Noob 172/182 questions

[jay70]

Hi, after 16 years of Impreza ownership im looking to buy a clio for track use....To be honest i have no idea about these cars so just need some info. The plan is a stripped out car as a toy and maybe 8 trackdays a year.

My first question is, which is the better starting block...the 172 or the 182? Obviously the 182 produces more power straight out the box but does the offset of purchase price(the 172 being cheaper) work in favour of the 172? I mean does it take much money to make up that 10bhp or is there more to it than just the small power increase......also.....I see cars adverstised as "cup"...."both cup packs" and "full fat" can some explain.

........and the million dollar question, are these cars a reliable trackday car? are their weak points? things that go bang/pop or break for a past time?

The only Renault ive owned was way back in 1991, a Phase2 5GTT

Cheers
Jay

 

[Dan@M.A.D]

172 cup is the one to go for if you are doing track days.

 

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

If i was looking to put a Clio on track i'd use a Phase 1 172 as they are cheaper, has larger exhaust ports so tends to make better power than phase 2 172 or 182's. Down side is gearbox's on ph1 are have a cir clip that is prone to popping. Also weighs less after strippage.

 

[clancy]

172 cup is the one you want, possibly a phase1 172 as there lighter.

182 being 10 bhp more is a bit hit and miss, most people ignore that and simply think of the 182 as twin exhausts and 172 as single. the engines makes different power from car to car so you might find some 172 putting more power out than 182s anyway

 

[Joe#]

I'd be looking for a 172 cup if I was you.

You could used the money you've saved also on some coilovers, R888's etc

 

[edde]

Hi, after 16 years of Impreza ownership im looking to buy a clio for track use....To be honest i have no idea about these cars so just need some info. The plan is a stripped out car as a toy and maybe 8 trackdays a year.

My first question is, which is the better starting block...the 172 or the 182? Obviously the 182 produces more power straight out the box but does the offset of purchase price(the 172 being cheaper) work in favour of the 172? I mean does it take much money to make up that 10bhp or is there more to it than just the small power increase......also.....I see cars adverstised as "cup"...."both cup packs" and "full fat" can some explain.

........and the million dollar question, are these cars a reliable trackday car? are their weak points? things that go bang/pop or break for a past time?

8 days a year is next to nothing if its a track only car might be better off renting a track car.

As for whats better some will say cup some say doesn't matter some say so long as its got coilovers etc. There no right answer the Cup is the ppopular one though as its lighter no ABS etc

10hp is nothing thoguh

as for differnces have a read here
Clio 172/182 differences/changes/facts on changes in production
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=162405


There reliable yep you can have trouble but some cars are worse than others and some owners are worse than others,

 

[Martin_172]

a lot of the fun in a track car is the preping and mantinace though rather than renting.

personally id go for a ph1 as your getting a lighter car, they are cheap to buy, already have 15" wheels for cheap track rubber, , cable throttle gives a better driving experiance and they have a better mid range pull in my experiance.

182 manifold makes them drive a bit better giving more mid range power without the negative effect of less top end power you generally see when fitting 4-2-1 manifolds. but its not worth buying a 182 over a 172 for that, again better suspension setup on them is just spring and damper rates, which most people are looking to change on a track car anyway, non cup 182 gives a better suspension choice due to different bolt spacing.

 

[jay70]

I have built and tracked Subaru's for years including my current car which sits a shade over 400bhp so renting a car is not even an option and as Martin says the fun also comes from getting your hands dirty with the prep and maintenance. The other idea behind a Clio is, i feel its a good introductory car for my son to get involved in trackdays when he turns 17.

Thanks for the info fellas.............now the serch for a car begins!

 

[Martin_172]

wish i had a dad like you when i was younger lol!

 

[CabinFever]

My hard earned would be on a 172 Cup.

Done.

Oh, and welcome.

 

[JezzaMac]

wish i had a dad like you when i was younger lol!

^^ This!

If i had a choice i would get a ph2 172, yes the 182 had more power but it weighs a lot more and if its purely a track car you wont be needing cruise control etc!

 

[d4nmc]

172cup would be my choice, and was its now for sale though sadly as the RWD bug has bitten