1.2 8v Clio- life expectancy

[Classic Grad 98]

A neighbour has a mk2 phase 1 Clio with the D7F engine. It's for spares or repairs with a blown gasket and I could get it at roughly scrap money. I know I can do the gasket but it's done 115k miles. Is it worth resurrecting?

[militantmandy]

Classic Grad 98 said:

A neighbour has a mk2 phase 1 Clio with the D7F engine. It's for spares or repairs with a blown gasket and I could get it at roughly scrap money. I know I can do the gasket but it's done 115k miles. Is it worth resurrecting?

Mine's done 125k and it still runs brilliantly.

[turbopug]

The gaskets are easy to change on 1.2s. 2 hours would do it, the only thing you need to watch out for is a warped head.

[StoatInACoat]

Had a 1.2 Clio stter for a while that I bought with 130k on it. Apart from feeling a bit like a wheelie bin it was very simple and strong. Engine never caused any problems despite being caned and well overdue a service or three.

[militantmandy]

Just had put 4 new tires on ours and had it mot'd. The NS anti roll bar had rusted away! Still, now it's fixed reckon there's many more miles left in it. Done 130ish k and everything still works and runs really well. Great wee car.

[exigepete]

Great cars, my old one going stong at 116k, just sold to a mate and replaced with a 172 Cup. Amazingly nippy for a 1.2! Economical and cheap on parts as well.

Two common probs:-

If the airbag light comes on, 99% of the time it will just be the pre-tensioner wiring under the seat. Unplug connectors and squirt of contact cleaner should sort it.

Intermittent speedo will probably be the speed sensor on gearbox, about £20 for new one.

[militantmandy]

Does the 172 feel MUCH faster? I am really keen to do this myself. I can't imagine the fuel costs would be that much heavier as even with fairly carful driving I can only squeeze about 35mpg out of the 1.2.

[exigepete]

Yes the 172 Cup is much quicker and handles loads better due to wider wheels, track, dampers etc. Fuel wise I have noticed only a slight increase over the 1.2 in normal driving. Engine just working less hard than the 1.2!