Going from a more powerful car to a Trophy?
- Thread starter marty77
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I really enjoyed reading this thread (I couldn't contribute as my Trophy is still the most powerful car I've owned) Ive owned it since new had numerous opportunities to 'upgrade' but decided to keep it as a second car, for me its perfect power to weight to dimension to grip has always been spot on. Any more of any bit of that equation would spoil it.
When I first got into a 182 I was getting out of a modified E55 AMG, car was allegedly making over 500bhp at the rear wheels! Before that I had an M6, before that an XKR, a TVR etc. I bought the 182 as a cheap runaround and immediately fell back in love with less powerful lighter cars. Missing the 182 after I sold it lead me to Trophy ownership. I've never lusted for a more powerful car since. I did spend a bit of cash upping the power in my Trophy, but only because we were rebuilding the engine anyway. Have driven more powerful cars since but for me upto and around 200bhp seems right for UK roads, and on track light weight is preferable (to me) than high power. You'll never win a game of top trumps with a Trophy, but if you love them you love them. For me the size, weight, power, cost to buy and maintain make it my favourite car (of over 30) that I've owned. It's not the most powerful car in my garage, but it's the one I'll never sell. Hope this helps!
- Thread starter
- #24
Thanks for the reply guys, appreciate it.
Currently still on the hunt. Drove to test a mint 172 just after new year. Having lusted after a 1*2 since they first appeared I was left a little dissapointed so I passed in it, just didn't get that "feeling". I do however think that was more down to me re adjusting to N/A from a powerful torquey turbo. Also being someone else's car I didn't rev the nuts off it so the engine didn't feel that exciting or fizzy. I want to try a 182 and possibly 200 but I think I am more prepared this time.
Definitely still in the market for one however Trophy prices seem on the up so it's looking like a well sorted 182 could be more in budget. Did see a Trophy on Pistonheads sub £5k however it seems to have been snapped up.
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Personally I’d buy on condition and spec over if it’s a 172/182 or trophy. Miles are irrelevant on these cars if they have been mechanically maintained and well cared for.
Buy one well cared for by a level headed enthusiast and I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
Buy one well cared for by a level headed enthusiast and I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
I'm sure a couple of these opinions might not be too popular on a Trophy specific forum, but...
I've driven a 172 Cup, 182 Cup several 182 FF's, and obviously the Trophy. They're all much of a muchness. If anything the version with the most pronounced difference for me was the 172 Cup, which felt more focused and less rounded, either a plus or a negative depending on what you're after.
By and large, any 1*2 offers the same sort of thrills, there isn't a huge difference between any. In the 1*2's I've driven though, where you do notice a difference is in the condition of the cars. A well sorted well looked after one feels tight and responsive, whereas more neglected examples feel a bit baggy and don't give anywhere near as rewarding a drive.
Personally, and others may have different opinions, I'd buy on condition over specification. There's definitely a counter argument about residual values, so consider other people points too, but that's my two pence having owned a lot of fast cars and been around Renaultsports for quite a few years now.
This.
- Thread starter
- #28
Appreciate the honesty and I reckon most car enthusiasts would agree that a dog of a Trophy probably feels baggy compared to a minter of a standard 182. Hopefully not too many of them around though as generally the Trophy was the one to have and as such was purchased by enthusiasts who look after them. There is always going to be the occasional exception to that rule.
The search continues!
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In addition to the above comments I would say only buy a Trophy if you “Must” have the prevalence of a Trophy.
I say that as they still have their faults. By no means am I knocking the cars at all, but go in with your eyes open.
The Sachs dampers whilst excellent, are not without their caveats. They’re non adjustable in standard form, totally inconsistent in their longevity and expensive to repair/replace.
The Recaro Trendlines while 10mm lower than the standard seats I personally don’t feel are as comfortable as standard, or as supportive as a Pole Position for example.
I say this as someone who completely understands the desire for the “specials”. I’ve owned a Mini GP which was £15k compared to the £5k equivalent Cooper S and own a Cayman R which is £45k over the equivalent £25k Cayman S.
