The Fiercest Car Rivalry Of The 00s | EP3 Civic Type R vs RS Clio 182

[@tatshore1984]

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

[@benpenagonzales6014]

Get the new type R bud. Don’t know about the Audi but the merc was disappointing.

[@S93.45]

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

[@kazali6111]

I trust honda more

[@cinch]

How come? Also, which rivals would you like us to rematch next?

[@kazali6111]

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

[@cinch]

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

[@kazali6111]

Really. I has no idea

[@SpecializedRider1986]

I trust the Renaultsport more, ex-182 Trophy owner here. Best hot hatch ever!

[@sebspitz9995]

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]

Thank you Seb! We're not surprised. That's your "forever" car now. Been on any fun roadtrips with it?

[@sebspitz9995]

@@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 !

[@cinch]

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

[@sebspitz9995]

@@cinch B7 RS4 vs M3

[@BlueHopi144]

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

[@gumpy4960]

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.

[@koolkat969]

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!

[@kenzohkw]

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.

[@PureLeeful]

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.

[@cinch]

Absolutely! Healthy competition

[@vp272]

Much prefer the Clio! Great seeing the reviewer having so much fun with a high rev low weight hatch

[@cinch]

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?

[@vp272]

@@cinchsure, if you want a retro early 2000’s battle maybe a Honda s2000 vs Mazda mx5?

[@cinch]

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

[@mrvolkswagon1710]

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

[@NC90]

Love the filming locations you guys pick, visuals are always 👌

[@cinch]

Thank you so much! Which cars would you like to see us rematch next?

[@markjones2547]

Still got my ep3 ,12 years in and don't plan to sell

[@adrianbunyard6015]

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.

[@cinch]

Agreed! Both are wonderful hot hatches in their own way. Which rivals should we rematch next?

[@adrianbunyard6015]

@cinch maybe fast saloons, say Mondeo st220, accord type R 2.2, vectra gsi 2.5....not the 2.6 as it's rubbish.

[@cinch]

Thank you for the suggestions! Would gladly film these /Jamil

[@bassline2k10]

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

[@lilpeen9283]

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

[@k20ee96]

The EP3 had electric steering FYI, pretty universally panned for feeling crap. The DC5 integra from the same year kept hydraulic steering

[@jamiljafri4841]

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

[@cinch]

Would love to have DC5 Integra in to film

[@k20ee96]

@@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

[@jamiljafri4841]

​@@k20ee96must have been an uproar in the Civic Type R community. Crucially, was the way it handled a disappointment though?

[@99Lezard99]

iirc the ep3 steering never was considered crap.

[@HumdrumAnt]

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.

[@kaptainemerica1]

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)

[@jamiljafri4841]

I'd like to assume Honda designed the car to not have to lean on stability control?

[@cinch]

There we were thinking that EPAS has come a long way. Looks like Honda did a pretty good job of it even back then

[@rusolinio121]

Worst part about ep3 is the steering. Refuses to self center on 99% of them.

[@iandavies1893]

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 😊

[@iManMe23]

I had the 306 Rallye around then. That thing was underrated. 4000rpm in 4th and the whole car resonated and sounded like an aeroplane.

[@BlueHopi144]

the 306 Maxi driven by French Pilots were phenomenal rallye cars !

[@cinch]

The 306 Rally doesn't get spoken about enough. We'd love to film one if we got the chance

[@cinch]

Was it a company car for the pilots?

[@iManMe23]

@@cinch I sold mine years ago. I have a 205 Rallye but it has been garaged for the last 20 years or so.

[@BlueHopi144]

@@cinch hope u will find one to drive ...

[@benpenagonzales6014]

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.

[@cinch]

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

[@crg92]

Owned ep3 and currently own a 172 cup, both great the EP3 felt more special, but the chassis on the clio is fantastic

[@cinch]

A man of great taste. What was your ownership experience of these two cars like? /Jamil

[@MrLense]

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]

Thank you MrLense! And that's the beauty of it: really accessible fun cars that stay affordable

[@MrLense]

@@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.

[@Maxx8666]

Love this kind of content

[@cinch]

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

[@TIM612826]

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!!!

[@19hmxd]

Whats the panel on the a pillar? My ep3 never had them?

[@cinch]

It's a Bluetooth hands free module. Not a factory option either. Have you made any convenience modificationss to your EP3 Civic? /Jamil

[@19hmxd]

@ 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!

[@ldh2851]

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!

