Newbie with many questions

[Laydon]

This is my current car it's only done 52k from new. As a member of club gti I'm aware of the many trim/engine options available, what my perfect Mk2 would be and sigh evertime I see a 8v vs 16v post.
I've decided to buy a late clio 172/182 sport but have little knowledge of the trim/engine levels available. I'm sure this is a can of worms but if some kind members could break it down to an overview of the various models pros/cons I would appreciate it.
I quite like the dark metallic blue with stripes or is that a major no-no

Thanks
Confused

 

[Mark5290]

That's funny your not the first person to be asking about changing to a 172 from an old school GTi, it looks very clean.

 

[Bluebeard]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Keep the Golf!

Gutted i sold mine and wish i'd kept it every time i see a minter!!!!!!!

 

[philmots]

That looks abso mint! Can you afford to keep both?

 

[Laydon]

I'm sure I will regret the day I sell but feel that I have 'done' the vw thing (although a mint VR6 corrado could change my mind) I'ts not costing me anything so I could keep both but is it practical having 2 cars?

 

[Clio 1.216v Dynamique]

Looks a minter does that for its age

 

[ClioMears]

Keep the golf, keep the golf. Looks spot on, and those BBS wheels are spotless.

and as for whether its practical to have 2 cars? who cares. just have them both. then you'll be happy.

 

[Timmay]

hmm buy a clio - theyre gggggrrreat!!! Also keep the golf if you can afford to cos its a minter!

 

[tameracingdriver]

That does look nice.

My last car was a Golf GTI 8v. I loved it.

I now have a Clio 182... trust me when I say, all the Clio needs is a decent sports exhaust to add to the fun (it doesnt have that boomy sound as standard that I enjoyed in the Golf) and it becomes a better car in every respect to be honest. More comfortable, more toys, yet sort of similar handling (although the steering is much faster in more responsive in the clio), and a lot faster.

The Clio is very old school so the driving experience is not too far removed, overall.

Your call. Both great hot hatches.

 

[Saner]

edde will probably pop in an correct me on this:

Mk2 Ph1 172: Cable Throttle, avalible in Yellow, Black, Blue, Red and two shades of Silver. Had OZ F1 Cup Wheels. Some came with a gear shift light, some came with an alloy bonnet, some both!

Mk2 Ph1 172 Exclusive: Only 172 built, Scarb Green, Full Leather, BBS Wheels.

Mk2 Ph2 172: Better build quality, different range of colours, Fly-By-Wire Throttle, Options such as Climate control, Sat Nav etc.

Mk2 Ph2 172 Cup: Lightened version of above, came with Speedline Wheels, only avaible in Blue, or even rarer Silver.

Mk2 Ph3 182: New manifold and exhaust, no spare wheel well because of twin exit. Again options avalible Such as the 'Cup' Packs which included different alloys and suspension. Later on there were 182 Cup's avalible which came with both cup packs and in particluar colours.

Mk2 Ph3 182 Trophy: Only in Red, 500 made, different suspension set up on front by Spax, Anthracite Speedline Wheels

 

[Laydon]

Thanks for that what does Ph mean and is there a 'real' difference between standard/cup/trophy apart from how rare they are ?

 

[Lee]

Ph is Phase. Just another update to that Mk of Clio.

The real world differences are that the standard or cup packed cars are great all round, the 172 Cup loses all it's toys and has no ABS, aircon etc but is a better drive and does feel more nimble. The Trophy has ABS and aircon but due to the Sachs racing dampers the ride is very hard, but it does handle incredibly well, especially on track, if sometimes a bit much on British roads.

The Cup has the worst seats ever though, but the Recaros in the Trophy are lovely.

 

[Don]

Ph is phase, so a Mark 2 phase 1 is with the longer bonnet, phase 2 is with the grill.

The 172 Cup is 'stripped' out of toys, about 90Kgs lighter than the 172 proper (some would call full fat or ff) has no toys, no ABS, no traction control, no side airbags, but is a good hardcore car (some would disagree)

The exclusive is the most exclusive, the cup is about 2,200ish made, the trophy is one of 500, and the 182 Cup is probably the most rare out of the newer cars, because they released a 182 Cup, and a 182 with Cup options! (The latter being heavier, with more toys).

This subject is a can of worms, do a search and see what you can find, make sure you test drive as many different variants as you can, and welcome to the forum.

Good luck with your choice.

I personally drive a 172 Cup, and wonder should I have gone for a full fat 172 at the time, but saying that, if I had the 172 ff, I would wonder what if regarding the 172 Cup...there's not much in it really.

Just read Lee's post above, and I can agree with the seats comment...there's no lumbar support! If you can get some aftermarket seats, get a cup! But be aware that the Cup is more expensive to insure than a normal 172 as too many people try to beat Mother Nature in the Winter!

Hope that helps
Donny

 

[DynamiqueDebz]

Keep the Golf 'and' get a Clio. Why not have the best of both worlds if you can afford it?

