Clio 182/197 built quality vs megane 225

[Nix]

Hi guys, im looking for a nice little man car for my hubby, as a surprise for his birthday and i know back in the day he LOVED his renault 5 gt turbo so i thought id get him another Renault but i admit i don't know much about them.

I like to know first off whats the interior built quality like in the clio 197/182 vs the megane 225? hes abit anal about interiors lol
And what about the 182, are those still worth considering?
reliability in general, are all these sounds cars? ive read some people have issues with the megane 225 but others then say yhey are great so im not sure if its just the Internet blowing it out of proportion.
as a fun factor, is there anyone in particular thats more fun to drive? without sacrificing to much comfort.
Any advice you guys could give me would be great.
thanks -nicola

 

[Knuckles]

You're winning at wifing.

197/200s are fairly well put together inside, although the seat bolsters suffer really bad wear if you don't climb into them.

This will tell you the difference between standard cars and cup packed cars and what options to look for to make them more livable

http://www.cliosport.net/threads/197-200-model-guide.764458/

And this is a whinge about how they suck at being daily drivers

http://www.cliosport.net/threads/is-the-clio-197-200-a-poor-daily.783692/

 

[ADS_V6]

@imprezaworks

 

[Bluebeard]

What's your budget?

If he loved his Renault 5, get him a good 182.
The 197's are a bit too refined compared to a 5, and the megane 225's have poor interior quality. IMO.

I think the 182 would be the best compromise.

 

[Nix]

budget is anywhere upto about 8 grand, whats the interior like on the 182 compared to the 197? is it flimsy or is it ok?

 

[basket491]

Buy him a trophy

 

[Daz_RT_04]

I agree with Daniel, the interior quality of the Megane 225 I had wasn't very impressive at all, very cheap feeling plastics that seemed easily scratched.

 

[Mr Plums]

8 grand birthday present?

I got a pack of throw away razors!

 

[basket491]

I actually prefer the build quality of my Meg compared to the trophy although the Meg feels grown up so definitely get him a trophy

 

[imprezaworks]

Interior wise the megane beats the clio hands down in my opinion. Well maybe not hands down but its better. Ive owned 6 clio's btw.

Reliability wise ive never had an issue with any of the renaults i've bought.

Speed wise as standard pretty much on par imo, well off the mark anyway. But the clio does it with more drama, not that its a bad thing. Handling id take the megane as 'i' feel more confident going quickly in it.

Fun. id take the clio, dont get me wrong the megane is fun but does things well that it over shadows the fun aspect.

 

[Bluebeard]

budget is anywhere upto about 8 grand, whats the interior like on the 182 compared to the 197? is it flimsy or is it ok?

What car does he have at the moment?

 

[cs_dave]

Buy @MrTom's turbo clio!

 

[Mr Plums]

Buy @MrTom's turbo clio!

Cheers mate, im not sure when i will have it back, or whether its 100% up for sale.

 

[cs_dave]

A good clean throphy would make a great gift and a great investment (you wont lose money) with lots of change from 8k

 

[cs_dave]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=111804931621&globalID=EBAY-GB&alt=web


Then theres this!

 

[Daz.]

Meg interior is miles better than a Clio!
It doesn't rattle for a start.

 

[cs_dave]

Meg interior is miles better than a Clio!
It doesn't rattle for a start.

But the windows will stop working instantly

 

[Nix]

hes currently using our family audi Q7

Meg interior is miles better than a Clio!
It doesn't rattle for a start.

Do you mean its better than the 182 interior? or the 197 too, thanks again guys.

 

[Daz.]

Never had an issue with the windows, lots don't it's only the ones that do you hear about

 

[Kosy]

Lucky guy!

Your choice is very particular on his (and your!) personal preference. The Megane is a lot more refined, quieter, more comfortable etc. It will also make good progess without having to wring it's neck due to lots of torque and power low down.

The Clio on the other hand may feel a little more involving, responsive to slight movements of steering / throttle inputs etc. You feel every bump and stone in the road which can be a good or bad thing depending on your mindset that day.

Once you decide on Megane or Clio then you need to decide on variant.

Megane. If you have a budget of £8k forget about a 225 - you are comfortably in Megane R26 country. £6-7k for a good one. This benefits from nice recaro seats which lifts the interior and most importantly an LSD which provides unbelievable cornering grip.

