Is the Clio 197/200 a poor daily?

[ForceIndia]

I can understand half of that. At a push.

 

[Typhoon]

I've been reading up on the dsg recently for a potential purchase. Wouldn't buy one with the 3.2.

How come dude?

 

[Knuckles]

You sat in a clio and you were impressed? Easily pleased?

I was 19.

 

[ForceIndia]

How come dude?

From what I've read, the early versions of the dsg (as fitted to the 3.2) have the most mechatronic issues. The later 6 speed (golf gti etc) have been pretty bombproof (if maintained), the 7 spd seems to have more issues.
There was a vw/audi tech posting up on pheads about them, seems they are less reliable than a normal auto, more reliable than a cvt.
I don't like the 3.2 full stop tbh, but that's another issue!

 

[Travelman868]

I feel exactly the same. My 182 always feels like it wants to be revved and hooned and it annoys me at times. Few mates have turbo cars and they are effortless when they want it to be. I use mine daily, 20k a year and overall love it. Want a 265 meg but am holding off as i want to get my 'yobo' stage out of the way. Fixed buckets, no rear seats ect. I really dont mind the harsh ride, exhaust noise ect but I get you about being 'on/off'. Suppose NA will always do that!

I'm well past retirement age and still can't get the yobo out of the driving seat. Just bought Clio 4 RS Cup. Mad when you want to be, calm at other times

 

[Darius]

I feel the same about my 182. Its amazing when giving it beans but apart from that its not great. After driving a brand new 1 series M sport from work this past week i didnt want to get back in the clio lol, cant really compare the 2 though

 

[johnpidge]

Yes sold my 200 as I only drove it 6/10th at best in London hence me selling it and getting a MCS R53

 

[botfch]

I'm inclined to agree, I'm the same with the 182.

I think its one of those symptoms of getting older, I just want something that gets me to work and back thats comfy and requires minimal imput from me.
I must admit every time I get in my Dads M class its such a nice place to be above everyone else.

 

[antnee]

I really don't get why people don't think a 197 isn't a good daily. I have owned mine since January and done around 13k in that time, all of which I have had a smile on my face. You don't have to be in #racecar mode all the time, it is perfectly fine to drive around town in a normal fashion.
Kangeroo'ing when cold - have a positive right foot and it's not an issue
Flat spot - mine doesn't seem to really suffer from it
MPG - who cares, unless you are doing 20k plus a year, the difference between 27 and 35mpg is sod all
Ride quality - quite good for a hot hatch that handles well, the current Fiesta ST is miles worse than my R27 (cup suspension)
Practicality - never had an issue, my passenger side runners are a little stiff but doesn't stop access
Recaros - I find them some of the best car seats I have been in. I have a bad back and journeys over an hour usually start to cause pain/discomfort, no such issues with these. 3 hr trip to the parents without stopping and no issues.

It is a hot hatch which has isn't over 'cushioned' like most modern hatches, it is fun and engaging to drive without having to be at 9/10ths. If you want comfort, MPG, etc go buy a diesel Insignia or Mondeo.

Man up FFS

 

[coverman]

The reason that 1*2s can keep up with modern traffic on the motorways is because of that 20mph/1000rpm fifth gear, and the correspondingly proportionate intermediate ratios. 144lbft of torque versus double that in modern heavier high geared cars.

 

[Matt W]

Well after thinking my clio was a good daily driver my mind has been changed by the megane 250, so much more comfortable in every way! (Yet much quicker too!)

 

[rs 1an]

Well after thinking my clio was a good daily driver my mind has been changed by the megane 250, so much more comfortable in every way! (Yet much quicker too!)

Perhaps you should try a new clio rs

 

[Knuckles]

Megane are esse > Clio are esse

 

[Matt W]

Perhaps you should try a new clio rs :smile:

I would if Renault weren't so useless at providing actual cars to test drive.

 

[matthewsimone]

Think the point people forget is that the 172/182 is an absolute bargain now and hard to have more fun for less money
The 197/200 on the other hand is quite a bit more expensive and still in a price bracket that can be compared with many other decent cars

I also think some of you guys must just drive fooked clio sports as my 182 is absolutely fine in all situations, great fun when pressing on and ok for my chilled commute to work, certainly do you need to ring its neck everytime I drive it and thats coming from someone that's owned many turbo'd cars including mk1 focus Rs and mk5 golf Gti etc

172/182 is great fun and a bargain for the performance

 

[hsustyle]

I have had my Cup Packed 200 for about a year now and it's been a great daily.

It's on H&r springs which I find ride better than the Cup springs. Also have had a remap at amd to get rid of the flatspot after having mid silencer removed and bigger tb installed.
It now never kangaroos or hesitates.
I'm getting an avg of 32 mpg and only occasionally put my foot down properly.

Mid silencer has been removed and it crackles and pops now although idles and drives no louder than a standard system,only a bit more rasp in high revs.

Recaros are very comfy, even on long journeys but a small hole has appeared in the lower bolster.

Get one, I prefer it to my R8 most days!

 

[Grievezy]

You are so right, I drive the 197 Cup.. It's only happy when you want punch on :tongueclosed: Constantly telling people to lift over the bolsters (standard seats) My passengers seat is not the bad but the drivers is.. Telling them that the ride can be a it harsh at times. The kangaroo effect makes you you look like a t**t if caught :down: mates all drive sensible (boring) cars and I'm here giving the Clio the beans because it's all or nothing with the Clio and they just don't get it.
I wouldn't change it tho, love the Clio to bits.

 

[Knuckles]

Can you switch the seat bases over on the standard seats too?

It evens out the wear.

When I first got my car, my gf kicked off at me thinking I was on and off the throttle because of the kangarooing.

 

[Grievezy]

I'm not sure (will have to look into it) would of loved to have had the recaro's in mine tbh, cup obv has lack of luxuries lol
Yeh, with the colder weather coming in it's been doing a lot recently :weary:

 

[nebraska182]

Im laughing at this thread @Knuckles as i feel exactly the same way about my 200. Just feels like it wants to be on a track all the time..

 

[Knuckles]

Im laughing at this thread @Knuckles as i feel exactly the same way about my 200. Just feels like it wants to be on a track all the time..

Lol, I forgot about this thread.

FYI, I still think it's a s**t daily lol.

I can't wait to get the Audi sorted and on the road to use as a daily. It's a 17 year old, 2.8, v6 estate which has better mpg and feels and drives nicer than my ten year old clio lol

 

[Chris_Beer]

This thread is perfect for how I feel today, ha!

 

[welshname]

They are s**t daily driver's.

Hated mine every single f**king day, loud, uncomfy, s**t on fuel, no torque for getting past anyone without dropping 2 gears, s**t to drive when cold even with a remap.

So instead I bought a car that's loudish, not quite comfy, s**t on fuel but 300bhp but infinitely better than the Clio day to day.

 

[nebraska182]

They are s**t daily driver's.

Hated mine every single f**king day, loud, uncomfy, s**t on fuel, no torque for getting past anyone without dropping 2 gears, s**t to drive when cold even with a remap.

So instead I bought a car that's loudish, not quite comfy, s**t on fuel but 300bhp but infinitely better than the Clio day to day.

Did you try the EFI map? Im considering it - seems to be the only thing that can rememdy a few things like the flatspot. Other than that,its just a case of living with its 'characteristics' until you get to the b-roads...

 

[welshname]

Did you try the EFI map? Im considering it - seems to be the only thing that can rememdy a few things like the flatspot. Other than that,its just a case of living with its 'characteristics' until you get to the b-roads...

I went to RSTuning. There was a £100 off deal at the time through a group buy organised through turboclio.

 

[Christopher]

Yup. Crap dailies.
I enjoy mine so much more now that it's a weekend toy.

 

[imprezaworks]

Looked at these a fair bit but never enough to sell mine for one.

 

[Christopher]

Looked at these a fair bit but never enough to sell mine for one.

I used to think like that until I battered Renault's demo around a trading estate.

 

[imprezaworks]

Can imagine. Great looking cars

 

[Knuckles]

Looked at these a fair bit but never enough to sell mine for one.

I still need to take you out. Are you coming to csf?

 

[imprezaworks]

Unlikely tbh.

 

[Christopher]

Easy fix: Don't daily them and then make them even less daily-friendly.

 

[youngarthur]

I use my Meg engine Clio for Tesco, and Track days. I have had an R26R,R26, all tuned, and the Clio ( For Me) is the better car.

 

[nebraska182]

Easy fix: Don't daily them and then make them even less daily-friendly.

My fix : swap it for an R26 next weekend :tongueout:

 

[Knuckles]

I use my Meg engine Clio for Tesco, and Track days. I have had an R26R,R26, all tuned, and the Clio ( For Me) is the better car.

I think the problem lies in the clios engine.

You've got a good engine in your clio so that's solved most of the issues from the off lol

 

[culpz]

Enter the MK4 Clio 200 EDC. I am seeing more and more people buying them now for the same reasons that you have stated. It's just a shame that Renault didn't give their customers the power of choice with the newest Clio. It does appear that at least the incoming Renaultsport Megane will grant buyers a choice between swapping cogs yourself via a gear-stick and clutch as well as a dual-clutch automatic.