I'm a Renaultsport fan, but acknowledge how good Hondas are. What a boring world it would be without both manufacturers making so many great hot hatches.
It's a political problem. It's E.U regulations fault, not the manufacturers. Of course, the rich and elites still get their fancy Porches, and fly over the world in much more high emissions airplanes. The middle class is the box bag, and they need to pay taxes for "climate change." In the U.S.A., they still get their cheap muscal cars, but guess what, they vote for Trump! The dum E.U citizens never vote for people like him. People over here believe in everything that elites tell them to do.
I have owned my little racing blue Clio 182 for 8 years now. Whilst I've had some really extreme performance cars come and go I just can not let go of the little Clio. Great video!!
@@cinch I cant see myself letting it go, far too fun! Its never been out of the UK but its been round most of the UK. Every time I jump back in it, it never fails to put a big grin on my face !
I don't blame you for not taking it out of the UK. It's just so perfect here. We're glad to hear that it's still gives you a chuckle. Are there any other cars that you'd like us to rematch for our next film? /Jamil
Got a Twingo RS & i just love it too .....and i am already looking to buy a Ragnotti Clio RS ... a few are for sale in France where i live + the Bittany roads are amazing for those sport hatches
Had an EP3 from 2002 - 2020 when it rusted away :D. Great car!. Few points, the Ep3 doesn't have stability control, or hydraulic power steering. The one you reviewed is a last of line premier edition that has privacy glass, red carpets and recaro seats. Its also a facelift, so it had a lighter flywheel and revised steering compared to the first revision. There was also a JDM version of the car ironically made in England in Swindon then shipped to Japan, it was available in Championship white paint, but also had significantly better parts inc a helical LSD, shorter 3-4-5 gear ratios, a higher compression k20 A engine that revved to 8,600 and made 212 bhp, stiffer anti-roll bar at the rear. It also shared alot of interior bits with the UKDM premier edition, so you got red recaro trendlines, red carpets etc. Golden age for hot hatches!
I've had my 05 ep3 16 years next summer and still only got 72,000 miles on it, really looked after it love the car and never missed a beat. After either rs3 or amg 45s plus next year, but really will miss the Honda if I sell it, longest I've kept any car by a long way
Get the previous gen. The facelift version with all the upgrades and 381bhp. More raw, aggressive and driver orientated than the new ones. Go stage 1 or 2 and they're silly fast
@@benpenagonzales6014 to be honest with you I've really been favouring rs3, was thinking of going for the new gen that I pick up for about 43 with low millage if I look around a bit, going to be a long term car again
These were the peak of hot hatches for the man/women on the street. Having owned a 172 Cup and driven many EP3s. Nothing has really excited me much since those glory days.
Better reputation worldwide. Motorcycles. Lawnmowers motorboat engine etc. lots honda do. Renault not so. I think anything 80s or 90s hot hatch comparison would be good really
Oh yes, they've got their fingers in all the pies. Did you know that Renault used to make planes as well? The Rafale is named after one of their planes. 80's hot hatch is a really good shout. That's kinda where things really kicked into gear for that segment. Thank you Ps. Please subscribe and share so we can keep making films like these
Had 3 Clios in the past, loved them and still missing them... the sad part is that it s impossible to find a mew car with the same pedegree. And guess what, in my perfect garage I will take both !
Perfect time for hot hatches, they where still small and light, had a usable amount of power, exciting engines and not too expensive, it’s down downhill since.
Great video mate. I’m a Honda fan personally, only ever had 4 of the EP shape (now on a Prefacelift JDM EP3) and also own an 90’s EG6 (currently being K-Swapped engine wise) so can’t wait - the years I’ve owned the car, I’d have had said that it’s a bit fairer to be put against slightly newer cars as it was genuinely that good! For example the Renault Clio 197, the Ford Fiesta ST-150, Vauxhall Astra VXR and Toyota Corolla T-Sport - these cars are much more similar I’d have said (slightly anyway) - The EP3 was my dream motor and finally I got one turning 21, insurance was high but worth it! The only problem like usual is that the cars can rust! My second EP3 was from Birmingham and turned out to be rusted through haha, always got to check for that - the Clio I’ve heard from a few people is a great car, never knew about the exhausts rusting, only that the gearboxes were made of paper, what everybody always says haha, love the colour on it, sad that Renault don’t make cars as exotic anymore; look forward to videos in the future though! Give those cars I listed a go against each other if you can, would be a good set of videos! Have a gooden mate.
Great to see Sam's Clio. It looks properly sorted. Miss the updates on Pistonheads. Partly responsible for me getting my Artic Blue 182 a few years ago. Still enjoying it as my daily and happy to have a Vtec in the form of a DC2 Integra alongside it. Thoroughly enjoyed this video production. Hope to see more of these modern classics on the channel now and then!
I would K20'ed the world, best street 4 cylinder ever (yes, over the Bialbero 😢) matched with one of the best gearbox... What a car the EP3 is, but you did the right mods to the Clio. 👍
I was debating getting an ep3 for a while but I ended up getting a mk5 golf edition 30 tuned by rtec now making 370hp which makes it an absolute rocket
Really great video, and love the presenting style, knowledgeable without trying too hard to be funny. Audio level is pretty low and the cut on the mic seems a little aggressive, perhaps a couple of lapel mics are in order for the next one! Keep it up guys.
