Clio Big Steve Raider’s - Clio 200 Raider

[Ian M]

No, didn’t sell it Ian, just lent it to @Duncan Grier for the day so he could:

1. Get to the event
2. Re-ignite his Renault Passion…

ah makes sense now!

 

[BrettM78]

Loving this

 

[Duncan Grier]

So following following @Big Steve - Raider very kind offer ! Saved the day enabling me to pay my respects to Moggy and do so in style, in the shape of his Clio 200 Raider......while tempting to take his 182 - having never driven a 197/200 era Clio and having working aircon choice was easy. Thought I would add my personal views

1st impressions -
Colour looks sooo much nicer in the flesh and genuinely like it
Interior a well laid out and comfortable yet very supportive place to be - helped by those recaro's
Feels a very grown up Renaultsport and while you can sense and feel the extra width and weight, it feels safe and super planted
Quiet and missing turbo grunt 4k and under - needs revs

So after 400+ miles and feeding it some BP Ultimate & V-Power on the way.

We got to bond and I got under the skin of the Raider - closing thoughts are
Would be a great daily drive, easy to drive, has a fantastic chassis and loads of grip covering distance with ease - wind it up and loads of fun on tap
Imagine it would go well on track and upset a few more powerful cars so would tick the occasional track day fix
Needs loads of revs and commitment to make it truely shine, def addictive on the boil
While on that boil in attack mode is a genuinely quick/capable car and loves the bends

Having never driven or know much about Tesla EV things - found they are bloody quick in a straight line, however back B roads Clio shows it a clean pair of heels and it's straight line power could only do so much

Equally the new boxster is only a touch quicker in a straight line and on par with the Clio on the bendy stuff

I of course have no idea how I know this information @Big Steve - Raider and could be just all Internet hype

Thanks again @Big Steve - Raider your point 2 is mission achieved also. Loved it and itching to get my Renault project moving

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Quiet and missing turbo grunt 4k and under - needs revs

Thanks for the review @Duncan Grier !! Really enjoy learning what other people think to my cars!! So do you think this would make the car, or ruin it...?

KTR Clio 3RS Supercharger Kit

KTR Supercharger kit suitable for all Clio 197 and 200 models including Cup and Gordini. This comprehensive kit includes everything you need to Supercharge your Clio, whilst retaining the factory air conditioning. Cars with air conditioning removed can still use this kit if the original Renault...

k-tecracing.com

 

[Duncan Grier]

Tough call that one @Big Steve - Raider

I think a S/C setup would/should keep most of the oem feel/drive with added powerrrrrr - maybe recirc that DV

But that kit is far from cheap and begs the question what 'you' want from the car taking into account to the wider fleet of Renaults you have?

Would the 182 be the one you would mod over this one?

While I guess fully reversible your moving from the oem of the 200 Raider and is not a stock 197......but it's your car do what is right for you

If mine and had the funds I would struggle not to have added boost, lsd and engage full asbo mode

Guess the people with megane turbo power conversions could feedback on if the extra power ruins the flow of the car and chassis magic or is more of more

I suspect it would absorb a linear extra 100bhp with ease....it feels that way atm

 

[andybond]

Having pedalled a meglio I think its a compromise. The R26 is just a better car , the clio is slightly darty but the r26 is more planted.

I get the attraction of a supercharged clio but the Megane 4 covers that base.

 

[DaveL485]

Pound for pound you won't beat a Meglio if you wanna modify a clio.

if you'd like to try a supercharged one Steve I can sort you out a ride in my mates one.

 

[andybond]

My point is that the meg4 is a more capable car.

By adding boost ( na or otherwise ) you are trying to make the na faster.

Which you already have in the form of a Meg..

Rare colour, rare car, so leave it be is my thoughts. Coming from Captain modify everything that’s a hard thing for me to type.

 

[BrettM78]

 

[BrettM78]

What was the difference between the Gordini and the Raider Steve?

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

What was the difference between the Gordini and the Raider Steve?

Nothing different mechanically @BrettM78, the Gordini came in Blue or Black with and without stripes and with. Leather interior I believe…??

The Raiders came with the Matt paint, choice of Renaultsport Monitor, or Sat Nav, and then the leather Recaro’s.

Be interested if you drove one compared to your 500. They need commitment and to be driven like an idiot to get the best out of them. I’m sure your 500 would feel “real world faster” day to day..??

 

[Brigsy]

Id leave it standard with it being a raider.

If you go S/C route, you will end up spending a lot on it to do it right, standalone ecu and fuel system etc. Never ending.

 

[BrettM78]

Nothing different mechanically @BrettM78, the Gordini came in Blue or Black with and without stripes and with. Leather interior I believe…??

The Raiders came with the Matt paint, choice of Renaultsport Monitor, or Sat Nav, and then the leather Recaro’s.

Be interested if you drove one compared to your 500. They need commitment and to be driven like an idiot to get the best out of them. I’m sure your 500 would feel “real world faster” day to day..??

My 500 is probably pretty similar Steve. I have the small IHI turbo producing around 175bhp but the power is all gone by 5500rpm. It reminds me of the GTT that you have to keep it in the right rev range to get the best out of the car meaning you are up and down the gears constantly through the B roads. The Garrett models give greater bhp at higher revs however the IHI's power delivery is much lower in the rev range.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Took the Clio Raider to Alex at AW MOTORWORKS this weekend for a service & MOT, and to sort out a couple of lights on the dash:



Will let you know how I get on.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Already getting some great feedback on the lights on the Dash:

Check Emissions

• Check emissions was due to a faulty VVT solenoid - so car would have felt quite flat while that’s been on, new solenoid & it’s now fully functioning.

(Explains why it felt as flat as a witches tit)​

Airbag light

• Side impact sensor, very unusual but going to have a play with that tomorrow.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Latest update!!

MOT passed! No advisories.

Waiting on a side impact sensor which is due this afternoon, should be good to go from there.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Clio Raider collected from AW Motorworks couple of weeks ago in fighting fit health following a service & MOT.

Bill was a bit more than I was expecting, but it did get a full set of rear brakes and pads, new sensors etc and a full service, so I just smiled and paid up!

@Millie_Bee drove it home and said it drove much better and had more pep in its step.

Unfortunately that’s where the story ends thanks to my poxy injury, so it got a good clean, and then put back into its garage to wait for better days: