How can I find out everything I need to know about 200s?

[Skeeter]

Afternoon all! I'm back!

Many moons ago I had a 172 which I thrashed to heck on track and loved. But unfortunately I had to sell it to fund a house. But now I am in a position to look at getting a new track car and a Clio 200 is top of the list.

Back when I was a super mega 172 fanboy I knew everything there was to know about Mk2s. The different specs, Cup vs non Cup, packs on the 182, bolt spacing on struts, all the super nerdy stuff. Mostly gained from here (I remember there being som epic guides). But for the 200's I have zero idea.

Is there a good place/places I can read up on them? I'm interested in the different models and specs. Was there still a Cup? Did it have no ABS? Is the suspension different between the models? What options were there and which of them are good/bad (Cup Packs ahoy!). Which is cheapest/best for tracks, etc? Any pointers or anything would be greatly recieved.

Hopefully I can get back to cocking inside wheels on track in a feisty french nutter car again soon !

 

[Martin_172]

Not sure there is much other than doing loads of searches on here. The basics:
Available mainly as a 200 or 200 cup, there was the raider and Silverstone GP too. There was also the gordini (love it or hate it!)

As per the 182 the 200 was available with cup pack giving lower and stiffer springs and dampers along with a faster steering rack (and red calipers!)

According to Evo:

The standard 200 has 15 per cent softer dampers than its 197 predecessor, while the 200 Cup’s items are 15 per cent stiffer than the 197 Cup’s. Compared to the standard 200, a 200 Cup boasts 27 per cent stiffer front springs, 30 per cent rear while the anti-roll bar is 10 per cent stiffer and the ride height 7mm lower. The steering rack ratio is 7.5 per cent quicker.

200 PS equals 197bhp. All right, hardly a call for blood pressure medication, especially as peak torque remains unchanged at 159lb ft. But both output peaks now sit 150rpm lower in the rev-range at 7100 and 5400rpm respectively, the result of a new cylinder head, revised variable valve timing and a new ECU. The effect on the torque curve is 20 per cent more twist at lower revs, designed to be felt most noticeably below 3000rpm, and a slight improvement in mpg and emissions. Shorter first, second and third gears also contribute to the wake-up call.

Early cars had the "Renault sport" badge on the rear, later cars got the R.S. badging
The last of the cars (around 62plate) got the white rev counter

Options off the top of my head (I may have missed some)
Cup pack
Recaros
Bluetooth
Rs monitor
Sat nav (Tom Tom)
Later cars had the option of the GT spoiler
Cornering lights (come with projector headlights)
Speedlines
Later cars got the option of an akrapovic exhaust
Yellow pack (search it, it's horrid)

It seems the "must haves" are cup pack and recaros, speedlines seem well looked for too.

All 200 non cup had climate control and keyless entry with start button, I believe AC was an option on the cup

All cars had abs and esp, the 200 cup was similar to the 182 cup where they just used the "less weight" concept as a way to sell them cheaper but there wasn't a great deal in it.

Common issues to research:
Swivel hubs
Manifold Flexi joints
Gearbox synchros
Brembo pins seizing in
Recaro wear

Also worth mentioning, same expensive belt changes, poor mpg, general cost of parts a step up from MK2

Overall fantastic cars imo but costly to run I'm comparison to.mk2

 

[Skeeter]

Not sure there is much other than doing loads of searches on here. The basics:
Available mainly as a 200 or 200 cup, there was the raider and Silverstone GP too. There was also the gordini (love it or hate it!)

As per the 182 the 200 was available with cup pack giving lower and stiffer springs and dampers along with a faster steering rack (and red calipers!)

According to Evo:



Early cars had the "Renault sport" badge on the rear, later cars got the R.S. badging
The last of the cars (around 62plate) got the white rev counter

Options off the top of my head (I may have missed some)
Cup pack
Recaros
Bluetooth
Rs monitor
Sat nav (Tom Tom)
Later cars had the option of the GT spoiler
Cornering lights (come with projector headlights)
Speedlines
Later cars got the option of an akrapovic exhaust
Yellow pack (search it, it's horrid)

It seems the "must haves" are cup pack and recaros, speedlines seem well looked for too.

