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Trophy Suspension or Coilovers?



  LY R26
starting to get the plans rolling on the Trophy now.

what would be better, the standard trophy suspension or a good set of coilovers?

Many Thanks

Darren
 
  Iceberg 172
It depends what you're using it for / want from a set of coilovers.

I personally have no intentions of pushing my car to the limit on a track but can't stand the standard ride height so it's coilovers for me everytime.

For track use get decent coilies.

If you're happy with the arch gap and don't plan on tracking it keep the trophy suspension.
 
  LY R26
what is the mark fish set up exactly?

i emailed him, and tried to phone today but was too busy at work
 
  Clio 182 full fat
This is what I got quoted as his setup, I do 2 miles aday so not a problem being stiff, and asked it to be good for weekend fun and trackdays!

- de pin
- adjust front camber (more negative),
- front track alignment,
- 2 x Koni dampers
- uprated spring set
- set damper positions and road test etc

I cant see it happening though, waste of a trophy which is perfectly good fun for b-roads, what I bought it for!
 
Last edited:
I love the way that everyone on here gets a stiffy over the Trophy when evo talks about it, but when push comes to shove as soon as the opportunity arises, everyone thinks they can do a better job than renaultsport, a test team, and some 'expensive' remote resevoir dampers; with a hodge podge of various springs and dampers from their local demon tweeks clone.

Same goes for the Williams too. 'It's a great car they say', and then subsequently change the tyres to low profile bone shakers and the dampers to some cheap semi adjustable max power-esque aftermarket coilovers because they think they can do a better job that renault.

People totally miss the point that handling is subjective and everyone requires something different in their car. However, there are certain basic principles of 'good handling' that are understood by manufacturers, such as the tendency to dial in understeer to the car to prevent hedge visits and the tendency to add front brake bias to prevent the car swapping ends.

Granted, Jean Ragnotti may like more rear bias and a little oversteer, but then the kid could drive.

I wonder how many of the accidents we read about on here are caused by people messing and tinkering about with something they have little understanding of? And that includes some 'tuning companies'.
 
  172 - 249bhp @ the wheels
I love the way that everyone on here gets a stiffy over the Trophy when evo talks about it, but when push comes to shove as soon as the opportunity arises, everyone thinks they can do a better job than renaultsport, a test team, and some 'expensive' remote resevoir dampers; with a hodge podge of various springs and dampers from their local demon tweeks clone.

Same goes for the Williams too. 'It's a great car they say', and then subsequently change the tyres to low profile bone shakers and the dampers to some cheap semi adjustable max power-esque aftermarket coilovers because they think they can do a better job that renault.

Have you driven a Trophy?

Can the Williams handling be improved in your opinion?

Have you driven on a track and taken the car even to the halfway point of it's limits?
 
  1.4 phase 1
Have you driven a Trophy?

Can the Williams handling be improved in your opinion?

Have you driven on a track and taken the car even to the halfway point of it's limits?

what he said really, the people that take their car on track would'nt change the suspension unless they actually got a noticeable improvment now would they.
 
  B/G 182 + PH1 Track
It depends what you're using it for / want from a set of coilovers.

I personally have no intentions of pushing my car to the limit on a track but can't stand the standard ride height so it's coilovers for me everytime.

For track use get decent coilies.

If you're happy with the arch gap and don't plan on tracking it keep the trophy suspension.

Thats a terrible reason to change the suspension on a trophy, Its a good reason on a normal 1*2.

If you are planning to use your car as a proper track car got for a Proper set of coilovers.

Trophy set up is better than nearly all coilovers for road use. We have a Set of ASTs from the Time attack clio on our track car the are great on track, but not so great on the road.

If you hate the ride height, Mark fish offer a set of springs that slightly lower the car with out loosing the great handling the trophy has.
 
  172 - 249bhp @ the wheels
what he said really, the people that take their car on track would'nt change the suspension unless they actually got a noticeable improvment now would they.

I'm not saying he's right or wrong, I want to know his experience and take on suspension.

Most Mk2's have old and tired suspension now, so sticking cheap coilovers is cheaper than buying standard components from Renault, I'd be amazed if there was actually much difference between the two.
 
Have you driven a Trophy?

Can the Williams handling be improved in your opinion?

Have you driven on a track and taken the car even to the halfway point of it's limits?

1. Yes i have driven a trophy.

2. Handling can only be improved for an individual. As it is subjective. You can only really 'change the handling characteristics'. Whether that is for better or worse depends entirely on the driver. You could certainly make the williams faster for a track, by lowering it and stiffening the suspension, but when you did that you would make it slower over a B road / rally stage, because it would now not be able to deal with the abrasive, uneven surface. You could also certainly dial out some of its understeer quite easily, but then you would remove the characteristic of controllability that makes it what it is. So in other words, yes, you can change the handling, but then it isnt a clio williams, its just a clio shell with your choice of handling. For it to be a clio williams, it has to have renaults settings on it. Thats what a williams is.

3. I love the way you think i cant drive based on a few selective vidos i have released. Makes you what you are sweetie. I can almost feel your blood pressure rising as i type this.
 
  172 - 249bhp @ the wheels
What did you think of the Trophy then Rob?