I have had both in standard form. I loved the Clio. It was brilliant fun and handled great but my ep3 was a better car. It was much better inside, better engine and never went wrong. I would say in a straight line it was very slightly faster too. It don't matter which one you like though......both wonderful and hot hatch heroes.
The EP3 is lucky to have working ABS, let alone Stability Control lol, the EPS light you saw was the Electronic Power Steering (which you thought was hydraulic)
Love the video. This time last year I was looking at EP3s but I saw a Clio 182 much closer and cheaper to me so went with that. I would have been happy with either. The clio has been fun too.
@@cinch Do you guys reckon these will be future classics? The past year I've had my clio it's gotten more attention on road and meets than I ever had with my mk7 Golf Gti.
I had a ep3 back in the day and it was flipping brilliant. And yes the engine was amazing. I now have a Hyundai i20N but it’s more the love child of a 205 GTI and an e46 M3 than an ep3 replacement.
Great review of two heroes! Great quality of production and balance of info with driving, plus a welcome dollop of enthusiasm 🏆 Where did you get your dash flocked Sam? Did you fit Quaife LSD? Clio's engine is much better as a daily as lower down torque much better (had both) have you thought about cams for a bit more top end Sam? K20 easy to get 250bhp normally aspirated with a couple of grand on exhaust, intake and remap. RARB great for both, the JDM EP3 has this as standard along with the LSD ; Trophy money for a JDM EP3 though. Corrosion often a bigger problem on the EP3, so check underneath!
Thanks for the kind words! 😀 It was Banbury Flocking Services, and the LSD’s actually the cheaper (but supposedly identical) Blackline. Totally agree about the torque, I’ve been tempted towards cams a few times but this time I’ve decided to keep the car in its currently reliable spec. Touch wood…
My dream car as a teenager (well it was the 172 not the 182), and my current car (EP3). Could not choose one so I need to get a Clio and keep the EP3. As they have mentioned, steering assist is electric on the EP3 and there is no ESP (Honda were even more confident on their setup than Renault Sport), otherwise a great video💪💪
A long time ago I fancied second car that would be fun but not shouty, so after some deliberation I bought a RS clio 172 and quality of the interior aside it spanked all it's competitors for driving pleasure and most for performance. I never had a type R that could keep up on a winding road, my friends Elise couldn't either. I swapped cars for the day with a mate with a 350hp imprezza who wanted to do swap cars afterwards... Renault have always made the most fun hot hatches as my R5 GT Turbo also proved. Good video 😊
That is a fantastic suggestion. Two very different approaches to the same concept. If you know anyone who's willing to lend us any of these cars, please let us know /Jamil
That's a Premier edition ep3. Those Ricaros don't come in the standard version. Pre-facelift interior was black and green and had a two part flywheel, facelift it all went black and red interior, an upgraded one part flywheel and different bumpers. The Premier had those seats, nicer floormats i think, and possibly a Momo steering wheel (not sure if that was Premier and/or JDM import only) and was a kind of half-way house between the previous ep3s and the JDM version. The import had other considerable upgrades including even nicer seats, the Momo steering wheel, thick mats and red carpet, a front lsd, bigger antiroll bars and higher compression but same K20A2 engine with 212bhp not the 197bhp the Premier and other EP3s had. Premier and JDM import i believe were all in championship white only. You can't turn off ESC as it doesn't have it, sure mine's only assistance it has is ABS.
easy choice imo. take ep3, put the mods on it, away you go. or whats even better, get an eg or ek, take the k20 from that ep3 put it in that eg/ek and throw in a dc2 steering rack blow the doors off the clio and the next model and probably the next while also having fully indiipendant suspension all around.
@@jamiljafri4841 indeed. The EP3 was a bit of a disappointment in some regards compared to the type Rs that had gone before. Electric steering, no LSD, no double wishbones etc. Great engine (I have one in my 1990 Civic), but certainly a less focused Type R than it's ancestors
We do too! Which rivals shall we rematch next ? We want to make more content like this so please share with like minded friends to help us keep making films like this
Absolutely love this era of cars and I’m still stuck there. Had newer but just don’t appeal to me really too much nanny state, tech, screens and driving dullness now and clogged with emissions rubbish. Back then you had the mk5 gti that was the do it all but not amazing at anything, type r for revs, focus st for noise and then cars like the 182 you just kick it head in and it loved it. Cars peaked in this era
We totally agree that the noughties was a real sweet spot. Hopefully Hyundai or someone similar brings back a small hot hatch so it’s not actually the end 😢
I daily drove a 182 for 11 years, it never once let me down. it needed little bits here and there but while i was a student it was perfect to have alot of fun while also being affordable. I still have it stashed away in a garage because i cant bare to sell it. I now have a Clio Sport 200, its better to daily but 182/172 platform is more fun for sure
I too was a student when I first bought my 182 so I know that low-budget requirement well! If I hadn’t modified it, it’d have only cost me a coil pack and normal maintenance 👌
Had a mix of both manufacturers; DC2, DC5, Trophy 182 and 200 Cup. DC2 was the pick, followed by the 200 Cup, Trophy and DC5. DC5 was a disappointment compared to the others.
@@SamSheehan55 Ah right... I've a silver 182 and live in Cockfosters/New Barnet so your RB one piqued my attention. It looks great in the flesh ! There aren't many of them in/around where we are.
