Who here owns a Renaultsport?

Soldato
Joined
25 Oct 2004
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Cambridge
Considering (very early stages) of buying a V6 Clio for a track day car / investment. What are peoples thoughts? I've always liked the idea of a track day car, especially one that goes up in value. I can garage it and the odd large bill isn't an issue. I thought about buying a 182 (always liked them) but am considering going the whole hog.
 
Associate
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Kent
In my opinion if you want a track based Clio and want to pay some premium then buy a 182 Trophy.

V6 won't be that spectacular on track and make a definite better investment and casual weekend machine.
 
Caporegime
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8 Mar 2007
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Surrey
A car that will go up in value is not compatible with a car used on track. Track days will trash your car, do not think that you can have a garage queen and still spank it on track.

Also, a V6 is a poor choice for a track day car. The saying goes that there are only 2 types of V6 owner: those who have spun and hit something, and those who have spun and haven't. The short wheelbase makes them rather unpredictable.

If you want an investment a V6 might be a good shout. If you want a track day car then any lower 172 or 182 is a good idea. I'd steer clear of Trohies though. As great as they are, you are going to be spending lots more money for not a lot more track entertainment.
 
Associate
Joined
6 Feb 2013
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Bought this 182FF last week (linked above).

Liking it so far for the most part, seems nice and nippy. Hoping to get chance to go for a proper drive over the weekend.

Not quite sure on the catback exhaust, sounds awesome at full chat but borders on being annoyingly loud when pootling along in town/traffic. Will see if it grows on me.
 
Associate
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Yes it is, but I liked the car when I went to see it so bought it (for a bit less than advertised).

Seller seemed very nice & a genuine enthusiast. I'm happy with the purchase, whether I will still be happy after taking it to a garage for a service only time will tell :D
 
Soldato
Joined
3 Jun 2012
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10,803
Well as long as your happy :)

Your looking at around £600 for cambelt kit, aux belt kit, waterpump, dephaser.

If I was you I would get some uprated cams and have them fitted at the same time. Only time. You should do it is when doing cambelt.

also make sure you pick a specialist to do the work. Have a look at the clio sports facebook page to find local specialist.
 
Associate
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Nottingham
Unless your doing lots of track days or similar, i'd leave the Cams alone. RS Tuner helps with low down torque slightly, but the car is pretty nice to drive in standard trim. It's fairly racy, without being too much for everyday use. Installing uprated cams is generally going to make it more racy, plus you'll need to mess around with custom remapping too, not worth the hassel for a few extra bhp top end, and a little less lower end.

Personally, i'd get the belts done as soon as you can afford to do it. Get the wheel retrimmed, and change the Evol dogbone for a new genuine Renault item (unless you like the vibration, it worth noting that the other engine mounts will probably wear much faster too, unless they've been uprated also due to the added stiffness from the dogbone mount), and then just keep up maintainance and cleaning.

Car looks nice, I still miss my 182, and consider buying another every now and then.
 
Associate
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Rs Tuner 98 Ron map was the best mod I did to my Trophy!

I ran uprated dogbone, engine and gearbox mounts. I didn't think the vibration was at all that bad and made the gear shift much much better. But each to their own with that one!
 
Soldato
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Bath
I just used brand new Renault mounts on mine - much better than the old ones, and no nasty vibrations

The only mount I've uprated is the exhaust mounts, as I kept going through standard Renault ones every couple of months.
 
Soldato
Joined
3 Jun 2012
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10,803
Rs Tuner 98 Ron map was the best mod I did to my Trophy!

I ran uprated dogbone, engine and gearbox mounts. I didn't think the vibration was at all that bad and made the gear shift much much better. But each to their own with that one!

The 98 ron map is nice. Apart from the fact it locks the ECU so cant get it mapped elsewhere :/
 
Associate
Joined
6 Feb 2013
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288
Was expecting £600ish for belts, dephaser etc., closest recommended specialists I've found to Stoke so far are Diamond Motors in Nottingham or BTM in Brum, anyone know of anyone closer that they can recommend?

Vibrations from the dogbone mount haven't bothered me too much so far though as with the exhaust, time will tell.

RS Tuner landed on the mat today (ordered Sunday night so can't complain about shipping speed) :D
 
Soldato
Joined
22 Dec 2002
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10,165
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Minehead
I'm having a drive of a 182 trophy tomorrow which a friend just picked up. Tell me I won't like it much please? Undoubtedly it handles better than my civic and is probably just as nice a place to be!

Just how chuckable are these things? I had a dci 100 many moons ago which I loved at the time.
 
Associate
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The Trophy is the best handling car I've owned/driven. Period. As long as its had everything sorted and refreshed it is brilliant. Longest I have ever owned a car too.

Cars of note I've owned/driven are Focus RS MK1, Nissan 350Z, Focus ST 225 , SLK55 AMG, Mini Cooper S R53, C63 AMG.
 
Soldato
Joined
3 Jun 2012
Posts
10,803
Was expecting £600ish for belts, dephaser etc., closest recommended specialists I've found to Stoke so far are Diamond Motors in Nottingham or BTM in Brum, anyone know of anyone closer that they can recommend?

Vibrations from the dogbone mount haven't bothered me too much so far though as with the exhaust, time will tell.

RS Tuner landed on the mat today (ordered Sunday night so can't complain about shipping speed) :D

I have been to btm but also diamond are good.

I would Deffo recommend traveling to the right place
 
Soldato
Joined
22 Dec 2002
Posts
10,165
Location
Minehead
The Trophy is the best handling car I've owned/driven. Period. As long as its had everything sorted and refreshed it is brilliant. Longest I have ever owned a car too.

Cars of note I've owned/driven are Focus RS MK1, Nissan 350Z, Focus ST 225 , SLK55 AMG, Mini Cooper S R53, C63 AMG.

I really enjoyed it! Its been very well looked after, over serviced if anything and the bodywork is pretty much pristine! Drove lovely and I think the power delivery of the engine suited the chassis beautifully.
 
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