Abarthmarks Clio 172

[Guest]

I've been non fiat for a few years now after selling my Cinquecento Abarth. I go to a lot of stage rallies marshalling which means I have to drive down rally stages in the forests sometimes, and having a lowered Cinq just wasnt a good idea for this. The sump is very low on these cars and its not easy fitting a sump guard either so it had to go. I swapped it for a Citroen Xsara saloon but that went as well as it was such an awful car. It was reasonably quick but it didnt have decent brakes and the build quality was dreadful.
I ended up trading the Xsara against an X reg silver Clio 172. I'd never considered a Renault before, but after speaking to a very good friend who some of you may know from SFC ,600M, he advised me to get a 172. He has one exactly the same as mine as well as 2 V6 Phase1 Clios and the very 1st Twingo that was the Paris show car. He worked for Renault in France when the Twingo came out and had a hand in the design.
I've had the car 18 months now and done 10,000 miles in it including 8 track days. Its a total blast to drive and still cheap to run. The car is very well put together and everything works as it should. The engine sounds awesome,it has a deep growl on acceleration and it takes off once the cam profile changes at 4500rpm. It will rev to 7500 and is very responsive.
I've put Brembo high carbon vented discs on the front and Ferodo DS2500 front pads and EBC Greenstuff rear pads from K-Tec Racing. The engine is standard but has a cone filter. I'm using Toyo Proxes T1-R's all round on 15" OZ F1 rims. I've fitted a rear strut brace for track days but take it off for normal driving so that I have more boot space.It only takes a few minutes to put it back in. I've also got an OMP front strut brace for it but want to sell it . Its brand new,still in the plastic wrapper. looking for £50 for it.
I just love driving the Clio ,its so much fun and handles really well. Theres a huge following for these cars and brilliant for track use. I'd seriously recommend one for anyone who wants a powerful hatchback that is fun to drive and cheap to run.

[abarthmark]

I've been non fiat for a few years now after selling my Cinquecento Abarth. I go to a lot of stage rallies marshalling which means I have to drive down rally stages in the forests sometimes, and having a lowered Cinq just wasnt a good idea for this. The sump is very low on these cars and its not easy fitting a sump guard either so it had to go. I swapped it for a Citroen Xsara saloon but that went as well as it was such an awful car. It was reasonably quick but it didnt have decent brakes and the build quality was dreadful.
I ended up trading the Xsara against an X reg silver Clio 172. I'd never considered a Renault before, but after speaking to a very good friend who some of you may know from SFC ,600M, he advised me to get a 172. He has one exactly the same as mine as well as 2 V6 Phase1 Clios and the very 1st Twingo that was the Paris show car. He worked for Renault in France when the Twingo came out and had a hand in the design.
I've had the car 18 months now and done 10,000 miles in it including 8 track days. Its a total blast to drive and still cheap to run. The car is very well put together and everything works as it should. The engine sounds awesome,it has a deep growl on acceleration and it takes off once the cam profile changes at 4500rpm. It will rev to 7500 and is very responsive.
I've put Brembo high carbon vented discs on the front and Ferodo DS2500 front pads and EBC Greenstuff rear pads from K-Tec Racing. The engine is standard but has a cone filter. I'm using Toyo Proxes T1-R's all round on 15" OZ F1 rims. I've fitted a rear strut brace for track days but take it off for normal driving so that I have more boot space.It only takes a few minutes to put it back in. I've also got an OMP front strut brace for it but want to sell it . Its brand new,still in the plastic wrapper. looking for £50 for it.
I just love driving the Clio ,its so much fun and handles really well. Theres a huge following for these cars and brilliant for track use. I'd seriously recommend one for anyone who wants a powerful hatchback that is fun to drive and cheap to run.

[j333evo]

This thread needs pictures!

You're not the first or indeed I doubt will be the last Cento owner to go the RS Clio route.

Jamie86 has a phase 2 RS Clio 172 which has been seen round Castle Combe a few times.

I have a RS Clio 182 Trophy number 243/500. I love my T it's an awesome bit of kit, the Recaro Trendline seats, the ubber expensive Sachs racing dampers & Eibach springs as standard & it's unique capsicum red paint, Speedline Turini wheels make it feel so special.

I of course am doing the same as you and have added no pictures, but maybe we both should & have a RS Clio appreiciation thread!

[abarthmark]

I'm finally back on here after a long absence. How do I upload photos to the site? I've still got my Clio 172 and still very pleased with it. I went to Dieppe in May to the Alpine factory with Renaultsport for a factory tour and lunch. We made a bit of an extended trip and explored the surrounding villages and some of the coastline which was very interesting. That part of the French coast is where the landings took place during the war. There are memorials all down the coast for all the soldiers that gave their lives. its very moving to see.
The factory was fascinating. Its where all the motorsport cars are built except F1 as well as the Clio 200 and some gas powered Clios they are building for the French market as city cars for Paris. The Megane 225 was also built there but now the RS250 and 265 are built in Valencia. They also restore some of the Alpine Renaults in Dieppe as bespoke orders but I imagine thats an expensive thing to have done. We were taken around the factory by a group from Renaultsport  in France including a chap who worked in the factory. A lot of questions were asked about what was coming up to replace the Clio 200 and what other projects were coming up. As expected we were told to wait and see. WhatI do know is the 2 litre engine in the Clio RS is being dropped next year and replaced with a 1.6 turbo of about 220bhp. This is to meet the new emissions regulations coming in. I cant help thinking the new car will sound a lot different and probably a lot quieter than than the 2 litre but time will tell as to whether its any good or not. I do know that it will be built with lots of attention to detail as they only build about 18 cars a day in Dieppe. If anyone else has a Renaultsport car then I recommend registering on the Renaultsport forum and taking part in some of the events they run. I'm going to Silverstone on the 21st for the Renault world series. Its free to Renaultsport owners who register for tickets and is a huge 2 day event.
If I can find out how to post photos on here then I'll get some up soon.

[abarthmark]

Since I've owned the Clio I've done around 30,000 miles including 12 trackdays mostly at Oulton Park and one at Brands Hatch. Its been ultra reliable and so much fun to drive. I've recently fitted new rear discs and pads. The car now has Ferodo DS2500 pads all round with Brembo high carbon discs on the front and Padgett rear discs so the brakes are ultra sharp now. I've also fitted Toyo R1-R semi slick tyres which are superb. The handling is really good on the car and so much fun down a twisty B road. I now need to fit some braided brake lines to sharpen the pedal up a bit after a hot track session. I'm also about to order a K-Tec engine mounting kit to upgrade the engine mounts so it will take full power in first gear without kicking the exhaust up into the floor, a common fault on Clio RS models. I've had the car almost 3 years now and it still looks really good for an 11 year old car. I'd highly recommend buying one for anyone looking for a powerful hot hatch thats rewarding to drive and cheap to run.