Had both. Clio is better suited for a daily driver. Comfortable and had excellent xenon headlights and excellent mpg. Dephaser pulley gets noisy but doesn’t affect performance. It’s well known in Clio community that the 172 makes 162 and 182 makes 172. Civic is like a road legal track car, headlights were terrible on pre facelift. Ride was fidgety and bouncy not suitable as a daily driver. Radio and speakers terrible. Having to reach round for seatbelt is a pain. Handling and acceleration much better than Clio though.
Miss my ep3 type r , few k In handling mods and it’s even better . Remap it to lower the vtec range and it’s a completely different car . No fancy electronics just driver skill not like modern cars with esp , traction control etc
@ ahh i see!! And tbh mine is more a track car that i daily so its far from sensible haha. Generally stock but track upgrades fitted. Pbs pro race pads all round, c hook discs all round, mugen spoiler, mugen splitter, sports cat, m2 slash cut backbox, lowering springs, braided brake lines, poly bushes, camber arms, camber bolts, tegiwa strut brace, k&n induction kit, and probably a few little things here and there but thats the spec i had. I will have some videos on my channel soon!
No cambelt on the EP3 K20a engine has a chain. Change around 100-120k if required. Pretty pointless to be giving postives to the Clio for modified parts seats/wheel etc. If the EP3 isnt feeling sharp its needing work. Both fantastic hot hatches but like for like the EP3 is quicker. Both handle great Clio cup suspension is godly. Reliability Honda is a clear winner. But corrosion wise Clio is miles better. Id call it even. I have had both btw.
Thanks! Rest assured they look at more of an angle in this video, but in reality they’re just over the 45-degree angle to be acceptable. I was grilled in my PistonHeads days to make sure of it 😬
@ and yet it’s not a feature on any other Renault from that era. There’s a good story there about why the Clio was different or why the design ethos just didn’t translate.
All Clios of that era had plastic wings. I bought a 2001 Clio 1.2 Dynamique and it had plastic wings. Pain if you damaged them because you have to use special paint that won't crack when flexed.
I ❤ed my clio 182 WR55 LHD! Had him for 14 years! Only 3 years old when i bought him. MY dream car back in the day! Got written off by a stupid mare txting on her phone coming out of a junction! RIP Beastie! 😢. The best drivers car ive ever had! These cars will never be replaced, all the new ones are soulless!!!
Renaultsport 182 for me. Performance and reliability are outstanding and not matched by anything else. Chassis is perfect. Ex-182 Trophy owner here (186/500). Renaultsport didn't have to have a purpose built engine to perform amazingly. The F4R highly strung did amazing. The Trophy with the Orbisoud exhaust too is amazing. Only the Yaris GR Four recently has the ability to also hold the title of 'best hot hatch'. EP3 definitely not.
Ep's were a comfort sports car (DC 5 Fd 2 were true sports cars) that's why there is no tunnel down the middle , more comfortable in the back for passangers . I think the Boot is 1m wide . EP steering not correcting is the eps moter is nackered/ old& worn and a Derlin rack slider helps tighten the fell , eps moter is not cheap to replace and if they fell floaty then the tyres are cheap/ bad I cant sit on the floor anymore , i like a higher seating postion and the massive front window . Have a hate issue with the driver side sunvisor long term owners will understand.
I owned a civic ep3 type r for 11 years it was amazing and has a much stronger engine than french car honda all the way my mate had a clio 172 it spat a spark plug out he had it repaired was never the same
I’m lucky to have a Renault Clio Mark 3 Renault sport 200 Cup and a Honda civic Type R FK8. You could draw the same parallels with these vehicles years on. Surprisingly the Clio is the better built. But both have strong drivetrain underpinnings. The Clio is like a terrier who dug up a stash of speed in the garden and the FK8 feels like a BTCC car that got signed off for the road.
Interesting to see how these two traded blows throughout the generations. We're hoping the Alpine A290 can continue to give the Type R some stuff competition. Have you seen our review of it?
I totally understand your perspective. This year we were pleasantly surprised by a few enthusiast focused EVs such as the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and the Alpine A290. They wouldn't be able replace an enthusiast ICE car but they do have their own unique flavour of fun. Highly recommend taking these ones for a test drive / Jamil
Variable valve timing is not the same as VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control.) It's the lift that makes all the difference, VTEC uses an entirely different set of cams at high RPMs. Explaining the process with words alone doesn't do it justice. It gives you the kick in power and the infectious induction roar when you hit it. =)
personalmente me gusta mas el ep3,los interiores son bastante mejores,la suspension trasera es independiente y el k20 es infinitamente mejor que el motor del clio,una mecanica super fiable y la caja de cambios dura como una piedra tambien.
I've just gone from a Clio 172 into a civic ep3 and the civic is much better built than the Renault I spent a lot on my Clio and was still getting issues every few weeks weak gearbox among other things going wrong only thing I will say it does handle better than the ep3 but I do find the ep3 the better car.
Peugeot 306 gti foudroi la clio rs donc c'est pas la clio qui étais la rival, je sais de quoi je parle j'ai les 2 voiture la clio rs et aussi la Peugeot les 2 sont d'origine et la Peugeot 306 est devant en course
I'm a Renaultsport fan, but acknowledge how good Hondas are. What a boring world it would be without both manufacturers making so many great hot hatches.
Absolutely! Healthy competition
Competition breeds innovation 😊
It's a political problem. It's E.U regulations fault, not the manufacturers. Of course, the rich and elites still get their fancy Porches, and fly over the world in much more high emissions airplanes. The middle class is the box bag, and they need to pay taxes for "climate change." In the U.S.A., they still get their cheap muscal cars, but guess what, they vote for Trump! The dum E.U citizens never vote for people like him. People over here believe in everything that elites tell them to do.