Handling is subjective, but that's not to say you cant have the best of both worlds, but then be prepared to pay out more than the cars value. But who cares about the Williams, it was (and is) a great car (in it's own right) and easily compares to a Mk2 (imo), but the new breed of RS' have moved the game on significantly.

I simply asked if you have been on track or driven the car to it's limits lol, I dont get wound up by you Rob, I'm used to dealing with you. By the way, the Williams drives better overall on 195/50's, as that's what 7" wide rims should be using ;)
 

Jamie

ClioSport Club Member
I'd take the Mark Fish set up but it is quite alot. It's about £800 if you get him to do everything. I'm not sure I wanted to make that sort of financial commitment to the car so I'm going to stick with the standard set up for now. Even though it looks like my potential new rear dampers from Renault are similar cost to Marks.
 
  LY R26
spoke to mark on the phone. 30 min convo about the trophy, think im going to go with his set up, also he'll fit my exhaust system at the same time.

long drive all the way down tho :(
 
What did you think of the Trophy then Rob?

It's set up too stiff for my liking. Its clearly been set up for track, whereas i think the Williams has been set up much softer for road use.

The williams came out long before track days were mainstream, and i dont think Renault envisaged it being used on track. Its is after all an FIA homologated car for rallying, which in France means B road specialisation.

I think when the Trophy came out track days were in vogue and you can see why Renault went for a stiffer car. It's a track car, and probably a much better track car than the Williams.

But you pay your money and take your choice. I am a rally nut so the choice is obvious to me.
 

Jamie

ClioSport Club Member
spoke to mark on the phone. 30 min convo about the trophy, think im going to go with his set up, also he'll fit my exhaust system at the same time.

long drive all the way down tho :(


Yeah, he spent some time talking to me too really nice guy with an excellent rep. I don't think you can go far wrong with him. Pretty good to know he's racing the cars too.
 

ForceIndia

ClioSport Club Member
  Gentlemans spec 200
Watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j66Hkm7UGlw

Notice these words:

'Circuit'

'Cart feel'

'Track'

'Stiffer damper'

'Lower'


Then there is the name:

'Trophy'

Derived from Renault's RACE series, just as 'Cup' is.

Looks like a track orientated car to me. Maybe you are looking at the wrong car? Red yes?
So because a promo video shows track work, it's developed for track?

The Trophy was setup for B-roads. End of discussion.
 
The Trophy was setup for B-roads. End of discussion.

The link i posted was an official Renault release and clearly shows a Renault employee talking about track ability.

Please link me to any Official Renault material that demonstrates your point and disproves mine.

Waffling about evo mag, references to other forum posts or statements like 'everyone knows that mate' will highlight you as a troll.

I want evidence and a link, from Renault.
 
  172 - 249bhp @ the wheels
Watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j66Hkm7UGlw

Notice these words:

'Circuit'

'Cart feel'

'Track'

'Stiffer damper'

'Lower'


Then there is the name:

'Trophy'

Derived from Renault's RACE series, just as 'Cup' is.

Looks like a track orientated car to me. Maybe you are looking at the wrong car? Red yes?

Wow Rob, didn't think you would be one to fall for Renault marketing hype, then again, if it suits your agenda then why not ;)
 
  Iceberg 172
Thats a terrible reason to change the suspension on a trophy, Its a good reason on a normal 1*2.

Why?

If I got a Trophy as I liked the colour and the fact it comes with Turini's and Recaro's would that be a bad reason to own a trophy? (I wouldn't btw as i don't like the colour!)

Unless the guy is pushing the Trophy to it's limits even if the coilovers slightly decrease it's handling ability it's not going to be an issue imo.
 
  B/G 182 + PH1 Track
Why?

If I got a Trophy as I liked the colour and the fact it comes with Turini's and Recaro's would that be a bad reason to own a trophy? (I wouldn't btw as i don't like the colour!)

Unless the guy is pushing the Trophy to it's limits even if the coilovers slightly decrease it's handling ability it's not going to be an issue imo.

Well to me the trophy is not how the car looks, its about what was done to the suspension and how it drives.

As far as i see it, its like buying a Cup because you like colour then going and butting a FF interior and extras on it. and therefore taking away what makes a Trophy/Cup a better "drivers" car than a normal 1*2
 
  Trophy #473
IMO Danmalone1999 is fully justified and correct in what he is saying. Ive never tracked my T but on a B road it is 100% better then my old 172.
 
  Iceberg 172
Well to me the trophy is not how the car looks, its about what was done to the suspension and how it drives.

As far as i see it, its like buying a Cup because you like colour then going and butting a FF interior and extras on it. and therefore taking away what makes a Trophy/Cup a better "drivers" car than a normal 1*2

I do agree with you mate, but the way i see it is any road car is made with comprimises... engines aren't tuned heavily so they last for 200k miles, suspension / arb's / tyres are all comprimises as not everyone who buys them is going to know what to do when the back end steps out.

But I do still think even if I had the trophy that i'd put coilies on to sort out the stance. I wouldn't buy cheap coilies and I'd get them setup properly so I doubt i'd ruin the handling. It may make it a lot stiffer and not as comfortable but that wouldn't bother me.

I know what you're saying though and I do see how my thoughts are wrong but i'm just being honest!

I do see what you're saying about a Cup with FF leathers in and I wouldn't do that!
 


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