Hello - looking to join the clio RS gang and interested in your opinions please!

[Nk25]

Hi all

I joined the south west Gloucestershire meet last weekend - was great to meet you friendly bunch. Seeing the cars has made me really want one!

I'm looking to jump in and shopping around for a mk3 clio 197 or 200 on gumtree, ebay, etc. I think I'm after one I can use daily then fit some light mods and learn how to get in to a few track days a year. RS ownership is new to me though 😀

I thought 197s and 200s were pretty much the same car, except for the cup and full fat cup chassis that you could get stock. But then I read this in a post from @Touring_Rob:

I think the 197's are the real bargain at the moment although many people say the 200 is a better car

Can anyone tell me why people think that? Is there anything big fixed or lots of minor improvements to various bits?

I also love the look of the stock optional recaros in both, really interesed to know what they're like to live with and if they're worth the extra cost or if I should just buy a cheaper one without and fix up later?

Thanks for reading!

 

[Darren S]

Welcome aboard!

I can't answer your questions specifically as I've only ever owned a 182 - but I'm sure you'll get plenty of feedback on here about them.

The one thing I will say is that any 197 or 200 requires a boot spoiler. They look crap without them!

 

[Dosh__]

Hi all

I joined the south west Gloucestershire meet last weekend - was great to meet you friendly bunch. Seeing the cars has made me really want one!

I'm looking to jump in and shopping around for a mk3 clio 197 or 200 on gumtree, ebay, etc. I think I'm after one I can use daily then fit some light mods and learn how to get in to a few track days a year. RS ownership is new to me though 😀

I thought 197s and 200s were pretty much the same car, except for the cup and full fat cup chassis that you could get stock. But then I read this in a post from @Touring_Rob:

I think the 197's are the real bargain at the moment although many people say the 200 is a better car

Can anyone tell me why people think that? Is there anything big fixed or lots of minor improvements to various bits?

I also love the look of the stock optional recaros in both, really interesed to know what they're like to live with and if they're worth the extra cost or if I should just buy a cheaper one without and fix up later?

Thanks for reading!

I believe the face lift 200's come with a limited slip diff from factory which is kind of a big deal and can sway a lot of peoples decision but they are mostly the same car.

 

[gez 172]

I’ve never heard of a Clio 200 coming with an LSD from factory.

 

[Dosh__]

I’ve never heard of a Clio 200 coming with an LSD from factory.

I very well could be wrong but I thought I heard it somewhere.