Still got my ep3 ,12 years in and don't plan to sell
Wish I got one years ago now they are silly money for a good one
@ktys206 ya it's true especially low mileage
Please don't it's a classic hot hatch nower days
@jermainesimpson834 I was looking at one with less than 50k on it and the guy wanted 17k if I remember right
I have owned my little racing blue Clio 182 for 8 years now. Whilst I've had some really extreme performance cars come and go I just can not let go of the little Clio. Great video!!
Thank you Seb! We're not surprised. That's your "forever" car now. Been on any fun roadtrips with it?
@@cinch I cant see myself letting it go, far too fun! Its never been out of the UK but its been round most of the UK. Every time I jump back in it, it never fails to put a big grin on my face !
I don't blame you for not taking it out of the UK. It's just so perfect here. We're glad to hear that it's still gives you a chuckle. Are there any other cars that you'd like us to rematch for our next film?
/Jamil
@@cinch B7 RS4 vs M3
Got a Twingo RS & i just love it too .....and i am already looking to buy a Ragnotti Clio RS ... a few are for sale in France where i live + the Bittany roads are amazing for those sport hatches
Had an EP3 from 2002 - 2020 when it rusted away :D. Great car!. Few points, the Ep3 doesn't have stability control, or hydraulic power steering. The one you reviewed is a last of line premier edition that has privacy glass, red carpets and recaro seats. Its also a facelift, so it had a lighter flywheel and revised steering compared to the first revision. There was also a JDM version of the car ironically made in England in Swindon then shipped to Japan, it was available in Championship white paint, but also had significantly better parts inc a helical LSD, shorter 3-4-5 gear ratios, a higher compression k20 A engine that revved to 8,600 and made 212 bhp, stiffer anti-roll bar at the rear. It also shared alot of interior bits with the UKDM premier edition, so you got red recaro trendlines, red carpets etc. Golden age for hot hatches!
Excellent knowledge there! I put 100k miles on mine, never skipped a beat!
Fantastic knowledge. Far better than the actual internet research I managed 👏😅
I've had my 05 ep3 16 years next summer and still only got 72,000 miles on it, really looked after it love the car and never missed a beat. After either rs3 or amg 45s plus next year, but really will miss the Honda if I sell it, longest I've kept any car by a long way
Get the new type R bud. Don’t know about the Audi but the merc was disappointing.
Get the previous gen. The facelift version with all the upgrades and 381bhp. More raw, aggressive and driver orientated than the new ones. Go stage 1 or 2 and they're silly fast
@@benpenagonzales6014 to be honest with you I've really been favouring rs3, was thinking of going for the new gen that I pick up for about 43 with low millage if I look around a bit, going to be a long term car again
@@S93.45 I'll take a look at them 👍
@@benpenagonzales6014 Plus I'm coming up 55 and I know it's a bit boring but definitely want auto next time, we all gotta get old 😏
The EP3 type R doesn't have ESC thats why there's no off button.
Ah makes sense! It definitely doesn’t need it, the chassis is nice and predictable 👏
These were the peak of hot hatches for the man/women on the street. Having owned a 172 Cup and driven many EP3s. Nothing has really excited me much since those glory days.
We did very much want to convey that in the UK at least, the noughties felt like a real peal 👌
I trust honda more
How come?
Also, which rivals would you like us to rematch next?
Better reputation worldwide. Motorcycles. Lawnmowers motorboat engine etc. lots honda do. Renault not so. I think anything 80s or 90s hot hatch comparison would be good really
Oh yes, they've got their fingers in all the pies. Did you know that Renault used to make planes as well? The Rafale is named after one of their planes.
80's hot hatch is a really good shout. That's kinda where things really kicked into gear for that segment. Thank you
Ps. Please subscribe and share so we can keep making films like these
Really. I has no idea
I trust the Renaultsport more, ex-182 Trophy owner here. Best hot hatch ever!
I had both of these for a few years. Great video, reminds me how much I miss them😢
Thanks! Excuse to get at least one back into your life..? 😙
Thank you! If you were to have one of these again, which would it be?
Glad to see Sam still has his Clio, I remember seeing his review of his car years ago before I bought my RB 182
They’re hard to let go of, aren’t they! Certainly don’t make ‘em like this anymore
Had 3 Clios in the past, loved them and still missing them... the sad part is that it s impossible to find a mew car with the same pedegree. And guess what, in my perfect garage I will take both !
Perfect time for hot hatches, they where still small and light, had a usable amount of power, exciting engines and not too expensive, it’s down downhill since.
I’d say the Fiesta ST and i20 N kept this spirit alive. Until they were killed off 😢 RIP
Love the filming locations you guys pick, visuals are always 👌
Thank you so much! Which cars would you like to see us rematch next?
Great video mate.
I’m a Honda fan personally, only ever had 4 of the EP shape (now on a Prefacelift JDM EP3) and also own an 90’s EG6 (currently being K-Swapped engine wise) so can’t wait - the years I’ve owned the car, I’d have had said that it’s a bit fairer to be put against slightly newer cars as it was genuinely that good! For example the Renault Clio 197, the Ford Fiesta ST-150, Vauxhall Astra VXR and Toyota Corolla T-Sport - these cars are much more similar I’d have said (slightly anyway) - The EP3 was my dream motor and finally I got one turning 21, insurance was high but worth it! The only problem like usual is that the cars can rust! My second EP3 was from Birmingham and turned out to be rusted through haha, always got to check for that - the Clio I’ve heard from a few people is a great car, never knew about the exhausts rusting, only that the gearboxes were made of paper, what everybody always says haha, love the colour on it, sad that Renault don’t make cars as exotic anymore; look forward to videos in the future though! Give those cars I listed a go against each other if you can, would be a good set of videos! Have a gooden mate.
