R27 v 200 (with cup chassis)

[JayR]

For people that have driven both is there any difference between these two?

What are the main pros of going for the newer and obviously more expensive 200 bar obviously the slightly more powerful engine and slight difference in looks!?

Any help appreiciated.

Cheers

Jay

p.s i dont care that most people think the 200 looks ugly, im more interested in the differences, especially in the way each drive side by side.

 

[Naith]

the low down grunt, (due to revised map) makes the 200 feel so much more torquey, you dont as such feel like you are waiting for the kick moment as its a smoother linear delivery from bottom on the 200.

wetwise they both grip well not much in it, drywise... until i drove the 200 the 197 was the best renault chassis available.. but the 200 just improves it more, its physics bending sometimes. in the snow the 197 is PATHETIC, the 200 not as bad surprisingly, but not in anyway is it good either.

by no mean does that discount the 197 though as they have scarily good cornering capabilites

brakes, nothing in it tbh

 

[Ribena]

200 has shorter ratios for first three gears - this coupled with the revised map and head work should make it feel quicker low down.

Read a lot of reviews that seem to say the 200 cup chassis is very stiff, even when compared to 197 cup chassis. I'm sure both chassis are very capable but lap times seem to suggest the 200 is quite a bit quicker. I remember reading in PC magazine that the 200 non cup was faster than the 197 cup. Might be something to consider if lap times are important to you.

More choice of colours on 200 - loving the new grey they have just released!!

200 has no middle rear seat belt iirc. (R27 does.)

I have driven my car in heavy snow the past week and while it's true, the 197 isn't "good", I can't see any other similar cars being that much better to be fair. Just gotta drive to the conditions and you'll do fine in any car IMO.

 

[MadUsa1]

200 has three seatbelts in the back, but only two headrests

Another important difference is the faster steering rack in the 200. I haven't drive an R27 but the 200's rack is a lot faster than my Trophy which gives you brilliant control of the front end.

 

[Munson]

I think with the 200, I'd go for Pearl White with black rims and Cup pack. Pearl is something a little different and will add a touch of extra class IMO. The front is so ugly that you may as well make a feature of it with maximum contrast and matching rims.

Still can't shake the idea of a 200 but the motorway cruising might bother me. I also know that the same old issues with cold running and the like might grate, and that the steering wheel will melt, but then that's the character of Renaultsport I guess.

 

[Seriosha]

200 has three seatbelts in the back, but only two headrests

Another important difference is the faster steering rack in the 200. I haven't drive an R27 but the 200's rack is a lot faster than my Trophy which gives you brilliant control of the front end.

My 200 has 2 Rear Seatbelts, the Mount is there but not used, and yes, only 2 Headrests. In the Papers the Car is only allowed for 4 ppl.

 

[kenny172]

200 has three seatbelts in the back, but only two headrests

Another important difference is the faster steering rack in the 200. I haven't drive an R27 but the 200's rack is a lot faster than my Trophy which gives you brilliant control of the front end.

really? mibbe I should take mine back to renault then for my third seatbelt to be fitted.

It appears if you have recaros the back bench again is downgraded and you loose the middle seatbelt.

 

[MadUsa1]

In Switzerland you can have the middle rear seatbelt removed as a no cost option. As standard it comes with three belts in the back though.

Might be different for the UK spec cars. Seems a shame not to have three seats in the back though - it's a bit tight for three in the back, but might come in handy one day. Hot hatches are supposed to be practical after all.

 

[Marv-C]

the low down grunt, (due to revised map) makes the 200 feel so much more torquey, you dont as such feel like you are waiting for the kick moment as its a smoother linear delivery from bottom on the 200.

wetwise they both grip well not much in it, drywise... until i drove the 200 the 197 was the best renault chassis available.. but the 200 just improves it more, its physics bending sometimes. in the snow the 197 is PATHETIC, the 200 not as bad surprisingly, but not in anyway is it good either.

by no mean does that discount the 197 though as they have scarily good cornering capabilites

brakes, nothing in it tbh

My 197 has been fine in the snow. You can't defy the laws of physics in a 2 wheel drive car!!!

Although I have not driven a 200, there is no way that I would ever reach the limits of my 197's abilities on a public road and therefore the abilities of a 200 either. Do you intend to do track days?

 

[dmn1989]

i personally after owning a R27 felt it was amazing,
ive driven the 200 in short as i sell them, it did feel slightly quicker and is meant to have better MPG.

suspension is even harder than that of the R27.

But i have no doubt the 200 will be a quicker car round a track, but i still feel the R27 is better looking.

are you going to be tracking it?

 

[ChrisH]

I think with the 200, I'd go for Pearl White with black rims and Cup pack. Pearl is something a little different and will add a touch of extra class IMO. The front is so ugly that you may as well make a feature of it with maximum contrast and matching rims.

Still can't shake the idea of a 200 but the motorway cruising might bother me. I also know that the same old issues with cold running and the like might grate, and that the steering wheel will melt, but then that's the character of Renaultsport I guess.

