Renaultsport Clio 197 F1 Team #164

[Tash182]

Today I made the journey down to Kent (from the Midlands) to go and collect the 197. The 190 mile journey back was epic and it is such a great car to drive.

After only 10 minutes of owning it I was getting comments from people walking past saying how good it looked and complimenting it. I was surprised by the reaction it got!

So after sitting down and going through all the invoices and paperwork, this is how the car currently stands.

K-Tec Racing tuned ECU
Goodridge braided brake line (front and rear)
Brembo Megane R26 drilled front discs
H+R 30mm springs
Powerflex engine mount inserts (all 3)
ITG panel filter
Alpine Type G speaker system
Exhaust manifold flex is replaced and manifold fully heat wrapped
Full manifold back Oreca race exhaust (stainless steel) with silenced decat


And... the compulsory photos to accompany it.

Needed to refuel the tummy before the journey back.

My 182 meeting the 197!

Not looking to change too much, apart from the fog lights. I was looking to remove the flag on the grill, but it has actually really grown on me in a very short space of time.

Thanks for viewing

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

Lovely :hearteyes:

 

[welshname]

None of the pictures work on Tapatalk :'(

Ignore that, they do now. Looks lovely.

Take it the Ktec map gets rid of the flat spots you get on these engines which is much worse with an aftermarket exhaust.

 

[imprezaworks]

Starting to grow on me these

 

[Typhoon]

Really like this.

 

[Daz.]

I'd still get rid of the flags!

 

[jesus]

Love the comparison shots with the 182 nice car!

 

[Bear Head]

Looks amazing. Like the stealth look to it!

 

[benhwolves]

Looks like a very tidy example. Interested to hear how the two compare.

 

[CrippsCorner]

Still my favourite shape looks awesome. Are the rear lights tinted? Don't hate them... they kind of look like Golf R ones. I'd still probably put them back to standard if were mine though.

 

[welshname]

Still my favourite shape looks awesome. Are the rear lights tinted? Don't hate them... they kind of look like Golf R ones. I'd still probably put them back to standard if were mine though.

I was thinking the same. I can't decide on them

 

[Knuckles]

That single exit exhaust is cool as f**k.

Race car.

 

[imprezaworks]

What's your thoughts in comparison to the 182

 

[Tash182]

Lovely :hearteyes:

Really like this.

Love the comparison shots with the 182 nice car!

Looks amazing. Like the stealth look to it!

Looks like a very tidy example. Interested to hear how the two compare.

Still my favourite shape looks awesome. Are the rear lights tinted? Don't hate them... they kind of look like Golf R ones. I'd still probably put them back to standard if were mine though.

That single exit exhaust is cool as f**k.

Race car.

Thank you for all the positive comments on it. I must say I am over the moon with it. Really is a tidy example. The price that I paid makes it even more satisfying.

I was surprised it had been replaced with a single exit exhaust, but it has an amazing sound from it.

I'd still get rid of the flags!

Flags are staying for now. I think. They aren't too bad and as I said previously they have grown on me. Although this may change. It appears you either love them or hate them.

What's your thoughts in comparison to the 182

The 182 feels much lighter and feels like it really throws itself into the corners while giving it a lot of grip. I haven't really pushed the 197 that much yet (sorry!).
Really noticable differences between the two are the interior, the steering and the ease driving. The 197 has a much higher quality interior and feels like more time has been put into it. I have to admit after being in the 197 the 182 is a bit disappointing. However, that is what makes the 197 feel heavier. Maybe pyschologically. Steering is so much lighter and requires far less effort and in terms of ease, the pedels have far less resistance.

I feel that the acceleration from the 197 is more satisfying, especially with the roar from the exhaust. It is quite noisey, but all part of the fun.

I will update when I have driven the 197 a little bit more. However, I the the 197 has already taken top spot. In my opinion.

 

[imprezaworks]

Good stuff.

 

[Tash182]

Just following on from talking about the interior, I also managed to take some photos of the inside today.

The steering wheel is much better quality when compared to the 182. It is thicker and has far more comfort to it. Feels like there is some padding to it and is a much needed improvement to the 182 which feels 'sticky' and peels.

I also love the carbon fibre. I really think it improves the overall look and continues outside the car on the doors.

