Great review. I've owned a 172 before and have a 197 at the moment. The 197 definitely feels slower, but it really comes into it's own when you go over 5000 rpm (even more so than a 172/182). The chassis is a lot better than a 172 though, much more planted car the 197 is.
Personally I’ll rather take a 197 f1 team cup edition r27 or Clio rs200 cup in alien green or take my own Clio rs200 mk3 which is more rare due to all the optional extras. The Clio 197/200 are heavier than the 172/182. It’s all personal preface as it’s up to you what you want from the Clio’s. Good content mate, keep it up
in general Clio 3 is more assisted with electronics and modern suspension assets, but the Clio 2 is more fun to drive and aging better than the 3 generation which makes it a better idea for a second hand car, and i guess the same thing can be said when comparing the 197 to the 182.
I owned a 172 then a 197 F1 then a 220 Trophy. 197 F1 was by far my favourite, slowest out of the 3 BUT had feel and engagement to spare. Great steering feel, fantastic engine above 4500 rpm and every single drive felt special
Great review! Was watching thinking about how the scenery felt quite familiar, then realised it was filmed on the Ashdown forest, about 10 minutes from my house! Might have to look into one of these, or a 200 cup, as my next car - I’m in a Panda 100HP at the moment.
I think that the 182 will be a more valued vehicle than the 197, the 182 is really a hot hatch for its weight and for its size of those that no brand makes anymore ... in fact the clio sport 182 was only manufactured and sold during 2 years
I've got myself a clio 182 cup and it's the best wee car I've drove, but would love to experience a 197/200 to see how much they have improved. But great video 👍🏻
I'm the other way around. I have an R27 F1 (197) and I'd love to drive a 182 to see how it compares. All I can say, is that I've never met a 172/182 on a track that can keep up with the 197. I know a lot of people romanticize the 'fast feel' of the older Clios, but ultimately, the 197/200 series are actually quite a bit faster in my opinion.
@@EssOneFive the 182/172 are alot more raw when it comes to driving experience but when it comes to performance and cornering the newer 197/200's are so much more advanced. The only reason a 182 can keep up is due to the weight but apart from that no chance.
@@Thejarry180project as the owner of a Clio RS 197, I can only agree with you... there are only so many urban legends about this car that have "polluted" its reputation... the owners know how fast a Clio Mk3 is, it is certainly superior, overall, to the Clio 2 but also to the Honda Civic Type R (the K20 is a more flexible engine than the F4R, but the Clio chassis is from another world!)... anyone who says otherwise is in bad faith!
I owned a 172 then a 182 straight after, couldn't bring myself to owning a 197 even after a test drive. The mk2 feels like a small car with a big engine while the mk3 feels like a medium size car with a medium size engine if that makes sense. The brakes and suspension are miles better on the mk3 and stock vs stock the mk3 is better on track anyway. Fifth gear compared them both years ago
Here is the deal with this gen clio. A guy was selling it and I went to check it out the other day. Everything nice and cool, but when you take a second look around a car its not worth it. You have to remember that these cars are getting pretty old now, but thats not such a problem if the car is taken care of properly. These little cars have been pushed to the limit too. The one I went to see had really bad/rusted brake discs, stone chips all over the body, scratches, engine has been replaced under warranty at 37.000km and so on. The condition was obviously bad. The guy was selling it for 7500€ and it's just not worth it.. Yes, the temptation to buy one is unreal! ..But on the other hand.. Here is the advice. If you are looking to buy one make sure you got extra cash, because repairs are inevitable.
Yep your wrong IMHO a modded 197 would keep up with a 172 / 182 a modded 172/182 will wipe the floor driver dependent with a 197/200 I love the look of the 197/200 but they should have turbo charged it instead of the Megane. I have a 172 I have race a 197 and the 172 is quicker and not by a little bit. so the 197 handles better but the 172'182 are just plain faster. And the white elephant in the room is they aren't a lot more powerful but they older ones are a lot lighter.
One comparison you didn't mention is the 6 speed manual vs the 5 speed in the older 172/182. Can't make up for 150kg but I'm sure it helps. I owned a 172 and are looking to get a 197. I think what you said is really helpful, even though the power of my clio would surprise many off the lights and unsuspecting friends i'd taxi around where these cars really come into their element when punted hard around a mountain road and yeah the wider track, revised chassis and functional aero, greater high speed stability with the 6 speed, and a little more top power end would definitely be a welcome improvement. Also I love the simple yet functional looks of these. As if the engineers won over the larger part of its budget putting the money were it counts and not on frilly bits that don't really do anything.
Great review. I've owned a 172 before and have a 197 at the moment. The 197 definitely feels slower, but it really comes into it's own when you go over 5000 rpm (even more so than a 172/182). The chassis is a lot better than a 172 though, much more planted car the 197 is.
Professional quality review Chris. The 197 looks wise doesn't do anything for me. I'll stick with my 172 Cup :)
Thank you! Same - it’s very dull to look at. I’ll second the 172 Cup choice 😉
197 looks so much better. 172 looks like a standard mk2 Clio
Can’t tell if ur joking or what 172 and 182 are boring compared to the 197 and 200 looks wise 🤡🤡🤡🤡
Personally I’ll rather take a 197 f1 team cup edition r27 or Clio rs200 cup in alien green or take my own Clio rs200 mk3 which is more rare due to all the optional extras. The Clio 197/200 are heavier than the 172/182. It’s all personal preface as it’s up to you what you want from the Clio’s.
Good content mate, keep it up
in general Clio 3 is more assisted with electronics and modern suspension assets, but the Clio 2 is more fun to drive and aging better than the 3 generation which makes it a better idea for a second hand car, and i guess the same thing can be said when comparing the 197 to the 182.
