' these days lol

I love the 197's picture do them no justice as been said. An RB lives down my mates road and every time I see it I just love the stance! See and albi outside my work the other week too, lowered and black wheels! Looked epic

 

[Matt W]

This really isn't helping to take my mind off picking up my 200 tomorrow.

 

[plymcl172]

I would say that the 197/200 looks good on the road but when I think about all the problems they have I am very happy to stick with my 172!

I would never buy a 197/200. They look good yeah, saying that the inside isnt far away enough from a non Renaultsport in my view. The inside of a car is very important to me and hey lets face it is where you spend all of your time !

 

[Matt W]

All the problems?

 

[Chrisgti6]

Show me a 3+ year old french car that doesn't have a 'quirk' of some sort....

The 197/200 is no worse thatn any other car for 'problems'

 

[MarkCup]

They look good yeah, saying that the inside isnt far away enough from a non Renaultsport in my view.

What isn't Renaultsport enough about it?

 

[Chrisgti6]

Recaro's make the interior of the 197's. Without them they are pretty plain IMO.

 

[plymcl172]

What isn't Renaultsport enough about it?

I have sat in one just felt like i was in a 1.2 :boring:

Problems I mean compare the 197/200 with a 1*2! not up to scratch IMO

 

[MarkCup]

I have sat in one just felt like i was in a 1.2 :boring:

Problems I mean compare the 197/200 with a 1*2! not up to scratch IMO

I don't understand that...a 1*2 interior is exactly the same...with the exception of the seats, the interior could be a lowly 1.2 with climate.

 

[Paul4d]

ha when i was looking to buy my 197 i sat in a 182 and thought i was in works kangoo van 197 is a much nicer place to be tbh.

 

[Munson]

A 172 is hardly a race car inside though is it? s**t chairs and a truly terrible steering wheel.

 

[LIL B]

"the inside isnt far away enough from a non Renaultsport in my view."

Of the 197 or 200 mk I guess, so he's correct.

 

[Knuckles]

Aren't the interiors of non RS mk3s very pov; unpainted dash trims/centre console, nasty dash, nasty steering wheel, pov door cards, no recaros etc etC

and no start button

 

[Chapppers11]

The Chairs and chunky steering wheel are enough to convince me tbh.

 

[MarkCup]

The Chairs and chunky steering wheel are enough to convince me tbh.

You, me and a few others only are convinced. This ^^^^ is just like interior of a 1.2 apparently.

 

[Knuckles]

You, me and a few others only are convinced. This ^^^^ is just like interior of a 1.2 apparently.

Decemt specced 1.2 right there

 

[mjf93]

But a 2002 172 cup is as fast as a 2012 clio 200, how is that advancement? And probably slower round a track due too more weight etc.

 

[czechplastik]

Ah the 197. I going to bite the bullet and go for a 200 but having looked at these photos the 197 is much much prettier.

My old Albi was gorgeous, anyone selling?

 

[plymcl172]

A 172 is hardly a race car inside though is it? s**t chairs and a truly terrible steering wheel.

never said a 'race car' did i ? I dont like the inside of a 197 ! Doesnt appeal to me

 

[Jordi17]

200 is much more of a looker/more road presence. everything about it is better visually IMO. I did like the 197, but the 200 makes it look dated. Everything from the gloss black rear diffuser, to the front end.

 

[Gaz_]

But a 2002 172 cup is as fast as a 2012 clio 200, how is that advancement? And probably slower round a track due too more weight etc.

But why does it have to be quicker?

You could argue that a 172 isnt that much quicker than a Williams which is nearly 20 years old. Its kept the same pace on purpose. The Clio and maybe the MINI have had the same sort of figures since the early 2000's... if you want quicker, you go up the manufactures range. Its as simple as that.

 

[Gaz_]

The 197 front is better looking, for sure.

The back looks SO weedy in comparison though. They need the 200's diffuser and badges. And no daft ironing board spoiler.

Fat b*stard.

It doesn't look any different other than its got a set of Pat Butchers earrings hanging off it?

 

[EdV6220]

I thought the same

 

[Knuckles]

meh, couple of tips and a clean diffuser... There's not much in it between the 197 and 200 imo

It doesn't look any different other than its got a set of Pat Butchers earrings hanging off it?

Lol!

 

[theduck]

On a par with a car designed 5 years previously, wheres the progress

I just found mine lacked any type of movment below 4-5k - cant remember which exactly, & strangely seemed to have far less torque than the 1*2's ive had. Weight will have a part to play in that though im sure. I'll be honest, i was absolutely gutted with mine, cant stand the look of the R26, so i thought the 197/200 would be an ideal replacement for the T & M3.

It just wasnt

Maybe ill try again with a red 200 in the future (when they get down to £6k or so), but just make sure its cammed, or turbo'd ...

Thats because they do have less torque.

As much as its not as nice a place to sit, I much prefer my ph1 to drive then the 197.