And finally just a couple of shots showing its number. The plaque isn't as badly scratched as the photos make it look.

[emoji1]

 

[imprezaworks]

Looking to change my wheel as I have done with previous clios. Silly having a wheel that big although mine looks great.

 

[sparklesTHEpony]

As already said.. Epic car! Think it's the black on black that's doing it for me.

As for the steering wheel..

Only good quality thing inside my 182 tbh haha. I can imagine what you said about the 197 build quality being a lot better in the interior though! May move up to one of these in the distant more affordable future as this one looks the nuts.

 

[Bear Head]

As already said.. Epic car! Think it's the black on black that's doing it for me.

As for the steering wheel..

Only good quality thing inside my 182 tbh haha. I can imagine what you said about the 197 build quality being a lot better in the interior though! May move up to one of these in the distant more affordable future as this one looks the nuts.

My Dad has a 197 and I have a 182. The 197 is a nicer car to do miles in I'll admit that.

For a hoon down back roads though the 182 is faster. It's definitely quicker off the mark and down the country roads though. I'm not biased as I've driven both and so has he, and he really does agree.

 

[James Mk1]

Looks good, I actually like the tinted rear lights, didn't think I would. Kinda looks like the golf gti variants that have tinted rear lights (Edition 30/Golf R etc).

Nice.

 

[dann2707]

Perfect.

 

[_Tom]

Never used to be a massive fan of these but side by side to the 182 they look much better. (Apart from the ridiculous spoilers on some of them which is doing exactly that for me)

 

[Tash182]

As already said.. Epic car! Think it's the black on black that's doing it for me.

As for the steering wheel..

Only good quality thing inside my 182 tbh haha. I can imagine what you said about the 197 build quality being a lot better in the interior though! May move up to one of these in the distant more affordable future as this one looks the nuts.

Thank you. Would highly recommend them. When you're looking for a new car definately have a look and see if any take your fancy.

My Dad has a 197 and I have a 182. The 197 is a nicer car to do miles in I'll admit that.

For a hoon down back roads though the 182 is faster. It's definitely quicker off the mark and down the country roads though. I'm not biased as I've driven both and so has he, and he really does agree.

I love taking the 197 for a longer journey. The comfort levels are far greater than the 182, however, I drove the 182 after a few days and it is still a lot of fun. As you said it is quicker off the mark. Both have their own positives.

Looks good, I actually like the tinted rear lights, didn't think I would. Kinda looks like the golf gti variants that have tinted rear lights (Edition 30/Golf R etc).

Nice.

When I first saw them I was indifferent, but having seen 'normal' lights since I think they look a little too red. Especially against the black.

Perfect.

Thanks [emoji1]

Never used to be a massive fan of these but side by side to the 182 they look much better. (Apart from the ridiculous spoilers on some of them which is doing exactly that for me)

They do look a lot better. Although I am still a massive fan of the 182 shape, otherwise I would have sold it.

 

[Tash182]

Also going to pop this in here. This is how the Oreca exhaust sounds. Unfortunately the upload has made it a little raspy compared to the original, but gives a general idea of how it sounds.

 

[Tash182]

So nothing has changed with the car apart from the addition of new Renaultsport mats.

Thought I would share some more photos as a couple of weeks ago I happened to be off when the weather was nice and I cleaned the 197 and went for a drive to get some new photos. The only photos I had got up to this point had either been in the rain or it was overcast.

These were taken at Himley Hall. This was where I took my 182 not long after I had it as it holds some very special memories for me.

Also, on clio197.net I was linked to a thread that a previous owner had created. The 197 is running on different plates to what it has currently but it is definately my car (as I have receipts with that reg on as well).

These are from 2011. It was good fun looking back over the thread and seeing old photos of it. Not much has been changed on it really.

So some photos when he first had it. No Renault flag on the front and normal fogs.

And then still 2011 but the fogs had been changed.

Strange to see the interior like this. I much prefer the carbon.

And finally, I must be a creature of habit. The top photo was taken on Tesco car park in August 2011 the day I had my 182. The bottom photo is the same place just a few weeks ago!

Thanks for looking!

 

[CrippsCorner]

197 looks so much more purposeful than the 182... love it!