Great shouts! We’ve got a nice list going here, thanks for the kind words
Great to see Sam's Clio. It looks properly sorted. Miss the updates on Pistonheads. Partly responsible for me getting my Artic Blue 182 a few years ago. Still enjoying it as my daily and happy to have a Vtec in the form of a DC2 Integra alongside it. Thoroughly enjoyed this video production. Hope to see more of these modern classics on the channel now and then!
Thanks! Glad you liked it - and are loving your 182. We’ve long list of retro models to revisit so rest assured this format will be back 🙌🏽
@SamSheehan55 Great....i look forward to it. Merry Xmas!
first video ive watched from you guys, fabulous stuff
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you. Please share with like minded friends and subscribe
Still have my Ep3, bougth in 02/2002. Every day put a smile in my face.
Love to hear it? What's your favourite roadtrip in the EP3?
Owned ep3 and currently own a 172 cup, both great the EP3 felt more special, but the chassis on the clio is fantastic
A man of great taste. What was your ownership experience of these two cars like?
/Jamil
@cinch apart from having to replace the gearbox in the EP3 due to 3rd gear crunch (common issue) pretty positive!
Had an ep3 civic for 20years never missed a beat
Fantastic! Staying in true Honda form
I would K20'ed the world, best street 4 cylinder ever (yes, over the Bialbero 😢) matched with one of the best gearbox... What a car the EP3 is, but you did the right mods to the Clio. 👍
I was debating getting an ep3 for a while but I ended up getting a mk5 golf edition 30 tuned by rtec now making 370hp which makes it an absolute rocket
Mk5 with 370hp?! 🤯 Bet that shocks some people
@@SamSheehan55And some ears...
Really great video, and love the presenting style, knowledgeable without trying too hard to be funny. Audio level is pretty low and the cut on the mic seems a little aggressive, perhaps a couple of lapel mics are in order for the next one! Keep it up guys.
Thanks! We’re forever learning and evolving so rest assured we’ll be working hard for the next one 🙌🏽
I have had both in standard form. I loved the Clio. It was brilliant fun and handled great but my ep3 was a better car. It was much better inside, better engine and never went wrong. I would say in a straight line it was very slightly faster too. It don't matter which one you like though......both wonderful and hot hatch heroes.
Agreed! Both are wonderful hot hatches in their own way. Which rivals should we rematch next?
@cinch maybe fast saloons, say Mondeo st220, accord type R 2.2, vectra gsi 2.5....not the 2.6 as it's rubbish.
Thank you for the suggestions! Would gladly film these
/Jamil
The EP3 is lucky to have working ABS, let alone Stability Control lol, the EPS light you saw was the Electronic Power Steering (which you thought was hydraulic)
I'd like to assume Honda designed the car to not have to lean on stability control?
There we were thinking that EPAS has come a long way. Looks like Honda did a pretty good job of it even back then
Worst part about ep3 is the steering. Refuses to self center on 99% of them.
Love the video. This time last year I was looking at EP3s but I saw a Clio 182 much closer and cheaper to me so went with that. I would have been happy with either. The clio has been fun too.
Thank you MrLense! And that's the beauty of it: really accessible fun cars that stay affordable
@@cinch Do you guys reckon these will be future classics? The past year I've had my clio it's gotten more attention on road and meets than I ever had with my mk7 Golf Gti.
There was no comparison the ep3 was better in every single department.
That does not mean the 182 is not fun and a capable car.
I’d argue a K20-engined and gearbox’d 182 would be best 😝
learning to drive atm and my first car i bought was a Clio 182 FF and LOVE IT had it just over 10 months now
1) Congratulations on becoming a driver
2) Now that's a really cool first car 👏 Bravo
3) Do you plan to take the car anywhere for a roadtrip?
@@cinch once i pass i want to take it round the nc 500 with my otherhalf, make it a long weekend trip
Ep3 ❤
❤️❤️❤️
Had the 2003 172 sport. Lovely cars when left in stock trim
I had a ep3 back in the day and it was flipping brilliant. And yes the engine was amazing. I now have a Hyundai i20N but it’s more the love child of a 205 GTI and an e46 M3 than an ep3 replacement.
You've got a good taste in cars. That i20 N is special in its own way. What's it been like to live with?
/Jamil
In what way is It a love child between the 205 and the E46 ?
Great review of two heroes!
Great quality of production and balance of info with driving, plus a welcome dollop of enthusiasm 🏆
Where did you get your dash flocked Sam?
Did you fit Quaife LSD?
Clio's engine is much better as a daily as lower down torque much better (had both) have you thought about cams for a bit more top end Sam?
K20 easy to get 250bhp normally aspirated with a couple of grand on exhaust, intake and remap.
RARB great for both, the JDM EP3 has this as standard along with the LSD ; Trophy money for a JDM EP3 though. Corrosion often a bigger problem on the EP3, so check underneath!