Roy I have no problems with cold running unlike the 182, that's just starting the car and going I'm not leaving it running for a couple of mins or anything like that. Motorway cruising isn't that bad. Not great, but not bad.

 

[KMB]

Best idea is to test drive an R27 and a 200, for me the 200 was a significant evolution, being used to firm suspension (previous 3 cars were Type R, S2000, MR2 Turbo) I went for the Cup, steering feel and handling are outstanding!

 

[JayR]

Thanks for the info fellas! Much appreiciated!

200 has no middle rear seat belt iirc. (R27 does.)

Thats not an issue for me as not having a wife and kids i have no needs for the back seats really! I think in the four years iv had the 182 iv had two people in the back of it less than ten times.

I think with the 200, I'd go for Pearl White with black rims and Cup pack. Pearl is something a little different and will add a touch of extra class IMO. The front is so ugly that you may as well make a feature of it with maximum contrast and matching rims.

Is Pearl White a new colour or is that Glacier White? If so i would only be wanting that or Racing Blue anyway unless PW's a new colour and is rather nice!

As for looks its horses for courses! My thinking is that the 200 fronts with the times and not 'sooooo 1*2' like the 197 with the webbed front grille! I actually really like it as do i like what they have done with the rear! Not saying the 197 is totally dated as it still looks miles better than the 1*2's imo but i cant help but think the 200's progressed further!

My 'must have' options would solely be Recaros, Cup Chassis and maybe even the folding mirrors. I like the normal rims after seeing them in the flesh so i wouldnt bother paying to upgrade those.

are you going to be tracking it?

I dont plan on it but as with everything i would want the best and most capable within the grounds of what im willing to spend and you never know there may be a time when i do decide on having a little bit of fun on a track.

Best idea is to test drive an R27 and a 200, for me the 200 was a significant evolution, being used to firm suspension (previous 3 cars were Type R, S2000, MR2 Turbo) I went for the Cup, steering feel and handling are outstanding!

I drove a 200 a good few months back and loved everything about it bar the fact it didnt feel chuckable and quick as my 182! That certainly gets outweighed by everything else going for it mind!

The only thing that has me thinking R27's is the fact its a limited production run which may help if i sell in the future and they do look smart however on the flip side most for sale at present seem to be LY (which i dont 'really' want again) and are priced at 12/12.5k for ones with good miles which in reality isnt that much cheaper than the 200's considering one cars going to be two years old and the others a brand spanker!

 

[Munson]

There's a Pearl White in the colour chooser as well as Glacier.

I also personally feel that if you were sticking with the standard anthracite rims, you should have the matching bumper pack.

 

[KMB]

The wheels are a strange one... I also went for standard Cup anthracite alloys (inc the essential Recaros), in photos they don't look great but in person they really suit.

If you want ultimate chuckability after a 182 I'd recommend the Cup, one thing worth bearing in mind is that they seem tight from new, after 2000 miles the engine note starts getting deeper and they feel a lot quicker.

 

[DU-Roller]

There was a test R27 vs. RS 200 Cup in one Croatian newspaper when the 200 came - the journalist is a huge Renault Sport fan and actually own the tested R27. 200 won in every aspect, here are some of the highlights: 200's engine management and feel of the power/torque on all rpms answers all those who said renault should place a turbo in the Clio; despite better performance and faster response 200 consumed 1 liter of fuel less per 100 km in the test; Braking distances for both cars were almost the same; 200 has top speed on around 200 rpms less than the 197 so it is less noisy in the motorway. One of the biggest surprises in the test was the fact that 200, although being stiffer, has a better feel over bumps, because of new dual absorbtion shocks...

Here is a video from the photoshoot for that test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws1bSOcD_MI

 

[JayR]

There's a Pearl White in the colour chooser as well as Glacier.

I also personally feel that if you were sticking with the standard anthracite rims, you should have the matching bumper pack.

If thats the anthracite pack Roy im not really a lover of that tbh.

The wheels are a strange one... I also went for standard Cup anthracite alloys (inc the essential Recaros), in photos they don't look great but in person they really suit.

My feeling entirely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws1bSOcD_MI

Cracking vid that mate - I do like the R27's but i am swaying to the newest and what should be the best model.

 

[Chili Red]

I think with the 200, I'd go for Pearl White with black rims and Cup pack. Pearl is something a little different and will add a touch of extra class IMO. The front is so ugly that you may as well make a feature of it with maximum contrast and matching rims.

Didn't know you could get Pearl White, I'd definitely have that with all the black bits.

I just can't get to like that front end though, I still far prefer the 197/R27's looks.

 

[Steve]

No brainer if you think about it.
2 - 2 1/2 yr old car vs new or nearly new for similar money.
Some R27's will be out of warranty soon, awaits price plummets

 

[Seriosha]

In Switzerland you can have the middle rear seatbelt removed as a no cost option. As standard it comes with three belts in the back though.

Might be different for the UK spec cars. Seems a shame not to have three seats in the back though - it's a bit tight for three in the back, but might come in handy one day. Hot hatches are supposed to be practical after all.

