having owned a 182 FF for 18 months, a Trophy for 3 months and now an R27, i can say the R27 is a much better car. Ok it might be heavier and a touch slower to 60 - but that aint no measure of a car.
The 197 seems to pull better once its past 60, which is were you want it (revs to 7.5k), and the handling is noticably better. Seems much more solid especially at high cornering speed. The gearing is spot on, although on the motorway its a tad noisy. (I also read in Top Gear, that apparently the steering has also been tweaked on the R27 over the 197 - not so lifeless)
The car is much better built than the old one, but you woudl expect this as the 182 is based on a car which is nearly 10 years old.
The Recaros are excellent, and provides a much better driving position than the 182.
Saying that the 182 is a great car, but having driven the 197, it really is a better car....