If you are looking at Clios then I agree that the Trophy would be my pick too. Same Recaro's as the R26, the most potent and collectible of the non V6 Clios.

I have a 172 Cup and my brother has an R26. I have done a lot of miles in both. It's not an easy decision to make. Lots of guys here have gone from Clio to Megane and regretted it.

I would say that if he values outright performance, space and is going to use the car daily / put miles on it, modify it, then R26.

If he's going to use it as a weekend toy and appreciate it as a collectors item by keeping standard and low miles then 182 Trophy.

Either way he's going to be a happy man.

 

[Typhoon]

With all due respect, I wouldn't compare the 5GT against the 197 let alone the Megane.

As @Daniel pointed out, you're better off getting him one of the 'smaller' hatches such as the 172 or the 182.

The 197 & 200 are a lot more 'grown up'/boring and haven't got the same smile from ear to ear go kart feeling behind them.

If he'll be using the car as a daily commuter also you'd be a lot better off with a 172/182, the MPG on the 197 are awful.

The interior is very nice however, even with the standard seats but again as pointed out, the bolsters are made out of tracing paper and wear away quite easy.

If you do opt for a 197, or a Clio in general, two bits of advice:

Make sure cambelt has been changed within the last 4 years or 60k (IIRC) miles and make sure it's been done by a Renault specialist and also check the gearbox isn't crunching.

The best test for the gearbox is to get the RPM above 5K and change between 3rd and 4th gear.

'07 and earlier plate 197's had a gearbox made of cheese.

Do you mean its better than the 182 interior? or the 197 too, thanks again guys.

And to answer this - anything French has the 'rattle you don't know where it's coming from' free factory option fitted.

Good luck on your hunt!

 

[ForceIndia]

I've owned all of the options (well a 200). Depends what he's after and used to.

182 is great fun, but does feel old these days.

Megane is good, interior is decent enough, but they are quite refined and not chuck able like a traditional hot hatch. The best option day to day.

197 would be a decent compromise if he's just after a weekend/fun car. I'd definitely recommend the 200 is that's possible though.

 

[Nix]

Hi guys looked at a clio the other day but had a crunch between 2nd to 3rd and after asking about gearbox prices here i decided not to chance it. I know this is a clio forums but does anybody know anything about corsa vxrs? they seem quiet pretty and i think i like the interior more on them than the 197, any ideas of their reliability vs clios?.

thanks guys!
-nicola

 

[ForceIndia]

What's the budget?

 

[Nix]

8k ish

 

[Gaz_]

still look for a decent 197, or a magane R26 imo.

They have more about them than a VXR in terms of 'feel'

 

[ForceIndia]

I'd go R26, or something like a mk5 golf GTi. The Corsa has quite a poor image. If he likes a decent interior, look at the Golf. It's miles ahead of the others in that respect.

 

[Gaz_]

Not driven a GTi, but I had a MK5 R32, and its build left a lot to be desired. Felt dated too.

 

[imprezaworks]

You really weren't a fan of the golf mate

 

[Bluebeard]

You really weren't a fan of the golf mate

Whatever gave you that idea?? Lol

 

[imprezaworks]

Something he said iirc lol

 

[Crombievxr]

Forget all of them and buy my Astra vxr

 

[dann2707]

A 172 cup and have lots of change for parts, buckets and harnesses etc.


Top wife though!

 

[ForceIndia]

Asks about build quality, comfort, interior.

Gets recommended a cup with bucket seats and a harness.

Stunning .

 

[McGherkin]

hes abit anal about interiors lol

Don't get him anything french.

 

[benhwolves]

Only skip read this. Is it a toy for casual use/track etc. or a main car? I'll be selling my 22k miler RB 182 cup owned from new v soon although it's a cup so has the cloth seats which may not appeal if he's anal about interiors!

 

[imprezaworks]

22k, nice.

 

[Chris_Beer]

All these posts and no one has suggested to just get a Renault 5 GT Turbo...

Now that is a car you will never beat when you hand him the keys!

 

[imprezaworks]

@Ant1

 

[Nix]

ty for all your suggestions guys, i wouldn't get him another old gt turbo since he already got an old escort rs cothworth? or something in storage hes been meaning to do up for years now, ive been quit subtle in finding out whether he likes megans or clios better and i know he likes the 197 version, he doesnt like the front of the 200. his bday is on the 21 of this month so i better shift my ass and find something.