So as you mentioned budget, a good well maintained 1*2 with some high quality dampers specified for road such as AST or Bilstein and some proper seats fitted may well be your perfect car at the right price and arguably dare I say better to drive than a Trophy.
Just maybe some food for thought. ???
- Thread starter
- #30
Absolutely! I am now on the hunt for a tidy 182. The 172 I tried was beautiful and a credit to the owner who was a great guy but just didn't get that feeling. So will keep searching as possibly on another day it may have made my berries tingle.
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As per Frayz.. trophy will always have exclusivity.. however a 182 with the price difference spent on proper high end shocks.. arguably probably a better car to drive.
SharkyUK
ClioTrophy Club Member
Agree with the above... as much as I LOVE the 182 Trophy, it's a Clio with a few 'trick' bits. You buy it for the exclusivity (and pay a premium for doing so). If you can forego those then any looked-after 1*2 is going to offer similar thrills. That said, I have found the Sachs to be exceptional on the roads I enjoy. Many have said they find them crashy, some folks haven't really noticed a difference over standard items. I noticed a massive difference and yet to find a better setup for those B-road blasts.
Andy, I’ve just had some AST 5100s build specifically for fast road so would be cool to back to back them with a Trophy as it was my aim to have a better driving road car than the Trophy but still capable on track if you dial them up.
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- #34
Would be interested to hear the results too. Been following your build on Pistonheads.
In the meantime I am scouring all the usual haunts for a decent 182.
Thanks for all the responses.
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What did you think if the Mini GP when you had it?
It seems to get pretty good reviews in the main,I've never driven one but I'd like to try one at some stage.
It looks like a car that can really get under your skin but obviously it's not as practical as other hot hatches but I guess that's not the main reason someone buys a car like that.
Was it the GP1/2?
The way they deal with poor tarmac is extraordinary.
Have had some properly rough thumps over poor surfaces and the car always, absolutely always feels tied down and in total control.
This is a cutout of a reply I put on Pistonheads the last time I was asked about my GP1. Make of it what you will. Lol.
“Crap awful build quality and reliability. Awful traction control that was borderline dangerous that had to be turned off at the start of every journey. My Clio gave me 84k of almost faultless miles and 4.5 years of ownership. The only casualty in that time was a coilpack and a Uego sensor. The mini on the otherhand was a 26k mile minter. Yet after just 18 months of onership resembled something akin to "triggers broom" I replaced what felt like almost all of it. I never buy cheap parts but even OEM BMW parts would fail relentlessly. Brakes, dampers, bushes, engine mounts, thermostat, rad fan controller, timing chain tensioner, topmounts, the list is vast. Even the standard JCW stainless exhaust fell to pieces in that time and the standard "crap mild steel Clio" one was solid after 70k miles!
The GP was fun on track, had bags of torque and character but as a vehicle to own and run it was truly awful. #
And i'll be honest, it didnt drive as well as the 182. I attempted to make the Mini the car i wanted, with Bilstein PSS10 dampers, AP brakes and a few other nice parts, but the reality was it was never as good as the humble Renaultsport.
I sold it, dont miss it one bit and has put me off owning another Mini product ever.
Yet even though I've moved to arguably much better things, i still pine for another Clio if i could find a good one.”
Very honest view.
You dont tend to see things like that being written about Mini's,maybe I'm just reading the wrong forums etc ??
I do fancy having a go in a GP2 at some stage,so God knows what that will be like...
It looks like your more than happy to have the 182 in its place ?
You dont tend to see things like that being written about Mini's,maybe I'm just reading the wrong forums etc ??
I do fancy having a go in a GP2 at some stage,so God knows what that will be like...
It looks like your more than happy to have the 182 in its place ?
A GP2 is a totally different car, turbocharged Peugeot engine as opposed to the supercharged Chrysler. Also never had a proper Diff, just an edit which was basically the front brakes clamping the spinning wheel.
Adjustable dampers fail constantly and most have now been binned for aftermarket.
I believe it’s a better built product than the GP1 but not spent any real time with one.
No doubt it was quicker than my 182 but overall nowhere near as good car. Felt cumbersome and not as well setup.
I really wanted to love it but just couldn’t, it was a huge disappointment to me.