Thanks for the kind words! 😀
It was Banbury Flocking Services, and the LSD’s actually the cheaper (but supposedly identical) Blackline. Totally agree about the torque, I’ve been tempted towards cams a few times but this time I’ve decided to keep the car in its currently reliable spec. Touch wood…
My dream car as a teenager (well it was the 172 not the 182), and my current car (EP3). Could not choose one so I need to get a Clio and keep the EP3. As they have mentioned, steering assist is electric on the EP3 and there is no ESP (Honda were even more confident on their setup than Renault Sport), otherwise a great video💪💪
Thanks! Clumsily mixed up steering systems but glad to know I hadn’t missed some hidden away ESP button. The car certainly doesn’t need it 🔥
A long time ago I fancied second car that would be fun but not shouty, so after some deliberation I bought a RS clio 172 and quality of the interior aside it spanked all it's competitors for driving pleasure and most for performance. I never had a type R that could keep up on a winding road, my friends Elise couldn't either. I swapped cars for the day with a mate with a 350hp imprezza who wanted to do swap cars afterwards... Renault have always made the most fun hot hatches as my R5 GT Turbo also proved. Good video 😊
Thanks, Ian! What a great car history you have. Naturally I agree with your opinions of Renault 🙌🏽
Much prefer the Clio! Great seeing the reviewer having so much fun with a high rev low weight hatch
Trust us, he had plenty of fun. Would you like to see more onboard footage of said fun? Also, which rivals should we rematch next?
@@cinchsure, if you want a retro early 2000’s battle maybe a Honda s2000 vs Mazda mx5?
That is a fantastic suggestion. Two very different approaches to the same concept. If you know anyone who's willing to lend us any of these cars, please let us know
/Jamil
The Clio needed the 197 with the 6th gear to make it a type r contender not the 182 5 speed
I agree 182 makes 172 realistically.
That's a Premier edition ep3. Those Ricaros don't come in the standard version. Pre-facelift interior was black and green and had a two part flywheel, facelift it all went black and red interior, an upgraded one part flywheel and different bumpers. The Premier had those seats, nicer floormats i think, and possibly a Momo steering wheel (not sure if that was Premier and/or JDM import only) and was a kind of half-way house between the previous ep3s and the JDM version. The import had other considerable upgrades including even nicer seats, the Momo steering wheel, thick mats and red carpet, a front lsd, bigger antiroll bars and higher compression but same K20A2 engine with 212bhp not the 197bhp the Premier and other EP3s had. Premier and JDM import i believe were all in championship white only. You can't turn off ESC as it doesn't have it, sure mine's only assistance it has is ABS.
I now know that it was in fact Honda that was more confident in handling with no ESP 😱 The EP3 just doesn’t need it 👌
easy choice imo. take ep3, put the mods on it, away you go.
or whats even better, get an eg or ek, take the k20 from that ep3 put it in that eg/ek and throw in a dc2 steering rack
blow the doors off the clio and the next model and probably the next while also having fully indiipendant suspension all around.
I had the 306 Rallye around then. That thing was underrated. 4000rpm in 4th and the whole car resonated and sounded like an aeroplane.
the 306 Maxi driven by French Pilots were phenomenal rallye cars !
The 306 Rally doesn't get spoken about enough. We'd love to film one if we got the chance
Was it a company car for the pilots?
@@cinch I sold mine years ago. I have a 205 Rallye but it has been garaged for the last 20 years or so.
@@cinch hope u will find one to drive ...
The RS also have variable valve timing and can also have two different behaviors. Careful with 4 point harness without a cage...
When had the ep3 liked the Bridgestone tyre .. Never driven a sporty clio seems I missed out 😢
Hi Jason. Definitely worth a try. They're still quite affordable too
/Jamil
The EP3 had electric steering FYI, pretty universally panned for feeling crap. The DC5 integra from the same year kept hydraulic steering
Wow even as early as that? I guess that's just the consequence of the Civic Type R being based on a high volume passenger car
Would love to have DC5 Integra in to film
@@jamiljafri4841 indeed. The EP3 was a bit of a disappointment in some regards compared to the type Rs that had gone before. Electric steering, no LSD, no double wishbones etc. Great engine (I have one in my 1990 Civic), but certainly a less focused Type R than it's ancestors
@@k20ee96must have been an uproar in the Civic Type R community. Crucially, was the way it handled a disappointment though?
iirc the ep3 steering never was considered crap.
Love this kind of content
We do too! Which rivals shall we rematch next ? We want to make more content like this so please share with like minded friends to help us keep making films like this
Absolutely love this era of cars and I’m still stuck there. Had newer but just don’t appeal to me really too much nanny state, tech, screens and driving dullness now and clogged with emissions rubbish. Back then you had the mk5 gti that was the do it all but not amazing at anything, type r for revs, focus st for noise and then cars like the 182 you just kick it head in and it loved it. Cars peaked in this era
We totally agree that the noughties was a real sweet spot. Hopefully Hyundai or someone similar brings back a small hot hatch so it’s not actually the end 😢
I daily drove a 182 for 11 years, it never once let me down. it needed little bits here and there but while i was a student it was perfect to have alot of fun while also being affordable. I still have it stashed away in a garage because i cant bare to sell it. I now have a Clio Sport 200, its better to daily but 182/172 platform is more fun for sure
I too was a student when I first bought my 182 so I know that low-budget requirement well! If I hadn’t modified it, it’d have only cost me a coil pack and normal maintenance 👌
I was 19 when I had an Ep3 back in 2009 and sold it. I regretted it every day. NOW 2024 just purchased another ep3 Type R.