Then its probably because of the Recaro option!? Because i dont have a 3rd one and it was never mentioned.

 

[JayR]

No brainer if you think about it.
2 - 2 1/2 yr old car vs new or nearly new for similar money.

This is my thinking too tbh chap! If i do go for one out of the two it will probably be the 200 anyway!

 

[RussZS]

I'd go 200 personally - the power delivery and lack of torque in the 197 can be a bit annoying at times, and based on what I've read, this has been sorted, and would be enough to warrant the extra £2k for something a lot newer.

 

[Mike_182]

I'd go 200 personally - the power delivery and lack of torque in the 197 can be a bit annoying at times, and based on what I've read, this has been sorted, and would be enough to warrant the extra £2k for something a lot newer.

Just buy a Vee - more torque than you'll ever need!

 

[DU-Roller]

Just something about the 2 vs. 3 seats in the back; here is a picture of FF RS 200 with out the Recaro option and it also has just two seat belts and head rests in the back.

 

[Mike_182]

Just something about the 2 vs. 3 seats in the back; here is a picture of FF RS 200 with out the Recaro option and it also has just two seat belts and head rests in the back.

They ditched the middle seats?!

 

[MadUsa1]

Interesting.

Anyone own a 200 with 5 seats???

 

[JayR]

LOL - Im suprised that they have done away with a third seat considering how big these cars are compared with the 182 space wise!

And MadUsa1, Trophy 50/50? Is that how many Switzerland got?

 

[Gaz_]

I used to have a 197, and driven a 200 Cup..... The biggest thing i noticed was the quicker rack. Apparently the 200's do hesitate when cold, but more like the 182's, so not as severe as the 197...... Think 172 to 182 when thinking 197 to 200.......few tweeks/nips and tucks but not radically different. Check out www.Renaultsport.co.uk

In the Clio section some 197 owners with 200's have got a thread going summing up their initial thoughts with owning both.

 

[Gorms]

Only got two rear belts here.

Just had a look on the website and you now get the option of a gloss blackl roof and as roy said some nice new colours. Storm grey looks amazing and i think will be a rare colour. Would loike to see the pearl white in the flesh as its normally found on Nova and corsas down mcdonalds.

Gorms

 

[MadUsa1]

yeah Switzerland got 50 Trophies - the only country other than the UK to get them.

Mine's for sale at the moment as I have a 200 on order

So again, anyone have a 200 with three seats in the back??

 

[JayR]

Only got two rear belts here.

Just had a look on the website and you now get the option of a gloss blackl roof and as roy said some nice new colours. Storm grey looks amazing and i think will be a rare colour. Would loike to see the pearl white in the flesh as its normally found on Nova and corsas down mcdonalds.

Gorms

I see that black roof and the Pearl colour but dont think i would go for either if i were buying!

Before looking on RS today i was liking the idea of RB or GW with the options i said but after seeing this Black with the Black Speedlines and graphics im thinking this could be the perfect car looks wise....

http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/roadcars/clioaccessories/Default.aspx

I really would need to find one in a showroom though as tbh speccing your own could get quite expensive! lol

 

[RussZS]

Only got two rear belts here.

Just had a look on the website and you now get the option of a gloss blackl roof and as roy said some nice new colours. Storm grey looks amazing and i think will be a rare colour. Would loike to see the pearl white in the flesh as its normally found on Nova and corsas down mcdonalds.

Gorms

Yeah, I just noticed this too. I wish they did Oyster Grey like the Meg 250, such a great colour, and would work well with 'black bits'

The optional black roof isn't available on the Cup

 

[RussZS]

I see that black roof and the Pearl colour but dont think i would go for either if i were buying!

Before looking on RS today i was liking the idea of RB or GW with the options i said but after seeing this Black with the Black Speedlines and graphics im thinking this could be the perfect car looks wise....

http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/roadcars/clioaccessories/Default.aspx

I really would need to find one in a showroom though as tbh speccing your own could get quite expensive! lol

That has the anthracite pack though (see the rear diffuser), would you want this too?

 

[JayR]

^Yes mate - I see that too! I like the Anth rear but i dont like the front! :S

If you had the graphics maybe it would be a bit more fitting!

 

[Gorms]

Yeah, I just noticed this too. I wish they did Oyster Grey like the Meg 250, such a great colour, and would work well with 'black bits'

The optional black roof isn't available on the Cup

Yeah nice colour. Getting my roof vinyl wrapped when the summer rolls around. A lot cheaper and if i dont like it i can just pull it off

Gorms

 

[Gaz_]

oooo like that storm grey!

 

[Gorms]

oooo like that storm grey!

Its pretty!!

Gorms

 

[Poopensharten]

Storm Grey...!

Whats the full list of colours for the 200??

 

[Gaz_]

Its pretty!!

Gorms

Thats with black speedlines, Cup chassis and black front should win imo

 

[JayR]

Storm Grey...!

Whats the full list of colours for the 200??

http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/roadcars/clio200/explore/colours/Default.aspx

Personally i dont like the greys.