Clio 197 or Abarth 500

[Sash]

They’re growing on me I must admit!
I liked the colour of this one that was randomly parked on my driveway.

 

[imprezaworks]

Maybe it was stolen?

 

[welshname]

I'd have let all the tyres down and blocked it in

 

[Sash]

I think it was my neighbours visitor, I wasn’t fussed I was waiting for a lift to a bbq ?

 

[R29TJR]

Never driven a 197 however I have a 2018 595 145bhp Abarth and absolutely love it for a daily hack.

Wouldn't want to do long journeys in it, but for my 20 mile round commute its amazing, makes silly noises and goes well enough to have fun.

Having been a passenger in a 197 it seemed boring in comparison.

Although on track it was a little soft, but I suppose my Clio is pretty track focused now:

 

[Daniel]

In true CS fashion, I have ignored everyone’s advice and just put a deposit down on a 172... ?

 

[imprezaworks]

Lolz

 

[Djw John]

In true CS fashion, I have ignored everyone’s advice and just put a deposit down on a 172... ?

Told you!

 

[davo172]

In true CS fashion, I have ignored everyone’s advice and just put a deposit down on a 172... ?

I knew it !!!???
Still think you need to be blond and lots of fake tan to drive an abarth anyway?

 

[davo172]

View attachment 1429140

They’re growing on me I must admit!
I liked the colour of this one that was randomly parked on my driveway.

Clio looks way better!

 

[Crybert]

I just can’t get away from clios in this sector. I want a 197/200 but then the 172/182 is such a great wee car and I still think they look great

 

[Daniel]

The seller has cancelled the sale! ?

Back to the drawing board...

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

The seller has cancelled the sale! ?

Back to the drawing board...

MX-5

 

[imprezaworks]

M3

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

I'd defo buy an MX-5 if I were you

 

[Daniel]

Here’s one I made earlier...

 

[imprezaworks]

Dent maaaaànnnnm

Tidy

 

[16v_er]

I've been looking at the abarth 500 recently. I like the idea of a nippy turbocharged car for use a daily for work. I'd look rediculous in it but who cares.

 

[Twingo 1??]

What about a Punto Abarth? An ex had a sporting the 120tjet and that was fairly decent.
Sticking with Renault a Twingo 133 not as quick in a straight line but quicker every where else than a f500 and probably cheaper to run than a 172.

 

[16v_er]

Nah I don't fancy the punto. There's something about the 500 s looks. It's a guilt pleasure of mine. I'd love to tinker with one. I bet it would be a riot with right mods at 180 -200 bhp.

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

Nah I don't fancy the punto. There's something about the 500 s looks. It's a guilt pleasure of mine. I'd love to tinker with one. I bet it would be a riot with right mods at 180 -200 bhp.

Same. I've got a massive soft spot for them

 

[Chris15]

Nah I don't fancy the punto. There's something about the 500 s looks. It's a guilt pleasure of mine. I'd love to tinker with one. I bet it would be a riot with right mods at 180 -200 bhp.

Its why i ended up with one as a daily. The bombardier stainless steel exhaust will set you back about £240! Loads of parts available as the essesse and other models share many common parts (especially the engines).

I wouldn't say its a head turner, but fellow petrol heads love to talk about them.

 

[Daniel]

Track day today in my mates 500 Abarth and the MX5. And two mates stupidly fast clio’s...

 

[-Rob]

If anyone actually wants an Abarth, I've got a nice Esseesse for sale. Bilstein coilovers etc.. and just under £5000 too.

 

[DaveL485]

Go for a megane powered 197 (Meglio). It's got all the good bits on the 197, all the good bits of the Megane 225, no trade off other than you don't get the screaming NA top end. I converted mine and it's transformed the car, and I get 20% better MPG.

 

[Short Norman]

Track day today in my mates 500 Abarth and the MX5. And two mates stupidly fast clio’s...

all three look proper track weapons

does he have to take the bumper off the abarth to get it onto the truck?

 

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

147 GTA with equal length headers

(video has subtitles)

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

147 GTA with equal length headers

(video has subtitles)

That sounds pornographic.

 

[16v_er]

What the common mods for the abarth 500? Remap? Bigger intercooler? Easy to take the 135 up to 180-200hp?

 

[cat171]

Exhaust, bwaaarrppp!!!

 

[Chris15]

What the common mods for the abarth 500? Remap? Bigger intercooler? Easy to take the 135 up to 180-200hp?

Basically yes. From 135 a remap and better air filter alone can see you to 160-170bhp.
Exhaust for noise and pops and bangs (no remap needed).
Bigger turbo, intercooler, downpipe and better injector's then 250bhp is possible.

300bhp is possible but not sure on reliability?!??

 

[Rojer]

Are they even reliable on 250bhp? Not sure i would even trust them on standard power haha

 

[R29TJR]

I think 160/180 is reliable and would be more than enough for the road IMO.

 

[Chris15]

I think the more important question would be why lol

160-170 is fun and cheap but 250-300 might as well pump that koney

I think 160/180 is reliable and would be more than enough for the road IMO.

I agree, plans for my abarth is a remap to 170bhp, essesse air filter and the bombardier exhaust. Everything else i'll leave as is.

 

[-Rob]

Are they even reliable on 250bhp? Not sure i would even trust them on standard power haha

My brothers been running 245hp on his Garrett for over a year now, absolutely no problems and it's driven hard and on track.

Garrett turbo
599GTO Bosch injectors
Decat downpipe
Akrapovic dxhaust
Airtec intercooler
Forge dumpvalve
Forge intake kit
Custom remap

As for the bombardone exhaust. Wouldn't recommend - sounds shocking. I'd go for a nice monza with a decat/racing cat.

For the sake of about £1500 I'd get the Abarth to about 250hp as its reliable at that sort of figure. Anything more you'd need to forge it.

 

[-Rob]

Double post

 

[cat171]

Got a pic of it ?

 

[Iain C]

we

Thinking about this all day, and im done with Renault’s I think mate. To maintain them properly is M3 costs. The hubs, the belts, the rot on the older ones, it’s just mental.

say what?

 

[Stay Puft]

I think the more important question would be why lol

Because..

 

[Chris15]

Because..

Lol! that is insane! a rocket! the car stock is a nippy bugger, that is nuts though.

As for the bombardone exhaust. Wouldn't recommend - sounds shocking. I'd go for a nice monza with a decat/racing cat.

Noted however the only problem with the Monza is that its not stainless steel and the little valve thing sticks in time? which would be super annoying.