All 200 non cup had climate control and keyless entry with start button, I believe AC was an option on the cup

All cars had abs and esp, the 200 cup was similar to the 182 cup where they just used the "less weight" concept as a way to sell them cheaper but there wasn't a great deal in it.

Common issues to research:
Swivel hubs
Manifold Flexi joints
Gearbox synchros
Brembo pins seizing in
Recaro wear

Also worth mentioning, same expensive belt changes, poor mpg, general cost of parts a step up from MK2

Overall fantastic cars imo but costly to run I'm comparison to.mk2

Thanks for this, great info.

Do you know if there are any suspension differences between the Cup (chassis) and non Cup? In the 182 I remember there being different bolt spacing for the shocks?

I will have a search for the common issues. I loved my 172 but the line I always used to say was that the RenaultSport bits are great, the Renault bits are crap. When I sold it I had already reached the end of my temper with it around things like electronics, ABS sensors, airbag lights messing up when you moved seats, etc. I will gladly pay the premium to get something newer in the hope it's at least a bit less temperamental. It got to the point that just getting through an MOT was annoying. I'd hope something that is ~10 years old would be better than something ~20 years old. But then again, it is still French.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

The suspension parts are nearly all cross-compatible between 197/200 models. The only difference is that the top mount design changed in 2010, which also means different springs. The front dampers may be different too, but I don't remember. Provided you know which one you have, you can buy everything through Renault Parts Direct. Dampers aren't really expensive. I've just put 200 Cup dampers on my 197 and they were on offer, so only £200-odd for all four.

If it's for the track, I would probably go for a 200 Cup, but it's not the stripped out racer that the 172 Cup was. Still, it's the most stripped back model, and has the quicker steering and bigger roll bar. Saying that, if it is a pure track car and you're going to modify it, you could always buy a 197 as a base. They're cheaper, not that much different. Most you'll find for sale will need some work so, if you're going to end up replacing the suspension anyway, it might make sense to buy a cheaper base car and spend more on mods.

 

[Big Toe]

Caliper pins are always seizing and bend when you remove them. You can buy reusable pins which are a much better solution than new OE pins.

For track I’d suggest a set of brake ducts and bigger discs if you can.

 

[Martin_172]

Thanks for this, great info.

Do you know if there are any suspension differences between the Cup (chassis) and non Cup? In the 182 I remember there being different bolt spacing for the shocks

As above top mounts and springs changed but they are Interchangeable (I fitted 200cup dampers on my early style too mounts and 197 springs) the damper clamps into the hub as opposed to the mk2 way of bolting with 2 bolts thru it.

My experience of them is less electrical niggles and more mechanical issues, I'm happy to deal with mechanical issues all day long as it's less of a sore head lol

 

[197.]

www.clio197.net

 

[Skeeter]

As above top mounts and springs changed but they are Interchangeable (I fitted 200cup dampers on my early style too mounts and 197 springs) the damper clamps into the hub as opposed to the mk2 way of bolting with 2 bolts thru it.

My experience of them is less electrical niggles and more mechanical issues, I'm happy to deal with mechanical issues all day long as it's less of a sore head lol

Same. I learned so much mechanically fiddling with my 172 and would happily do so again with a 200. Electrical issues though are just a pain.

 

[Skeeter]

The suspension parts are nearly all cross-compatible between 197/200 models. The only difference is that the top mount design changed in 2010, which also means different springs. The front dampers may be different too, but I don't remember. Provided you know which one you have, you can buy everything through Renault Parts Direct. Dampers aren't really expensive. I've just put 200 Cup dampers on my 197 and they were on offer, so only £200-odd for all four.

If it's for the track, I would probably go for a 200 Cup, but it's not the stripped out racer that the 172 Cup was. Still, it's the most stripped back model, and has the quicker steering and bigger roll bar. Saying that, if it is a pure track car and you're going to modify it, you could always buy a 197 as a base. They're cheaper, not that much different. Most you'll find for sale will need some work so, if you're going to end up replacing the suspension anyway, it might make sense to buy a cheaper base car and spend more on mods.

Thanks. Having read the details there isn't that much difference with the Cup like there was with the 1*2. I would be happy with any 200 really as like you say, suspension is going to be changed so it's basically cloth seats, no CC and a steering rack that will be different.