 

[GarethM]

very nice golf fella
welcome to the club

 

[Lagerlout]

I personally drive a 172 Cup, and wonder should I have gone for a full fat 172 at the time, but saying that, if I had the 172 ff, I would wonder what if regarding the 172 Cup...there's not much in it really.

Hope that helps
Donny

Agreed.

I don't think any one of the Clio's are miles better than the other. They just suite different tastes and satisfy slightly different criteria/budgets.

If you are interested in going fast round a track (or private road of course ) then get a Cup. Although it's marginal, they are the lightest and fastest of the Clios (although not as much as the Cup owners procalim) Or if you're feeling flush the ultimate has to be the Trophy - it's got a numbered plaque.

If you're interested in a bit of track/bit of fast road but still retain creature comforts then get a 182 FF with Cup packs or to save a few quid get a 172 FF - Not quite as firm a ride but still no mug through the bends and getting cheaper all the time.

 

[jayxx83]

edde will probably pop in an correct me on this:

Mk2 Ph1 172: Cable Throttle, avalible in Yellow, Black, Blue, Red and two shades of Silver. Had OZ F1 Cup Wheels. Some came with a gear shift light, some came with an alloy bonnet, some both!

Mk2 Ph1 172 Exclusive: Only 172 built, Scarb Green, Full Leather, BBS Wheels.

Mk2 Ph2 172: Better build quality, different range of colours, Fly-By-Wire Throttle, Options such as Climate control, Sat Nav etc.

Mk2 Ph2 172 Cup: Lightened version of above, came with Speedline Wheels, only avaible in Blue, or even rarer Silver.

Mk2 Ph3 182: New manifold and exhaust, no spare wheel well because of twin exit. Again options avalible Such as the 'Cup' Packs which included different alloys and suspension. Later on there were 182 Cup's avalible which came with both cup packs and in particluar colours.

Mk2 Ph3 182 Trophy: Only in Red, 500 made, different suspension set up on front by Spax, Anthracite Speedline Wheels

HAHa, sorry to take the piss mate, but SPAX suspension on a Trophy, LOL its not a chav mobile, try Sachs. The 182's are still MK2 ph 2's as well, just with a slightly higher power output.

 

[Bluebeard]

How much to buy the golf??! (pm me if you want)

 

[Laydon]

Thanks again for all the info I quite fancy a 182 cup is there a way to tell the difference between a 182 cup and one with the cup pack.

 

[Saner]

HAHa, sorry to take the piss mate, but SPAX suspension on a Trophy, LOL its not a chav mobile, try Sachs. The 182's are still MK2 ph 2's as well, just with a slightly higher power output.

I make one typo and you feel it nessacary to take the piss? How nice of you

I know that a few 182's are mk2 ph2's but they spent most of there life as ph3's was trying to simplify. Just like you can find some mk2 ph1 172's with mk2 ph2 paint

 

[Leeshez]

If i owned that i would keep it.

 

[Mark5290]

Thanks again for all the info I quite fancy a 182 cup is there a way to tell the difference between a 182 cup and one with the cup pack.

Yip the cup does not have washer jets on the bumper (just blanking plates), xenon headlights, climate control, half leather, probably more things i missed.

 

[White16valver]

I make one typo and you feel it nessacary to take the piss? How nice of you

I know that a few 182's are mk2 ph2's but they spent most of there life as ph3's was trying to simplify. Just like you can find some mk2 ph1 172's with mk2 ph2 paint

You made two actually

Scarab green on the Exclusives lol :rasp:

 

[Saner]

You made two actually

Scarab green on the Exclusives lol :rasp:

smartass

 

[Peperami]

Can you feel the love tonight...

 

[Martin_172]

Thanks again for all the info I quite fancy a 182 cup is there a way to tell the difference between a 182 cup and one with the cup pack.

i would go for a 182 non cup (full fat) with cup packs if i was you so you get the half leater, climate control, xenon headlights etc.

for me though it would be one of the 172s, eather a ph1 or ph2, ph1 is lighter and supposed to be the best to drive, more raw feeling but still has all the toys, and im not keen on the 182's wheels or exhausts! so that would make me go for a ph2 172 over a 182

 

[dick]

yer mate, the the later 172s, when the facelift came along had the exhaust hidden.

the 182 has the twin rear pipes, the extra 10 bhp came from the improved manifold i think?

the cup packs on the 182 people are talking of are optional extras 1 is for the slightly raised spoiler and one for the wheels/ suspension i think?

someone correct me if im wrong.

 

[Alan]

i would go for a 182 non cup (full fat) with cup packs if i was you so you get the half leater, climate control, xenon headlights etc.

for me though it would be one of the 172s, eather a ph1 or ph2, ph1 is lighter and supposed to be the best to drive, more raw feeling but still has all the toys, and im not keen on the 182's wheels or exhausts! so that would make me go for a ph2 172 over a 182

Wash your mouth out with soap young man! lol