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The £1k Clio 172 Cup



  172 Cup
Following Ben Lowden's Clio Trophy and 172 Cup articles on Pistonheads I couldn't resist this car which appeared on Cliosport locally around the time. I had a bit of a dash to get there before 2 or 3 other viewers but made it and bagged a bargain for my runabout. The previous owner had it for 7 years and was only getting rid as his misses had forced him following the purchase of an E92 M3.

I had previously been an Impreza fanboy, eventually owning a P1 for a few years before marriage, kids and mortgages took priority. My brother had an R26 so I got an eye for what a comparitive bargain Renaults are in the performance world.

This car was on 114k and needed belts hence the price but the engine, brakes and handling were fantastic.

I've had it almost 3 years now and it's sitting on 126k. I had hoped to upgrade to a Megane 275 this year but another house move put pay to that and I've decided to maximise and enjoy what I've got.

Steering was feeling a little dead and it was understeering and bouncing a little at the rear when pushed. Last week I booked it in for a suspension and steering refresh, Cup dampers, lower arms, ball joints, bushes, track rod end kit. Wow, what a difference. Back to the pointy, direct and responsive car I loved. Not bad for £400 in parts. I didn't fancy having those sensations diluted by a steering wheel which was melting away in my hands so got Jack at Royal Wheels to do a nice retrim for me.

Loving the car and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering one. These cars are definitely a little bit special. Here's my spec:

Eibach sportline springs with Cup dampers
Powerflex dogbone mount
KTEC engine mount
KTEC sports cat
Magnecor leads
Michelin PS3 tyres
RS Tuner 98 map
Clio R3 airbox
Phase 1 / V6 gear knob
Wheel retrim in perforated, nappa and alcantara
Brembo HC discs
Mintex 1144 pads
Goodridge braided brake lines

I've put this thread up to keep updates on the car together. This will certainly not rival any of the big projects on here but should hopefully end up in a tidy and useful road car which I thoroughly enjoy. Alloy wheel refurb and some bodywork touch ups next.

Thanks for reading!

IMG_9061.JPG


IMG_9059.JPG


IMG_9156.JPG
 

shiftspark

ClioSport Club Member
  R53 GR86
Nice :up:, mine drives really well after all the suspension, brakes and engine mounts were done. It would surprise a few people if they refreshed their suspension for new parts rather than cheap coilovers.
 
  Mec 350 slk manual
Following Ben Lowden's Clio Trophy and 172 Cup articles on Pistonheads I couldn't resist this car which appeared on Cliosport locally around the time. I had a bit of a dash to get there before 2 or 3 other viewers but made it and bagged a bargain for my runabout. The previous owner had it for 7 years and was only getting rid as his misses had forced him following the purchase of an E92 M3.

I had previously been an Impreza fanboy, eventually owning a P1 for a few years before marriage, kids and mortgages took priority. My brother had an R26 so I got an eye for what a comparitive bargain Renaults are in the performance world.

This car was on 114k and needed belts hence the price but the engine, brakes and handling were fantastic.

I've had it almost 3 years now and it's sitting on 126k. I had hoped to upgrade to a Megane 275 this year but another house move put pay to that and I've decided to maximise and enjoy what I've got.

Steering was feeling a little dead and it was understeering and bouncing a little at the rear when pushed. Last week I booked it in for a suspension and steering refresh, Cup dampers, lower arms, ball joints, bushes, track rod end kit. Wow, what a difference. Back to the pointy, direct and responsive car I loved. Not bad for £400 in parts. I didn't fancy having those sensations diluted by a steering wheel which was melting away in my hands so got Jack at Royal Wheels to do a nice retrim for me.

Loving the car and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering one. These cars are definitely a little bit special. Here's my spec:

Eibach sportline springs with Cup dampers
Powerflex dogbone mount
KTEC engine mount
KTEC sports cat
Magnecor leads
Michelin PS3 tyres
RS Tuner 98 map
Clio R3 airbox
Phase 1 / V6 gear knob
Wheel retrim in perforated, nappa and alcantara
Brembo HC discs
Mintex 1144 pads
Goodridge braided brake lines

I've put this thread up to keep updates on the car together. This will certainly not rival any of the big projects on here but should hopefully end up in a tidy and useful road car which I thoroughly enjoy. Alloy wheel refurb and some bodywork touch ups next.

Thanks for reading!

View attachment 1359942

View attachment 1359941

View attachment 1359943
Money well spent there .
 
  172 Cup
Nice :up:, mine drives really well after all the suspension, brakes and engine mounts were done. It would surprise a few people if they refreshed their suspension for new parts rather than cheap coilovers.

I agree with you there. No doubt the standard setup well maintained is still very capable on the road. I thought about blowing the budget on B14s but didn't want to neglect the other components to do it.
 

Iain C

ClioSport Club Member
Tbh I don't really think coilovers help that much.That said I cant really rember how they ride on standard stuff, Mine has been on coilovers of some kind since 2006.
They do look better low.
 