Surely that's gotta be your forever car now?
@cinch absolutely 💯
Had a mix of both manufacturers; DC2, DC5, Trophy 182 and 200 Cup. DC2 was the pick, followed by the 200 Cup, Trophy and DC5. DC5 was a disappointment compared to the others.
The K20 is used in everything such a beast of a engine capable of 450hp on stock internals. Crazy.
How much to get there ?
🤯🤯🤯 insane output for it's size and time
@cinch , wheelbase for clio is 246 cm , not 194 cm
Thank you. Accidentally used the width measurement
/Jamil
Ben was a great presenter more of him please!
I know right! Consider it our new years resolution
Sam do you live around Barnet as I keep seeing your car going up/down the roads around me ?
I grew up there! Not in Barnet anymore, but still have family about so that's probably when you've seen the car 🫡
@@SamSheehan55 Ah right... I've a silver 182 and live in Cockfosters/New Barnet so your RB one piqued my attention. It looks great in the flesh ! There aren't many of them in/around where we are.
Had both. Clio is better suited for a daily driver. Comfortable and had excellent xenon headlights and excellent mpg. Dephaser pulley gets noisy but doesn’t affect performance. It’s well known in Clio community that the 172 makes 162 and 182 makes 172.
Civic is like a road legal track car, headlights were terrible on pre facelift. Ride was fidgety and bouncy not suitable as a daily driver. Radio and speakers terrible. Having to reach round for seatbelt is a pain. Handling and acceleration much better than Clio though.
AMAZING.🔥.
Thank you
Miss my ep3 type r , few k In handling mods and it’s even better . Remap it to lower the vtec range and it’s a completely different car . No fancy electronics just driver skill not like modern cars with esp , traction control etc
Le ho avuto tutte e due❤
I know that its a totally different beast but im curious to know what a Clio V6 is like to lice with today
If anyone owns a Clio V6 or knows someone who does, please get in touch. It deserves a film 👀
Whats the panel on the a pillar? My ep3 never had them?
It's a Bluetooth hands free module. Not a factory option either.
Have you made any convenience modificationss to your EP3 Civic?
/Jamil
@ ahh i see!! And tbh mine is more a track car that i daily so its far from sensible haha. Generally stock but track upgrades fitted. Pbs pro race pads all round, c hook discs all round, mugen spoiler, mugen splitter, sports cat, m2 slash cut backbox, lowering springs, braided brake lines, poly bushes, camber arms, camber bolts, tegiwa strut brace, k&n induction kit, and probably a few little things here and there but thats the spec i had. I will have some videos on my channel soon!
i drove that gen clio but 1.5 dci with 82 hp and it was going like mad , i cant imagine how is clio rs quick 😄😁😁
We need a video with a mk5 gti ed30 vs a megane rs 225
Good shout! On the list
No cambelt on the EP3 K20a engine has a chain. Change around 100-120k if required.
Pretty pointless to be giving postives to the Clio for modified parts seats/wheel etc. If the EP3 isnt feeling sharp its needing work. Both fantastic hot hatches but like for like the EP3 is quicker. Both handle great Clio cup suspension is godly. Reliability Honda is a clear winner. But corrosion wise Clio is miles better. Id call it even. I have had both btw.
Good video 😎but them harnesses in the clio are dangerous like that
Thanks! Rest assured they look at more of an angle in this video, but in reality they’re just over the 45-degree angle to be acceptable. I was grilled in my PistonHeads days to make sure of it 😬
All of the clios had the plastic front wings. I had the 1.2 8v with basic black bumpers and that had them. Great car.
Love the commitment to keeping things both lightweight and affordable
@ and yet it’s not a feature on any other Renault from that era. There’s a good story there about why the Clio was different or why the design ethos just didn’t translate.
Should of chucked a 106 GTI on the mix. Smaller lighter and less power but boy is it good fun and revs the same as the clio
All Clios of that era had plastic wings. I bought a 2001 Clio 1.2 Dynamique and it had plastic wings. Pain if you damaged them because you have to use special paint that won't crack when flexed.
Didn't think about that. The cost of light weight I guess
I ❤ed my clio 182 WR55 LHD! Had him for 14 years! Only 3 years old when i bought him. MY dream car back in the day! Got written off by a stupid mare txting on her phone coming out of a junction! RIP Beastie! 😢. The best drivers car ive ever had! These cars will never be replaced, all the new ones are soulless!!!
Ah that's a sad story :( But glad you also love the Clio! Brilliant driver's cars, indeed
I dont think the EP3 has any electronic stability controls.
Turns out Honda was the more confident brand! 🔥
Renaultsport 182 for me. Performance and reliability are outstanding and not matched by anything else. Chassis is perfect. Ex-182 Trophy owner here (186/500). Renaultsport didn't have to have a purpose built engine to perform amazingly. The F4R highly strung did amazing. The Trophy with the Orbisoud exhaust too is amazing. Only the Yaris GR Four recently has the ability to also hold the title of 'best hot hatch'. EP3 definitely not.
No regular cambelt change on the civic....
Ah that makes me so jealous. My Clio’s is £600+ every 6 years 😢
I think they should bring on also a peugeot 306 gti or a rally even. They are a little bit older but boy they could handle.
Now I'd LOVE to film a Rallye. One for the list, for sure!