I owned a 172 then a 197 F1 then a 220 Trophy. 197 F1 was by far my favourite, slowest out of the 3 BUT had feel and engagement to spare. Great steering feel, fantastic engine above 4500 rpm and every single drive felt special
Lovely motor this, cracking review AGAIN from you Chris - Subscribed finally
Having had a 182 in the past which was so much fun to drive, the 197 has really grown on me over the years, and definitely considering getting one
Great review! Was watching thinking about how the scenery felt quite familiar, then realised it was filmed on the Ashdown forest, about 10 minutes from my house! Might have to look into one of these, or a 200 cup, as my next car - I’m in a Panda 100HP at the moment.
I think that the 182 will be a more valued vehicle than the 197, the 182 is really a hot hatch for its weight and for its size of those that no brand makes anymore ... in fact the clio sport 182 was only manufactured and sold during 2 years
I've got myself a clio 182 cup and it's the best wee car I've drove, but would love to experience a 197/200 to see how much they have improved. But great video 👍🏻
I'm the other way around. I have an R27 F1 (197) and I'd love to drive a 182 to see how it compares. All I can say, is that I've never met a 172/182 on a track that can keep up with the 197. I know a lot of people romanticize the 'fast feel' of the older Clios, but ultimately, the 197/200 series are actually quite a bit faster in my opinion.
@@EssOneFive the 182/172 are alot more raw when it comes to driving experience but when it comes to performance and cornering the newer 197/200's are so much more advanced. The only reason a 182 can keep up is due to the weight but apart from that no chance.
@@Thejarry180project Nice. I really need to drive one!
@@Thejarry180project as the owner of a Clio RS 197, I can only agree with you... there are only so many urban legends about this car that have "polluted" its reputation... the owners know how fast a Clio Mk3 is, it is certainly superior, overall, to the Clio 2 but also to the Honda Civic Type R (the K20 is a more flexible engine than the F4R, but the Clio chassis is from another world!)... anyone who says otherwise is in bad faith!
Brilliant video Chris very professional Quality really enjoyed this video keep up with the hard work!🙂
Thank you Rhys. Really appreciate it
A mk3 200 with the cup chassis is the one you want to try, quite an improvement on the 197. Nice review.
I have a 197 that’s lowered and its got spacers, reckon the 200 cup is actually that much better? I think my 197 drives awesome
For some reason I have a 2010 black one with big fat exhausts and black rims. It’s the best looking version of this car I’ve ever seen.
Great vid! The mk3 reminds me of the gt86... it’s just 30bhp shy of being amazing
Thanks dude! Totally agree. Just a little more power would have been ideal.
172 and 182 are faster in straight line than 197. But 197 is much faster in corners.
100%. You can sense that the moment you get behind the wheel of either.
The best Clio ever! :)
I owned a 172 then a 182 straight after, couldn't bring myself to owning a 197 even after a test drive. The mk2 feels like a small car with a big engine while the mk3 feels like a medium size car with a medium size engine if that makes sense. The brakes and suspension are miles better on the mk3 and stock vs stock the mk3 is better on track anyway. Fifth gear compared them both years ago
True, also because of the gained weight they added horsepower.
The 172/182 was a raw go-kart.
Here is the deal with this gen clio. A guy was selling it and I went to check it out the other day. Everything nice and cool, but when you take a second look around a car its not worth it. You have to remember that these cars are getting pretty old now, but thats not such a problem if the car is taken care of properly. These little cars have been pushed to the limit too. The one I went to see had really bad/rusted brake discs, stone chips all over the body, scratches, engine has been replaced under warranty at 37.000km and so on. The condition was obviously bad. The guy was selling it for 7500€ and it's just not worth it.. Yes, the temptation to buy one is unreal! ..But on the other hand.. Here is the advice. If you are looking to buy one make sure you got extra cash, because repairs are inevitable.
Just wondering if ‘xenons’ were actually standard on the 197?…deffo on the 172 non cup and believe 182 but not sure about 197?
Just bought the 172 cup so glad I chose it over the 197 I don't know why but I think they are ugly in comparison, off to watch your 182 vid now 🤘
Yep your wrong IMHO a modded 197 would keep up with a 172 / 182 a modded 172/182 will wipe the floor driver dependent with a 197/200 I love the look of the 197/200 but they should have turbo charged it instead of the Megane. I have a 172 I have race a 197 and the 172 is quicker and not by a little bit. so the 197 handles better but the 172'182 are just plain faster. And the white elephant in the room is they aren't a lot more powerful but they older ones are a lot lighter.
One comparison you didn't mention is the 6 speed manual vs the 5 speed in the older 172/182.
Can't make up for 150kg but I'm sure it helps.
I owned a 172 and are looking to get a 197.
I think what you said is really helpful, even though the power of my clio would surprise many off the lights and unsuspecting friends i'd taxi around where these cars really come into their element when punted hard around a mountain road and yeah the wider track, revised chassis and functional aero, greater high speed stability with the 6 speed, and a little more top power end would definitely be a welcome improvement. Also I love the simple yet functional looks of these. As if the engineers won over the larger part of its budget putting the money were it counts and not on frilly bits that don't really do anything.
I drive this it's so amazing at top speed
How would you say the 197 modded is to a fn2 type r modded
Fn2 type r will kill the 197 on straights moded but on the bends the clio would beat the fn2
However the fn2 will be more expensive to mod
@@Twongz_does_anything had a 243bhp mapped one now I got a s3 8p
The brand fell off with Megane and clio iv rip