  172 Cup
Tbh I don't really think coilovers help that much.That said I cant really rember how they ride on standard stuff, Mine has been on coilovers of some kind since 2006.
They do look better low.

I'll give you that! If I didn't have a Cup I would have it lower on 2118s
 

Cerrone

West Midlands
ClioSport Area Rep
  RB Clio 182
Looks in such good condition! Lovely steering wheel really finishs the interior off!
 
  172 Cup
Looks in such good condition! Lovely steering wheel really finishs the interior off!

Thanks mate! Yeah I've been grinning like a Cheshire Cat with it today. Just put it on at midday. What a difference to the interior!
 

Cerrone

West Midlands
ClioSport Area Rep
  RB Clio 182
Thanks mate! Yeah I've been grinning like a Cheshire Cat with it today. Just put it on at midday. What a difference to the interior!
I get like a little kid at Christmas when I get deliveries! Real bargain on the car as well!
 

Hixle

Hi Kiss Luke E****
ClioSport Club Member
  E90 M3
Looks great! Would still quite happily drive a cup for a daily!
 

yeecup

ClioSport Club Member
  mk8Fiesta ST,172 cup
We are £1000 cup buddies. I had my wheels done at pentland powdercoating they did a cracking job mine were crusty as f**k. Very similar spec to mine as well. I'm tempted to go for b14s or similar to get it a bit lower, mines on eibachs sportlines, but it handles so well I don't want to ruin it. Steering wheel, rear arb, more extreme tyres are on my list. They are great little cars always puts a smile on my face driving it. Watching your thread with interest.
 
  172 Cup
We are £1000 cup buddies. I had my wheels done at pentland powdercoating they did a cracking job mine were crusty as f**k. Very similar spec to mine as well. I'm tempted to go for b14s or similar to get it a bit lower, mines on eibachs sportlines, but it handles so well I don't want to ruin it. Steering wheel, rear arb, more extreme tyres are on my list. They are great little cars always puts a smile on my face driving it. Watching your thread with interest.

Haha! I saw the pics of your car and thought yours was more in the £3k+ bracket lol! It looks a beaut.

I've had my other car done at Pentland, like you say, great job. Definitely next on my list. Once I've done that we should get them out for a few pics.

I'll be very interested to see what yours is like if you go with the Whiteline and / or B14s. Money no object I would be on them now but now the work is done it's perfect for what I want so I won't be changing (till I try it on track probably!).
 

yeecup

ClioSport Club Member
  mk8Fiesta ST,172 cup
Was just thinking that we need to get them together for some pics, maybe convoy up to knockhill? I had a whiteline arb on my old ph1 and it made a massive difference, great mod for the money.
 

SiMunn

ClioSport Club Member
  n/a
Was just thinking that we need to get them together for some pics, maybe convoy up to knockhill? I had a whiteline arb on my old ph1 and it made a massive difference, great mod for the money.
Ill join the convoy to Knockhill in my stripped 172 cup
 

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SiMunn

ClioSport Club Member
  n/a
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No Glasgow.
I’m in the process of stripping everything out before it goes to Rentec to have everything checked over and upgraded ready for the Nurburgring next year!!
 
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SiMunn

ClioSport Club Member
  n/a
Have you got a thread? If not get one up! Sounds great. Certainly taking it to the right place. Barrie, Brian and the guys are first class. Will be interesting to see what spec you opt for.
I am a wee bit away from taking it through. Still some small niggles I want to sort out first but overall I am enjoying taking my time with the build.
 
Great looking car this, nice and original with some subtle upgrades - the best way! What a bargain with the price and that was 3 years ago!!

For me personally, the Whiteline is a great bit of kit for the money, noticed a big difference when I had mine fitted. Currently also have brand new Cup shocks and Cooksport springs (but on an Arctic Blue 182)
 
Thanks! Sounds like a very nice car you have got.

I'll definitely keep the Whiteline in mind for some point.

Thankyou! :up: To be honest, to the untrained eye it looks just like yours..... have a look at my project thread for some more ideas of little upgrades you can do :wink:
 
  172 Cup
Fairly busy month for the car. Had a slight issue with the new f/n/s ball joint which was knocking and was replaced FOC without question by Rentec and done as a matter of urgency. Top blokes.

I also learnt an embarrassing lesson by suffering a misfire for a couple of days following rinsing the bay off. Blew the water out the plug wells and all perfect again.

Car was back in for service and MOT which it flew through after fitting another set of Brembo HC discs and Mintex 1144 pads up front. Car is feeling spot on.

Nice weather gave me an excuse to give it a proper polish for the first time this year. Obligatory pic of course.

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yeecup

ClioSport Club Member
  mk8Fiesta ST,172 cup
Mate that looks amazing. Great pics. I'm planning on going to tartan Tarmac breakfast meet at knockhill this Sunday give me a shout if u want to tag along.
 
  172 Cup
Thanks mate, pics are a bit flattering trust me!

That would have been good but I'm working Sunday unfortunately
 


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