Ep's were a comfort sports car (DC 5 Fd 2 were true sports cars) that's why there is no tunnel down the middle , more comfortable in the back for passangers . I think the Boot is 1m wide .
EP steering not correcting is the eps moter is nackered/ old& worn and a Derlin rack slider helps tighten the fell , eps moter is not cheap to replace and if they fell floaty then the tyres are cheap/ bad
I cant sit on the floor anymore , i like a higher seating postion and the massive front window .
Have a hate issue with the driver side sunvisor long term owners will understand.
I owned a civic ep3 type r for 11 years it was amazing and has a much stronger engine than french car honda all the way my mate had a clio 172 it spat a spark plug out he had it repaired was never the same
11 years?! Wow. Must have been hard to part with. Did you take it out on any road trips? If so, which was your favourite?
It was one of the best cars I ever owned even over the 2 bmw i have had
Which BMWs did you have?
@cinch
E36 320i and a e91 320d
Ep3 had electric power steering 👍🏻
Oh and if you want to try a legendary car with great steering forget the dc5 and ask Hondas heritage fleet to borrow their dc2 😎
@@darrylappleby3983great shout!
Had a 172 back in 06 it was a good car, but preferred my 306 gti6
No drag race?😳
As much as we would have loved to do that, clutch dropping 20 year old cars sounds like a recipe for disaster
No comparison for me,I've had a 182 and an ep3 and while the clio was fun to drive its reliability was shocking. I would choose the ep3 everytime
my 2003 brand new at time 172 used to pull away nicely from EP3's - always cheered me up
It's the little things 😁
Clio it’s special 💪🚀
We had it so slow in the noughties. These things are slower than most modern 1.0 litre turbo engines😂😂😂
I’m lucky to have a Renault Clio Mark 3 Renault sport 200 Cup and a Honda civic Type R FK8. You could draw the same parallels with these vehicles years on. Surprisingly the Clio is the better built. But both have strong drivetrain underpinnings. The Clio is like a terrier who dug up a stash of speed in the garden and the FK8 feels like a BTCC car that got signed off for the road.
Interesting to see how these two traded blows throughout the generations. We're hoping the Alpine A290 can continue to give the Type R some stuff competition. Have you seen our review of it?
@ sorry EVs leave me cold. I think they are good in a lot of applications but for an enthusiast it has to be ICE.
I totally understand your perspective. This year we were pleasantly surprised by a few enthusiast focused EVs such as the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and the Alpine A290. They wouldn't be able replace an enthusiast ICE car but they do have their own unique flavour of fun. Highly recommend taking these ones for a test drive
/ Jamil
The Clio also had variable valve timing.
Variable valve timing is not the same as VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control.) It's the lift that makes all the difference, VTEC uses an entirely different set of cams at high RPMs. Explaining the process with words alone doesn't do it justice. It gives you the kick in power and the infectious induction roar when you hit it. =)
personalmente me gusta mas el ep3,los interiores son bastante mejores,la suspension trasera es independiente y el k20 es infinitamente mejor que el motor del clio,una mecanica super fiable y la caja de cambios dura como una piedra tambien.
Why haven't I subscribed earlier is as mysterious as why you would prefer one or the other. I would've both if I could.
Haha indeed! Thank you Fred. Please share with other like-minded petrol heads so that we can continue to make more films like this
/Jamil
need a late 90's hot hatch for all the old boy racers
Which 90's hot hatches would you suggest that we rematch in our next film?
@@cinch Vauxhall Corsa vs Ford Fiesta vs Honda Civic vs Toyota Starlet etc
7:53 wheelbase is wrong
The Best engine in the world, k20 & k24 😎💪🏽
I've just gone from a Clio 172 into a civic ep3 and the civic is much better built than the Renault I spent a lot on my Clio and was still getting issues every few weeks weak gearbox among other things going wrong only thing I will say it does handle better than the ep3 but I do find the ep3 the better car.
They are not rivals, clio is another category, his rival is the megane and they are not from the same time.
Right, who can buy me an EP3 Civic Type R now?
Not an EP3 but could I tempt you with this 👀 www.cinch.co.uk/used-cars/honda/civic/details/d2295dc3-c5e5-47f4-8863-4461fa9db59d
Civic is segment C and Clio is B. Civic and Megane similar size. Clio smaller than Civic.
British Type R is the crippled Type R..... So built in Britain was not a plus for us buyers.... Still much prefer them to the Clio tho.
EP3 best type R 🤟
As some one who has had bothe the civic and the Clio civic was bullet proof and the Clio was definitely not
Rival? not even close. Comparing a shit clio to a type R 😂😂😂😂😂😂
99% of the time, clio is better. 1% of the time (>6500rpm), honda is better.
ep3s are either all getting broken for parts in birmingham or binned.
Do some research before a video surely ... EPS in Civic (the worst I've experienced) and no TC or anything, hence the lack of button
Peugeot 306 gti foudroi la clio rs donc c'est pas la clio qui étais la rival, je sais de quoi je parle j'ai les 2 voiture la clio rs et aussi la Peugeot les 2 sont d'origine et la Peugeot 306 est devant en course
A civic ep3 does not look like a Renault cenic mpv
Videos like this show how boring newer cars have become.
I have Peugeot 306 gti bv6 it's cooll
EP3 all day
I respect Renault more than VW or Ford but still ain't Honda
How come?
It's much, much better. Honda drivers have a bad name for themselves. Super chavvy. The 182 is a proper enthusiasts car.