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Clio 200s



leeds_182

leeds_182

North Yorkshire & Humber
ClioSport Area Rep
I’m tempted to come back into the clio scene after selling the 325d. I’ve seen a clio 200 for sale and might be going for a look at the weekend.

I’ve not driven one…..ever but I did own a 197 from new back in the day so I’m guessing they’re much of a muchness.

The one in question is white, standard apart from a stainless cat back and 98k miles.

Condition wise it looks pretty good and it’s got a long mot.

What am I looking out for? s**t gearbox? The obvious timing belt question? Any rust issues cropping up with 200s yet?

I know I’m likely to only own it for a week so want to make sure I get a half decent one so I can sell it on…..
 
massiveCoRbyn

massiveCoRbyn

ClioSport Club Member
  Several
Had two 197s, basically the same as a 200 in reality, as the mechanical differences are tiny. The Cup has a quicker steering rack, but they're all pretty similar otherwise, and you can switch a lot of bits in between (I fitted 200 Cup dampers to my 197 for example).

I really like them to be honest, and would have one over a 1*2. They don't feel as raw or instant in their response, but they can carry more speed through corners and are proper bits of kit in the chassis department. They're a bit nicer day-to-day as well, as they're just that bit bigger and (slightly) more modern.

Main issues aside from cambelt and the gearbox synchros are wear in the suspension, as it's got all the fancy twin-pivot hub stuff like a Megane, so you might need to do swivel bearings etc. The manifold flexis fail because of wooly engine mounts, but it can be repaired, or there are aftermarket manifold options.

I'd definitely have another, though I would say that it is also worth considering a MK7 Fiesta ST. A mate of mine has one and I borrowed it for a couple of weeks. They have dropped a lot in price and do have some advantages over the Clio. The fact they're turbocharged means they have more mid-range grunt, are better on fuel, and they're often better equipped. If I was going out for a Sunday morning blast, I would still take the Clio but, as a daily driver, the Fiesta ST is probably the better car overall.
 
B

Bleu

ClioSport Club Member
massiveCoRbyn said:
Had two 197s, basically the same as a 200 in reality, as the mechanical differences are tiny. The Cup has a quicker steering rack, but they're all pretty similar otherwise, and you can switch a lot of bits in between (I fitted 200 Cup dampers to my 197 for example).

I really like them to be honest, and would have one over a 1*2. They don't feel as raw or instant in their response, but they can carry more speed through corners and are proper bits of kit in the chassis department. They're a bit nicer day-to-day as well, as they're just that bit bigger and (slightly) more modern.

Main issues aside from cambelt and the gearbox synchros are wear in the suspension, as it's got all the fancy twin-pivot hub stuff like a Megane, so you might need to do swivel bearings etc. The manifold flexis fail because of wooly engine mounts, but it can be repaired, or there are aftermarket manifold options.

I'd definitely have another, though I would say that it is also worth considering a MK7 Fiesta ST. A mate of mine has one and I borrowed it for a couple of weeks. They have dropped a lot in price and do have some advantages over the Clio. The fact they're turbocharged means they have more mid-range grunt, are better on fuel, and they're often better equipped. If I was going out for a Sunday morning blast, I would still take the Clio but, as a daily driver, the Fiesta ST is probably the better car overall.
Click to expand...
Is it just the 200 Cup that has the quicker steering rack?
 
RSRowe

RSRowe

ClioSport Club Member
  Megane 250 Cup
leeds_182 said:
What am I looking out for?
Click to expand...
Everything has been covered really.
I would try and buy one which is a nice colour with Recaros, that way, it'll hold value pretty well. 200's feel quite peppy compared to the 197, as the gearing is much shorted 1st to 3rd (4th is the same, and 5th/6th is longer, so better for motorway cruising).

Rust is pretty uncommon on the body... like the complete opposite of the 1X2's. Rusty radiator support is pretty typical, and can crop up on MOT history if the tester hasn't used his brain.
 
massiveCoRbyn

massiveCoRbyn

ClioSport Club Member
  Several
Bleu said:
Is it just the 200 Cup that has the quicker steering rack?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think all 197s/200s have the same steering rack apart from the 200 Cup, but it's only a few percent quicker. There are a few different anti-roll bar thicknesses across the models, and the springs and dampers are different too. Everything else is the same suspension and brake-wise though.
 
Yosemite Sam

Yosemite Sam

ClioSport Moderator
  Whichever has fuel
A fiesta ST makes a better daily and is (much) less costly to fix when it breaks.
197/200’s handle the best though. They’re epic!
Just not sure I’d want the repair costs of the Renaults now.
 
GiT

GiT

ClioSport Club Member
  Shit little Yaris...
All covered, can confirm they are tupidly able daily drivers. Get one tried - I didn't think it felt particularly "different" compared to the 208 GTi BPS, both had strong premium but light hot hatch vibes.

I'd love another.
 
Leeph1

Leeph1

  impreza p1
Had mine a couple of months now, they’re fun little cars. Mine has the recaros which are bonus and help sell the car. Gearbox is a problem as covered, also check thermostat. They do lack a bit of power. I’ve got a megane 250 and would probably sell the megane before the Clio
IMG_1402.jpeg
 
massiveCoRbyn

massiveCoRbyn

ClioSport Club Member
  Several
imprezaworks said:
It will be the image that's not appealing Imo
Click to expand...

He drives old Volvos, so is image that much of a concern? :ROFLMAO:

Joking aside, I must say I can't really buy into the whole "image" thing. The reality is, 99% of people don't care what car you drive and, even if they do, does it matter? I buy cars for me, not for other people.
 
Louis

Louis

I Love Ed Sheeran
ClioSport Club Member
Tighten My Nuts said:
Yeah having owned both used as daily drivers and track toys, the Fiesta ST just fixes so much of what the 200 didn't get quite right.

Faster, more comfortable, better built. If I had to go round again, even with the terrible image they come burdened with, I would be searching for a one owner standard ST.
Click to expand...
What happened to the engine on yours again mate?
 
massiveCoRbyn

massiveCoRbyn

ClioSport Club Member
  Several
leeds_182 said:
No, I don’t like how they look, plus I don’t like the scene and I don’t like fords.

I’m fordist.
Click to expand...

The first part is fine, but why does "the scene" matter? You don't have to buy a cap or have a blue oval tattoo to own one.

Perhaps I'm the weird one, but I don't understand the, "I don't like <insert xyz car brand>". There are good and bad cars from all brands. Generalising just means you miss out on good cars for no real reason. Seems a weird and slightly self-defeating hill to die on.

Anyway, it doesn't matter, as we all know whatever you buy you'll sell it and buy another 740.
 
leeds_182

leeds_182

North Yorkshire & Humber
ClioSport Area Rep
massiveCoRbyn said:
The first part is fine, but why does "the scene" matter? You don't have to buy a cap or have a blue oval tattoo to own one.

Perhaps I'm the weird one, but I don't understand the, "I don't like <insert xyz car brand>". There are good and bad cars from all brands. Generalising just means you miss out on good cars for no real reason. Seems a weird and slightly self-defeating hill to die on.

Anyway, it doesn't matter, as we all know whatever you buy you'll sell it and buy another 740.
Click to expand...

Volvo only made good cars from 1965 to 2005.

Granted, they went a bit down hill after that.

I just don’t like fiestas. It’s like shoes, one pair might do the same as another pair, or even do it better but I won’t buy said pair because I don’t like them. I think.
 
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