a message from Lee:
Yup, I had a 182 with Cup packs and before that a 172, plus I've also driven a fair few miles in a 172 Cup. The way it feels to me, and it may be different to others is this. The 182 over the 172 was a slight improvement, it had slightly better body control, and had a higher level of grip, as well as being able to put the power down more effectively, possibly down to to the wider rubber.
The differences between the 182 and the Trophy are far more noticeable, so this is where personal preference comes in. The 182 with or without Cup packs is an amazing handling car, and on the road there's next to nothing between and of the Renault Sport Clios. I know people with stupidly low cars etc will say I'm being soft, but coming from a person who buys a car for transport as well as a bit of track day fun this is what I think. The Trophy is stiff, very stiff, it feels every single bump, even a pebble in the road, but in return body roll is reduced even further and the front end digs in and goes even better than on the 182, this does however mean the rear end is even more twitchy, which is something all Renault Sport Clios have on the limit. The 182 is a far more comfortable ride, I do 42 miles daily commute into the centre of Birmingham and there are times when I really wish I didn't own the Trophy. There's so many speed bumps I have to contend with, which means I have to crawl over most of them in first.
Out of all the models I've driven, the Trophy and the 172 Cup are the most similar, both have a more nimble, but twitchy feel to them, and both change direction quickly better.
I'd not knock any of them though and I'd be happy with any one of them. Best thing to do is try and get a drive in each of them that interest you, as the Trophy isn't for everyone for daily use.
Hope that helps mate,
Lee