Is the 182 worth the extra £1k?

[Severus]

I've recently been looking at buying my first Renaultsport.

From the price guide on Parkers, and looking at Autotrader/Pistonheads it seems as though generally a 182 will go for around £1k more than a similar 172.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but the only real differences are the 4-2-1 manifold (producing the extra 10 bhp) and the different exhaust design coming out in twin tail-pipes. Everything else is the same/similar though?

So my main question is whether the 182 is worth the extra cash over the 172. I much prefer the aggressive twin-pipe exit of the 182, so I would consider buying the '182 look' exhaust from K-Tec at somepoint. Also being a perfectionist I'd probably also be looking to fit the 4-2-1 manifold from the 182. These costs combined make it so the £1k price difference is fairly negligable.

So what should I do?

 

[Sarah]

sounds like its down to the newer car.

If you going to make it '182' look then id just get a 182 imo

 

[AKFM1]

Agreed!! plus theres cruise control and speed limiter on the 182, and better wheels and better spoiler if you choose the cup packed ones

 

[Jonny1*2]

depends what you're after to be honest. Essentially the same cars really. 182 cup/trophy have wider track and better suspension setups than standard 182 and 172 also (correct me if i'm wrong).
I got a 182 purely because it was newer and they do it in the best colour No real difference power wise.

 

[Stu_350z]

Get a 172 Cup if your after the best drivin experience rather than comforts tbh lol

 

[Brett]

I'd say go for the best car you can comfortably afford. If I was to go back to a MK2 RS Clio again I would go for a 182 or a ph1 172 if the price was right.

Which ever one you go for it will need the same maintenance i.e. belts, engine mounts, exhaust hangers etc.

A cup packed 182 would probably suit you nicely.

 

[.Kev.]

If i were buying again Id go for the 172 Cup (In Blue), the best colour of all Clio's Bar Liquid Yellow, and the best Standard wheels. An the quickest (Standard)

IMO the twin pipes on a 182 look weedy, much prefer the stealth look.

 

[JCC]

Just get a 182, don't ruin a 172 putting 182 style exhausts on it.

 

[Christopher]

If you can afford the extra, why wouldn't you?

The downsides of the 182 over the 172 are...

Silver belts that get very grubby.
Exhaust can be troublesome and not sit right.
Non-Cupped 182's look weird.

It's also worth noting that later Mk2 172's came with cruise control and speed limiters, like the 182's.

I went from a Ph1 172 to my 182 and I love it. The Ph1 was a lot more raw though, and it had a much better throttle. I hate the DBW setup on the Ph2's.

My 172...

My 182...

 

[Brasseye]

get the 182 if you like the twin pipes on show

easy

 

[nebraska182]

Non-Cupped 182's look weird.

In what way?

 

[Christopher]

Stilts. No spoilers.

 

[Daz.]

if you want a newer car get a 182, if you want to save some money get a 172

the manifold doesn't make an extra ten bhp, a cup is only faster if you're a better driver than the guy in the 182 and I personally think 182 exhausts look really tacky!

In all honesty the reason I got a 172 over a 182 was because I prefered iceberg silver and I don't like 182 exhausts.

 

[.Kev.]

Ditto

 

[Greeny.]

If I was to buy another mk2 RS Clio it would have to be a 172 Cup, they nearly always make more power on RR days with the same mods as other 172's & weigh less! Only downside being the creature comforts, so if you do want these then either find a tidy ph1 or personally I would go with a RB 182. Power wise there is nothing in it really, some 182's make less on the rollers than 172s as do some 197's... lol.

 

[sussex_gti]

I'd sooner a 172 and get hunting for some used goodies. As said, 182's only really look good with a Cup pack and in RB.