[@Nirdi2401]

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.

[@SpecializedRider1986]

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.

[@Malpriorvids]

The Clio also had variable valve timing.

[@dw1035]

Ep3 ❤

[@KHID-JR]

AMAZING.🔥.

[@cinch]

Thank you

[@graemedavison7309]

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.

[@cinch]

Love the commitment to keeping things both lightweight and affordable

[@graemedavison7309]

@ 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.

[@tomwidgery2121]

Ben was a great presenter more of him please!

[@cinch]

I know right! Consider it our new years resolution

[@adamevo6]

Had a 172 back in 06 it was a good car, but preferred my 306 gti6

[@bespoke500]

Good video 😎but them harnesses in the clio are dangerous like that

[@lilpeen9283]

We need a video with a mk5 gti ed30 vs a megane rs 225

[@bossadave]

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.

[@cinch]

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?

[@bossadave]

@ sorry EVs leave me cold. I think they are good in a lot of applications but for an enthusiast it has to be ICE.

[@cinch]

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

[@jasonboyle7203]

When had the ep3 liked the Bridgestone tyre .. Never driven a sporty clio seems I missed out 😢

[@cinch]

Hi Jason. Definitely worth a try. They're still quite affordable too /Jamil

[@99Lezard99]

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.

[@liviusurdu7112]

@cinch , wheelbase for clio is 246 cm , not 194 cm

[@cinch]

Thank you. Accidentally used the width measurement /Jamil

[@jamiljafri4841]

I know that its a totally different beast but im curious to know what a Clio V6 is like to lice with today

[@cinch]

If anyone owns a Clio V6 or knows someone who does, please get in touch. It deserves a film 👀

[@OcdetailingCardiff]

my 2003 brand new at time 172 used to pull away nicely from EP3's - always cheered me up

[@cinch]

It's the little things 😁

[@Deehawkeye77]

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.

[@DmaVR]

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

[@iliverally8017]

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.

[@NOGAS420]

need a late 90's hot hatch for all the old boy racers

[@cinch]

Which 90's hot hatches would you suggest that we rematch in our next film?

[@fredvallenet]

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.

[@cinch]

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

[@mickl8212]

No regular cambelt change on the civic....

[@benwelham]

Right, who can buy me an EP3 Civic Type R now?

[@cinch]

Not an EP3 but could I tempt you with this 👀 www.cinch.co.uk/used-cars/honda/civic/details/d2295dc3-c5e5-47f4-8863-4461fa9db59d

[@konholio2]

I dont think the EP3 has any electronic stability controls.

[@EduS2K_]

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.

[@andrewcrockford6151]

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

[@cinch]

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?

[@andrewcrockford6151]

It was one of the best cars I ever owned even over the 2 bmw i have had

[@cinch]

Which BMWs did you have?

[@andrewcrockford6151]

@cinch E36 320i and a e91 320d

[@ashg7014]

Clio has variable valve timing also, Clio is also quicker 👍

[@cinch]

Ahh yes it does but the change isn't as dramatic. And clearly, it doesn't need to be

[@mikewhitehead50]

A standard Clio is not quicker

[@cinch]

I believe they had similar 0-60mph times /Jamil

[@SpecializedRider1986]

A standard 182 is quicker, the Honda isn't as quick as you think. ​@@mikewhitehead50

[@mikewhitehead50]

@@SpecializedRider1986 Civic tends to be quicker in tests, but there isn't much in it.

[@endless_touge]

I respect Renault more than VW or Ford but still ain't Honda

[@cinch]

How come?

[@SpecializedRider1986]

It's much, much better. Honda drivers have a bad name for themselves. Super chavvy. The 182 is a proper enthusiasts car.

[@GeorgeMarjetis]

Το civic είναι πιο καθημερινό...πιο ολοκληρωμένο αυτοκίνητο. Το clio απευθύνεται σε όσους θέλουν ένα go car...

[@cinch]

οποιοδήποτε αυτοκίνητο μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί κάθε μέρα εάν είστε αρκετά γενναίοι 😉

[@GeorgeMarjetis]

@cinch 👍😅.Ειμαι απ την Ελλάδα. Ζω στην Αθήνα. Τα μεγάλα και χαλαρά αυτοκίνητα δεν μ αρέσουν Αλλά υπάρχει και ένα πρόβλημα με τις λακκούβες 😏

[@cinch]

Μπορούμε να σχετιστούμε με τον αγώνα σας 😥