Twingo 133 vs Clio 172/182

[JMR]

Good write up Alex.

Accurate too.
You can only write something balanced like this if youve experienced ownership on a long term or day to day basis.

I also had an 03 plate 172, half leather xenons climate 6 disc changer etc etc - very nice car, i loved it. Handled well at the time too, never got into any trouble with surprise oversteer or whatnot, i actually used to provoke it out of shape, it added to the fun!,

I also at the moment own a 182 cup. Amazing handling, but stiff ride of course. Leagues ahead of the 172 handling (non cup).
Unfortunately for me the cup onloy has cloth interior, does not have autolights, wipers, climate or xenons. However it still has the all important aircon

And of course my personal daily driver is the RS133 Gordini.
Ive come from a 05 plate civic type R to this and dont miss a thing really about the honda.
The twingo engine and exhaust note is very engaging, even more so than the standard 172,182. You dont have to be doing daft speeds to be making your own very enjoyable soundtrack.
The addition over the honda of leather, climate, autowipers,autolights and the upgrade stereo with handsfree phone and bluetooth for the ipod are a luxury, nice touch.

Would like to try out the cup chassis 133 but to be fair as a long haul daily driver, the standard chassis suits me down to the ground as can at least relax and just potter along in comfort if you like.

 

[JMR]

Edit
Miss hitting the 8250 rpm limiter in the Honda

Addictive :twisted:
Hooligan :roll:

 

[Alex_225]

Thanks mate, interesting to here from others who have had direct experience of other RenaultSports.

Funnily enough an ex-girlfriend of mine had a racing blue 182 Cup and although the handling was a little better I always felt the interior let it down to the point where I preferred the 172 that I'd had previously. I was with her 18 months or so and got to drive it frequently so had a good feel for that model. Again for all the performance it offered, it never seemed expensive to run, no where near the costs of my Megane anyway.

You're right though you do need regular driving to give a justified comparison. I mean I could jump in an M3 tomorrow and I'm sure I'd be wowed by it's performance but would it be necessarily better to own and use daily? I wouldn't be able to say.

At least when it comes to Renaults I've had enough of them to be able to compare relatively well haha.

 

[JMR]

I live on the Notts/Lincolnshire border and I travelled all the way down to Worcester to buy the RB182.
Funnily enough, I also bought my Monaco Blue 172 from Worcester.

I'd love to bang some trophy recaros in the Cup , but its the mrs's car, and shes happy the way it is.
Paintwork on it is great.

Renaultsport Clio 172 '03

Renaultsport Clio 182 Cup '05

Renaultsport Twingo 133 Gordini '10

Decent comparison pics from similar angles.
For almost the same car, the 182 looks so much more aggressive than the 172, and sits more squat with the lower ride height and wider track (not that you can tell much in these pics)

 

[Alex_225]

It's good to see those three together and how they differ.

The 182 does look more sporty I guess what with the colour and the wheels it has that more typical track style look. Having said that, the 172 with its hidden exhaust and more subtle wheels makes a great sleeper that on the road takes a lot of drivers by surprise hehe

 

[MovingShadow]

Renaultsport spider ...?

I wanna see you do a review of this car as well

 

[Alex_225]

Haha if only!

If anyone had one they want to lend me then I'll gladly do a write up. Haha

 

[MovingShadow]

Maybe Araf is up for it :twisted:

 

[Alex_225]

Does he have a Spider then? Sounds good to me haha

Bit of an update on the Clio vs Twingo, the power from the 172 still puts a grin on my face. It's effortlessly quick so in a straight line at least it's more grin inducing.

That said the gearbox feels sharper with a shorter all be it more notchy throw, the steering is lighter when manoeuvring and sharper when driving. Interior feels far more dated still all be it functional but the Twingo should have been offered with optional Xenons. Xenon headlights are so much better than standard lights!!!!!!

 

[LauraDarbs]

Really enjoyed reading the write up, I'm now changing from a Clio 1.6 cup rep to a RS Twingo, very much looking forward to it!

 

[Alex_225]

Glad you enjoyed the read, you certainly won't regret going for a Clio RS.

I have to admit of late I've been spending most of time in the 172 and I really am loving the power it has on tap. I mean, I know the engine comes into it's own higher up the revs, much like the 133 but it has so much more torque low down it makes it nice and easy to drive. Took it for a trip from London to Bristol, steady 70mph saw 43mpg as well!!

The 133 still has the modern edge and the steering is brilliant. The steering in the Clio feels nearly 10 years old, heavy to the point of being annoying at times but that's not helped by the galleon sized steering wheel. A Twingo RS steering wheel on a Clio 172 would be a revelation though haha.

 

[manofhow]

twingo steering wheel not exactly small either

 

[Alex_225]

No but it's thicker and with the weight of the 172 steering would make a world of difference.

The 172/182 steering wheels really date the car.

 

[MovingShadow]

Give it an aftermarket Momo steering wheel?

 

[maggi200]

I wouldn't call the 172/182 effortless. I once travelled a fair distance in a brand new 182 and by the end of the journey we were sick of it! Much like the twingo which never calms down. It's doable and the seats are comfy but the noise!

 

[Alex_225]

I mean effortlessly quick but far from effortless to drive, if that makes sense.

Much like the 133 they feel very much like a coiled spring ready that's eager to fire into the sunset the whole time.