'Poor On Motorways' - Why?

[Pablo]

Hey guys,

In almost every review I've read on the 172/182, the first negative point is usually always that they aren't very comfortable, or generally not very refined on motorways.

I really am unclear as to why. Even my 1.6 Dynamique sits at 80 very comfortably and has a lot of umph left in it after then, and I'll happily get 36-38 Mpg at those kind of speeds on a good day.

Is the main complaint that the 1*2's didnt have a 6 speed box?
The 197 has a 6 speed doesn't it?

Also, the fact that the 182 has Cruise control would surely boast a bit of comfort at high speed?

Grateful of any explanations to prove that this theory is bollarx

Thanks,

Pete.

 

[Fletcher]

My Mk2 172 doesn't have cruise control, and i find long motorway journeys quite comfy.

 

[FlameR]

Mine doesn't have CC either, but it runs fine on the motorway. If you've come from say a 3 series BMW it would feel uncomfortable in comparison, but considering you coming from pretty much the same car with a smaller engine it will be fine. A lot of it depends on the wheels and suspension set up.

 

[daydotz]

my 1.2 is very comfy a its so queit on the motoways it seems happy at 75 an will zip in an out of lanes if i need to

 

[wozzaa]

Having power is nothing to do with comfort.

Its the noise, Ride, driving position. Its just not a comfortable car to cruise along the motorways in.

I always got out of my Clio feeling knackered and sore. I have yet to feel that way after long trips in the C4. Just having a bigger car that got a smoother ride and much lower wind, road noise etc does wonders.

Still country road blasts and I would pick the clio everytime.

 

[MRBILLYUK]

No problems for me on long motorway journeys . Just whack on the cc

 

[SteDonaghy]

Yeh im same stick on the cc sit back and relax and could drive all day on the motorway in comfort

 

[DrR]

It drives fine, just the noise gets abit annoying after 3+ hours.

 

[Bjorn]

Driving position aint great and the engine is reasonably loud at high speeds.

 

[Bjorn]

It drives fine, just the noise gets abit annoying after 3+ hours.

Try 14 hrs, fell out of love with my clio that day!

 

[Brasseye]

comming from a series 3 bmw id say the clio 172 and 182 to be hard work on the motorway

Just takes more effort to drive

 

[DrR]

^^ 14!! jesus lol. I did less than 8 hours to the ring!

 

[Craig]

mines fine on long journeys just stick the cc if i need a rest lol

 

[fUbAr]

^^ 14!! jesus lol. I did less than 8 hours to the ring!

doing that trip in a few weeks... i'm either gonna love or hate this new exhaust afterwards! lol

 

[Bjorn]

^^ Yeah, drove from france to Portugal and will never do that again. Had i momentary lapse in concentration and began driving on the wrong side........scary moment!!!

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Drive an expensive BMW on a motorway and you should be able to see why no one really likes driving a hatchback on a motorway.

I don't mind either way, as long as it can sit at 120 (in my case it's flat out.. not that I have a problem with that) for the duration of the journey I'll make sure it keeps that speed.

For people that like to sit back though, a hatchback can be a nasty thing to drive for long stretches whilst trying to relax.

 

[briny182]

I went from a saab 9-3 to my 182.. the 182 is shocking in comparison, although it isn't THAT bad..

With mine its mainly the noise because of my exhaust and de-cat - people in the back complain that they cant even hear me when I talk to them but then again, I'm not too fussed about the people in the back being comfortable. They did say it still felt pretty smooth considering we did manchester to leeds in 30 minutes (it was a private road at the time)

 

[AlexS]

My 1.2 Clio lived on the motorway and it was fine, just be prepared to change down quite often.

 

[Henry]

mine seems fine on the motorway for what it is. not at all noisy IMO. the ride's not great and it tramlines in truck ruts etc - but that's just down to the chassis and (again) the type of car it is. can't have your cake as the saying goes

 

[daviebroon]

done many many motorway miles in mine... and have no issue what so ever.

i am 6ft 3" and sit in cheap cup seats... been up to the north of Scotland and back many a time in it (1200mile round trip each time) with no problems.

You are all driving girls cars... but doesn't mean you have to act like girls

I have also done it in my old company 320 ci... and it makes you wanna fall asleep to be honest, and as far as i am concerned... i'd rather be alert when driving

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

^^ 14!! jesus lol. I did less than 8 hours to the ring!

I have driven for 20 hours before (convoying with a 1.3 escort to the south of france).

Was delerious by the time we got there as I'd been awake for about 40 hours.

DrRollo, did you include driving in UK and ferry in the 8 hours from the ring ??? If so, good going ! (Unless you live in Dover)

 

[DrR]

yeah, was less than 5 hours from calais to the ring.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

yeah, was less than 5 hours from calais to the ring.

No bad, I think I beat that on the way back (wasn't stuck behind 20 saxos) but I can't say a time as I don't know !!

How did you do on the ring ? (see my tags ??)

 

[DrR]

Did ok, come of at one point (see my avatar) did my 6th lap in under 12 mins didn't time exactly just know it was less than that, that was 3 up to. I need to post up my pics/ vids

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Yeah that corner was one of my worst, until a friendly GT3 showed me the line, was fine after that.

 

[DrR]

Yeah thought i'd snapped my suspension of, never heard a WACK like it!, seriously slowed down for it everytime now.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

The corner before it edde lost me time and time again until I just thought f**k it, almost want to keep my car till next year just to beat him again and be champion of the dci's, permanently this time though. (I was for a day or so, he never did update the scoreboard though:clown